The Office (American TV series) season 6
| The Office (season 6) | |
|---|---|
| Season 6 | |
 Season 6 DVD cover | |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | September 17, 2009 – May 20, 2010 |
| Season chronology | |
The sixth season of the American television comedy The Office premiered in the United States on NBC on September 17, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2010. The season consisted of 22 half-hour episodes, and 2 hour-long episodes to comprise the 26 total episodes of material created. The Office is an American adaptation of the British TV series of the same name, and is presented in a mockumentary format, portraying the daily lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.
The season has been cited by several critics as the beginning of the series' decline in quality, despite still receiving generally favorable reviews. The season ranked fifty-second in the season ratings with an average of 7.80 million viewers per episode, marking a steep drop in the ratings from the previous season which had an average of nine million viewers.
The sixth season of The Office aired on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. (Eastern) in the United States. The season was released on DVD by Universal Studios Home Entertainment in a four-disc box set in the Region 1 area on September 7, 2010. The DVD set contains all 26 episodes, as well as commentaries from creators, writers, actors, and directors on some of the episodes. It also contains deleted scenes from all of the episodes, as well as bloopers.
Production
The sixth season of the show was produced by Reveille Productions and Deedle-Dee Productions, both in association with Universal Media Studios. The show is based upon the British series created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, both of whom are executive producers on both the US and UK versions.[1] The Office is produced by Greg Daniels,[1] who is also an executive producer. Daniels would have a limited role in this season, only co-writing an episode and directing another, as he was busy writing his new show, Parks and Recreation which he co-created with Office writer/producer Michael Schur, who left the writing staff of The Office after season four to focus on the new show. Returning writers from the previous season include Mindy Kaling, B. J. Novak, Paul Lieberstein, Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky, Brent Forrester, Justin Spitzer, Jennifer Celotta, Aaron Shure, Charlie Grandy, Warren Lieberstein, and Halsted Sullivan. New writers in the sixth season include Daniel Chun, Jason Kessler (who served as script coordinator) and Jonathan Hughes (who previously wrote several of the Office webisodes). Lieberstein served as executive producer and showrunner. Kaling, Novak, Eisenberg, Stupnitsky and Shure were co-executive producers; Celotta and Forrester were consulting producers; Chun was a supervising producer; and Spitzer, Grandy, Warren Lieberstein and Halsted Sullivan were producers.
This season featured 26 episodes directed by 20 directors. Paul Lieberstein, Randall Einhorn and Seth Gordon each directed several episodes during the season. Writers Jennifer Celotta, Lee Eisenberg and Brent Forrester each directed episodes. Cast members B. J. Novak, John Krasinski, Steve Carell, Mindy Kaling and Rainn Wilson all directed episodes as well.
Cast
Many characters portrayed by The Office cast are based on the British version of the show. While these characters normally have the same attitude and perceptions as their British counterparts, the roles have been redesigned to better fit the American show. The show is known for its generally large cast size, with many of its actors and actresses known particularly for their improvisational work. Steve Carell stars as Michael Scott, Regional Manager of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch. Loosely based on David Brent, Gervais' character in the British version, Scott is a dim-witted and lonely man, who attempts to win friends as the office comedian, usually making himself look bad in the process. Rainn Wilson portrays Dwight Schrute, who, based upon Gareth Keenan, was the Assistant to the Regional Manager, although the character frequently failed to include "to the" in his title.[2] John Krasinski portrays Jim Halpert, a sales representative, assistant manager, and prankster and for a while co-manager, who is based upon Tim Canterbury, and is in love his wife Pam Beesly, the former receptionist for Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch and is now a sales representative.[3] Jenna Fischer portrays Pam, who is based on Dawn Tinsley. She is shy, but in many cases a cohort with Jim in his pranks on Dwight.[4] B. J. Novak portrays Ryan Howard who had previously left Dunder Mifflin to travel to Thailand, only to be subsequently re-hired in the fifth season "Michael Scott Paper Company" story arc. After making enemies with the recently promoted Jim, Ryan is subsequently moved to a closet office.
