The Paper Premieres Toledo Newspaper Spinoff Amid Mixed Reviews

The Paper, a new Peacock mockumentary series and spinoff of The Office, follows the struggling staff of the Toledo Truth Teller, a Midwestern newspaper facing financial and operational decline. Led by editor-in-chief Ned Sampson, played by Domhnall Gleeson, the show balances comedy and a heartfelt look at the challenges of modern journalism, with a similar style and tone to The Office, including the return of Oscar Nunez as Oscar Martinez. Critics have mixed reactions: some praise its sweet, inspirational portrayal of journalism and sharp writing, while others find the writing half-hearted and the lead performance lacking the charisma of The Office's Michael Scott. The series captures the decline of local newspapers with both humor and sincerity, depicting a team of inexperienced reporters trying to revive their publication amid a clickbait-driven media landscape. Its mockumentary format and workplace setting offer familiar elements to fans of The Office, though some reviewers feel The Paper does not fully live up to the original's legacy. Overall, the series is recognized as a thoughtful, if imperfect, homage to its predecessor and a commentary on journalism today.