Office chatter

Over five and a half years later*, this is still the first shirt worn in my gym clothes rotation. Fare thee well, denizens of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Dinkin' flicka.

*It was amazing how quickly these showed up on ebay after “Fun Run” aired.

Best of 2010: DVDs

What makes a great DVD? Sure, the content of the movie/show/concert/whatever itself is imperative, but more important for whether something is to be deemed a success on the format is the audio/video quality, packaging, and the scope and depth of the bonus features. Due to budgetary reasons, an ever-increasing lack of storage space, and willingness to wait so as not to double dip on discs when I get my own Blu-Ray player, I've greatly slowed down my purchases. Honestly, I only bought a handful of titles. But I made sure they were all winners. Here are the shiny discs that I think were the best to come out in 2010:


Kick-Ass - Okay, so I still haven't really checked out the bonus features of this Blu-Ray, but it looks packed. The film transfer itself is excellent, though. The colors of this world of costume vigilantes absolutely pops.

The Office: Season Six - When it comes to DVD releases of TV shows, "The Office" is tops in terms of what it gives back to its fans. The webisodes (ugh, I hate that term) and bloopers are fun, but the real meat is the all of the deleted scenes. When you add it all it up it's like getting almost another 10-15 episodes. And it's not chaff; this is quality humor that just couldn't be fit in due to time constraints. Points off for completely excising the Halloween cold open of the "Koi Pond" episode because some nervous nelly watchdog group complained. Boo!

The League (The Complete First Season) - The deleted scenes and extended episodes make a funny debut season even better.

Survival of the Dead (Ultimate Undead Edition) - The movie was crap, but this Blu-Ray is packed with zombie goodness. The feature length documentary is better than the actual movie. And some of the autumnal scenery really is nice to look at.

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "Nepotism"

The office turns against Michael when he refuses to fire the new office assistant, who has a bad attitude and is his nephew. Erin shows interest in another man, and Andy tries to play it cool. Pam pulls an office prank on her own to impress Jim.

Discuss.

Crush of the Week: Ellie Kemper

This week's Crush is actress Ellie Kemper, who plays the new receptionist Erin on "The Office." Here's hoping she's still on the show next season.



She's no Pam, but she's a cutie.

Office chatter

Tonight's season finale (and 100th episode) of "The Office": "Company Picnic"

It's the annual Dunder Mifflin company picnic and Michael and Holly are reunited, and Michael has some big plans for her. Meanwhile, the office competes in the picnic's volleyball tournament.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Two Weeks"

Michael's relationship with the new vice president becomes increasingly tense, as Michael finds an excuse to goof off even more than usual. Meanwhile, Pam faces the challenge of a new copier and Kelly develops a crush.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "New Boss"

Michael has big plans for his 15th anniversary party at Dunder Mifflin, but is in for a shock when the new, no-nonsense Vice President has some ideas of his own. Meanwhile, Jim's prank on Dwight has some unexpected results.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Golden Ticket"

Michael causes a huge problem in the office when he comes up with the idea to put "golden tickets" into packages of paper for clients to redeem for discounts. Andy, Jim and Pam give Kevin differing advice on wooing a woman.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Blood Drive"

It's Valentine's Day at the office. Michael meets a mysterious woman at a Valentine's blood drive. Dwight and Kevin pair up with single women at the office "Lonely Hearts Party." Meanwhile Jim and Pam are banished from the office for being too publicly affectionate, and have an awkward lunch with Phyllis and Bob.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Lecture Circuit (Part Two)"

Michael and Pam continue their tour of the branches with Michael taking a lesson from their visit to Utica. Dwight and Jim struggle to fulfill their new party planning duties with a grumpy staff. Angela's new cat causes a stir.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Lecture Circuit (Part One)"

Michael goes on a speaking tour of the other branches to explain Scranton's relative success, accompanied by his driver, Pam. Karen is back with quite a surprise. Back at the office, Dwight and Jim - now the heads of the party planning committee - forget a birthday, with severe consequences. Meanwhile, Andy falls for someone he should not.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new post-Super Bowl episode of "The Office": "Stress Relief"

After Dwight's fire safety seminar goes awry, he must make amends to the stressed-out office. Michael tries a number of ways to get his employees to relax before discovering that he is the number one stressor at work. So that people won't feel afraid of him, he insists on a no-holds-barred roast of himself. Also, while watching a pirated movie, Andy is convinced that Jim and Pam are film gurus.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Prince Family Paper"

Michael and Dwight go undercover to do a bit of industrial espionage on a paper company competitor. Meanwhile, the rest of the office holds a debate to settle the question: is Hilary Swank hot?

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "The Duel"

When Andy finds out about Dwight and Angela, it's a fight to the finish when the two men decide to take matters into their own hands.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Moroccan Christmas"

A Moroccan-themed holiday party goes up in flames; Dwight corners the market on the hottest toy of the season.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "The Surplus"

A budget surplus causes factions to break out in office over how to spend the money; Angela and Andy visit Schrute Farms.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Frame Toby"

A mysterious person in the office has made a huge mess in the microwave and will not clean it up.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Business Trip"

Michael brings Andy and Oscar on a business trip to Canada, while Jim counts down the days until Pam gets back from art school.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Customer Survey"

Dwight and Jim are shocked when they get the results of the annual customer survey report.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Employee Transfer"

Holly and Michael take a long trip to Nashua after they get some shocking news from corporate.

Discuss.