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The Office has a consistent track record of featuring as one of the best sitcoms of all time on sites like IMDb and fan forums. Its 201 episodes have also gathered an average audience score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes - a rare feat for long-running media. Airing its first season in 2005, the show etched out a legacy by excelling in the mockumentary genre.
A cast involving the likes of Steve Carell, John Krasinski, and Jenna Fischer enacted the everyday hustle of being in a workplace. Following the professional lives of employees of the Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, it stood out in relatability, with characters breaking the fourth wall to explain their ordeals and workplace troubles.
Interestingly, despite NBC’s willingness for a renewal post the ninth season, its cast and makers felt appropriate to not overstretch and end the story on a high. Thus, in 2013, a two-part finale concluded the show, leaving a void in fans’ hearts.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
7 shows to watch after completing The Office
A blend of office politics, personal relationships, humor, and whole-heartedness made The Office an essential binge-watch. However, for those who have completed the show and are looking for similar options, this list should fit the bill. After scouring through fans’ opinions and recommendations, the following seven shows would help viewers move ahead post that tear-jerking ending:
- A.P. Bio
- Abbot Elementary
- Arrested Development
- Modern Family
- Parks and Recreation
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- The Office (UK)
1. A.P. Bio (Peacock)
Carrying four seasons in the tow, A.P. Bio revolved around Glenn Howerton’s Jack Griffin. A Harvard philosophy professor who lost his dream job to a rival returned to his hometown in Ohio to teach biology at a high school.
The comedic instinct of the series kicked in as soon as the teacher openly disclosed to his students that he had no intentions of teaching, at least, in the general sense. Moreover, the plot had him using his honor roll students to get back at all who had wronged him once.
Similar to The Office, A.P. Bio is also a workplace comedy. Laden with wit, sarcasm, and situational comedy, the two series would be familiar to audiences who can instantly sense sharp jokes hidden within normal-hearing sentences.
2. Abbott Elementary (Hulu, Max)
Unlike the other shows on this list, Abbott Elementary is still in active development, with its fourth season green-lit recently.
Furthermore, much like how The Office dealt with offices shutting down branches and employees facing uncertainty, this series showcased the ground reality and struggles of teachers in underfunded schools.
A mockumentary-styled sitcom like The Office, Abbott Elementary, centered around a group of teachers at a public school in Philadelphia. Focused on providing the best education for their students despite limited resources, the show focused deeply on character growth and their aspirations.
In terms of humor, it depicted these challenging situations with a touch of light-heartedness. Thus, with a unique mix of comedy and real-life drama, this series has the potential to resonate.
3. Arrested Development (Netflix)
A satirical sitcom revolving around the dysfunctional Bluth family, Arrested Development ran for five seasons. The plot had the formerly wealthy family struggling to maintain their opulent lifestyle after the arrest of their patriarch.
Beloved for intricate character arcs, running gags, and catchphrases, its most standout features were handheld camera work and voice-over narration.
A strong chemistry between the wider cast and their exchanges would instantly connect viewers coming from The Office.
Fourth-wall breaks, an unconventional leader, and unpredictability further bind the two shows together. Additionally, quirky humor and jokes would ensure good times and remembrance for the audience.
4. Modern Family (Hulu, Peacock)
Running for 11 long seasons, Modern Family combines family and workplace dynamics into a single layer. Carrying the same mockumentary style as The Office, the series explored the lives of three different Los Angeles-based families.
Much like how Michael Scott served as the central figure in the latter show, the patriarch, Jay Pritchett, was the glue holding the members of the former.
Family relationships, generational differences, the ups and downs of marriage, parenthood, a closet business, Modern Family packed them all. Characters would often eye or speak to the camera, hinting at their trials and tribulations, which served many running jokes.
Laden with humor, heartbreak, and heartfelt moments, the two shows sit well with each other’s viewer bases.
5. Parks and Recreation (Peacock)
Parks and Recreation gave the likes of Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, and Amy Poehler their shot at Hollywood fame. A political satire, it even included Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, and John McCain as guest stars.
The plot attended the daily operations of the Parks and Recreation Department of the fictional town of Pawnee. Thereafter, Poehler’s Leslie Knope served as a central character, whose dedication and optimism invited challenges for her and her colleagues.
Radiating positivity with humor and featuring a mockumentary format, the show should be easily relatable for fans of The Office as well as those involved in the workforce.
6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Peacock, Netflix)
In a major departure from most of the entries here, Brooklyn Nine-Nine did not follow the mockumentary style of shooting as The Office.
Rather, it followed a linear storyline where each character received their spotlight and arcs, which paid off satisfyingly in the end.
With eight seasons and 153 episodes, the sitcom largely centered around the goofiness and unpredictable sharpness of Andy Samberg’s NYPD detective, Jake Peralta.
Along with his colleagues in the fictionalized 99th precinct, the character took down formidable cases with a comedic tone.
The immaturity of the detectives clashed directly with the strictness of their captain, Raymond Holt, played by the late Andre Braugher. Workplace hilarity, pranks, quips, and emotional moments connect Brooklyn Nine-Nine to The Office.
7. The Office (UK) (Hulu, BritBox)
It would be an absolute dishonor to not include the original inspiration for The Office - its British counterpart. Aired much earlier in 2001, the UK version of The Office was the brainchild of Ricky Gervais. However, it had a rather short stint of just two seasons and a total of 14 episodes.
The plot differed minutely as the sitcom followed the lives of the fictional Wernham Hogg paper company. In place of Steve Carell’s Michael Scott, Gervais’ David Brent was the central figure and the bumbling regional manager.
Needless to say, the themes of the show are exactly the same as the American version. A mockumentary style, character development, multiple award nominations, and wins, all but exist in both versions of The Office.
Fans would hardly skip a beat while transitioning from one show to the other and would rather feel complete after understanding what inspired The Office in the first place.
As of 2024, The Office is soon headed for a reboot. Though none of the original characters would be returning, it may still consist of the same themes and quirks. Unfortunately, there is no exact telling as to when it will land, with no official release date, yet. In the meantime, the above shows should keep fans occupied and in good spirits.