The show includes many minor characters playing roles of office workers. Angela Martin, Oscar Martinez, and Kevin Malone, based on Keith Bishop, are the office's accountants, and are portrayed by Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, and Brian Baumgartner, respectively. Schrute, Halpert, Phyllis Lapin-Vance (portrayed by Phyllis Smith), Stanley Hudson (portrayed by Leslie David Baker), and Andy Bernard (portrayed by Ed Helms) compose the sales division of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Although not one of the original cast members, Andy is considered by many people one of the lead roles and in the season 6 episode "Sabre" he was added to the opening credits. Kate Flannery portrays Meredith Palmer, the promiscuous Supplier Relations Representative, writer-actress Mindy Kaling portrays Kelly Kapoor, the pop-culture obsessed Customer Service Representative, writer-actor Paul Lieberstein portrays Toby Flenderson, the sad-eyed Human Resources Representative.
The season also introduces recurring characters Jo Bennet (Kathy Bates), CEO of Sabre Industries; Gabe Lewis (Zach Woods), director of Sabre sales; and Donna (Amy Pietz) who is cheating on her husband with Michael. Although Pam's mother previously appeared in the season two episode "Sexual Harassment", the role was recast,[5] with Linda Purl who first appeared in "Niagara", and made two more appearances.[6]
Reception
The sixth season premiere "Gossip" received a 4.0 share in the Nielsen ratings among viewers aged 18 to 49, meaning that 4.0% of viewers aged 18 to 49 watched the episode.[7] The episode was seen by 8.21 million viewers.[7] The show ranked 17th in the seasonal 18–49 demographic ratings with an average of a 4.0 rating in the demographic. The viewership was an 18 percent drop compared to the fifth season premiere, "Weight Loss".[8] The season finale, "Whistleblower" was viewed by 6.60 million viewers with a 3.4 rating/10% share in the 18–49, marking a 3% drop from the fifth season finale, "Company Picnic."[9] The season also ranked 52nd in the seasonal total viewership with an average of 7.80 million viewers.[10]
Critical reception
The sixth season received generally favorable reviews, with an overall score of 78/100 on Metacritic.[11] However, many critics have also cited it as the beginning of the series' decline in quality. The season mainly faced criticism for a lack of stakes for the characters.[12][13] Some critics have also criticized the conclusion to the Jim and Pam romance[14][15] while others were critical of the lack of growth for Michael.[14] Cindy White of IGN gave the season a 7.5 saying it was "Good" and "We did get some funny moments and some good episodes in Season 6, but as a whole it just doesn't compare to the strength of seasons past."[14] She also went on to criticize the storylines including Jim's stint as co-manager.[14] Will Leitch of New York said "The Office's season six was usually funny and always big-hearted, but there was never much at stake".[13] Entertainment Weekly writer Darren Franich called the season the "least cohesive" season of the series.[16]
Honors
The show received numerous nominations. The show was nominated for Favorite TV Comedy at the 36th People's Choice Awards, but lost to The Big Bang Theory.[17] The show was nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for the fourth time at the 16th Screen Actors Guild Awards, but lost to Glee.[18] It was also nominated for two awards at Writers Guild of America Awards 2009 for Comedy Series and Episodic Comedy for the episode "Gossip" written by Paul Lieberstein.[19] This season received four Emmy nominations at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards—Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Steve Carell), Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Greg Daniels and Mindy Kaling for "Niagara") and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation.
Episodes
In the following table, "U.S. viewers (million)" refers to the number of Americans who viewed the episode on the night of broadcast. Episodes are listed by the order in which they aired, and may not necessarily correspond to their production codes. ‡ denotes an hour-long episode (with advertisements; actual runtime around 42 minutes).
