This Anthology Series From A Star Of The Office Is Criminally Underrated

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B.J. Novak is famous for his role as Ryan Howard on The Office, but he’s also a talented writer. Besides contributing to 15 episodes of the show, he’s the author of the short story collection One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories (2014) and the 2022 film Vengeance, which he also directed. Through his work, Novak has developed a unique and impressive style as a writer.

One of the best examples of Novak’s unique voice as a writer is his 2021 anthology series, The Premise. Unlike most similar shows that stick to a single genre or mood, Novak’s consistent style is what unifies the episodes. Though the stories vary wildly – from humorous to deeply serious, touching to bizarre – his distinctive writing keeps the show feeling connected and relevant to today’s world.

The Premise Is A Perfect Anthology

The show, titled B.J. Novak Presents The Premise, is described as a collection of stories reflecting current events. Novak hosts each episode, introducing the central idea, or “premise,” and highlighting how his storytelling consistently connects to important cultural topics.

Though it only lasted five episodes, the FX series The Premise was surprisingly effective, blending comedy, drama, and suspense into a truly captivating show. Each episode tackled a different topic – from serious issues like gun violence to the complexities of social media – and presented it in a way that made viewers think about it from a fresh perspective.

The first episode, titled “Social Justice Sex Tape,” focuses on Ethan, who unknowingly filmed a police encounter while making a private video in his home. The footage could prove a Black man was wrongly accused of attacking a police officer – but only if the entire embarrassing video is shown in court and Ethan’s personality is scrutinized as part of the evidence.

The story gets increasingly silly and over-the-top, but it ultimately ends with a surprisingly serious moment that reveals the humor had a purpose. After being publicly embarrassed while testifying, Ethan sadly tells his lawyer, “You said I’d be a hero for this.” She responds with a blunt truth: “I didn’t say you’d look like one.”

The Premise Is Star-Studded

B.J. Novak wasn’t the only well-known actor on The Premise. Ben Platt and Ayo Edebiri appeared in the first episode, “Social Justice Sex Tape,” playing Ethan and his lawyer, who tried to use the tape to expose the truth. Because the show was an anthology, with a different story each week, it attracted new actors regularly. The short, one-episode commitment also made it easier to get big names to participate.

Later episodes featured guest stars like Jon Bernthal, Kaitlyn Dever, Lucas Hedges, and Daniel Dae Kim from Lost, among others. If the show had been renewed, it likely would have continued to attract well-known actors, share unusual personal stories, and offer insightful social commentary.

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2026-02-15 21:18