When The Paper debuted this week on Peacock, it promised laughs — but inside America’s newsrooms, the reaction was anything but simple. Co-created by Greg Daniels of The Office fame and Michael Korman, the mockumentary follows the fictional Toledo Truth Teller as its staff scrambles to revitalize the paper.
It may be a comedy, but members of the news community weren’t sure whether to laugh or cry. For publishers and editors who’ve lived that reality, the premiere raised big questions: can a sitcom capture the grit, humanity, and relentless optimism of real journalism, or will it lean on tired clichés?
In anticipation of the debut, E&P asked industry leaders to share what they expected from a series that puts a struggling newsroom at the center of the joke. We also want to hear from you — join the conversation on our LinkedIn page and be part of the story.
In episode 102 of “The Paper,” The Toledo Truth Teller’s news team meets with the new editor-in-chief. Actor Tim Key, who plays Ken, holds framed copies of the paper’s historic front pages.
Photo credit: Aaron Epstein/PEACOCK
“I was — am — curious and hopeful,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, the CEO and publisher of AFRO News. “A show like this could either lean into tired clichés or pull back the curtain on the real work, challenges and personalities that bring a news source to life. ‘Struggling’ doesn’t mean irrelevant; it means adapting, innovating and fighting to keep a trusted voice alive in a time far too many are disappearing.”
Draper hopes the writers engage the audience in the people behind the news.
“The public rarely sees that behind every headline is a real person — a reporter knocking on doors, an editor wrestling with a headline, a photographer standing in the rain to get the shot, a sales rep making sure the lights stay on,” Draper remarked. “News organizations are also small businesses — creating jobs, supporting local economies and serving as training grounds where seasoned pros mentor young talent. For outlets rooted in historically underrepresented communities, it’s also about providing an advocacy voice and telling stories others overlook. When you personify the people behind the work, you show that journalism is powered by human beings who care deeply about the communities they serve.”
“I think, at its core, ‘The Office’ had heart, and the characters were endearing despite their awkwardness. I hope for the same here,” according to Layne Bruce, executive director at the Mississippi Press Association, comparing Greg Daniel’s flagship mockumentary. “I, for years, longed for a situation comedy that would be set in a newspaper and provide laughs like ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ did in a radio station. This may finally be that series.”
“’The Office’ satirized an office paper producer, and 20 years later, we’re still buying that product in reams. So, I’m pretty confident the series won’t do any harm to our industry,” Bruce added.
It was the people, not the job, that made “The Office” a compelling show. Viewers became vested in their quirks, their individual personalities and their relationships to one another. What they saw “on screen” was a family of sorts — dysfunctional at times, granted — and that’s a familiar newsroom dynamic.
“You’ll find a familiar cast of characters in every newsroom — the wise-cracking copy editor, the seasoned veteran who’s seen it all, the young reporter who’s a whirlwind of caffeine and ambition,” according to Jennifer Bertetto, CEO, Trib Total Media and 535media. “We’re a family, for better or worse. We argue, we celebrate and sometimes we fight like crazy. But when a big story breaks, all the personalities and quirks melt away, and we’re a cohesive unit fighting for the same goal — the truth. That’s the real magic of a newsroom family.”
Regarding the writers, Bertetto said, “I hope they capture what I call ‘relentless optimism.’ It’s the unique blend of cynicism and hope that fuels every journalist. Despite the challenges, the late nights and the tight budgets, we still believe that what we do matters and that the next story might be the one that makes a real difference. That passion, more than anything, defines our work.”
“I’m genuinely optimistic about [the show’s] potential,” she added. “Every good story needs an underdog, and local newspapers are the ultimate underdogs. If the show successfully pulls back the curtain and personifies the hardworking people behind the headlines, it could make our mission much more tangible to the public. It’s a fantastic way to show that we’re more than just headlines; we’re passionate community members.
Gretchen A. Peck is a contributing editor to Editor & Publisher. She's reported for E&P since 2010 and welcomes comments at gretchenapeck@gmail.com
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