Happy 'Office' Birthday
Good God, people, Jim is turning into Michael.
Yes, on last night's "The Office," Jim was in charge while Michael went off on his "Survivorman" adventure (nice plug for the Discovery Channel) and the first thing Jim does is pull some idiotic, Michael-like power move. His big initiative: combine all the office birthday parties (13 a year) into one annual party.

Great Scott! A new Michael? (NBC)
Sure, everyone agreed to it -- not wanting to seem like they would really miss their own individual birthday party -- but c'mon, we all like the office birthday recognition don't we (see quiz below).
Jim started getting the hint that his communal party idea was a bust when he started getting requests for various cakes -- Creed wanted his peach cobbler, Andy likes his Fudgie the Whale. Jim eventually backtracked.
It was eerie seeing Jim sitting in Michael's office and to hear Phyllis accidentally call him "Michael." By show's end he genuinely seemed to be enjoying the "That's what she said" routine. It's not too late to flee Scranton, Jim! Take Pam with you!
A so-so episode, I think. Perhaps the writers felt a bit hindered by the fact that they had to go green in this episode. Remember it's "Green Is Universal" week on NBC. Every NBC show (even Friday's "Deal or No Deal") is incorporating some kind of environmental theme. It seemed like a stretch tonight.
Michael in the woods wasn't as funny as it should have been but Dwight, once again, stole the show. Showing off his hidden weapons throughout the office (including "Mr. A. Knife" in the file cabinet) was inspired and we'll give him the line of the night as he opined on weapons in the home: "It's better to be hurt by someone you know accidentally than by a stranger on purpose."
John Maynard
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November 9, 2007; 8:12 AM ET
The Office
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Posted by: jim 'n' pam 4ever | November 9, 2007 10:13 AM
I think you may be missing a very important point. Jim's character is positioned as the everyman in this show and his ability to pick up Michael's awful points means that inside each of us is a little bit of Michael Scott. I think this goes far beyond creepy and is incredibly depressing.
Posted by: We are all Michael Scott | November 9, 2007 10:20 AM
A mediocre Office is still better than any other show on TV. I only managed two or three hearty laughs last night, however, it still was a good show. I think we will see Jim begin to morph into a Michael. How it gets there will be the brilliance of the show. Especially with the writers strike.
This show is classic because anyone of the actors could take the spot light on any show and it will be funny.
This is must see TV.
Posted by: The Office is Religion | November 9, 2007 1:45 PM
I agree with the general consensus that, although sharper and wittier than almost anything else on TV (on the drama side, only Mad Men can compete in writing and character development), both last night and last week's episodes were weaker than the average high standard.
I think The Office goes off-kilter when it leaves, well, the office. Michael's flailing around outside his natural fluorscent environs aren't nearly as funny as the subtle humiliations he encounters with his coworkers and with Jan. I hope the writers strike ends soon and that the writers come back refreshed and with new ideas that can only take place within four walls that contain at least one copier and one fax machine.
But there were funny moments and, as usual, Dwight stole the show. But where was Kelly?!
Posted by: Lisa | November 9, 2007 3:30 PM
I've enjoyed The Office since season one and two things grind at me. 1. Dwight. 2. Michael out of the office.
Both to me represent the reason I hated the Martin Lawrence show. Every show he had this whiny moment that was funny at first, but went too far.
Dwight's charachter has been developed real well but sometimes it's too much of a good thing. The blow-gun in the toilet, funny, but his lines tend to stray off the path and wind up in the bushes. Michael is the same. Too many lines. There is a lot of physical comedy to be had in this show and there was a lot before but the dialog of late has gone down the crapper.
Posted by: Jarrod | November 9, 2007 4:07 PM
I thought the show was OK. I think Michael's narration while outside was hysterical, but Dwight stole the show. Jim wasn't very funny at all because he couldn't poke fun at anybody.
Posted by: Joe | November 9, 2007 5:28 PM
My favorite right before Michael left, "I hope to come back as a completely changed human being" Jim "That would be great" .. Or something like that.
Posted by: farmer stan | November 9, 2007 7:32 PM
I think Jim turning into Michael is a set-up for Jim to start looking for a new career and ultimately leading to a cliff-hanger for this seasons ending.
Posted by: dc | November 9, 2007 7:40 PM
Looked to me as if the writers were busy making up picket signs rather than focusing on the task at hand when they came up with this episode. It's so easy to come up with "Michael in the wilderness" jokes that even a Washington Post Style writer could come up with halfway clever gags!
Posted by: Tina Yothers Fan Club | November 9, 2007 9:28 PM
I considered it a weak episode. Did the writers go on strike weeks ago? Hmmmm
Posted by: Dunks | November 9, 2007 9:35 PM
I feel like I'm in the minority here. I loved the episode and cracked up at Dwight's hidden arsenal of weapons (Mr. A Knife, the blow-dart gun), his lines ("Do I think Michael could survive in the wilderness? No." "It's better to be hurt accidentally by someone you know than by a stranger on purpose."), his description of a perfect assassin and smacking Michael with his shoe, and how he is a real survivalist in the woods with building the fire and finding the eggs.
Also, Pam seemed to keep egging Jim on -"Do you think that's a good idea?" and "Conference room?" - which seems to indicate she knew what was going to happen but let Jim trip until he came to that same realization.
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yeah, sorta weak episode last night. there were a few tossed off lines that made me laugh..when jim walked in as the rest of the employees were kvetching and asked what they were talking about, creed jumped up and said, "c'mon gang!" and nobody moved. i also liked when jim poked fun at the way toby talked. dwight was wonderful/insane and the star of the night. the weapons hidden throughout the office, including a blow gun in the toilet tank, "i will allow michael to die if necessary, but i will not allow him to lose his dignity." gee thanks pal.