OFFICE, THE (STEVE CARELL) (SERIES) - DVD review

There's always a sense of trepidation when a remake is announced. Why tread on hallowed ground? Fans had every right to worry when NBC decided to do their own version of the British hit series, "The Office." The peacock network already failed twice with their remakes of "Men Behaving Badly" and "Coupling." Without any reason to believe that the third time would be the charm, NBC surprised a lot of people by giving them one of the funniest shows in years.

"The Office" is shot in a documentary style with talking head interviews sprinkled throughout the show. Think "The Real World", but in the workplace and much, much more entertaining. The show is set in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of Dunder-Mifflin, a paper manufacturer. The boss is Regional Manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell) who is, to put it bluntly, an ass. But, he's an ass in a different way from Bill Lumbergh of "Office Space" fame. Michael won't make come in on weekends; however, he will most likely make fun of your appearance, weight, or ethnicity. All in a vain attempt to ensure that he is always the center of attention and liked by everyone.

Also slaving away at the office is Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), the mild-mannered salesman who survives the daily grind by pulling pranks on the nebbish Dwight (Rainn Wilson). Dwight may be the only other person people hate more than Michael. He is even more annoying, a huge suck-up, and possesses no social skills whatsoever. Rounding out the main cast is Pam (Jenna Fischer), the receptionist who has to put up with Michael's bewildering behavior. The show takes a cue from "The Simpsons" by filling out the office with an incredibly strong supporting cast. Not surprisingly, the executive producer of "The Office" is Greg Daniels, a former writer/producer for "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill." Some of the background characters include: Ryan (B.J. Novak), a temp promoted to full-time who usually gets finagled into performing degrading tasks for the boss; Angela (Angela Kinsey), the ultra-religious and uptight head of accounting; Stanley (Leslie David Baker), the always serious sales rep; and the bubbly, air-headed Kelly, played by writer Mindy Kaling.

Season 2 left off with some dangling plot threads, the biggest being the will-they or won't-they relationship of Pam and Jim. When last we left, Pam's wedding with Roy (David Denman) drew closer and closer as Jim finally confessed his feelings for her. It was all for naught as Pam shot Jim down and he took a promotion to the branch in Stamford, Connecticut. But, the Stamford branch was shut down and merged with Scranton, bringing Jim back into the presence of Pam who has broken off her engagement to Roy. Just as it seems Pam may reciprocate her feelings for Jim, their romance hits a snag when Jim falls for Karen (Rashida Jones), one of his co-workers from Stamford. Also joining the cast is another Stamford transplant, Andy Bernard, hilariously played by former "Daily Show" correspondent, Ed Helms. Andy's obnoxious behavior and terrible jokes make him fast friends with Michael. It also puts him in direct competition for Dwight as they attempt to outdo each other in butt kissing.

Jim and Pam aren't the only ones who have been struck by Cupid's arrows. Dwight and Angela continue to keep their office romance on the down low, while Jan steps up her relationship with Michael, despite her better judgment. Plus, Phyllis finally gets married to Bob Vance (Robert R. Shafter) of Vance Refridgeration.

Season 3 also saw some well-known talent lend their hand to the show as it hits new levels of popularity. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the creators of the original British version, write an episode dealing with an employee who is an ex-convict. Harold Ramis ("Groundhog Day", "Stripes") directs several episodes this season, while Joss Whedon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and JJ Abrams ("Alias", "Lost", "Mission: Impossible III") step behind the lens for one episode each.

The episodes included in this set are as follows:

-Disc 1-
"Gay Witch Hunt" – When Oscar's homosexuality comes out, Michael does his hardest to make him feel comfortable. That goes about as well as can be expected.

"The Convention" – Michael & Dwight head off to Philadelphia for a product convention with the other branches while Pam gets ready for her first date since her breakup.

"The Coup" – Dwight meets with Jan in an attempt to assume control of the office. When Michael finds out, in true Michael logic, he puts Dwight in charge. Meanwhile, Jim struggles with his co-workers in a game of Call of Duty.

"Grief Counseling" – Michael's old boss passes away and he feels his employees aren't appropriately grieving his loss.

"Initiation" – Dwight takes Ryan on his first sales call with a slight detour to the Schrute family beet farm.

"Diwali" – Kelly takes the office to a Hindi Diwali celebration as Jim stays late with his co-workers consolidating order forms and doing shots.

"Branch Closing" – When the board decides to shut down the Scranton branch, everyone makes plans for their post-Dunder-Mifflin lives. That is, until the Stanford manager makes plans of his own.

-Disc 2-
"The Merger" – Michael tries his best to make the new people from Stanford welcome in their new environment.

