The Artist Formerly Known as Office

In life there are disappointments, deep disappointments, and then whatever we label that car wreck into a train derailment on the site of a plain crash that was this weeks episode of The Office, titled "Heavy Competition." I know I have turned Office bashing into a weekly sermon, but this week was the tippiest of all tipping points.

"Heavy Competition" was a prime example of all that is wrong with the entire season. Unfunny bizarre, and sloppy are words to describe this season's atrocious lay out. I've been left to wonder if The Office writing room has been reduced to Alzheimer's patients, monkeys attempting Shakespeare, and former Prison Break scribes. 

Lets start with the chief storyline, the removal of Michael Scott from Dunder-Mifflin. Taking the star of the show out of his habitat was a risky decision that has not paid off. Do we care about the Michael Scott Paper Company? No. Do we lose a tremendous amount in the Michael-Dwight back and forth? Yes. Remember when Entourage took Vince away from Ari? How'd that work?

Next, onto Michael's replacement, the former Stringer Bell, Idris Elba. Elba was a great free agent pick up for The Office, yet the producers have put him into a role in which he cannot succeed. His character, Charles Miner is boring, bland, and and a total douche. As Stringer Bell, Elba was calculating yet impulsive, cerebral yet savage, and both book and street smart. He demonstrated his range and layers; skills which have been buried in a one dimensional character. A solution you want? How about letting him take his character for a stroll and womanize Kelly and Angela who are smitten by his presence? The more Mindy Kaling the better.

What about the others in previously fun Dunder-land? Andy's value is crippled when he is paired with the insufferable Jim. Creed used to have one outstanding, memorable line per episode that the writers have apparently discontinued. Kevin and Stanley are like Rose and Bernard on Lost; previously loved, now missing. And remember when Kelly used to be funny? Me too.

Will I stop watching? No. I won't quit on something with years of street cred because of a little cold streak. If I did, I'd be no better than Yankee fans (in fact, its still seventh on my DVR Series Priority behind Lost, How I Met Your Mother, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 30 Rock, Mad Men, Real World/Road Rules). I just with the season cut its losses and we get back on track next year. The lesson though, as always, quit while you're ahead. A lesson of which Greg Daniels would have been smart to borrow the British version.