# The Office (02/05) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699 "2009-02-06T14:39:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/81 "2009-02-08T21:45:55Z")
I don’t think it’s unreasonable for posters to assume that anyone who’s seen the episode has also seen the promo for next week that aired with the episode. People who watch online remain the exception, not the rule. But perhaps more importantly, the network is not going to give away any big twists in a promo! The point of the ad is to make people want to watch the whole episode, not ruin all the surprises. As with this week’s episode, the promo may even be misleading. Karen’s pregnancy was a very minor part of the show, and Michael only wondered if Jim might be the father because Michael is an idiot. I can understand that some people really want to know nothing at all about the episode before they watch it, but if that’s the case then they need to decide what’s more important: being totally unspoiled or discussing the show online. I don’t think you can have both. Even if everyone in this thread agreed to always use spoiler boxes to discuss the promos, there will be new posters or people who don’t regularly participate in _Office_ threads who don’t know/don’t care about this practice. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/82 "2009-02-08T21:46:27Z")
I’m in (on Dudley’s suggestion). I notice that the Galactica threads start with a set of rules. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/83 "2009-02-08T21:51:42Z")
Have a separate thread for a unspoilered discussion of a given episode just to spoiler the promos? That seems a little silly to me. Are we going to do that with every other TV show too? We’re not even talking about spoilered and unspoilered threads abouy the episode, we’re talking about a separate episode thread to spoiler only promos? Really? ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/84 "2009-02-08T22:48:02Z")
> [@Soapbox\_Monkey](#): > > This is the part that baffles me. Apparently the people who are requesting spoiler boxes only watch NBC for 27 minutes a week? > > No news? No 30 Rock? No Earl? No ER? No Today Show? No Jay Leno? No Conan? No sports? No daytime programming? Because I guarantee these promos are being aired 50+ times during the week leading up to Thursday night at 9:00. I have a little something called a DVR. Records shows so I can watch them later. Rarely will I watch live TV, this way I can skip forward through all the commercials. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/85 "2009-02-08T23:02:55Z")
> [@Soapbox\_Monkey](#): > > This is the part that baffles me. Apparently the people who are requesting spoiler boxes only watch NBC for 27 minutes a week? > > No news? No 30 Rock? No Earl? No ER? No Today Show? No Jay Leno? No Conan? No sports? No daytime programming? Because I guarantee these promos are being aired 50+ times during the week leading up to Thursday night at 9:00. Or, maybe, they own a DVR because it’s 2009 and they just blow through the commercials on those shows, just like they blow through them during this show? Shocking, I know. I’d rather hit my advance button 3 or 4 times than sit through a few minutes of commercials. > [@Lamia](#): > > But perhaps more importantly, the network is not going to give away any big twists in a promo! Really? As I understand it, Karen being pregnant was in a promo. Correct or not? Seems like an important plot point to just throw out for no reason. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/86 "2009-02-08T23:05:47Z")
There are obviously a non-zero number of people who don’t watch previews and would like mention of them to be spoiler-boxed, as multiple people in the thread have already made that request, and I am also in that category. Therefore, regardless of how rational you think this behavior is, or how insanely bizarrely crazy we must be to live this not-watching-previews lifestyle, it would be **polite** to spoiler-box discussions of previews. Because it’s a simple thing you can do to make your fellow dopers happier. And it’s entirely possible for a thread to work that way… that’s the rule in **24** threads, and has been for years. Furthermore, as I understand it, the promos are NOT put together by the actual directors and writers of the show. The people putting together the promos are trying as hard as they can to get butts in the seat watching the show, NOT trying to enhance the experience of people who are actually watching the show. Therefore, it stands to reason that, if I’ve already decided I will be watching next week, my enjoyment of it will be at least potentially adversely affected by having seen the promos. ---
**Author:** ![brossa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brossa/32/3040_2.png) [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/87 "2009-02-08T23:17:39Z")
Those who wish to completely avoid previews should wait _two_ episodes before opening any threads here. Previews from two weeks ago would then represent material that has aired _twice_ before instead of just \*once \*before. The absolute moral superiority of this position is self-evident to all right-thinking individuals. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/88 "2009-02-08T23:28:23Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Really? As I understand it, Karen being pregnant was in a promo. Correct or not? Seems like an important plot point to just throw out for no reason. What was important about it? It was able to be tossed out in the promo BECAUSE it had no importance at all. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/89 "2009-02-08T23:32:29Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > There are obviously a non-zero number of people who don’t watch previews and would like mention of them to be spoiler-boxed, as multiple people in the thread have already made that request, and I am also in that category. > > Therefore, regardless of how rational you think this behavior is, or how insanely bizarrely crazy we must be to live this not-watching-previews lifestyle, it would be **polite** to spoiler-box discussions of previews. Because it’s a simple thing you can do to make your fellow dopers happier. It’s polite not to be unreasonably demanding about spoiler boxes. Promos are material which are aired as part of the episode. They are fair game for unspoilered discussion in an unspoilered episode thread. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/90 "2009-02-09T00:04:33Z")
