The Office 810 Review- Self-Prankervation

Nate- "You had me at clookies. I can't wait to find out what they are."

The Office has knocked Christmas episodes out of the park in the past, so a high bar was set for "Christmas Wishes. It didn't live up to the original "Christmas Party" or last season's "Classy Christmas," but it was certainly one of the funnier outings of season eight.

There were a lot of things that make up a good Office episode at play here. Jim and Dwight were in a pranking zone, there was a whole lot of Erin Hannon, Andy Bernard wasn't ridiculously annoying, and of course, there was an amazing montage/air band rock out set to TSO's "Carol of the Bells."

Dunder Mifflin has done holiday music well in the past - Angela's "Little Drummer Boy" comes to mind - but nothing like this. Between Kevin and Jim receiving a cookie jar and a vasectomy pamphlet as gifts, Erin pounding shots with Phyllis, and Creed, Nate and Gabe joining Dwight on air guitar, air keyboard, and air bass, respectively, it hit on all levels. Great montage.

Not only were Jim and Dwight back to doing what they do best, pranking, but it wasn't the same old song and dance. No, no, Jim and Dwight were pranking themselves, which made it that much funnier. Whether it was Jim reading his credit card info aloud - leading to Dwight buying $200 flowers for Pam - Dwight putting a porcupine into his own drawer - leading to him calling the animal by name - or Jim drawing devil horns and a beard on a picture of CeCe but then backing down so Dwight wouldn't get fired... these two were on fire.

To read the rest of my review on last night's The Office, head over to TV Fanatic.

The Office 810 - "Christmas Wishes"
Review
Recap
Quotes

The Phoebe Buffay Award- Female Character Comedy

Named For: Phoebe Buffay played by Lisa Kudrow in Friends
Awarded To: The best female character in a comedy series from
June 1, 2009 - May 31, 2010
Last Year's Winner: Liz Lemon- 30 Rock

Place. Character (Show) Points (My Vote)

10. Veronica Palmer (Better Off Ted) 6 points

9. Jenna Maroney (30 Rock) 7 points

8. Liz Lemon (30 Rock) 8 points

7. Dee Reynolds (It's Always Sunny) 13 points (5th)

6. Miley Stewart (Hannah Montana) 14 points (2nd)

5. Alex Russo (Wizards of Waverly Place) 16 points (1st)

4. April Ludgate (Parks and Recreation) 17 points (4th)

3. Annie Edison (Community) 18 points

Runner-Up
2. Gloria Delgado-Pritchett (Modern Family) 19 points

and the Poolie goes to...
1. Erin Hannon (The Office)
20 points (3rd)

In what many called a terrible season, and what I called merely a mediocre misstep, one of the highlights of The Office this year was Erin Hannon. Although she came to Dunder Mifflin as Pam's replacement as receptionist last season, she really came into her own this year.

Whether it was her shy behavior towards the blossoming relationship between Andy Bernard and herself, or her naivity for Michael Scott's ridiculous shenanigans, Erin stepped up to the plate in a season when not many females in Scranton did.

After Holly left for New Hampshire, you had to figure Office mainstays Angela and Kelly could step up to the plate and give us some chuckles. But alas, at least for me, they did not. Erin's ability to withstand Michael was a big attribute, as anyone who enjoys the Dunder Mifflin boss is already a step ahead in my book.

What put her over the top in getting my first non-Disney vote was Erin's reaction to Andy stopping by her home un-announced.

Erin: Oh! Andy.
Andy: Hi.
Erin: I’m in my jammy jams.

Just gold. Congrats on the second annual Phoebe Buffay Award.