warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Halloween At "The Office" Is Disappointing

Julie Tong |
October 29, 2010 | 2:30 a.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

The Office (NBC)
The Office (NBC)
On Oct. 29, "The Office" debuted their annual, highly anticipated Halloween episode, appropriately called, "Costume Contest," but its poor plot line pitted against less than average "Office" humor made the episode lack the usual stellar Halloween quirkiness we used to know and love from "The Office." 

The opening sequence was perhaps the funniest part of the episode using Stanley as the focus around a series of office games.

It seems as though Stanley is stuck within his usual routine of drinking coffee, going on the computer, and leaving at 5 p.m.

He doesn't notice when Pam, Michael, and Dwight all change their appearances in some way to draw a reaction from Stanley, but to no avail. 

But in the holiday spirit, they all wear disguises. Pam wears a brown mustache, Michael wears fake plastic teeth, and Dwight is holding a live pony in the office.

Yet, none of these tactics result in any reaction from good ol' run of the mill Stanley Hudson. 

The rest of the episode is a bit yawn-worthy centering around three main story lines. The first being the overarching story, which is an office contest for the best costume.

The winner receives a coupon book with $15,000 in savings, which Angela is vying for the most (not too surprising).

Although there were a few standout costume choices, such as Gabe dressed as the Diva Goddess of the 21st century, Pokerface herself, Lady Gaga, Ryan dressed as Justin Bieber, Angela as a Penguin, and Kevin as the spitting image of Michael Moore, the rest of the cast didn't hold the same pizzaz.

What was most disappointing was Jim's complete lack of a costume, especially when his famous "three-hole-punch" costume was such genius in Season 3.

Apparently Pam gave Jim a costume to be "Popeye," the famed fictional cartoon sailor, but he refused to wear such an embarrassing costume. Of course, Pam is appropriately dressed as Popeye's wife, "Olive Oyl" with slick black hair and all. It's kind of cute though you have to admit. 

The second sub plot is between Jim, Pam, and the new guy, Danny, over why he passed up the chance on a third date with Pam four years ago. This pressure to find out the reason why Danny decided to note date Pam seems a little irrelevant, but hopefully the writers follow up on this in later episodes.

Apparently, it was because Pam was just too dorky for Danny. However, this little story line did secure an adorable quote from Jim paired with Jim Krasinki's heart melting smile about Pam, "Who doesn't call a dork like that back?" 

The third subplot is between Michael and Darrel over Darrel's communication with corporate over a new idea he had about delivery and sales, which gets Michael fuming. This story arc was perhaps the most snooze worthy part of the episode, and unfortunately, Michael's outrageous tantrums just weren't as entertaining anymore either.

The episode was below par at best compared to previous Halloween "Office" episodes, but seeing Gabe as Lady Gaga and Ryan as Justin Bieber might just be enough to draw in some viewers who may have missed this one.

Reach Julie here.
Join our mailing list.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.

 
ntrandomness