Office: Season Two DVD: Review By jimmykeown

The everyday workweek of an average American office worker is stereotyped through boxed cubicles, talks around the water cooler, and an unhappy working atmosphere. With such limited material one would never believe a show, centered on a numbingly boring topic, would ever make it off the ground, but the Office surprisingly prevails. The most appealing aspect of the Office is the fact that it doesn't break the stereotypes of office atmosphere, but rather turns them into something we can all laugh about. Every character is so different, yet the reaction between such diverse personalities is so familiar to any American's work-life. Led by the recently popular Steve Carell, who plays the office boss, you get a feeling that these people know what they're talking about when it comes to comedy. Rarely did I laugh at any dialogue, but rather the situations, and how each of the individuals reacted in such extreme measures.

The Office was initially a British television show, which was picked up by network programming in the United States. Adapted to create "the office" of the everyday American, the show is shot as a Moc*mentary. The style of the Office creates a sense of realism through personal interviews and somewhat roughly shot cinematography. The characters also look into the camera, attempting to verify the idea that they're being doc*mented.

What I like about the office is the entertaining environment that the show creates. I don't have to think or learn from the episodes, I simply get to enjoy an outrageous series. Season 2 expands on inter-office relationships, both romantic and friendly. Dwight (Rainn Wilson) struggles to deal with the temporary office hotshot, Ryan (B.J. Novak), but at the same time ventures out and explores his more romantic side. Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer), the more regular members of the office, become intertwined in a back and forth flirtatious game, reminiscent of comedic grade school behavior. Season 2 also reveals Michael's(Steve Carell) inability to truly manager the workers, but what would the office be without the shenanigans such as the Dundies? The Office offers an extremely unique twist on a stereotypically boring life, but the show acts as an outlet for the everyday American worker, and makes me wish that if my workplace was this much fun, then maybe waking up early for work wouldn't be such a burden.

The DVD is packed with extra features and clips ranging in length from a few seconds to 10+ minutes. A good chunk of episodes include commentaries and Deleted Scenes. There's also an entertaining Blooper Reel that isn't much different than the show, considering the Office feels like an extended blooper itself.

There really aren't any larger featurettes on the DVD, which was a little dissapointing. Small featurettes such as "Steve on Steve" and "Faces of Scranton" offer a fun time, but my favorite extra feature was the "PSA" addition. The fake PSAs are amazing and really strike the right note. As far as bonus features are concerned, they don't get much better than this.

The DVD's image is superb, and shown in Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1).

A show like the Office really doesn't have to rely on audio. Although the DVD is presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital, you really can't tell. For what the DVD requires, the sound more than provides.

The packaging and artwork of the DVD are completely geared towards the office. The back of the sleeve is shown as post-its and cork board. The chapters and show overviews are also given as notes and highlighted as necessary. The box is very nicely put together and accents the already excellent DVD.

Season 2 of The Office offers up multiple laughs and an experience that is unique to most, but all too familiar to some.