'The Office': Murder at Dunder Mifflin

What does a manager (whoops! that's co-manager now) do when the company he works for is in danger of filing for bankruptcy? Well, if you're Michael Scott, you play a murder mystery game, I do declare! 

In this week's "Murder" episode, the benefits of having co-managers came into play. With the staff fearful of their fate after reading of Dunder Mifflin's money woes from the Wall Street Journal online (really? but kudos to Jim for paying to view the full article! Keep the industry alive!), Michael attempted to ease their worry with a game of "Belles, Bourbon and Bullets." The staff totally got sucked into it -- well, everyone except Creed. He was too busy getting rid of the evidence of an actual murder? Oh, Creed. And, of course, Michael forced everyone to speak with a Southern accent (my favorite was Oscar's ... not only because it was bad -- really bad -- but also because he went along with it without hesitation). 

Meanwhile, Jim tried to stay focused on the situation at hand. But he didn't really get anywhere being the more serious one. And he eventually began to see that there was a method to Michael's madness in getting the staff involved in the silly game. The story continued the development of Jim's outlook on Michael and his managing style: "If you're stuck on a life boat in the middle of the ocean, one parent might want to just keep rowing. But if the other parent wants to play a game, it's not because they're crazy, it's because they're doing it for the kids," Jim says. Look at that. He's slowly starting to think like Michael, using a family metaphor!

Oh, and Andy's attempt at a relationship with Erin is still a no-go. He was close. But the game -- and the accents -- got in the way. The will they/won't they tension isn't quite up to par with that of Jim and Pam from past seasons, but it's cute.

Other notable moments:

--Andy's weird skill of distinguishing between accent drawls. Apparently, a Savannah accent is supposed to sound like "molasses spilling out of your mouth." 

--When Stanley and Angela opt out of the game ... until they hear there will be sandwich platters and baby carrots.

--Meredith's attempt at a threesome.

--Michael, Dwight and Andy ... wait, and Pam? pointing fake guns at each other. The look in Pam's eyes was intense.

--Michael's "tube city" for hamsters

What did you think of the episode? Think Andy should stop dating people in the office? Is a "tube city" for hamsters so bad? 

— Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: John Krasinski as Jim Halpert. Credit: NBC Universal

'The Office': Breaking up is hard to do

It could have rivaled the classically awkward “Dinner Party” episode. But instead, this week's episode of "The Office" seemed second-rate. “Double Date” wasn’t bad … but it wasn’t brilliant. It felt like a lost episode trying to find its way home.

Pam's discovery of Michael's relationship with her mom, Helene, in "The Lover" led to a glimpse of loud and irrational Pam with Michael as a voice of reason. In this episode, Pam’s uneasiness about the relationship still came through but it softened as she witnessed Michael’s affection toward her mom on her birthday.

Jim and Pam join Michael and Helene on a birthday double date (and we learn Pam regrets not making use of her whistle exit strategy). It’s in this restaurant setting that Michael the human — rather than Michael the buffoon — is explored. He has an extravagant table of balloons and decorations set up for Helene (which he makes sure to note was all his doing, of course). And he’s put together a scrapbook of their memories — he even wrote a poem! A poem! One that would make any girl swoon: “I cannot go to school today, said little Peggy Ann McKay / I have the measles and the mumps; a gash, a rash, and purple bumps / and my teacher's really mean; Happy Birthday, I love you, Helene.” Sweet, yes. And, sure, when he discovers her actual age, it’s hard not to expect Michael’s decision to dump her would be superficial. But it’s not. Michael's choice to break things off with Helene on her birthday, though horribly timed, is based on justifiable, well-articulated reasons, especially when you consider that he is … Michael Scott.

Pam's desire to punch Michael in front of the whole staff once they got back to the office — and the staff's voyeuristic desire to see her do it — seemed forced more than funny. Maybe Oscar said it best: There was really only one outcome (Pam hits Michael).

Dwight and Andy's storyline (those are becoming the norm) of out-favoring each other, got repetitive after a while. Dwight is trying to do everyone in the office a favor so in turn they will owe him a favor. It’s his attempt to overthrow Jim (of course). But Andy can’t let him have the last word, so he keeps one-upping Dwight’s offerings. There was no payoff to Dwight’s bright idea. Just variations on the same played-out joke. The butt-clenching fitness tip was funny … but not enough.

Here’s a sampling of notable lines/moments:

• Pam’s mom tells the staffers the story of how Michael presented his birthday gift to her; but Michael stops her, saying, “The rest of the story has been censored due to inappropriacity.” Classic.
• Michael’s shares when age isn’t just a number: "The only time you should care about a woman's age is if she is too young for you and I am not robbing the cradle. If anything I am robbing the grave."
• Thought oysters were the only aphrodisiac? Leave it to Dwight to reveal a far more disgusting alternative: deer penis.
• Meredith and her detective skills. The toilet seat touching method? The folks over on CSI have nothing on her.
• Toby’s offering of punch-throwing lessons for Pam. Has he been practicing?
• Michael’s fear of the unknown: "Am I scared of getting hit in the face? No … I'm scared I'm gonna love it."
• Michael’s vivid imagination: "As I watched Pam's big strong hand coming across my face, I saw my entire life flash before my eyes. And guess what? I have four kids. And I have a hover car and a hover house and my wife is a runner and it shows. And Pam and Jim are my best friends and our kids play together. And I'm happy and I'm rich and I never die. And it doesn't sound like much, but it's enough for me."