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code[20] |
U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | 1 | "Gossip" | Paul Lieberstein | Paul Lieberstein | September 17, 2009 | 6001 | 8.20[7] |
| 102 | 2 | "The Meeting" | Randall Einhorn | Aaron Shure | September 24, 2009 | 6002 | 7.33[21] |
| 103 | 3 | "The Promotion" | Jennifer Celotta | Jennifer Celotta | October 1, 2009 | 6003 | 7.28[22] |
| 104–105 | 4–5 | "Niagara"‡ | Paul Feig | Greg Daniels & Mindy Kaling | October 8, 2009 | 6004/6005 | 9.42[23] |
| 106 | 6 | "Mafia" | David Rogers | Brent Forrester | October 15, 2009 | 6006 | 8.10[24] |
| 107 | 7 | "The Lover" | Lee Eisenberg | Lee Eisenberg & Gene Stupnitsky | October 22, 2009 | 6007 | 8.52[25] |
| 108 | 8 | "Koi Pond" | Reggie Hudlin | Warren Lieberstein & Halsted Sullivan | October 29, 2009 | 6009 | 8.20[26] |
| 109 | 9 | "Double Date" | Seth Gordon | Charlie Grandy | November 5, 2009 | 6008 | 7.94[27] |
| 110 | 10 | "Murder" | Greg Daniels | Daniel Chun | November 12, 2009 | 6010 | 7.76[28] |
| 111 | 11 | "Shareholder Meeting" | Charles McDougall | Justin Spitzer | November 19, 2009 | 6011 | 7.43[29] |
| 112 | 12 | "Scott's Tots" | B. J. Novak | Gene Stupnitsky & Lee Eisenberg | December 3, 2009 | 6013 | 8.10[30] |
| 113 | 13 | "Secret Santa" | Randall Einhorn | Mindy Kaling | December 10, 2009 | 6014 | 8.51[31] |
| 114 | 14 | "The Banker" | Jeffrey Blitz | Jason Kessler | January 21, 2010 | 6012 | 7.29[32] |
| 115 | 15 | "Sabre" | John Krasinski | Jennifer Celotta | February 4, 2010 | 6015 | 7.36[33] |
| 116 | 16 | "The Manager and the Salesman" | Marc Webb | Mindy Kaling | February 11, 2010 | 6016 | 7.40[34] |
| 117–118 | 17–18 | "The Delivery"‡ | Seth Gordon (Part 1) Harold Ramis (Part 2) | Daniel Chun (Part 1) Charlie Grandy (Part 2) | March 4, 2010 | 6018/6019 | 9.00[35] |
| 119 | 19 | "St. Patrick's Day" | Randall Einhorn | Jonathan Hughes | March 11, 2010 | 6017 | 7.51[36] |
| 120 | 20 | "New Leads" | Brent Forrester | Brent Forrester | March 18, 2010 | 6020 | 7.63[37] |
| 121 | 21 | "Happy Hour" | Matt Sohn | B. J. Novak | March 25, 2010 | 6021 | 7.17[38] |
| 122 | 22 | "Secretary's Day" | Steve Carell | Mindy Kaling | April 22, 2010 | 6022 | 6.30[39] |
| 123 | 23 | "Body Language" | Mindy Kaling | Justin Spitzer | April 29, 2010 | 6023 | 7.01[40] |
| 124 | 24 | "The Cover-Up" | Rainn Wilson | Gene Stupnitsky & Lee Eisenberg | May 6, 2010 | 6024 | 6.84[41] |
| 125 | 25 | "The Chump" | Randall Einhorn | Aaron Shure | May 13, 2010 | 6025 | 6.60[42] |
| 126 | 26 | "Whistleblower" | Paul Lieberstein | Warren Lieberstein & Halsted Sullivan | May 20, 2010 | 6026 | 6.60[43] |
References
- ^ a b Wood, David (June 22, 2008). "American Office gets green light". London: The Guardian. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ The Man Behind The Office's Favorite Suck-Up, Dwight Schrute ABC News, retrieved January 27, 2008
- ^ The Office Transfers to a New Cubicle The New York Times, March 20, 2005, retrieved January 28, 2008
- ^ An American-Style Office With a Boss From Heck The New York Times, March 24, 2005, retrieved January 28, 2008
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (August 6, 2009). "Armchair Casting Director: 'The Office'". EW.com. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
- ^ "'Office' exclusive: Meet Pam's mom!". EW.com. September 1, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
- ^ a b c Seidman, Robert (September 18, 2009). "Updated NBC Primetime Ratings Results for September 17, 2009". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (September 18, 2009). "TV Ratings Thursday: Strong: Bones; Weak: Parks, Office, Survivor; Good Start: Community". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (May 21, 2010). "TV Ratings: Grey's Anatomy Rules Finale Thursday; Bones, FlashForward, CSI, Parks, 30 Rock, Ref Rise". TV By The Numbers. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (June 16, 2010). "Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- ^ "The Office: Season 6". Metacritic. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
- ^ Poniewozik, James (May 21, 2010). "Office Watch: Wait 'Til Next Fiscal Year". Time.
