What I’m Watching: The Office (Season Premiere)

The Office: Season 6, Episode 1 “Gossip” (B-)

This show tries very hard each year to start off with a big plotline that’s going to incorporate all of its cast members. Sometimes it works well (“The Dundies,” “Fun Run,” and “Weight Loss”), and sometimes it just sort of doesn’t by being too outlandish (“Gay Witch Hunt”). This episode is more like the latter, overstuffed with too many preposterous elements and nothing truly serious and good to carry it through. It’s been long established that Michael can’t keep a secret, and it’s nothing new that he hates to be left out. The brief, already-over addition of the summer interns (one of who was definitely a Scavo twin from “Desperate Housewives”) didn’t actually contribute much to the series, and the fact that they saw Stanley out somewhere seemed suspicious from the start. I imagine that Stanley of all people would exercise a bit more discretion. He also wouldn’t likely so readily admit his affair to Michael out of everyone he could possibly confide in. Michael’s solution is actually quite smart, though the man’s incredible ability to put his foot in his mouth is more than a little grating, and accidentally calling Stanley’s wife by his mistress’ name and insisting that one of the rumors was actually true are quite frustrating. Andy questioning his own sexuality is funny for a moment, but it goes too far and becomes dull and unbelievable. Some of the rumors are amusing, like Dwight’s manure source, but altogether it’s not a great concept. I’ve been anticipating the return of “The Office” for a long time now, and I guess I’ll just have to wait again until next week.