Is The Office Jumping the Shark?
Bringing Jim and Pam Together in this US Comedy Could Spell the End
Interest in the US TV show "The Office" has grown as a result of its characters' inability to get together. Will viewing audiences tune in if they manage to get together?
Jumping the shark refers to the infamous episode of Happy Days were Fonzie jumped a shark on his motorcycle. It was a ridiculous scene and views began to tune into other shows. The ratings dropped and the show was canceled.
At the end of the third season of The Office on NBC, the long, angsty love story between Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski) seems to have all of the stars aligned for the two to finally end up together. At the very least they are actually going to go on a date. But will this kill the hit show?
Why it works
In classic situation comedy form, the show has presented obstacles to keep the characters from living happily ever after. By keeping the characters apart, the suspense of how they would finally end up together rises. What mistakes will they make to keep them from finally being together? For three seasons the characters have had to deal with Pam’s engagement to the bullish Roy, Jim’s transfer to a different office just before her wedding, and his subsequent relationship with Karen.
Speculation about what will happen next for the pair is riddled with concern. Will they be just as interesting to watch if they are finally a couple? The longing looks between the characters across the office and the quick glances at the camera as they realize someone is watching will not mean the same as it did.
The Ross and Rachel effect?
Excellent television depends on some amount of tension. Other sitcoms have made the mistake of bringing together characters prematurely. Moonlighting has been noted for this most by bringing David and Maddie together, resolving the main storyline. On Friends, Ross and Rachel finally came together the first time in the second season. They were torn apart after ratings dropped and only made their lasting commitment at the end of the ten-year run of the show. At the time, the Ross and Rachel storyline was the breakout story on the show.
There are a couple of still unresolved issues on The Office that could present tension for Pam and Jim characters at the beginning of the season. The relationship between Jim and Karen wasn’t clearly ended; in fact it is unclear if Jim even told Karen he was leaving New York City before heading to Scranton to ask Pam out. Roshida Jones, who plays Karen, has been cast in the upcoming show “Rules for Starting Over” debuting in the fall on Fox and it hasn’t been announced whether she will be in any episodes of the fourth season.
Another character with an uncertain future at "Dunder Mifflin" is Roy, played by David Denman. If he reprises his role on the show for the fourth season, it could place complications in the budding relationship between Jim and Pam.
While the storyline of Pam and Jim has been helping to carry The Office for three years, it hasn’t been the only story happening in the Scranton, PA office. The season three finally set up several stories for the fourth season. Michael Scott (Steve Carell) has Jan Levinson move to Scranton with him after she loses her job; Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak), the former temp, moves to New York to take Jan’s old job and become Michael’s boss; Kelly’s recovery from Ryan breaking up with her as soon as he found out he had the new job. How much tension is built into the other storylines this season will determine whether the show can survive.
The Season Four premiere will air in the US on NBC September 27th at 9:00 pm (EST).
