Originally created to be a video-sharing platform, YouTube.com is currently the second most visited website globally according to the Visual Capitalist. Shows produced by prominent television networks such as ABC, NBC, and CBS are now also promoted on the site, capitalizing on its massive audience. Networks release teaser clips to promote their series as well as upload highlights. Among the multitude of channels that serve this purpose, that for the American adaptation of The Office truly shines.
The Office US uploads content three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. These are not just clips, but are complication videos devoted to individual characters: “Best of Pam/Ryan/Darryl/etc.” They include slices from throughout the show’s nine seasons and attract millions of views. Watching a character grow through the years can leave even non-fans with a peculiar fondness for them. While showcasing the most iconic moments, these small features leave you wanting to see more.
There are videos dedicated to rivalries, bloopers, and inside jokes. The people behind the YouTube channel feel like genuine fans themselves. Some videos are dedicated to popular conspiracy theories, catering to the imagination of its audience. The creators encourage viewers to actively engage by upvoting or leaving comments. A month-long tournament to determine the most loved character resulted in an April Fool’s prank. Every day of March, the channel polled the audience, pitting two characters against each other to see who was favored, narrowing to an ultimate showdown. However, the prank resulted the choice of an insignificant character whose picture is shown in only one episode, as its winner. The tournament required daily participation from both channel and audience, which displays their synergy. The channel really understands its fans, tailoring the prank to their humor.
Not only are the creators accessible through YouTube, the comment section supports direct conversation among fans. Anyone with a Google account can write, upvote or downvote, and reply to comments. Because the most popular opinions are at the top, the comment section is a quick way to gather perspective. While most are rather silly, some comments can be insightful. Over six thousand viewers agreed with one in particular by Daniel Rios: “A part of growing up is realizing that Karen really didn’t do anything wrong, it’s just that she wasn’t Pam...” In The Office, Jim starts dating Karen after Pam initially rejects him.
Yes, while some characters are written to be hated, Karen is friendly, hardworking, and fun. These qualities are usually appreciated, but some people justify their adoration for Pam as a reason to dislike Karen. For so many to share this irrational reasoning conveys their emotional investment in The Office. This show has convinced its audience that these characters exist in some other world. Although Karen is fictitious, real people react emotionally to her.
Although it should elicit reaction, great script writing helps its audience reflect and grow with the story. That thousands were able to recognize their own growth through the show struck me. The character relationships must be engaging yet realistic for the audience to dislike someone who disrupts this environment. However, they must also be nuanced enough for people to reflect on their biases. Attracted by the ongoing popularity of the YouTube channel and convinced by the conversation generated, I started watching The Office myself.
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