Taking "The Office" feel away from scenes

[Jim Halpert]

I'll explain myself. Take season one, all the episodes were shot either indoors or outside of the Scranton building. Season's 2-5 now, it involves sceneries outside the environments of the office floor. But for some reason, this season (5) seems like they're doing this more than ever. I'm not sure if it's the way things are being shot, different camera methods, but now it doesn't involve too much of someone sitting at their desk.

Great examples of taking away the office "feel" are episodes like when Jim and Pam stay at the Schrute Hotel, Michael's gift basket escapade, the booze cruise, Beach day, and I think it's great. Don't get me wrong, great things have happened inside the office, but for some, coming home from work from their own office, and sitting down to watch a show about an office. It's funny, but there's like a sense that you never really left your desk.

[Captain Beefheart]

Apart from the idiosyncrasy of choosing an Office as your "background" for the show, it's a natural evolution and totally understandable given the context. The Office setting after a few seasons almost plays a secondary role in the story when you think about it and there isn't that much you could exploit within the confines of the office at this point. One of the best episodes "Product Recall" mostly takes place outside of the Office and in terms of development you never really lose the feel for the episode.

[Jocasta]

The Office setting after a few seasons almost plays a secondary role in the story when you think about it and there isn't that much you could exploit within the confines of the office at this point.

The only other alternative would have been to end the show after those initial 1 or 2 series, which is what Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant did with The Office here and what John Cleese and Connie Booth did with Fawlty Towers.

[Captain Beefheart]

I know what you mean, but they're different markets and if there's something american execs are known for is trying to milk the most out of their shows even when potentially aborting the future legacy of them(Friends would be the perfect example).

Office hasn't jumped the shark yet, Season 4 was the weakest which would probably say they're heading in that direction but I'm willing to give them a vote of confidence that the writers and the talent involved will know when to stop. The show's creative team seemed to be clutching at straws after the strike, that follow up episode after the strike with the dinner at Michael's is probably the worse episode(or tied with Phyllis' wedding.)

Apart from that what other sitcom in television history has produced undisputed classics(Season 2/3)

[Jocasta]

Apart from that what other sitcom in television history has produced undisputed classics(Season 2/3)

It can be done, but it's the exception like MASH, I actually preferred the later ones with Winchester instead of Frank.
Yes, different markets and I'll keep with the American Office, the actors alone make it worth watching.

[wonderboy]

I think it's great and breathing new life into the show.