'The Paper' Debuts as Workplace Comedy on Struggling Toledo Newspaper

The Paper, a 2025 Peacock series and spinoff of The Office, revisits the mockumentary style to depict the struggles of a small-town newspaper under corporate ownership. Oscar Martinez, reprising his role from The Office, provides continuity and sardonic commentary as the paper's accountant turned theater critic, while Domhnall Gleeson stars as Ned Sampson, an idealistic new editor-in-chief aiming to revive the Toledo Truth-Teller's journalistic roots despite a skeletal and eclectic staff. The show balances warm nostalgia with workplace comedy, focusing less on cringe humor and more on camaraderie amid the newspaper’s financial challenges, including reliance on volunteer work and revenue from unrelated divisions like toilet paper. The ensemble cast features quirky characters such as a cynical circulation worker, a flamboyant managing editor, and inept corporate antagonists, contributing to internal newsroom conflicts and humorous dynamics. While The Paper captures the charm and chaos reminiscent of The Office, critics note it lacks the same sharpness and impact, serving more as a cozy workplace comedy than a biting satire. Overall, it reflects the current realities of modern journalism in a lighthearted yet earnest fashion.