"The Convict" – An episode written by the original show's creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Michael tries to show everyone the horrors of prison when he learns that one of the Stanford transferees is an ex-convict.

"A Benihana Christmas" – Michael isn't in the mood for holiday cheer when his relationship with Carol goes bust and Karen & Pam plan a rival party to compete with Angela.

"Back from Vacation" – Michael returns from Jamaica refreshed, then accidentally email everyone in the company a picture of himself and Jan.

-Disc 3-
"Traveling Salesman/The Return" – The staff pair up to make sales calls and Oscar returns from his vacation.

"Ben Franklin" – Michael takes it upon himself to plan Phyllis's shower and hires a stripper and a Ben Franklin impersonator.

"Phyllis' Wedding" – The big day comes as Phyllis and Bob Vance wed, but Pam discovers Phyllis has stolen many of her wedding ideas and Michael gets thrown out.

"Business School" – Directed by Joss Whedon, Ryan invites Michael to speak at his business school and a loose bat in the office lets Jim make Dwight think he's a vampire.

"Cocktails" – Directed by JJ Abrams, Jan and Michael come clean to the boss about their relationship as Pam gets backed together with Roy.

"The Negotiation" – Michael and Darryl head to the corporate office to negotiate a pay raise as Jim deals with Pam & Roy getting back together.

-Disc 4-
"Safety Training" – Andy returns from anger management as Michael and Dwight teach everyone the importance of safety in the office.

"Product Recall" – The company is under fire from angry costumers when their paper is recalled due to an obscene watermark.

"Women's Appreciation" – Michael takes the women to the mall when Phyllis is flashed in the parking lot and Dwight & Andy team-up to catch the perpetrator.

"Beach Games" – Michael takes the office to the beach and makes them compete in "Survivor"-style games.

"The Job" – In the hour-long season finale, Michael, Jim & Karen interview for an opening in corporate and Dwight is left in charge of the office.

VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The transfer is pristine with the colors incredibly strong and no flaws or grain whatsoever.

AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1. "The Office" is a dialogue-heavy show and you won't miss a single joke thanks to the superb sound. I always love hearing the opening theme in 5.1.

EXTRAS:
Disc 1 contains two commentary tracks. One for "The Coup" with actors John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, Rashida Jones, Angela Kinsey and another for "Initiation" with BJ Novak, Rainn Wilson, Leslie David Baker.

Disc 2 contains the majority of extras such as:
Kevin Cooks Stuff in the Office is a very funny short with Kevin discussing how he cooks food in the office kitchen. It mainly involves creative recipes with food from the vending machines. Quesadillas from spray cheese & potato chips, for example.

Excerpts from the 2006 NBC Primetime Preview are brief skits with the characters that were used for an NBC sneak preview special.

Toby Wraparounds are a series of brief skits with the deadpan, self-depreciating Toby.

Dwight Schrute Music Video is a music video featuring highlights of Dwight's exploits.

Joss Whedon Interview is a minute-long interview with the "Buffy" creator discussing directing an episode of "The Office."

Also included are several fan-made "Office" promos done for a contest.

Disc 3 contains two more commentary tracks. One for "Traveling Salesman/The Return" John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, Rashida Jones, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, & editor Dave Rogers and a second for "Business School" with BJ Novak, Rainn Wilson & writer Brent Forrester.

Disc 4 features four commentary tracks. They are for "Safety Training" with BJ Novak, Mindy Kaling & Harold Ramis, "Women's Appreciation" with Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, Kate Flannery, writers Lee Eisenberg & Gene Stupnitsky, "Beach Games" with Ed Helms, Brian Baumgartner, writer Jennifer Celotta & Harold Ramis, and "The Job" with John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rashida Jones, Melora Hardin, editor Dave Rogers & director Ken Kwapis.

If you're familiar with how the characters speak and interact with each other, then you'll know how the commentary tracks are down. The participants are all very friendly with each other; they joke, but still manage to relay a lot of pertinent information.

Finishing up are a blooper reel, the "Lazy Scranton" music video, trailers for other Universal releases, and the Emmy Awards skit with Conan visiting "The Office."

FILM VALUE:
"The Office" continues to be the funniest and freshest comedy on television right now. They show no signs of letting up as season 3 proves to be the best and most hilarious season yet. Outrageous antics like Jim pretending to be vampire, Dwight forcing Ryan to wrestle his cousin Mose, and Michael's sad attempt at rapping are some of the many highlights in this batch of episodes. I enjoyed the commentary tracks on this set, but I found the rest of the extras to be lacking. They are very short and I would have loved to see more behind-the-scenes footage of the guest directors at work.