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The Office Season 8 spoilers and news

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Last updated: April 20, 2012

Number of half-hours planned: 24

Guest stars confirmed: Chris Bauer, Lindsey Broad, Jack Coleman, Stephen Collins, Georgia Engel, Josh Groban, David Koechner, James Spader, Catherine Tate, Maura Tierney, Dee Wallace.

April 20, 2012: NBC

A summary of the May 10 Season 8 finale, ‘Free Family Portrait Studio’:

DWIGHT OFFERS FREE FAMILY PORTRAITS FOR THE OFFICE— A stolen diaper leads to a high-speed car chase. With a little help from an old boss, Andy (Ed Helms) goes undercover as a janitor and stages a takeover. And a new business opportunity arises for Robert California (two-time Emmy winner James Spader). John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper, Zach Woods, and Catherine Tate also star.

April 18, 2012: TVLine

Details about the Season 8 finale, airing May 10:

Dwight sets up a sting operation “to collect DNA from Angela’s baby, attempting to confirm” whether he is, in fact, the baby’s daddy, previews showrunner/co-star Paul Lieberstein. Andy, meanwhile, turns the tables on Robert. “Andy has a delicious secret [about Robert],” Lieberstein reveals. “And he tries to stage the reveal of his secret in as dramatic a way as possible.”

I saw a little of the first during my set visit, but I don’t know anything about the second!

April 13: NBC

A summary of the May 3 episode, ‘Turf War’:

WHO GETS ALL THE CLIENTS LEFT BEHIND — Andy (Ed Helms) takes a break from flambéing cherries and composing rock operas to jumpstart his Dunder Mifflin comeback. When Robert (two-time Emmy winner James Spader) drunkenly shuts down a nearby branch, Jim (John Krasinski) and Dwight (Rainn Wilson) join forces to outsmart a salesman from Scranton’s uglier sister city. Chris Bauer guest stars. Jenna Fischer, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper, Zach Woods, and Catherine Tate also star.

April 6: NBC

A summary of the April 26 episode, ‘Fundraiser’:

ANDY MAKES A SPLASH AT A LOCAL FUNDRAISER —- JACK COLEMAN (“Heroes”) GUEST STARS — Unemployed Andy (Ed Helms) crashes a fundraiser for the Senator (guest star Jack Coleman) and winds up adopting twelve disabled dogs. Dwight (Rainn Wilson) discovers that winning an auction means losing money, and Darryl (Craig Robinson) teaches Nellie (Catherine Tate) how to eat a taco. John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, James Spader, BJ Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Creed Bratton, Ellie Kemper, and Zach Woods also star.

March 29: NBC

A summary of the April 19 episode, ‘Angry Andy’:

ANDY RETURNS TO THE OFFICE TO QUITE A SHOCK — Andy (Ed Helms) returns from his romantic quest to find his manhood in jeopardy. As he and Nellie (Catherine Tate) duke it out over the manager’s chair, co-workers share unwelcome advice on how to… perform. Meanwhile, Kelly (Mindy Kaling) is torn between the perfect man (guest star Sendhil Ramamurthty) and not-so-perfect Ryan (BJ Novak). Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, James Spader, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper and Zach Woods also star.

March 21, 2012: E! Online

Colin: First Steve Carell, now James Spader…are we in for another round of who’s the boss on The Office?!

Don’t worry Office fans, Jenna Fischer assures us that “there will be a boss. We won’t leave people hanging on that again.” Phew! As for Spader’s exit from the NBC comedy? “James has a really great exit from the show in the season finale,” she teases. “It’s a surprisingly sexual exit. How about that?” Bonus scoop courtesy of Fischer: Should the show come back next year, she says, “It’s going to be a big year for Jim and Pam with… some stuff I’m not allowed to say!”

March 19, 2012: Lindsey Broad

Tweets from Lindsey Broad (“Cathy”):

3:02pm: “Cathy has finished tempting at Dunder Mifflin.”

3:07pm: “Whoops, that was a Freudian autocorrect. I meant TEMPING.”

March 8, 2012: E! Online

Mose will be back! “Mike Schur is Mose as we speak,” [Paul] Lieberstein reveals. “He is shooting something right now for us. In the season finale, we answer the paternity question and Mose is involved in that story.”

So will the Angela’s baby paternity question be totally settled by season’s end? Lieberstein teases: “Dwight and Angela is thrown forward definitely and their relationship takes a turn.”

