Staples...The New Office

One day, the CEO of Staples was looking for a completely awesome advertising campaign. The regular commercials in between tv shows were just not cutting it, so he appealed to the board of directors.

The board of directors knew exactly what to do. "See," they said to the CEO. "What you ask of us is not a new commercial to air in between television programs. No, what you truly need is a television show to air in between commercials."

Thus, The Office was born. Sure, you can say that it was based on the UK version which aired a few years ago, but only ran for a pathetic two seasons--and really only 11 episodes at that. I don't believe that's the case; but of course it is somewhat loosely based on the same idea (Tim...Jim....we might have something there). This may just be a conspiracy theory, but if Staples was able to pull it off, then this is quite possibly the most ingenious advertising campaign ever developed--certainly the most incredible one I've ever heard of. If I'm wrong, then I'm the most genius person I've ever known.

Anyway, The Office started out humbly, and the first season had a mere 6 episodes. They were very funny, and the character development was a sitcom/reality hybrid of scripted interviews of the main characters. As the show progressed, we got to see the versatility of many of the secondary characters, and even the unrequited love story of Jim Halpert. During its second season, the show picked up many many new viewers, and became a cult classic. As the forbidden love of Jim and Pam progressed, so did the audience.

People connect to The Office because it is a very funny show, but it also depicts life in a very real way. Unlike Seinfeld, which focused on a group of 4 people who, despite jobs, managed to do nothing all day everyday, this show focuses on what seems to be a more realistic lifestyle.

Anyway, I digress. During the second, and especially the third season so far, there have been many subtle hints and advertisements for Staples. At first, it wasn't noticeable, and then it grew to be part of the jokes. (i.e. Kevin's salad, courtesy of a staples paper shredder, which was advertised directly after the show, during the commercial break...)

Meredith: "Where'd you get that salad?"
Kevin: "Staples."

There have been numerous other references to products that everyone wants, including iPods. The Office is definitely a means by which brands get noticed. Staples, however, seems to be different. I formulated this idea a few hours before last Thursday's episode, telling my friend that it would be crazy if Staples was really using The Office to advertise. He agreed, and said, "Of course they are." But I meant something different.

What if the entire show was only a big commercial? What if these characters we'd grown to love were just facilitators for advertisement? What if The Office wasn't meant to satisfy peoples' desires to kill their bosses and laugh about all those stupid people they have to deal with at work, and it was only created in order to shoot subliminal messages? What if we're all being mind-controlled?

It's no secret that everyone who watches this show becomes addicted. Once you watch, you're hooked, and tune in every week. It's every bit as addicting as Lost or 24, because it's not only a comedy show, but it's also a drama, and the idea of Jim and Pam hooking up is what keeps us coming back for more...or is it? Maybe we're being brainwashed, and that's why...

The madness reached a peak on Thursday, just as I'd predicted, when Dwight procured a job at Staples to facilitate his search for a career. All of my wildest dreams and my worst nightmares came true when I saw him in the red uniform of Staples. Perhaps it was true...perhaps this show isn't really what I thought it was.

Needless to say it wasn't subliminal anymore...it was liminal. Maybe even superliminal. Ultraliminal?

You decide...