THE OFFICE Super Bowl Episode is a Touchdown!!
January 28, 2009 by Kath Skerry
UPDATE: Now that the episode has aired, if you would like to join in and discuss your thoughts on tonight’s episode, then check out the most recent post here: THE OFFICE Super Bowl Episode – Favorite Moments]
If you’re taking bets in your football pool on Super Bowl Sunday, put your money on THE OFFICE. It’s a sure thing.
I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t been overwhelmed with this season of THE OFFICE. We’ve talked about this. At times I’ve felt that the show has had a hard time finding the funny. But in this episode the writers found the funny, faked a reverse, and then handed it off to the actors who took it into the end zone without ever looking back. Touchdown!! At the end of the hour I was doing my own victory dance.
With the post Super Bowl episode of a show attracting tens of millions of people, THE OFFICE is going to have a lot more eyes on Sunday. The biggest audience it’s ever had. And for those people new to our show, I think they’re going to have a good laugh at the expense of the Dunder Mifflinites. But it’s not the newbies that I want to talk to. No, it’s those of you who have been fans all along, some of us from the very first episode. What can I say to YOU that will let you know how much I enjoyed this episode?! Well, here it goes….the Super Bowl episode of THE OFFICE felt like something we would have seen in Season 2. How’s that? Are you picking up what I’m putting down people? I liked it…I really liked it!!
THE OFFICE is at its very best when the entire cast is given the opportunity to shine, and this particular episode casts a special light on each of our trusty paper pushing friends. The writers cleverly introduced each and every character to a potentially new audience in a way that doesn’t betray long time fans. For us, knowing the characters like we do, only adds to the humor of the moment.
The writing is tight, the acting is spot on and it’s got just a little bit of everything that makes THE OFFICE so fantastic!
As for what actually happens in the episode, well, you know it’s not my style to spoil you and take away the fun, but a little teasing won’t hurt, right?
Dwight takes one his power trips too far resulting in a serious injury of someone in the Dunder Mifflin family. When Corporate gets involved in the matter, Michael realizes that things might have been taken a bit too far. Trying to regain control of his office, Michael uses various techniques to get his employees to destress during the work day. But when Michael realizes he is to blame for some of the office malfeasances, he takes it upon himself to organize a roast, at his own expense, to blow off steam.
Jim and Pam deal with some issues in their personal lives that test the strength of their relationship.
A few other teasers to get you through to Sunday…
- First off, the cold opener had me howling it was so damn funny. I’m talking tears coming down my face funny. It is probably one of the most physically demanding scenes we’ve even seen on the show.
- Dwight being Dwight lands Dwight in some deep Schrute with Corporate. Tsk. Tsk.
- Be prepared for not one but two group sing-alongs!
- We learn that Angela weighs only 82 lbs.
- Jim and Pam have some tough stuff to deal with and there are a few serious “uh oh” moments that might have fans of these twosome holding their breath.
- We see someone whom we’ve never seen before.
- PETA may have something to say about it, but there is one scene that is so funny that I’ve watched it 15 times in a row.
- Get ready for an OFFICE flashback. (No, this isn’t LOST).
- If you were nervous that the special guest stars were going to detract from the episode. Don’t worry – they don’t. I don’t know that they add anything either, though. They aren’t that funny, but the in-office storyline that surrounds their appearance is.
- Angela Martin makes everyone laugh…on purpose.
- Jim Halpert once again proves he’s the best fake TV boyfriend working at a fictional paper company ever!
- You might never look at an iPod Shuffle in the same way again. I know I never will.
I hope that’s enough to get you excited for Sunday’s Super Bowl episode of THE OFFICE. This is a really big honor for the show, and NBC is expecting big things. Please remember to tell everyone to stay tuned after the game to watch it. Don’t forget. It’s going to be on later than usual, but it’s so very much worth the wait.
Here are a few sneak peek vids courtesy of Watch with Kristin to get you excited. But if you have the willpower to hold off, then I suggest just waiting to see the episode on Sunday. It will make it all the better.
Related Posts
Filed under #1 featured, The Office, The Office Recaps, The Office Spoilers, TV News
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I was just about to go to bed and I decided to check GMMR one last time. You and I have been on the same page about The Office all season long so if you are excited and like the episode then I am really excited to see it.
I am excited! I didn’t even read when you started getting into spoiler territory. You had me hooked at season 2. I’m so glad and I hope this means a turn around for the rest of the season (fingers crossed) even though I know they made it extra good for post superbowl.
YES!! So excited. I did read the spoilery stuff but it wasn’t spoilery at all. Thank you for that. You always know the right balance.
I’m worried about the Jim and Pam stuff but I feel a bit better knowing that at some point we are going to see Jim being awesome.
I have no idea what you mean by the ipod shuffle. Huh?
I only read until you started talking specifics, but i’m still looking forward to the episode. Anything that has a season 2 feel i’m sure will be awesome.
I’m only bummed that i’ll have to wait till sunday.
First of all, I gotta say that I am super jealous that you already got to see the episode.
But I’m glad to hear that it should be a great episode. Anything being compared to season 2 has got to be awesome!
Ooohh – I see you twittered that you got the next Chuck too! Please do tell!
A hint if possible – do they reference the Mauser incident at all or does Chuck keep Sarah at arm’s length as he tries to process it still?
