the office--season premiere

The only can't-miss show in the Simmons house right now is The Office, which premiers tonight at 8pm on NBC. It's a mockumentary (meaning a fake documentary/reality show) about the office of Dunder-Mifflin, a paper company in Scranton, PA. Like all sitcoms, it has some moments that make you cringe. But, it also has some legitimately hilarious moments as well. In case you've never seen it but want to start watching, here's a synopsis of the characters:

Michael Scott (Steve Carell) is the regional manager of the Scranton branch of the fictional paper distribution company Dunder-Mifflin. He is socially awkward, has few friends, and is quite lonely. He thinks of himself as an office comedian and his attempts at humor reflect his desperate wish to be liked. But they prove unfunny at best and are often inappropriate, and sometimes offensive or unwittingly mean. Much of the humor of his character derives from his lack of self-awareness, which is highlighted by the awkward situations he creates for himself and his inability to extricate himself from them. His subordinates all think of him as a complete screw-up.

Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) is a salesman at Dunder Mifflin. He holds the title of "Assistant to the Regional Manager" and is the second-in-command to the Regional Manager, Michael Scott. Dwight craves authority over others and relishes any minor task that Michael or any anyone else gives him. Though Dwight acts like a know-it-all, he is actually quite gullible and naive. For this reason, he is easily tricked and tormented by his desk-mate and fellow salesman Jim Halpert. Much to Dwight's displeasure, Jim holds Dwight's former position of "Assistant Regional Manager" and is the second-in-command to the Regional Manager.

Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), a five-year veteran of Dunder Mifflin, spends much of his time conspiring with office receptionist Pam Beesly to engineer pranks on his overbearing deskmate Dwight Schrute. Much of the dramatic content of the show derives from Jim's secret crush on Pam. It is often implied through the context of Jim's comments that he dislikes his job, and even sometimes regrets his office pranks on Dwight, but stays only because of his hope to be with Pam.

Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) is the friendly but often frustrated receptionist Dunder Mifflin. She can seem shy or hesitant to speak her mind, but enjoys chatting with her best friend, salesman Jim Halpert. She often helps Jim play pranks on his deskmate Dwight Schrute. She was previously engaged to Roy Anderson, a Dunder Mifflin warehouse employee, for three years.

Below, you'll find the best office scenes to date...