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As for PB&J (Pam Beesly and Jim), what's all this critical twaddle about their relationship being too good and that the show is going to tank if they don't get some drama? I love them loving each other. Let's hear it for the comedy couples that really got along — Rob and Laura Petrie, Dan and Roseanne Conner, Clair and Cliff Huxtable! No one is going to tell me that they weren't funny and entertaining. Pairings like that exist in real life, right? Right? Anyway, I'd rather see Pam and Jim up the pranks than up the tension.
Which brings us to Angela and Dwight, the duo with problems. Real problems. They did give us the show's best line when Angela told him, ''The thought of popping one of your beets into my mouth makes me want to vomit.'' But their pain is palpable and their separation is sad, while the reasons behind it are actually valid. He killed her cat! Which in my mind — no matter how good his intentions, no matter how badly he feels — is unforgivable. Remember when Angela told him that every time she looks into his eyes she sees Sprinkles' cold, lifeless body? So do I! It's gonna take some pretty great writing to finagle a legit-feeling reconciliation in their case.
One thing we do know, however, is that while Angela Kinsey (the actress who plays Angela) is pregnant in real life, the character won't be giving birth to Dwight's (or Andy's) baby anytime soon. How are they hiding her bump? Clever blocking, of course. And CGI! It's a little disappointing (an Office baby could be fun), but these behind the scenes clips of Steve Carell and John Krasinski giving her pregnancy/parenting advice almost make up for it.
Speaking of progeny, The Office spinoff is apparently a go — the announcement of which I truly thought was a late April Fool's joke. Are you scared? I'm scared, even if Ricky Gervais apparently isn't, posting on www.rickygervais.com/, ''I'm very excited to see if we can make lightening strike twice.''
Last, and certainly least, as you've probably already realized, I've taken over EW.com's Office TV Watch from my friend and colleague Christine Fenno. Here's a little info about me: My favorite Office character is Creed, and my favorite Brit Office character is, hands down, Ricky the intern. I get all twitterpated for Office co-creator Stephen Merchant, so I have to share with you his current radio show as well as Ricky Gervais' blog. My dream is for them not just to direct an episode of the American Office, but also to guest on one. I've noticed from listening to years of Ricky's radio shows and podcasts that he's really into asking fans to participate in write-ins and campaigns (like to get comedy partner Karl Pilkington back on air). My suggestion is that we find a way to persuade Ricky to make my wish come true!
So, what do you think TV Watchers? Did The Office return in style? Is Michael just as crazy as Jan? Should Jim and Pam go mental? Can Angela forgive Dwight?
Come back next week to read my personal story about how I almost got to eat dinner with B.J. Novak when fate (and three peptic ulcers) intervened!