Thanks!
Lou – I want to keep this post on topic, but I will be posting my thoughts on next week’s CHUCK soon.
Understood – thanks!
So very excited. Somehow my Arizona team actually made it into the superbowl to make it interesting to watch, and then I get a special episode of the office. I can’t wait. I even get to celebrate my birthday this weekend.
Thank you for the review. I am staying away from the videos, but I liked your teasers for the episode.
You just brightened up my day with this.
I’ve seen no mentions of Jan in any synopses of this ep, and yet Melora Hardin’s name shows up in the cast list for it. Without spoiling, any hope of a Levenson sighting or is the cast list mistaken?
Jan is not in this episode. Thank God.
Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Thanks for the info though.
I was a little worried about this whole Superbowl/Jack Black/Jessica Alba thing. But I have faith now, because you just made me so, so excited! And I love me some sing-alongs!
This makes me so happy! I’m with you that this season has been underwhelming, so to hear that this one is season 2-esque is very exciting. I’m not watching the vids, but the (not so) spoilery comments are a great tease.
BTW, I’m feeling very inadequate seeing as my gravatar does not feature me and John Krasinski. Not fair! 🙂
Thank you so much! Also very jealous that you got to see it. The Super Bowl has now become “that thing that’s on before The Office.” Is it Sunday yet?
You are so my hero!!! This is psyching me up for this episode! But I’m scared for JAM.
And to add, you just totally made my birthday today!
Kath – you saying that the episode reminded you of Season 2 has me all excited for Sunday! I cannot wait – it’ll be worth having to sit through the Super Bowl (not really a fan of either team). 😉
Well, I am now somewhat excited for this episode…since you did mention a “season 2 vibe” for it.
But enough already with this Jim/Pam melodrama. They finally got rid of the boring Dwight/Angela/Andy relationship crap-o-rama (at least for the time being), and the show would be better off shuffling the “JAM” garbage to the background. Do we really need to focus on every little thing those two do? This show has been lackluster since Season 4, around the time that the focal point shifted to relationship drama better suited for daytime television.
More Stanley, more Creed, more Oscar, more Meredith, more Phyllis, more Toby! Characters that are funny…not soap opera wannabes! (I’m looking at you, Jim and Pam.)
Ensemble cast = funny. Jim & Pam = snooze button.
What an obnoxious review. Thanks for informing all us loyal fans what makes The Office “work best.” I’m sure that since you’ve been watching since the beginning (unlike the rest of us…right? Right?!) that puts you in the authoritative position to declare this episode being a winner, because it “gives the entire cast an opportunity to shine.” Is that all it takes to make a good episode of The Office? You might want to phone up Greg Daniels and Mike Schur – maybe they don’t know that. I mean, if it’s that easy, why don’t they just do it every episode? What are they thinking? (Forget the fact that many of the best episodes DON’T heavily feature the entire cast.)
You seal seal your pretentiousness off with the “this felt like season 2” comment. You like season 2 the best also? Wow, you MUST be a true fan! NEWSFLASH: No episode will ever “feel” like season 2, for these reasons, among others:
Andy exists
Jan is not Michael’s boss
Jim and Pam are together
Praising an episode by comparing it to season 2 is cringeworthy. The show has clearly moved in many new directions, and the worst thing the writers could do is try to replicate an old formula. I’m sure this episode will be as great as most of the rest of season 5. But not for the reasons you wrote.
I’m so excited! I’ve been a little disappointed with this season. This episode sounds like it may turn the season around. I think its good that there is going to be some issues arise between pam and Jim, there really isn’t anything there now that they are together. Personally I think for the sake of the show they may need to have some misunderstanding/or rumor that causes pam and jim to break up… I like pam and jim together as much as the next guy, but lets face it- The show doesn’t really work with them together.., Them being together is something that may only work in the Series Finale… Also, I think it would be funny to have Michael find out that he is actually the father of Jans Baby haha just a thought…
Chaz, I’m going to send some happy thoughts your way my friend because you seem very upset over something trivial. But I don’t want to make this personal so I’ll just say that I disagree with what you have to say and leave it at that. Kathy, your line about the ep feeling like Season 2 said so much with few words. To me it conveyed a feeling of nostalgia. I can’t wait until Sunday.
Thanks so very much for the awesome sneak peek, as if I wasn’t excited enough already for this episode! And Jenna Fischer linked your great preview review in her MySpace blog today! I’ve been absolutely loving, loving, loving all of Season 5 so far (for me it’s been a perfect balance of cringe, funny, dark, light, and sad, as well as a great mix of ongoing story and standalone episodes). I look forward to more great laughs on Sunday night!
“Dwight being Dwight lands Dwight in some deep Schrute with Corporate.”
Best non-spoiler blog line ever. Thanks a mill!
Calm down Chaz.
All I know is that if my birthday is going to be RUINED by the Superbowl, the only thing that will make it better is a hour long super funny Office. I’ve laughed so hard I’ve cried at the promos. I can’t wait!!
[…] you read my early review of the post-Super Bowl episode of THE OFFICE then you know I was a big fan! But I want to know what YOU think. Chime in during or after the […]
Where is this special episode posted online please?!
Josie – Go to tv-video.net and look under The Office. probably work best on firefox.