Demanding that promos be spoilered because not everybody watches them may be the most idiotic and childish demand I’ve ever seen on this board. Yeah, spoiler movie stuff for the first few weeks after release so the most nutso fans have a chance to see it. Spoiler TV stuff until after it’s been broadcast in the Pacific time zone. Shit, I’ll extend it to after it’s been broadcast in Hawaii. But promos are freaking COMMERCIALS and are often purposely misleading. They are fair game by the same rules as the shows. I wish we never started spoiler boxes. I thought we were all adult enough to stay out of threads that might spoil our fun until after the show is broadcast. But to start demanding that PREVIEWS be spoilered is utterly bizarre. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/91 "2009-02-09T00:24:59Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Enough already, **Dio** – you’re not in the equation here. We all already know you’re the petulant child whose mommy isn’t paying attention – we know you’re not going to stop kicking the back of the seat, no matter how many times you’re asked. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’m not the petulant one, you are. It’s not a simple request, it’s an obnoxious one. Personal insults aren’t allowed in this forum. No more of this from either of you or anyone else. In fact this entire hijack about spoilering should be dropped pronto. _Start a separate thread on the spoilers vs. no spoilers schism either elsewhere in Cafe Society or in the Pit._ ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/92 "2009-02-09T00:45:30Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It’s polite not to be unreasonably demanding about spoiler boxes. Promos are material which are aired as part of the episode. They are fair game for unspoilered discussion in an unspoilered episode thread. Really? On the DVDs do they put the promos right after the previous episode, then? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/93 "2009-02-09T01:05:54Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Really? As I understand it, Karen being pregnant was in a promo. Correct or not? Seems like an important plot point to just throw out for no reason. Did you even watch the episode? The pregnancy was not an important plot point. It’s stretching things to call it a plot point at all. Karen’s pregnancy was only significant to the plot in that it led to Pam’s discovery that Karen was married and not still pining after Jim. The episode would have been almost exactly the same with Karen married but not pregnant. Unless Rashida Jones is actually pregnant then the only reason for the character’s pregnancy was to give Michael the chance to (over)react inappropriately. If Angela or Pam or even Kelly had been pregnant then that would have been an important plot point, but Karen hasn’t been an important character on the show for nearly two years. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/94 "2009-02-09T01:07:00Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Really? On the DVDs do they put the promos right after the previous episode, then? > > -Joe Eh, let’s drop this one guys, (or start a thread about it as suggested). **ON TOPIC** , did anyone see the second deleted scene from the Super Bowl episode? > **[The Office - NBC.com](https://www.nbc.com/the-office)** > > The Office is a hilarious documentary-style look into the humorous and sometimes poignant foolishness that plagues the world of 9-to-5. Dwight gave me the chills when responding to Phyllis’, “You almost killed him” comment. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/95 "2009-02-09T02:49:52Z")
Dwight is a seriously messed-up dude - he is able to function in society, but he doesn’t acknowledge society’s rules **at all** - it’s only a matter of time until he shows up on CNN for having done something horrible. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/96 "2009-02-09T20:16:22Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > That’s why previews are NOT spoilers. How does that make it better? Either way, it was stuff that a lot of people don’t want to have to see. Are you saying, then, if the promos show something accurately and its true, then they are spoilers? Is inside information that’s vague and might not quite be true also not a spoiler? I have no idea why people defiantly refuse to honor the wishes of people who don’t want to see the crap made up by network idiots and not the writers of the show that either spoils or misleads. And they’re such assholes about it. “HAHA! Technically this isn’t a spoiler, so go fuck yourself!” It’d be common decency to respect the people’s wishes, give them an option, and take an extra 5 seconds to spoiler something. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/97 "2009-02-09T20:29:33Z")
Sorry, I wrote the above when I was about halfway through the thread and didn’t see the mod warning about it later. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/98 "2009-02-09T20:42:44Z")
See here: [Can we have a ruling on spoilers? - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=505644) Executive summary. Previews must be put in spoiler boxes. To really discuss a preview, start a thread in advance for the next week’s show. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/99 "2009-02-09T20:44:01Z")
Whoop – never mind – **hajario** beat me to it. ---
**Author:** ![Tanbarkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@Tanbarkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanbarkie)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699/100 "2009-02-09T21:06:35Z")
The idea that promos never spoiler anything of consequence doesn’t ring true to me. First of all, “MAJOR PLOT EVENTS” aren’t the only thing that can be spoiled. Sure, Karen’s pregnancy doesn’t seem likely to factor much into the long-term story of the show. However, it was _absolutely intended_ to be a shocking moment for viewers. The writers intended it to be a surprise that Karen would be pregnant. And speaking as someone who had no idea it was coming, it was a big “WTF” moment that would have been lost if I had been spoiled by the promo. _Which is exactly why I don’t watch promos._ Furthermore, even though Karen’s pregnancy not be directly mentioned again in the future, saying it had no impact on the plot is incorrect. It was used as a believable way to bring up Karen’s marriage, and served to reinforce the general theme of the episode for Pam: that is, her lingering guilt over how her relationship with Jim began. Without the pregnancy to throw the issue into the open, it would’ve been difficult to bring it up without making either Karen or Pam look bitchy. The smooth segue from “Hi Karen!” to “Holy crap, you’re married?!” to “Closure” was only possible because neither Pam or Karen had to be the person to initiate the conversation. In any case, there are plenty of promos that give away far bigger plot developments than the Pregnant Karen ad. How many times have you seen a promo that screamed “NEXT WEEK: SOMEBODY. WILL. DIE.”? Or to use a recent example: Act One of a recent Battlestar Galactica two-parter ended with several of the main characters possibly killed in action behind closed doors. Because this is the final season, and the show being what it is, it was considered entirely possible (if not likely) that these characters were killed off despite being main cast. I think everyone would agree that the fate of these characters, therefore, would constitute a fairly major spoiler for the next episode. And yet, the promo that aired immediately following the first episode showed Minor spoilers for a recent BSG episode, vague-ified for the purposes of this discussion: most of those characters alive and well in the next episode. If that doesn’t constitute a plot-relevant spoiler, I don’t know what would. This was, in fact, the exact spoiler that led Cervaise (nice guy that he is) to change the spoiler policy in his BSG threads to include promos. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-02-05/484699.md?page=4)