The Paper is a mockumentary sitcom and a direct spinoff of the iconic series The Office. The same documentary crew that followed the employees of Dunder Mifflin now turns its cameras toward a struggling local newspaper in Toledo, Ohio: The Toledo Truth Teller.
The ensemble features The Office alum Oscar Nuñez as Oscar Martinez alongside a cast of eclectic characters who bring their own hilarious quirks to the workplace. Blending absurd comedy with a surprisingly poignant commentary on the decline of local journalism and the importance of community trust, The Paper offers a fresh take on the mockumentary format.
As an NBC intern this academic year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a virtual press conference for The Paper featuring Oscar Nuñez and Alex Edelman, who also serves as a writer on the series. During the session, NBC brought together student journalists for an opportunity to ask the cast and creative team their burning questions. It was an exciting opportunity to gain insight into the series and hear directly from the people bringing the story to life.
‘The Paper’ Panel
The panel opened with a discussion about the importance of the show’s subject matter. Journalism and media have changed so much in recent years. From their perspective as actors on the show, Nuñez and Edelman explained why The Paper and its depiction of a local newsroom feel particularly relevant or timely right now.
Nuñez emphasized that, although The Paper is a comedy filled with humor and absurdity, its reporters possess a certain courage and willingness to throw caution to the wind.
He noted that today’s media landscape often involves extensive editing and a tendency to walk on eggshells.
Against this backdrop, the show offers an opportunity to embrace humor and appreciate the cast’s talent. At a time when it can feel as though civilization is in decline, comedy can serve as a way to uplift people.
Edelman explained how local papers and alternative newspapers were part of his upbringing before the digital world. He emphasized their deeply community-oriented nature, explaining that the best comedies often center on a sense of family. He stressed that community-driven news is irreplaceable, serving as a valuable resource that connects people through shared experiences.
Nuñez on Revisiting Oscar
For Nuñez, returning to his role as Oscar offered an opportunity to explore a character who’d already been firmly established in the television landscape. Reflecting on the character’s early development, Nuñez recalled how Oscar was introduced as both gay and Latino, adding that he didn’t anticipate the character changing fundamentally at this stage.
Nuñez also relished the opportunity to lean into Oscar’s personality, admitting, “I love playing a curmudgeon and know-it-all.” The return allowed him to revisit a familiar character while exploring how Oscar navigates a new environment and an unexpected return to the spotlight.
Rather than occupying his familiar position alongside Michael Scott in The Office, Oscar now takes on the role of an experienced presence within a new ensemble. Edelman described the opportunity to discover new dimensions of the character as an especially interesting part of the creative process, explaining that, “You’d think for a character as established within the American television landscape as Oscar Martinez, you’d be kind of done, but now we’re getting to see Oscar in a role in which he’s an elder statesman as opposed to Michael Scott’s posse.”
Edelman said, “I think for [the actors], that might be one of the most interesting aspects of the creative process: watching the characters grow, learning what to write for them, and hoping that those ins and outs of character match up with the story you’re trying to tell.”
Edelman on character development
For Edelman, one of the most rewarding aspects of The Paper is watching its characters evolve. Although creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman initially had strong ideas about each character, Edelman explained that their relationships and personalities become more nuanced as the series progresses. He pointed to the distinct ways the actors bring their roles to life, from watching Melvin Gregg’s Detrick Moore process situations in real time to seeing Romana Young’s Nicole Lee navigate the tension between action and passivity.
That gradual development is part of what makes working on the series pay off. Edelman said, “It can be as big as figuring out Domhnall Gleeson’s character as he plays Ned or as small as figuring out who the softies’ folks are on the other side of the bullpen. So, part of the joy of being a part of a show that’s given time to develop is that you get to watch folk play to their strengths, develop new strengths, and write towards them.”
Inspiration from real life
Edelman explained that a character’s personality can sometimes be shaped by the real-life behaviors and quirks of the people around them. He shared how, while developing his character, Adam Cooper, the writers envisioned the office as a place where Adam could indulge in the playful distractions he misses at home because of his responsibilities as a father.
Props like a Bop It! toy and a Nerf gun became part of that dynamic. After Edelman irresponsibly used the Nerf gun a couple of times, the first assistant director accidentally took it away. He jokingly protested that it was “a continuity error,” but she didn’t seem to buy it.
The Bop It! toy, however, led to an unexpected moment during filming. While Daniels was directing, Edelman began playing with the toy, and the cameras started rolling. He described these spontaneous moments as one of the best parts of working on a mockumentary.
Nuñez added that these small, distinctive behaviors can also find their way into the writing. With the show still in its second season, the writers continue to observe the people around them, picking up on their eccentricities and incorporating those details into the characters.
As the cast returns for each season, the actors become increasingly comfortable in their surroundings to the point where their desks begin to feel like their own. That familiarity allows them to loosen up, immerse themselves in their characters, and create authentic interactions that translate naturally on screen. The result is a workplace that feels lived-in rather than staged, blending intentional storytelling with the spontaneity of real life.
Hearing Nuñez and Edelman discuss the creative process behind the show offered a deeper appreciation for the thought, collaboration, and real-life experiences that bring these characters to life. It was especially exciting to explore how The Paper builds on the mockumentary format while establishing its own identity. The series demonstrates that even as the media landscape changes, stories about the people behind the headlines and the communities they serve remain as relevant as ever.
Ultimately, The Paper reminds audiences that while journalism continues to evolve in an increasingly digital world, the heart of a newsroom remains the same. Through its distinctive characters, unscripted-feeling moments, and humor, the series captures the importance of local journalism and the connections that unite a community.
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