(Part IV in a series. Part I. Part II. Part III.)

James Fan admits he didn’t jump on The Office bandwagon from the get-go.

The series was actually an episode or two into the second season before he got a hold of the Season 1 DVD and devoured those six quirky episodes that set the stage for some wacky TV to follow.

Fan, a 25-year-old web developer in Foster City, Calif., was inspired. In particular, a history lesson about the philosophy of our 16th president caught his ear. And on Oct. 25, 2005, NorthernAttack.com was born.

Diehard fans will recognize the significance of that name.

“According to Michael Scott, Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘If you’re a racist, I will attack you with the North,’” Fan recalls by e-mail earlier this week. “The line stuck with me for a number of reasons, most of which defy explanation. I knew I had to incorporate that amazing, completely falsified quote into my final vision, and so it eventually became the basis for the site’s name.

An understated collection of episode recaps, cast and series news and incredibly extensive forum pages, NorthernAttack is one of the original and still preeminent destinations for Office fans seeking an online fix.

Traffic varies, with as many as 5,000 visitors a day flocking to the site following new episodes, though Fan puts the average at between 2,000 and 3,000 daily.

The site was practically a second job in the early going, as he put 20 to 30 hours a week into it, including 10 to 12 hours for a single recap, he admits, “as I’d struggle to find the perfect way to express something without sounding pretentious or overly snarky.”

“I was basically working on NA when I wasn’t eating, sleeping, or working at my full-time job,” says Fan.

Job commitments have forced him to scale that back considerably, and he has even turned over some responsibilities for managing the site to “an extremely helpful bunch” of volunteer forum moderators with on-screen monikers like Nathan, J1, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Mixed Berries and a professional writer by the name of Jamie Harris who recaps episodes.

Here, in his own words, is Fan’s take on running a fan site, what it’s like to be immortalized by a TV show and how a fan site with few bells and fewer whistles has become so popular.

What moment inspired you to create an Office blog?

“I would have to say the scene from Health Care when Michael tries to swing a ride down the coal shaft for his employees. Aside from prompting uncontrollable laughter, that moment cemented my undying support for the show. At that point I knew that NBC had something great on their hands and that I had to do everything in my power to sustain it. I had found my calling in life.”

When did you realize your blog had hit critical mass with other fans?

“When I realized that I needed forums, definitely. I think it was around the time Valentine’s Day aired from Season 2. The comments on the recaps were starting to get lengthy to the point of being unmanageable, and I had long been considering adding forums to the site as a more discussion-friendly alternative. A year later, I can happily say that they’re receiving plenty of use.”

What has been the high point for you so far?

“That’s a tough one. My interview with (OfficeTally.com creator) Tanster was amazing, of course. I’m not what you’d call a television personality, so I was just happy to be along for the ride. (Actress) Angela (Kinsey)’s call at the end was a huge surprise, one that I’ll remember along with Tanster’s priceless reaction for quite some time. The mention on the (Season 2) DVD commentary was amazing as well. It’s one thing for a cast member to mention your site in a blog entry, it’s another thing entirely to hear them utter its name. I made sure all of my friends were aware of my minor immortalization.”

“I will say that my first correspondence with Jenna holds special significance if only because it was so unexpected. Shortly after launching Northern Attack, I sent her a MySpace message inviting her to check it out in her free time. I was sure that it would be lost amongst her hundreds of friend requests and otherwise busy schedule; imagine my surprise when I received a reply from her a few hours later stating that she already knew about it and that she and John had been checking it daily. I had a very large bedroom at the time with an excess of empty space, an arrangement that lent itself very well to the jig I performed immediately after reading her response. I printed her message and displayed it proudly next to my bedroom door where it remained for months.”

NorthernAttack has a unique look and feel, less sensational or gimmicky than just about any fansite around. What’s your thinking behind the design?

“I wanted a place where fans of the show could comfortably examine its plot devices and characters. In order to facilitate that sort of meaningful discussion, I knew I had to create an aesthetic that emphasized content above all else. People needed to respect the site before they would contribute, so it had to look sincere. I opted for a simple appearance, with enough accents to keep it interesting but not so many as to distract the reader from the real content. It was the betterment of the community I was seeking, not the attention.”

“In reality, I am not quite so selfless. I’m a designer by trade, so I have certain tendencies – some might call them neuroses – that dictate my approach to these sorts of things. I lean towards the clean and ordered side of things. And although I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I’m a minimalist, I do put a lot of thought into what belongs and what doesn’t. It’s a philosophy that matches the utilitarian atmosphere of the show rather nicely.”

