So this is the new show from the same people who gave us The Office. It’s set in Toledo, Ohio, at a local newspaper called the Truth Teller. The idea is kind of fun, a crew filming the daily chaos of journalists trying to keep the paper alive.
But here’s the thing: while it has some funny moments, it’s nowhere near as good as The Office. You can feel it trying, but it just doesn’t land the same way.
Domhnall Gleeson plays Ned Sampson, the new editor who really wants to save the paper. He’s nice and likable. Sabrina Impacciatore as Esmeralda Grand is the wild one here — loud, dramatic and usually the funniest character on screen. And then there’s Oscar Nuñez back as Oscar, which is cool because it connects this show to The Office. He’s solid, like always.
Some episodes are clever (there’s one about a scam that’s actually pretty funny), but other times the show feels a little flat or recycled. A lot of the side characters don’t stand out, and the humor can feel safe instead of sharp.
Overall, The Paper is okay. It’s watchable and has some good laughs, but if you go in expecting another Office, you’ll probably be disappointed.