Office: I'm not sure I like the direction things are going. It's like this semi-realistic comedy is veering toward either reality or nighttime soap opera.

If they go toward reality, the season looks likely to end like the Mary Tyler Moore Show did, with only Dwight left. Nighttime soap opera could be more entertaining but would tread more worn ground than the show has so far.

Michael's story is more pathetic than funny. It isn't even funny in the poetic justice-like 9 to 5 way. Carrell did what he was asked to very well, and the way he fled the office when Charles figured things out was funny.

There might be comic potential in Charles's complete failure to understand the office's culture (Stanley as productivity czar?). And some episodes (Michael and Jan's dinner party) have had things to say without being funny. But at the moment, the show isn't using humor to say something -- which has been one of the show's strengths.

I gotta disagree. That Toby talking head where he said something (and sorry, but I forgot exactly what since I watched 30 Rock twice in a row immediately after) about how Michael may have been a trainwreck, but he certainly kept people's minds off of the mindblowing tedium of their jobs - that is the point, and that's why this arc is working for me. And it's too bad that I can't remember what it was he said because I think it is a great point and a great way to highlight the difference between the original series and the current one. I gotta love that Idris Elba is coming off as the heavy for doing nothing more than finally putting Michael in his place.

He compared Michael to the movie you watch on a plane.

I gotta love that Idris Elba is coming off as the heavy for doing nothing more than finally putting Michael in his place.

He's being such a bitch to Jim, too!

I forgot exactly what since I watched 30 Rock twice in a row immediately after

The "how people see the world" thing was great, especially Kenneth's puppets.

He compared Michael to the movie you watch on a plane.

Right. It passes the time, and once it's over, all you do is think, "How much longer until we land?"

Thanks! Yes, I knew I liked that line.

especially Kenneth's puppets

When they cut from Kenneth's view of the Liz Lemon muppet to Tina Fey doing a muppet walk down the hall, I made the weirdest noise and then fell of the couch. I think it was my equivalent of puking like Jack.

When they cut from Kenneth's view of the Liz Lemon muppet to Tina Fey doing a muppet walk down the hall,

I lost it at that point. I'm sure that my neighbor heard my "HA!" across the hall through two closed doors.

My Name Is Earl had me LOLing a lot too. I wonder if they're going to keep some awkwardness continuity.

I loved Pam's "Oh, no" before she followed Michael. Like she saw what she was about to do but was powerless to stop herself.

Good night on NBC!