Peacock’s new original series The Paper is already making waves as one of the most promising comedy debuts of the year. Created by Greg Daniels, the mind behind The Office and Parks and Recreation, the show has a familiar mockumentary style but plants its roots in a fresh setting, a struggling local newspaper in Toledo, Ohio. The result is a comedy that balances laugh-out-loud moments with timely commentary on the state of journalism in the digital age.

At the center of The Paper is Domhnall Gleeson (Star Wars) as Ned Sampson. Ned steps into the role of editor with equal parts idealism and anxiety. His challenge? Keeping The Truth Teller afloat while surrounded by a newsroom full of quirky reporters, eccentric staff, and questionable management decisions. 

The Paper feels a lot like catching up with an old friend. You recognize the style right away, but the conversation has moved on. The series delivers the awkward pauses, misfit employees, and hilariously unproductive meetings that Daniels perfected years ago, but this time with a new twist. Instead of paper sales or printer jams, the big questions here are about whether the newspaper should chase clickbait, lean on AI tools, or stick to old-school reporting. It’s funny, but it also says something real about how much local journalism has been pushed to the edge.

While the first couple of episodes lean heavily on familiar Office-style humor, The Paper quickly finds its voice. As the season progresses, the newsroom dynamics become richer, and the characters’ quirks develop into heartfelt arcs. By the finale, the show proves it’s not trying to recreate The Office but instead carves out its own unique space in workplace comedy.

In the end, The Paper is both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly relevant. If you’ve ever wondered who still cares about local news, this series makes a good case that you should.

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