- ^ a b Leitch, Will (May 21, 2010). "The Office Recap: The Holly Hint". New York. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Cindy White (May 28, 2010). "The Office: Season 6 Review". IGN.com. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
- ^ Weinman, Jaime (December 4, 2009). "Jim Halpert sucks and we're just now realizing it - TV Guidance". Macleans.ca. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ Brannigan, Joseph (May 21, 2010). "'The Office' recap: Cheap foreign printers attacking innocent Americans". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "People's Choice Awards Nominees & Winners: 2010". PeoplesChoice.com. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
- ^ "Glee, The Good Wife, Modern Family break through at SAG Awards". Orlando Sentinel. December 17, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
- ^ "2010 WGA Awards TV Nominees Announced". WGA.com. December 14, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
- ^ "Shows A–Z – Office, The on NBC". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (September 25, 2009). "Updated TV Ratings: FlashForward flashes brightly, Grey's annihilates CSI, The Mentalist". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (October 2, 2009). "TV Ratings Thursday: FlashForward, Grey's Anatomy Stay Strong; Private Practice Opens Big". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (October 9, 2009). "TV Ratings: Grey's down but leads; The Office wedding a draw; Community takes a hit". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Gill (October 16, 2009). "TV Ratings Thursday: 30 Rock Premieres Down Sharply, Vampire Diaries Hits Highs". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (October 23, 2009). "TV Ratings Thursday: Community, FlashForward, Leno Down; Survivor, Grey's Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (November 3, 2009). "NBC Primetime Results for the Week of Oct. 26 - Nov. 1". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (November 6, 2009). "TV Ratings Thursday: ABC Edges CBS; FlashForward Keeps Sliding, Fringe Plummets". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (November 13, 2009). "TV Ratings Thursday: ABC Edges CBS; Fringe Recovers; Bones Beats FlashForward". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (November 20, 2009). "Updated TV Ratings: FlashForward Slides, Vampire Diaries Down, Grey's Ties Series Low". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (December 4, 2009). "TV Ratings Thursday: FlashForward Crashes; Fringe Surges". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (December 11, 2009). "Broadcast Finals: Survivor, CSI, Mentalist, Community, Parks, Office, 30 Rock, Leno All Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (January 22, 2010). "TV Ratings Thursday: Deep End Underwater; Bones High; CSI, Mentalist, Grey's Series Lows". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (February 5, 2010). "TV Ratings: ABC Edges CBS, Fox; Mentalist, Community, Parks, Office, 30 Rock Rise". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (February 12, 2010). "TV Ratings Thursday: Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains Premieres Up; Grey's Anatomy Hits Lows". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (March 5, 2010). "The Office Tops First-Run Grey's Anatomy for the First Time Ever". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (March 12, 2010). "TV Ratings: American Idol Leads Fox Win; Marriage Ref Loses Yardage". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (March 19, 2010). "TV Ratings: March Madness Upsets Thursday; FlashForward Return Fizzles". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (March 26, 2010). "TV Ratings: NCAA Basketball Ratings Sweet, FlashForward, Grey's, Marriage Ref & Others Fall". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (April 23, 2010). "Thursday Broadcast Finals: Vampire Diaries, Supernatural Adjusted Up; Community, Office Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (April 30, 2010). "Thursday Finals FlashForward, Survivor, Bones Adjusted Up; Community, Parks & Rec, Private Practice Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (May 7, 2010). "Thursday Finals: Survivor, Bones, Adjusted Up; 30 Rock Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (May 14, 2010). "Thursday Finals: Survivor, Grey's Anatomy, CSI, Mentalist, Community Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 14, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (May 21, 2010). "TV Ratings: Grey's Anatomy Rules Finale Thursday; Bones, FlashForward, CSI, Parks, 30 Rock, Ref Rise". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 21, 2010.