Have you ever been the kid to walk into the wrong classroom on the first day of school? You sneak through the door packed with nerves and excitement, already scanning the room for familiar faces you can grab a seat next to. All of a sudden, the teacher starts introducing a subject you’ve never heard of and your heart inevitably hits the floor. You’re in the wrong place at the wrong time in (debatably) the worst-case scenario.
How will you get out? Can you fake like you belong well enough to slide under the radar? Your mind is racing, your palms are sweating, and you can’t deny the sense of irrational dread you feel in the pit of your stomach. We’ve all been there (well, most of us, at least).
Now, why am I making this seemingly unrelated analogy to kick off my review of “Conference Room, Five Minutes”? Because, as someone who has only seen maybe two episodes of “The Office,” that’s exactly how I felt diving into Shea Serrano’s unbelievably thorough collection of essays about one of America’s most beloved sitcoms.
“The Office,” undeniably one of the most successful “mockumentaries” to have ever graced television, was not given a whopping nine seasons without a plethora of good reasons. From being one of the most well-written comedic sitcoms in existence to possessing some of the most widely-loved characters in television history, it’s no wonder that “The Office” has obtained one of the most massive, loyal fan bases known to man.
Now give one of those die-hard fans an unbelievable memory, enticing charisma, and a knack for writing to wide audiences as though he’s casually chatting with his best friend, and you get Serrano. An American author and journalist who strayed away from his conventional writing style to birth this little passion project, “Conference Room: Five Minutes”.
Though Serrano doesn’t explicitly state that this compilation of illustrated essays was a ‘passion project’, it becomes pretty undeniable after flipping through the initial pages. If you’ve ever listened to a friend ramble about their favorite film or book with wide eyes, explosive hand motions, and words racing at 100mph, you know what I’m talking about. Between impeccably in-depth character analyses, spot-on illustrations, and an extensive understanding of the show’s humor and iconic moments, listening to Serrano spew about “The Office” becomes synonymous with listening to that one uncle talk about his favorite conspiracy theory (…you know what I’m talking about).
Now, here’s where a reader’s experience is inevitably going to differ. If you’ve seen “The Office” there’s a 99% chance this essay collection is going to leave you geeking out. Serrano shares what feels like a never-ending supply of opinions, theories, and hot takes. After reading through them, you’re going to feel the irrefutable urge to call up a fellow Dunder Mifflin fan to discuss what you found genius, absurd, or just downright hilarious.
If you’re like me and get dirty looks any time you announce you’ve never watched “The Office,” in a public setting, you may be surprised at how much enjoyment can still be found in this essay collection. This is largely due to Serrano’s ability to establish a warm rapport with readers right off the bat. By introducing his work with a story that’s seeming to result in a sincere message that ultimately ends up being a total joke, the tone is set. Serrano is your new best friend who is going to mess around with you and share every ounce of knowledge he possesses, all while aiming to keep you entertained — even if you haven’t seen “The Office,” there’s no way you can say no to that.
Furthermore, Serrano also does a spectacular job of including other topics he’s knowledgable on within his “The Office” deep-dive, so even if you don’t know much about Michael Scott, you may find yourself reading about something that interests you. Serrano has written other works centering around basketball, movies and rap music, and he doesn’t throw these things away when writing “Conference Room: Five Minutes”. Between creating a basketball scouting report based on a single episode of the sitcom, assigning the show’s most adored characters theoretical roles in an organized crime film, and reviewing songs from the show that could be a hit with a proper remix, you’re destined to find an essay that will leave you invested.
So, for those who are (or know someone who) is a complete Michael Scott or Jim Halpert fanatic, this is a must-read. It is one of the most thorough evaluations of a television show I’ve ever seen and will likely leave you wanting to re-watch the series over again (even if you already have).
For those who aren’t familiar with the show, a better introduction to the sitcom’s distinct comedic style and complex characters simply doesn’t exist. You’re greeted with everything you need to know about the series without it being completely spoiled (of course, there are a few plot points revealed, but nothing incriminating) and an author that’s excited to share an analysis of one of his all-time favorite topics. It’s incredibly witty, painstakingly thorough and leaves you feeling like an expert on all things “The Office,” regardless of your knowledge level on the show.
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