March 7, 2012: Angela Kinsey

Tweets from Angela Kinsey:

Morning folks…at work on the set of #theoffice. Filming lots of Dwangela scenes today! ;)

Behind the scenes pic… @rainnwilson in the Dwight mobile! #theoffice http://say.ly/gGU1xtV

This badass is our director this week. ;) luv me some @bjnovak! http://say.ly/Vbn1xBD

Well look who in is this episode…Mose! #theoffice http://say.ly/iEz1xEI

March 2, 2012: NBC

A summary of the March 22 episode, ‘Welcome Party’:

THE OFFICE PLANS A WELCOME PARTY FOR NELLIE — Robert (two-time Emmy Award winner James Spader) makes the office throw a welcome party for Nellie (Catherine Tate), and the party planners try to sabotage it. Meanwhile, Andy (Ed Helms) and Erin (Ellie Kemper) practice how Andy will break up with Jessica (guest star Eleanor Seigler). Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson and Zach Woods star.

March 2, 2012: Entertainment Weekly

Tidbits from B.J. Novak:

Post-Florida fun, Ryan Howard is going to be in for a big (and completely unwelcome) surprise. Though he ever-so-briefly had his eye on Erin (Ellie Kemper), he’ll soon find that Kelly has a new crush of her own — except from the sounds of it, this is much more serious. Enter Heroes alum Sendhil Ramamurthy.

“When he gets back, Jim and Pam have set [Kelly] up with this handsome Indian pediatrician, who is their family pediatrician, and for some reason, he really likes Kelly. They get along perfectly, and this seems to be the perfect solution — not just for Kelly but for the office, which is really sick of Ryan and Kelly distracting them,” says writer and co-exec producer B.J. Novak, who reveals that the writers took inspiration from — oddly enough – The Jersey Shore‘s own embattled couple, Ronnie and Sammi. “They’re [both] terrible couples that just needed to be kept apart for their own sanity…. So Jim and Pam set Kelly up with this real adult relationship, and Ryan finds himself very jealous and tries to win Kelly back.”

And their romance will be anything but fleeting. Ramamurthy has currently filmed one episode and they’re hoping to get him for more. Even if they can’t, however, Novak says “the story line is definitely alive whether he’s in the episode or not” and it will be the driving force for Ryan and Kelly’s story line for the rest of the season.

“The whole point of [Ramamurthy’s character] is to show what a loser Ryan is, including physically, so that really was his job — to just make me look like [bad] and like only an idiot would choose me,” jokes Novak. “There’s a great line, I think Justin Spitzer wrote it, where Kelly, who is deciding between them, says all these great things about Ravi. ‘[He’s] an Indian doctor, he’s handsome, he treats me well, and he’s successful, and he’s loving. And Ryan puts me through so much drama, so I just have to decide which of those two things is more important to me.’ The girl loves drama, so I think that’s the only thing going for Ryan.”

Tipster: Shay

March 1, 2012: Vulture

Various upcoming story tidbits from Paul Lieberstein:

[Robert] California’s final appearance will be in the show’s season finale, and his exit will be a definitive departure.

When the Florida team returns to Dunder-Mifflin’s Scranton branch after the six-episode arc (tonight is number four), Nellie will come with them, and she will immediately make her desires clear. “They offer her a desk in the office, but she goes to [Andy’s] desk and says, ‘No, I prefer this one’,” Lieberstein explains. “She makes a play for Andy’s job. The rest of the season is this power struggle between them.” This will be good news for fans of Original Recipe Andy: “We’ll see his old anger management issues come out within this struggle,” the producer says.

Pam’s maternity leave replacement, Cathy (Lindsey Broad), didn’t have much to do during her stay at the office, but Lieberstein says her attempt to hook up with Jim was not a left-field plot twist. But now that Jim rejected her advances? “That’s it,” Lieberstein says.”I think he put it to rest.”

Andy will soon learn of Erin’s plans to relocate to Florida, and “it’s going to force him to act and to try to get her back,” Lieberstein says. Why was he so slow to respond to Erin’s obvious attempts at a reconciliation? “He was hurt [by her earlier rejection], and then he started to date someone else,” he says. “He had started to move on and wasn’t ready to look back.” Lieberstein promises we won’t have to wait long to find out: It will be “in a couple of episodes,” he says.

Chris Bauer (Andy Bellefleur on True Blood, Frank Sobotka on The Wire) will soon visit Scranton as “a manager of another branch who’s angry at Jim and Dwight over clients that they’ve been stealing,” according to Lieberstein. Then, as part of the Florida arc, MTM regular Georgia Engel — Georgette! — will guest for three episodes. “Erin gets a job in Florida helping out an older lady, and she’s played by Georgia,” he says. “The younger people on the show, having not grown up with Mary Tyler Moore, didn’t feel the same sort of excitement I did. But I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ Her delivery is still fantastic.”

