Everywhere I go; I see just this massive saturation of merchandise and hype around Lost, Heroes, ect. Yet I think the only Office merchandise Ive ever seen is a board game and a poster at Suncoast. Everyone I know absolutely loves Family Guy, House, Farscape, Dexter, and yes...Battlestar Galactica. I even saw Lost the official magazine at the stores. Yet not one person I know besides my mom is into the show, let alone has seen that many episodes. Not only do I know know of anyone in person or casually that is into it, but hardly anyone I know online is much of a fan. I've posted myspace bulletins, threads on pretty large forums I go on, ect...hardly anyone seems to be down with the jello staplery nifty gifty goodness.

Has anyone else encountered this? I don't expect to find rabid office fans like myself or you folks,
but eeesh...for what gets called the number one comedy of any given week ratings wise, the show that has the coveted Seinfeld Thursday slot...where's the love?

"Dwight Schrute who?" is the response I get, and a Dwight shirt just doesnt even register to anyone. Well no, I think one person got it.

Perhaps it's better this way? It makes The Office that much more special? Heck, I'm surprised
it's as big as it is, given how truly obscure and offbeat the humor is. (Ive never seen a show
where you'll see references to everything from craigslist, old nintendo games and muppets to
yogurt lids as rewards and sci fi/anime conventions)

I know the official Office convention is in Scranton PA(and not Van Nuys, heh) but man....from watching the Comic Con 2008 Office panel on NBC.com, it seems like San Diego or LA should have an official big Office convention.

*hoping to run into a big Office fan one of these days*

I know a couple of people IRL who are casual fans but they view me as "that Office freak" well they don't say that to my face but when I find out someone has watched The Office and we start to talk about it, it's clear to me that I've over played my hand in terms of devotion to the show. But I'm used to having the "oddball" sense of humor among my friends and people I work with. I'm just glad NBC is behind the show so it doesn't get canceled like most other shows I've liked before it.(Especially since this is my favorite show ever, along with the BBC version)

As far as merch goes...I see stuff from time to time but I agree it's not prevalent in the stores I frequent. (However, I think Target has some of it. Then again I only go in there once a year and that's to get the 5 disc edition of the normally 4 disc Office season's DVDs. (Maybe I should go there more) But whenever I want to get any office merch besides the DVDs(I don't have a lot but I have a few items) I usually get it here at the NBC universal store or somewhere else online. I'm sure you've seen it but if you haven't check it out there's some cool stuff. The next thing I want to get is the robe...that would be great to have.

Heh, yeah Im becoming known amongts friends as the rabid Office viewer. It definitely isnt for everyone, so Im surprised(but in a good way) how well it does in the ratings. But again, where are these people? Im trying to get people I know into it, but they seem more into the rapid fire family guy or south park stuff.

And ugh, hate seeing all these Heroes, Lost, Smallville, ect magazines. Where's The Office magazine already?

(Lost/Heroes magazines, action figures, ect...its nuts)

Its funny. My closest friends and even my fiancee don't watch the show(but he might as well, because I illustrate every episode to him on Friday morning). Only at work do I have a chance to interact with true "flans"(but I'm not sure any of them are on this message board, so I'm pretty sure my love exceeds theirs).

Personally, I know a number of people interested in the show, but I still think its a little underground, as you've said. I just think the creators have chosen not to "sell-out" in terms of merchandise and over-exposing like some sitcoms.