The Office v/s Brooklyn 99: Which sitcom better portrays the workplace comedy genre?

The Office v/s Brooklyn 99: Which sitcom better portrays the workplace comedy genre?

Note: All the opinions mentioned here are those of the author alone. The article reflects a personal analysis and interpretation of the two sitcoms.

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The Office and Brooklyn 99 stand tall as two giants of the workplace comedy genre, each etching a distinctive and irreplaceable place in the hearts of numerous audiences.

While The Office brought in comedy, fourth wall breaks, and awkward silence into mainstream TV, Brooklyn 99 slid in like a cool summer breeze—fast-paced, emotionally amusing, and diverse in both cast and content.

Personally, as a viewer myself, I lean more towards the umph and inclusivity that Brooklyn 99 brings out.

Without taking away from the cleverness of The Office, Brooklyn 99 pushes the genre forward with a more contemporary, inclusive, and organized approach.

Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons for the same.

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A dynamic setting that fuels the story: The Office v/s Brooklyn 99

When you compare and contrast a paper company to a police division, the contrast in the potential for storytelling is clear to me.

Brooklyn 99’s setting offers natural space for getting in the required action, variability, and urgency.

The sitcom makes use of the NYPD not just for solving crime but as a place for character development, friendship, and absolute chaos. From Halloween heists to secret operations, the possibilities that B99 brings forward are never-ending.

The Office, on the other hand, prospers on monotony—and that is part of why the sitcom is so charming in the first place. But Brooklyn 99? It keeps the adrenaline rush as high as it can without giving up on workplace realism.

The NYPD setting becomes a character in itself—alive with chaos, camaraderie, and constant movement.

While The Office sometimes personally feels like sitting through a clumsy team meeting, Brooklyn 99 feels like being on a mission with your closest, coolest, and weirdest friends.

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Ensemble cast with true balance

Both sitcoms feature strong and captivating ensembles, but Brooklyn 99 hits the nail on the head by balancing the screen time and development of every single character.

Every character, from Jake to Rosa to Captain Holt, has distinguishing arcs of their own that open up meaningfully as and when required across all of the seasons.

The show brings out this open space for each voice to be heard equally—Terry’s issues with fatherhood, Amy’s drive, Holt’s quiet resilience. Even characters like Hitchcock and Scully get their moments of unexpected depth added to their characters.

The Office most definitely had its fair share of the most iconic characters—Jim, Pam, Dwight, and of course, Michael Scott—but the entire narrative? That often revolved around a few selected ones, leaving others to be used as running laughs or background props.

B99 blooms as a true collaborative effort, allowing almost each and every member of the team to sparkle, have good relationships and bonds with each other, and also the chance to grow as characters. Think of it as having fun at a workplace with each of your favorite friends or the closest of family members.

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Heartfelt humor that doesn’t shy from depth

There’s no lack of cackles and belly-hurting laughs in either of the two sitcoms, but Brooklyn 99 just takes the cake for me. It stands out for impeccably blending humor with utmost sincerity.

The humor is fast paced, on the lines of quirkiness, and well, sometimes…it also falls on the lines of absurdity—but regardless of this, B99 never gets away from the sight of staying emotionally grounded.

Whether it’s Holt’s soft coming out story, shedding light on Rosa’s bisexuality, or Jake’s conflict with systemic racism, the show works on and beautifully deals with serious world issues without being too preachy or deserting its humorous tone.

The Office as a sitcom outdid itself with humor that is cringe, along with getting on sarcastic elements to the table, but emotional depth was often swept under a rug, filling it up with awkward silences.

B99, while being funny, leans so much into humanity. It summons you to laugh and, most importantly, feel—sometimes all in the same scene.

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Consistency and closure

Welp, we’ve reached the end of our article, so let’s also talk endings for the two sitcoms we’ve chosen, shall we?

The Office had a delightful run, but it low-key fell apart post-Michael Scott, with him not appearing for the finale. The finale personally felt a bit too stretched out and uneven.

In contrast, B99 knew when to draw a close on the curtains. Even with its setbacks and changes, it closed things off with a certain flair, emotion, and precision.

Each of the characters got an appropriate farewell. The show remained true to its core—whacky, emotional, and inclusive—without prolonging its stay.

That kind of evenness is rare in sitcoms. It’s definitely hard to say goodbye to millions of fans who have known and loved you, but Brooklyn 99 made things feel right.

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While The Office truly is a sitcom legend, Brooklyn 99 is personally one step ahead with its contemporary responsiveness, inclusive storytelling, and a lovable cast. It’s a solid and heartfelt blend of action, humor, and emotional storytelling. It definitely set up a new benchmark for all of the other workplace comedies that might come to our screens in the upcoming years.

In the end, it’s not just about the laughs and giggles—it’s about who you laugh with, and B99 is one sitcom I’ll keep visiting for years to come.