What did you think of last night’s episode? What’s been your favorite episode of the season?

-- Yvonne Villarreal

'The Office': Gone fishing

The mama drama between Pam and Michael was put on hold this week as the office harped on Michael over his most recent, and absurd, gaffe.

The episode opened with the Dunder Mifflin crew awaiting the arrival of a group of kiddies who were visiting to see the haunted house that was set up in the warehouse -- how’d that field trip get set up? Kelly sported a "Fifth Element" costume. Meredith dressed as a hobo. Michael? Why he was rocking the suggestive costume at left, of course!

Wonder if the children’s parents agreed to that when they signed the permission slips. But I’m sure the youngsters were completely oblivious to the box strapped to his waist once Michael hung himself from a harness with a noose around his neck. I was hoping the rest of the episode would follow the Halloween theme, but it wasn't.

'The Office': Mob-busters

Thursday’s episode of "The Office" was sans the physical presence of newlyweds Jim and Pam, who were off in Puerto Rico for their honeymoon, and sans much laughter. 

Kevin took full advantage of Jim’s empty office. It started simple. He needed a place to fart. I’m sure the Dunder Mifflinites are thankful he spared them that smell. But then he just stayed, bringing along his jar of M&Ms in the process. It wasn’t long before he was answering Jim’s phone and committing identity fraud. When the credit card company called to verify unusual spending activity in Puerto Rico, Kevin’s attempt to pass as Jim was a little too successful. And the credit card company canceled the account, leaving poor Mr. and Mrs. Halpert scrambling to fix things. But it’s partially Jim’s fault, right? Doesn’t Jim know you shouldn’t leave papers with his social security number on them on his desk? Especially in that office.

And, though, Jim and Pam weren’t there physically, they were still there via phone. First there was Kevin. Then Oscar tried getting their thoughts on how to dissuade Michael from another one of his hair-brained ideas. Even Michael found a way to reach them. Why did the newlyweds keep taking their calls?

But the episode centered almost entirely on Michael’s weird dealings with an insurance salesman, Mr. Grotti, who Dwight and Andy believed was in the mob. And, of course, Michael fell victim to their influence. So when it came time to meet with Grotti during a lunch meeting to discuss the insurance plan, Dwight and Andy -- dressed as a mechanic -- were by Michael’s side. And with Grotti’s intimidating ordering style -- “I’ll send it back" -- the three stooges started to believe their suspicions were right. But it was a scene devoid of funny moments, aside from Michael’s attempt to mimic Grotti’s ordering style. Even Andy’s stab at being a mechanic and recharging a car battery fell flat.

But leave it to Dwight to inject some laughter. Who else loved when he noted the toughness the sound an R makes, which, naturally, explains why we use the word “murder” and not “muckduck.”

Maybe the blandness of the episode can be attributed to the lack of office characters. Bring back Kelly and Angela! Where were Stanley and Phyllis? One line from Ryan?  More office interaction, please. The Dwight/Andy reliance is fun and their characters mesh well together, but it's not enough to sustain the episode.  

--Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute. Credit: NBC Universal

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Can 'The Office' wedding episode catch Emmy bouquet?'

'The Office': Jim and Pam tie the knot

The bells of Dunder Mifflin chimed with their love …

Jim and Pam are married!

Everyone’s favorite office couple finally got their company wedding. Sure, pictures of the nuptials circulated in the blogosphere weeks ago, but the wedding almost seemed doomed from the onset. You can never tell where things will lead when the lovely folks of Dunder Mifflin are involved. What if Michael ran over Pam with his car? But, in the end, it was a touching ceremony for the couple. But, really, it was an "important day” for Michael. 

The ceremony wasn’t completely perfect. Pam’s veil was torn (who else swooned when Jim cut his tie to balance things out?). Andy struggled to sit in the pews, his freshly bruised scrotum still healing from dancing into the splits. Kevin (oh, Kevin!) shuffled through the church with tissue boxes where his shoes should be (his actual shoes smelled so bad that the hotel personnel destroyed them); add to his humiliation the Beatles-esque wig on his head. 

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'The Office': The dueling co-managers

Thanks to the foreshadowing of Oscar Nunez — and a familiarity with office politics at the Scranton branch — viewers saw the “benefits” that arise when Jim and Michael are co-managers. Didn’t it make you think the world would be a better place if countries had co-presidents and Catholicism had co-popes?

But it was the clash of the titans between Jim — James … or is it Jimothy? Tallest man in the office? We’ll stick with Jim — and Michael.  Kelly is so right: Rivalries are awesome. I’m really impressed that she put serious thought into the L.C./Heidi debacle. Because Heidi is a “bad friend and her skin is terrible.” But back to the rivalry at hand. When it came time to determine which employees should get cost-of-living raises, Jim weighed the options (penning “pros and cons” lists) while Michael (a.k.a. “senior co-manager”) grew so irritated by Jimothy that when he looked at him, all Michael saw was how “big and gross the pores” are on his nose. Oh, Michael.

