'The Paper' Cast Breaks Down Why They Aren't Obsessed With 'The Office' Easter Eggs

*The Paper* is officially back for its second season, but fans tuning in for a relentless stream of Dunder Mifflin nostalgia might be surprised. The cast of the comedy spinoff is speaking out about why the show is deliberately keeping its distance from its legendary predecessor, *The Office*. Rather than relying on endless nostalgia bait and familiar faces, the new ensemble is prioritizing fresh storylines that allow their own workplace chaos to shine. When the series returned on Wednesday, Sept. 9, it delivered only a single callback to the original NBC hit. During the premiere episode, Oscar Nuñez’s character received a quick phone call from his former Scranton desk mate Kevin, voiced off-screen by Brian Baumgartner. That brief interaction served as the sole crossover moment in the entire episode.

Series star Melvin Gregg, who portrays Detrick, defended the subtle approach in an interview with. The actor pointed out that while Oscar obviously shares a long history with those classic characters, the new group of coworkers has no connection to them. Because of that disconnect, leaning too heavily into nostalgia wouldn't make sense for the current storyline. Gregg admitted he prefers to let the creative team dictate how much of the original show gets dragged into the new set. He noted that he loves the current cast chemistry and thinks the writers have done a great job selecting guest stars who actually enhance the current workspace dynamic. Rather than turning every week into an easter egg hunt for diehard sitcom fans, the priority remains expanding the current office lore.

Ramona Young, who plays Nicole on the spinoff, echoed those exact thoughts. She expressed total faith in the showrunners, noting that the writers only bring in legacy figures when the story actually calls for it rather than forcing fan service for cheap applause. Young insisted that *The Paper* needs room to breathe as its own independent universe with its own distinct characters and comedic timing. While the shadow of Scranton still looms large over television history, the new crew is determined to make sure their series is remembered for its own punchlines. As season two unfolds, viewers can expect the workplace comedy to keep carving out its own identity while keeping legacy appearances rare and meaningful.