The Office: Season Four

Reviewed by:
Gene Newman

The Skinny: The Office still remains one of the funniest shows on network TV, even though the lame writers' strike cut this season to only 14 episodes.

Things That Happened This Season [SPOILERS FOR SOME; MEANINGLESS TO THOSE WHO DON'T WATCH THE SHOW]: Jim and Pam are going strong; Michael and Jan have some serious issues; Dwight and Angela break up, Angela and Andy start dating; Ryan has a coke problem, a Web problem, and ends up in major trouble; we witness the most awkward dinner party, job fair, and Toby moment in history; Stanley stands up to Michael; hilarity ensues throughout.

The Good: This is one of the few sitcoms where repeat viewings are worth it; the secondary characters, like Toby, Stanley, and Ryan, get a chance to be awesome this season; we're not sick of Dwight or Michael yet; there are still three to five great laughs each episode.

The Bad: It's a short season, which pisses us off because they were on a roll (F you, writers!); some of the overarching relationship story lines are annoying; Jim loses some of his cool factor, which could mean he becomes more of a pussy in Season 5. Say it ain't so, Jim. You're the model for half-assed employees everywhere!

Best Extra: There are four commentaries (we're not really big on those for sitcoms) and a few random featurettes ("The Office Convention: 'Writer's Block'" being the longest), but the crapload of deleted scenes and hilarious blooper reel were all we needed.