The staff wasn’t too pleased when they got the news. But, maybe, Dwight summed up best why it was a difficult decision with his colorful work-ethic metaphor: If the Dundler Mifflinites had been the Founding Fathers, perhaps the Revolutionary War would have been delayed 10 years because “Stanley Washington was napping, Phyllis Hancock was still signing the Declaration and Kevin Jefferson was distracted by a butterfly.”

Also, FYI, Creed and Meredith slept together. Not at all surprising, but I remain appreciative of the nonchalant revelation.

Meanwhile,

'The Office': Where did the funny go?

The second episode of “The Office’s” sixth season — sixth! How time flies! — proved that sometimes funny at Dunder Mifflin can be paper-thin. But life at a paper company is bound to feel bland at times, right? After all, Michael can’t accidentally hit employees with his car every week. Dwight can’t abuse his experience as a Lackawanna County sheriff's deputy. And even Jim needs a break from all the Dwight pranks. So when the office antics go on the back burner, so do the laughs.

Thursday’s episode was a lesson in office politics. With the Buffalo, N.Y., branch closed, the Scranton office has “absorbed” their clients, leaving a heavier workload for everyone and an opportunity to climb the office ladder. Jim -- looking like a dapper Don Draper in a suit and tie -- met with Dunder Mifflin’s head honcho David Wallace to discuss promotion opportunities — hey, the dude has a baby on the way. And you can’t feed a baby paper! Speaking of Jim’s sharper image, has anyone else noticed how Pam’s style has evolved? The crunchy curls and Keds have been replaced with soft waves and nonfabric footwear. Very office chic.

Sorry. Thoughts like that tended to be frequent during this episode. But back on track…

The secrecy of their meeting left Michael paranoid. And whenever Michael feels threatened you can expect a classic Michael moment is nearby. Good, right? Not this time. Michael had Andy wheel him into the conference room — the setting of so many “Office” laughs. Prison Mike. Lazy Scranton … need I say more? — where he was hidden in an “elegant” cheese cart boasting the best coagulated milk from the Wisconsin region. But a scene that could have resuscitated the so-far lackluster episode failed to do just that. 

In the end, it was announced that Michael and Jim will serve as co-managers of the Scranton branch — Hmm. Wonder if they’ll be sharing Michael’s office. Oh, and we learn that Jam’s (Jim + Pam) wedding will be taking place at Niagara Falls! Meredith likes ribs. Toby is capable of yelling obscenities. And who else loves that Michael consults his mother and H&R Block guy when it comes to making big personal decisions?

--Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Steve Carell as Michael Scott in "The Office." Credit: NBC Universal

Layoffs would bring new life to 'The Office'

The Office" is sagging and it is a conundrum to which there is only one real solution: fire Michael Scott. Or Steve Carell. Whatever it takes.

Early on, taking after Ricky Gervais' David Brent on the original British version of the show, Michael was a catalyst for misbehavior and ill will. He was difficult, verging on unlovable; you almost had to shield your eyes watching him, so great was his capacity for awkwardness.

But as the American version has aged, evolving beyond the structure of its predecessor, the expectation that Michael will occupy the same amount of space as he did during the show's earlier seasons, when his gaffes were more gratuitous, has become burdensome.

And exhausted too. Carell can't quite play him as the simp he once was: His shoulders are slightly squarer, his hair slightly better, his uncertainty a little more certain. It's as if the show no longer believes in the character's wacky potential.

Instead, in order to breathe new life into Michael, he has become something that was virtually impossible in earlier seasons, given the naive arrogance that motivated his behavior: sympathetic. Many of the show's recent episodes have been dragged down by Michael's depression in the wake of his split with Holly Flax (Amy Ryan).

Read more Layoffs would bring new life to 'The Office'

'The Office': Is Michael Scott getting the boot?

Where is this man off to?

Word is a new boss is moving in to Scranton and a "hostile takeover" at Dunder Mifflin is in the works.

Find out more at Zap2it.

Photo: NBC Universal

NBC announces the end of ER

The long-running medical drama "ER" will come to an end on March 12, NBC announced today.

One of TV's most honored shows, "ER" has won 22 Emmys and has the most Emmy nominations of any other show on television. It will say goodbye with a two-hour episode.

The announcement was part of a news release NBC issued about its midseason schedule, which included the following:

— "The Office" will have the coveted post-Super Bowl slot on Feb. 1.

— The new drama "Kings," starring Ian McShane, will premiere on Thursdays, beginning March 19.

— "Celebrity Apprentice" will premiere on March 1 and will be expanded to two-hour episodes.

— "Medium" will return to the lineup on Feb. 2, the same night that "Heroes" kicks off its new volume and "Chuck" returns with a 3-D episode.

— The miniseries "XIII" will air on Feb. 8 and 15.

—Maria Elena Fernandez

(Photo: Maura Tierney as Abby Lockhart, Scott Grimes as Dr. Archie Morris, courtesy Joel Warren / NBC)