I watch The Office US every year and this is what I think of new spin-off

More than a decade since the final episode of the American version of The Office aired, I still make my way through the entire nine season run on a regular basis.

I probably watch the show each year as a comfort watch. This was believe or not after a short period of time when I actually boycotted watching the show at all.

Like many fans of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's original, I was concerned of any kind of Americanisation. How dare they. It doesn't need to be remade.

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I eventually relented and took a chance on it, only to discover one of my go to shows to re-watch as a pick-me-up. The Office: American Workplace came into its own when it stopped trying to mimic its British cousin.

However, similar concerns and worries surfaced again following years of rumours that there could be a reboot, remake or some kind of sequel series. How dare they. It doesn't need to be remade.

This was eventually confirmed to be, The Paper, a new 10-part series streaming on Sky Max and NOW in the UK from September 5. The premise of the new show, sees it set within the same universe as The Office.

In fact, this is supposed to be the next project of the same documentary crew that filmed around Dunder Mifflin's offices in Scranton. Their next subject is a local newspaper located in Toledo, Ohio. A new editor-in-chief (played by Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson) joins the staff to try and turn its fortunes, including transforming toilet paper company employees into reporters.

This mockumentary follows the daily lives and struggles of dreamers in love with journalism, and their less-than-competent co-workers, trying to deliver accurate news without the resources or training to do a great job.

I've had the privilege of watching the entire first season of The Paper before it releases in the US and UK later this week. In fact, I've watched it through twice. The network have had a last minute change of mind and instead of releasing a small batch followed by weekly drops, will release the entire season in one go.

This is the best decision they could have made. The series is much better placed as a binge watch as opposed to keeping its viewers hooked enough for the following week.

For those fans brave enough to check out the Australian version of The Office on Prime Video last year, this is not a repeat of that dreadful experience. There are no carbon copies of previous characters.

You could argue that the trio of Ned (Gleeson), Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore) and Ken (Tim Key) is what could happen if you split Michael Scott's personality into three exaggerated segments. Thankfully, the more the series goes on the less that is a bad thing.

Each compliment the other without trying too hard to recreate one of comedy's greatest characters.

The Paper has much more in common with another of co-creator Greg Daniels' show, Parks and Recreation. That show also started life as a potential Office spin-off until it was decided to stand on its own.

It shares some of Parks' emotional heart. There's a chance it could do for local journalism what that did for politics. Sure, it has its flaws.

As a former local journalist myself I can tell you I never printed off one of my stories on paper, to hand to an editor. Elsewhere, the inevitable office romance storyline can feel a little forced. We don't need a will they won't they from the off, let fans decide who they want to see get closer. These are small gripes.

Much like Parks, The Paper looks like it still needs time to settle into its own skin. There is hope that the characters could become as memorable and loveable as Creed, Kevin and Dwight. Thankfully, there is so much room for potential.

It's not clear it will have the appeal to last The Office's nine seasons or even Parks' seven but it's far from one and done.

The Paper is streaming on Sky Max and NOW from September 5.