It also seems to fill a different niche than, say, OfficeTally.

“You’re absolutely right. Tanster does an excellent job of keeping up with news about the show at OfficeTally. Actually, she does a much better job of keeping up with the show in general. I’m a slacker by comparison. I don’t know exactly how much time she invests in OT, but it must be unreal.”

“The heart of NA lies in its recaps. And in its forums. Can I have two hearts? I simply enjoy dissecting the show with others. Then again, there’s plenty of worthy discussion that goes on at OT as well. She also updates her site regularly, whereas I rely on my audience and hired hands to generate most of my content. Perhaps “different niche” is just your codeword for “mildly inferior management.” I suppose I can live with that.”

What do you make of the loyalty and enthusiasm of the users and the discussions at the Watercooler?

“I think it’s phenomenal. I have a strong bias against forums because I’ve had such bad experiences with them. Much of what you find on the Internet in the way of online discussion devolves into petty arguments and general unpleasantness. It’s unfortunate, but not unexpected given the anonymity the medium affords.”

“The Watercooler has been refreshing to say the least. There’s something extremely gratifying about attracting an intelligent, friendly group of people. The folks here don’t always agree – and they shouldn’t – but they never resort to hostility. Differences in opinion are respected, and disputes are always handled in a proper manner. The level of discussion is something that I am very proud of. Then again, I suppose I’m fortunate to be covering a show that breeds such courteous, discerning fans.”

What do you make of the enthusiasm of the show’s online following in general?

“It’s remarkable. In addition to the aforementioned OfficeTally, you’ve got Kathie at Give Me My Remote and Brian at Life in the Office, both of whom do a phenomenal job of promoting the show, not to mention the folks at LiveJournal and Television Without Pity. I would say the fandom per capita for The Office is higher than it is for just about any other show on television.”

“Aside from their obvious devotion to the show, what’s really struck me about the Office community is how honest they are as a whole. Despite their unwavering support, they are unafraid to voice their displeasure with the show when it has disappointed them. It’s the sort of criticism you appreciate because it has a constructive purpose.”

“I’m sure the openness of the cast members has much to do with this. I’ve never seen a group of actors go to such great lengths to make themselves accessible to their fans, particularly through something as ubiquitous as MySpace. You feel that your voice is heard. And although it would be unreasonable to expect them to heed your every whim, the fact that this avenue of communication even exists is amazing.”

Where do you think things are headed in the final episodes of Season 3?

“Well, trouble is certainly brewing on the Jim/Pam front. I stand by my prediction that Jim and Roy will resolve their differences without resorting to fisticuffs. I don’t expect it to be a particularly clean resolution, but I have a hard time imagining serious, physical violence on this show.”

“Beyond that, I reckon Dwight and Angela’s forbidden romance will gradually make its way into the public eye as word of it spreads throughout the office.”

What is your favorite Office moment and who is your favorite character (or the one you most identify with)?

“In addition to being my favorite character, I’m going to break gender lines and say that I identify the most with Pam. Her scene with Michael at the end of Business School, which also happens to be my favorite Office moment, was perfectly delivered and a prime example of why I find her character so relatable. She’s tragic in a way that appeals to almost everyone at some point in their lives.”

Bonus Round

1. Jim or Dwight: An impossible choice. You can’t have one without the other.


2. Jam or Karim: Jam. Karen is nice, but I’m pretty sure you can’t fight destiny.


3. Dwangela or Jachael: Dwangela. Hugs disguised as handshakes will never go out of style.


4. Poor Richard’s or Chilis: Chili’s. Awesome Blossoms all the way.


5. Pink the color or Pink the person: Pink the color. Colors trump pop culture icons.


6. Stamford or Scranton: Scranton in, like, a complete landslide.


7. The Conference Room or the Parking Lot of Doom: Well, with a name like that… Parking Lot of Doom, clearly.


8. Season 2 or Season 3: Season 3. See my favorite Office moment above.


9. Beet farmers or volunteer sheriff’s deputies: Beet farmers. Agriculture has the edge over law enforcement in the grand scheme of human civilization.


10. David Brent or Michael Scott: David Brent if you’d like to inflict the most painful of deaths; Michael Scott if you’re the least bit merciful.


11. Jazz Babies posters in the office or JamaicaJanSunPrincess posters in the warehouse: Jazz Babies. Marginally less disturbing than the alternative.