The Paper Season 2 Review: Finally, A Sitcom Worthy Of That Title

After an extensive dry spell with precious few great sitcoms on TV, The Paper season 2 is on course to live up to the glory of its parent series. While The Paper's tenuous links as a spin-off from the incredibly popular show, The Office, led to a great deal of comparison in season 1, the latest season proves this show can stand on its own two feet and deliver an exceptional new situational comedy that rivals anything else currently on TV.

In season 2, the team behind the Toledo Truth Teller newspaper is flying high thanks to a recent awards sweep that proved the recent change in leadership and a dramatic shake-up of the team's structure is paying off. And at the same time as the paper is celebrating success and looking forward to a brighter future, editor-in-chief Ned Sampson (played by Domhnall Gleeson) has recently sparked a romance with his employee, Mare Pritti (Chelsea Frei).

Things remain chaotic in the shared office space, and tension continues to build between certain members of the old guard, specifically Esmeralda Grand (Sabrina Impacciatore), and Ned, all adding up to a tremendous series of missteps, faux pas, and not-so-hidden secrets.

The Paper Season 2 Builds On Season 1's Strengths

As mentioned above, it was impossible to watch season 1 of The Paper without comparing the show to The Office. With the inclusion of Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nuñez), the discussion about the film crew linking back to the previous show, and the location drawing on a shared history between these shows, there was a clear and definitive link between these shows.

That being said, The Paper did bring a strong new cast of characters, with distinct personalities, and a format that drastically redefined the dynamics in the workplace, with a group of amateur reporters rather than a set of salespeople taking center stage. Within this new lineup, the series made bold choices and leaned into humor that balanced traditional comedy with absurd, quirky, and at times awkward humor.

And in many ways, that is the genetic makeup that went into The Office, and the backbone of what made that series so compelling. With that in mind, it's wonderful to see The Paper season 2 double down on the reporting format and give every character room to shine in a way that immediately elevates this season far beyond what came before.

There is more chemistry, a solid foundation for awkward interactions between the cast, and an opportunity for each character to explore more of their personality and stand out in their individual moments rather than blend into the background. As a result, the trajectory for this series feels like it is on track to take The Paper to another level.

The Paper Has All The Makings Of An All-Time Great Sitcom

It's no secret that there hasn't been a particularly great sitcom to come out of the 2020s so far, and even in the previous decade, there was a drastic decline from earlier periods such as the 1990s or 2000s, but The Paper is proving that sitcoms are still viable in 2026. With sharp wit, captivating characters, and moments that compel the audience to stay tuned, this is what has been missing from TV for years.

In many ways, the show has carried forward some of the best parts of a series like The Office, with an overenthusiastic boss who is out of touch with much of reality and obsessed with creating a good impression with his colleagues. But more than that, Ned Sampson is a very different type of character compared to Michael Scott, as someone who is definitively more competent and at least somewhat capable of reading the room.

But great sitcoms rely on an ensemble of engaging characters, and The Paper absolutely delivers. This show gives space to the entire cast to have their moments to shine, with a handful, like Esmeralda and Ned, standing out due to their over-the-top personalities, but every ingredient in this show goes into making it a compelling and exciting watch with every chance of joining the ranks of great shows like The Office, Modern Family, and The Big Bang Theory.

The Paper Season 2 Sets The Stage For A Spectacular Future

The Paper season 1 laid a solid foundation for the series to build on, much like The Office season 1, which introduced the cast and had some moments that didn't quite land as it found its voice. But the 10 episodes that make up The Paper season 2 launch the series to a whole new level, with many moments that create genuine laughs the audience can't help but share.

Yes, the series is still in its early stages, but with the incredible writing and leadership of Greg Daniels, who created the American version of The Office, and Michael Koman, who has had recent success with absurd comedy shows like Nathan For You, combined with the stellar talents of the actors involved, this series has everything it needs to succeed and continue growing into a cherished sitcom.

The Paper season 2 is a genuine pleasure to watch, and it continues to add surprise and delight throughout the season as each of these characters burrow their way into our hearts and become sitcom icons in real time. If you were hesitant to jump on the bandwagon of this show when season 1 came out, season 2 proves that there is plenty of room to grow, and hopefully the series will continue to get the opportunity to prove its worth.

All 10 episodes of The Paper season 2 will be available to stream Wednesday, September 9, on Peacock.