The showrunners of Peacock's "The Paper", Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, have discussed Season 2 of the Office spin-off with Collider, revealing that a bigger connection to the original series was written but ultimately cut from the show. The interview explores how the Toledo Truth Teller newsroom comedy balances its own storylines with nods to The Office, a decision that matters given the show's origins as a spin-off trying to establish its own identity while still trawling on fan nostalgia.

The pair explained that protagonist Ned's season-long hunt for a major "journalistic crusade" becomes entangled with his romance with colleague Mare, who leaves for a rival paper before his Glass Club investigation gives them a route back to each other. Daniels also addressed Nicole's turbulent arc following her Season 1 breakup, while confirming that Oscar's recurring check-ins with Kevin from The Office continue, though a larger planned reunion moment did not make the final cut.