It is safe to say that The Office landscape will never be the same again. The awkward pauses, the cringeworthy moments, and, of course, the classic “that’s what she said” jokes. The Office made workplace humor an art form, and it is hard to imagine anything coming close. But here it is, the first glimpse of The Paper—a spinoff that is supposed to capture the same magic. Can lightning strike twice? Or is this an exercise in attempts to bring back the past in all the wrong ways?

Well, the verdict is in, and fans are not holding back. The Paper has just dropped its first look, and it is safe to say the reactions have been less than glowing. Set to premiere in September 2025 on Peacock, the series stars Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, and Oscar Nuñez, who is returning to the office world in a new role. The response? Disastrous. The office setting is there, the awkwardness is there, but something feels off. With the first reactions pouring in, the news is not pretty.

Fans are voicing their disappointment across social media, calling the new series everything from underwhelming to a weak imitation of a beloved classic. The suits, the office banter, and Oscar’s return are all there, but without the unique spark of The Office, it is just not getting the same reception. Will The Paper emerge from the ashes or will it go down as a forgettable attempt at recapturing a beloved series’ magic? The countdown to September is ticking, and fans are already bracing themselves for a letdown.

What was meant to be a nostalgic return to the world of awkward office dynamics is turning into a full-blown disaster in the eyes of many. The reactions are harsh, and it is clear—this is not the reunion they were hoping for.

Peacock’s The Paper might be in trouble based on these first reactions

The first look at The Paper has fans already throwing in the towel, and it is not pretty. Instead of the warm fuzzies of a nostalgic Office reunion, reactions have been more along the lines of fans calling it “terrible” and “disgusting,” unimpressed with what they have seen so far. The absence of familiar faces like Michael Scott had fans sighing in relief, glad his iconic character will not be tarnished. But the spinoff trend, much like with Suits LA, was raising red flags with declarations of The Paper being “canceled after the first season,” summing up the mood for many.

It is not just about the characters, fans are skeptical about the whole idea. It being “a hard act to follow” is a sentiment flying around, and it is not just because of Michael’s absence. The Office worked because of its unique brand of cringeworthy humor, quirky characters, and unforgettable moments. Now, fans are questioning if The Paper can even come close to that magic. The expansion of The Office world is leaving people feeling more annoyed than intrigued.

The vibe on X? Not great. From “it’ll be trash” to “not sure about this one,” the fans’ consensus is seemingly unanimous- The Paper has a lot to prove and live up to. Fans are already placing wagers on it fizzling out, with some suggesting it will be forgotten by season two. Unless the show pulls off some serious magic, it might just end up a footnote in TV history instead of a new office classic.

What do you think about The Paper? Will it live up to The Office hype, or is it destined for failure? Let us know in the comments!