Ed Helms really walked away with Thursday night's Office. He was amusing in his earlier scenes in Stamford for the first few episodes of the season, but when he arrived in Scranton, it was like his Andy was coming out of some sort of cocoon. The way he carried out his strategy for taking over ("mirroring" other people's personalities) was a joy to behold. And I can't think of his line to the camera ("Dwight may have won this battle, but I will win...the larger battle.") without cracking up.

Aside from that, it was great that they've joined the two casts, even though it's a bit grating the way NBC is marketing The Office like it's a new version of Friends. The Jim-Pam plot line is sweet and all, but still...

Also, I think NBC should release a DVD made up solely of Jason Lee and Ethan Suplee's "bedtime" exchanges that close every episode of My Name Is Earl. Last night's, a debate over who would win in a fight, the Muppets on the Muppet Show or the Sesame Street Muppets, was priceless.

Tom Coombe