“Angela’s husband is honored by an animal-rights group” in one episode, Lieberstein says. Robert California buys a table at the charity dinner, resulting in Pam and Phyllis duking it out for the rights to the table’s floral centerpiece. Also: “Dwight has a poor understanding of the concept behind a silent auction and ends up buying everything.”

While this year’s season finale won’t have many true cliff-hangers, Lieberstein says one thread that will be addressed in the episode is the matter of just who is Angela’s baby daddy. “We will resolve it, definitively.” Lieberstein promises. “You won’t see the answer this season. You will see how it’s resolved.”

March 1, 2012: Entertainment Weekly

Various upcoming story tidbits from B.J. Novak:

“Dwight will go on a quest to prove the paternity [of Angela’s baby]. He has a whole scheme concocted to get some DNA to test, and it is one of the best schemes I’ve ever seen him do,” says Novak. “[The answer] will either be in the last second of the finale or a cliff-hanger. We’ll take it right down to the wire.”

As the launch of the Sabre store draws near, this week’s episode finds Ryan feeling pressure after Nellie (guest star Catherine Tate) asks him to do a presentation — his first important task since he was in corporate. Cue an epic melt down. “They have to figure out what to do with how to sort of talk Ryan down from his panic meltdown that he has, without his mom or Kelly there to comfort him. So Jim and Dwight have to channel what they think Ryan’s mom and Kelly would say to him to get him to do the presentation,” previews Novak. “Rainn Wilson is playing Dwight Schrute playing Kelly, John [Krasinski] is playing Ryan’s mom. Jim and Dwight are great in it.”

Back in Scranton, Andy comes to work with a black eye and a fabricated tale to accompany it, prompting Toby to run a self-defense class. “Toby’s outfit alone is worth watching the episode,” Novak says. (One word: Turtleneck.)

February 27, 2012: NBC

Summary of the March 15 episode, Get The Girl:

ANDY TAKES A ROADTRIP TO CHANGE HIS LIFE — Andy (Ed Helms) makes a life altering decision and drives across the country to get Erin (Ellie Kemper). Meanwhile, Nellie (Catherine Tate) shows up in Scranton and tries to claim the manager position. Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, James Spader, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Paul Lieberstein and Zach Woods star.

February 24, 2012: NBC

Summary of the March 8 episode, Last Day In Florida:

LAST DAY IN FLORIDA — After Robert California (two-time Emmy winner James Spader) reveals that he hates Nellie’s (Catherine Tate) business plan, Jim (John Kraskinski) tries to save Dwight (Rainn Wilson) from being fired. Meanwhile, Andy (Ed Helms) learns that Erin (Ellie Kemper) isn’t coming back to Scranton. Paul Lieberstein, Craig Robinson, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, and Zach Woods star.

February 20: Ryan Howard

Ryan tweeted: “There’s a storm brewing over Tallahassee. It’s called Ryan Howard, and it’s about to blow the roof off this retail chain project.”

Based on the episode being edited the day I visited the set (January 19), I would consider this tweet spoilerish. :)

February 10: NBC

A summary of the March 1 episode, Test The Store:

THE FLORIDA TEAMS READIES THE NEW SABRE STORE — Dwight prepares a theatrical presentation to impress Nellie at the Sabre Store opening. In Scranton, Andy shows up to work with an embarrassing injury. Rainn Wilson, Catherine Tate, Ed Helms, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Jenna Fischer, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson and Ellie Kemper also star.

February 6: TV Guide

Sendhil Ramamurthy (“Heroes”) will star as Ravi, a handsome doctor that breaks up Kelly and Ryan! Says B.J. Novak, “Ryan and Kelly end up becoming bitter enemies in the office when she falls in love with an Indian doctor. He’s very handsome and a much, much better match for Kelly than Ryan is.”

February 3: NBC

A summary of the February 23 episode, After Hours:

ANDY MAKES THE OFFICE STAY LATE — In Tallahassee, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Packer (guest star David Koechner) compete to become Nellie’s (Catherine Tate) VP, and Jim (John Krasinski) gets an unwelcome visitor in his room. Meanwhile, Andy (Ed Helms) makes everyone in the office stay late to cover for the people that went to Florida. Jenna Fischer, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper and Zach Woods star.

January 30: Entertainment Weekly

… there is a multi-episode storyline coming up where the cast goes on a road trip to Florida — with Dwight in charge.

“They are supposed to be opening a chain of stores where they are going to sell their own tablet computer that is in the shape of a triangle and it’s called ‘The Pyramid,'” [B.J.] Novak said. “It’s like a cheap iPad shaped like a triangle. It’s really the worst piece of technology that you’ve ever seen.”

