Q: What is the Best Show on TV?

A: The Office.

For the last three years, I have always kinda sorta believed that statement, but last night’s episode proved to me why it is unequivocally true. I might even go out on a limb and call it the best comedy on network television in the past twenty years (Now, before Seinfeld fans start sending me poison wedding invitations, allow me a chance to explain).

The reason why The Office is so great is that it employs, perhaps, the greatest ensemble cast in television history. Every single actor embodies their character on the show to the nth degree. A lot of time, it seems like The Office is unscripted, but that is just a testament to the tour de force performances given by the actors week in and week out.

Take last night’s episode where Dunder-Mifflin Scranton played a Southern murder mystery game to take their minds off of corporate’s impending declaration of bankruptcy. Each actor was forced to play their own character and a character in the murder mystery, while staying true to their original character (i.e. play the murder mystery game as their Dunder-Mifflin alter ego would). Confused? Imagine trying to prepare yourself for such a performance.

The physical comedy and character interplay is also a huge part of The Office magic. Last night’s episode was no exception. The opening where Dwight beats himself up was incredible. The use of southern accents by all characters with mixed results (Andy’s was great, Oscar’s hilariously terrible) and the final fake gun stand off with Michael, Andy and Dwight was terrifically absurd.

Historically, even the best shows have had weak links in their cast.

Jerry Seinfeld didn’t act on Seinfeld once in nine years. He was just playing himself. Watch old episodes in syndication: he moves through scenes with a bemused grin on his face, letting the other actors do all of the heavy lifting.

Cheers was great; Ted Danson as Sam Malone was not. Yes, he played a great character but there was no depth in the performance. He was a playboy womanizer who never faced any real adversity.

Arrested Development had a cast that rivals The Office but it lacked popular support because of its writing. AD was too smart for its own good and the majority of the television viewing population are morons. The Office skates a thin line between shrewd and lowest common denominator comedy, which is why it is so successful. There’s something for everyone.

It also does romance very well, which brings in even more viewers (i.e. women). The Office has managed to make the Jim/Pam relationship fit in seamlessly with the show’s sensibilities. The best example of this was the wedding procession from a few weeks. It was equal parts pop culture reference, ridiculousness, genuinely funny and sweet, all packaged around the requisite Jim/Pam “Ahhh” moment.

That four minute clip is The Office in a nutshell and is proof of its greatness.