Peacock is framing 'The Paper' as a triumphant return for beloved comedy talent, with the show ready to deliver fresh laughs and journalistic drama when it premieres September 9. The guest star roster reads like a who's-who of comedy veterans.
Insiders say there's some nervous energy on set about whether the 'loose' Office connection will satisfy fans or feel like a cash grab. The documentary crew callback is being treated as both a selling point and potential liability — it's a lot to ask viewers to buy into the same crew decades later.
Season 2 premieres September 9 on Peacock, 2026. Guest stars confirmed: Jon Lovitz (The Simpsons), Andy Richter (Conan), Lisa Gilroy (Jury Duty), Matt Braunger (Agent Carter), Toks Olagundoye (Family Guy), and Phil Hendrie (The Phil Hendrie radio show). Bob Vance from Vance Refrigeration appears in the premiere episode.
With this level of comedy firepower, 'The Paper' better deliver — because leaning on Office nostalgia only works until audiences realize they're watching a completely different show with a thin connective tissue.
Peacock's 'The Paper' is doubling down on star power for Season 2, and honestly? They're not playing around. The newsroom sitcom — which returns September 9 — has assembled a guest roster that reads like a comedy all-star team: Jon Lovitz, Andy Richter, Lisa Gilroy, Matt Braunger, Toks Olagundoye, and Phil Hendrie have all been confirmed for appearances in the new season.
But let's talk about what's REALLY happening here. 'The Paper' is positioning itself as a spiritual successor to 'The Office,' and they're not being subtle about it. The series — created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman — features Oscar Nuñez reprising his iconic role as Oscar Martinez from the original NBC hit.
More notably, the documentary crew following this Midwestern newspaper revival is explicitly stated to be THE SAME CREW that embedded with Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch decades earlier. Yes, you read that correctly: the same fictional documentarians who chronicled Michael Scott and company are now doing a redux at a struggling Toledo publication. That's either inspired storytelling or some next-level fan service, depending on how charitable you're feeling.
The show follows Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) as he goes after a local private club following his sweep of the Ohio Journalism Awards — a storyline that puts the Toledo Truth Teller in genuine jeopardy. Meanwhile, Esmeralda struggles to find her place while the staff gradually mature as reporters. It's solid ensemble comedy territory, with Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Tim Key, Ramona Young, Eric Rahill, Duane Shepard Sr., Alex Edelman rounding out the core cast.
Here's where it gets interesting: Phil Hendrie is a fascinating casting choice. The radio personality and voice actor brings a different energy to this comedy universe — he's not your typical sitcom guest star. And yes, Bob Vance (Vance Refrigeration) himself is popping up in the premiere episode for those keeping score at home.
With Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant still attached as executive producers alongside Daniels, there's genuine pedigree here. The real question is whether 'The Paper' can stand on its own merits or if it's destined to live in 'The Office''s shadow forever. September 9 will tell us everything we need to know.
