Blog Post 1 Response

In the modern age of Twitter, Vine and Youtube, still The Office is certainly one of the most iconic pieces of modern comedy. With the colliding of such stand out, yet relatable personality types, The Office allows the viewer to feel both a part of yet superior to its characters. Narcissistic yet almost embarrassing characters, such as Dwight truly explicate the Superiority theory. In their idea of their own superiority, as well as our personal feeling of superiority over him.  For example in one particular episode, Dwight starts a fire in the office, in an effort to teach everyone the importance of fire safety. This act displays Dwight’s idea that he is the one to teach and lead the others, as well as the viewer seeing how ridiculous the whole idea is. One could also look at this exact scene and make the argument that it falls into the category of the incongruity theory due to the pure chaos of the fire. I personally read into the cause of the fire more so in watching this scene and Dwight’s commentary on his reasoning. This scene does show the diversity of the comedic styles within The Office, which is crucial in it’s iconic impression it’s left on modern day comedy. We also the the superiority theory come into play with the character Jim. Through his pranks and so called antics, along with the simple looks he gives the camera, Jim shows his intellectual superiority over the others. In one episode he goes as far to convince Dwight that  he is receiving messages from a future version of himself. Jim’s pranks not only elevate his character to a level of superiority over those he is pranking, but al remind the audience of him immaturity and need for such antics, bringing them their own subtle sense of superiority. Through Michael's that’s what she said jokes, Stanley’s constant sass and resistance, Jim’s sarcasm and pranks, and even Pam’s straight forward commentary, The Office brings together a variety of viewpoints to bring any audience quite the laugh.