January 27: NBC

A summary of the February 16 episode, Tallahassee:

DWIGHT IS ON A MISSION TO GET NOTICED AT CORPORATE — CATHERINE TATE (“THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW”) JOINS THE SHOW — After Dwight and his team arrive in Tallahassee, Dwight competes with his Dunder Mifflin coworkers to impress Sabre special projects president, Nellie Bertram (Catherine Tate). Back in Scranton, Andy avoids being manager when several people in the office demand raises. Rainn Wilson, Ed Helms, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson and Ellie Kemper also star.

January 24: Rainn Wilson

Rainn tweeted: “I’m directing an awesome episode of The Office this week. It’s a show about people who work in an office.”

(Since I visited the set last week and they were filming episode #18, Rainn is directing episode #19.)

January 20: NBC

A summary of the February 9 episode, Special Project:

DWIGHT IS ASSIGNED A SPECIAL PROJECT — After Dwight gets assigned a special project at Sabre headquarters in Tallahassee, he and Andy try to decide which Scranton employees get to go with him. Meanwhile, Pam returns from her maternity leave. Two-time Emmy winner James Spader, Rainn Wilson, Ed Helms, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson and Ellie Kemper also star.

January 13, 2012: Zap2it

In an interview with Paul Lieberstein:

“We may start to see some of Andy’s anger problems come back, but in a way that may really benefit him,” Lieberstein says.

Lieberstein also says Andy will get at least slightly more comfortable around Robert, but both guys will have to deal with a new element: Nelly Bertrum (Catherine Tate), who will return in February as a special projects manager for Sabre.

Nelly will bring several people from Scranton, including Dwight (Rainn Wilson), to Florida to help with the launch of the Sabre Store, the company’s badly planned and executed version of the Apple Store.

If that sounds like a bad idea to you, you and Lieberstein are on the same page. “[Nelly] follows it through with equally bad management,” he says. “We play that out as an arc — they’re down there for about six episodes. Then late in the season, Catherine Tate will come back up to Scranton.”

One thing that won’t be a major thing when the season picks up Thursday (Jan. 12)? The birth of Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim’s (John Krasinski) second child. Fischer has returned from her real-life maternity leave, Lieberstein says, but the show won’t make a big deal about the new baby.

“People don’t care so much,” Lieberstein says with a laugh. “The rest of the office does not seem as moved by the addition of a baby. [Pam] comes back with very little fanfare.”

January 13, 2012: NBC

Summary of the February 2 episode, Jury Duty:

JIM RETURNS FROM JURY DUTY — JACK COLEMAN GUEST STARS — After Jim returns from jury duty, Dwight questions him on every detail of his case. Meanwhile, Angela and the senator (guest star Jack Coleman) welcome their new baby. John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, Ed Helms, Angela Kinsey, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper and Zack Woods also star.

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260 comments

  1. I am a little worried that there will be some craziness (including losing some fans) if they make Catherine Tate the boss. Not many people know who she is and she is a little hard to understand (her accent is awesome though).
    However, I am sure that whatever they choose will be good!
    We have to remember that the new boss will not have as large as a role that Michael had. Might not even make it to DVD cover status.

  2. I’m a die-hard Office fan since the beginning. I know there’s been a lot of talk about fans jumping ship since Carell’s departure, but I’ve really enjoyed the episodes that have aired without him, so I’m still on board… That is until this Catherine Tate thing. I LOVED the finale, I did. The only weak point, and a number of other Office fans I’ve spoken to agree, was Catherine Tate. I didn’t find her funny at all! I barely even cracked a smile. James Spader was fantastic, and had me rolling on the floor. Will Arnett’s brief scene was very funny. Even Ray Romano, who I was never a fan of, really impressed me. But Catherine Tate… if she’s the boss… I don’t know if I’ll stick around, and I’m even more confident that the viewership will go down drastically.

  3. I got an Eric Idle vibe from Will Arnett’s character (in a great way). I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Spader’s smug weirdo. I keep thinking of him staring confidently at the camera and laughing…

    [from tanster: smug weirdo is a good way to describe him!]

  5. I totally agree. I can get past the stunt casting in the season finale (most of the guest stars were unnecessary in my opinion, even Jim Carrey of whom I’m a huge fan). But Catherine Tate was just AWFUL. I see now more than ever the big difference between British and American comedy, and while I respect British humor for what it is, it just doesn’t work in the American market. I’m truly concerned that casting Tate will ruin the show for good. Personally, I hope they don’t cast any new high-profile star(s) and just work with the ensemble they have – they are brilliant and were far funnier in the season finale on their own than any of the guest stars. In particular I’m pulling for Andy to become the next boss.

  6. I loved the original office but the humour in it was completely different, it was embarrassed humour David Brent would actually make me cringe and smirk at the same time. The American office is fluffy and fun and I really enjoy it. I don’t find Catherine Tate very funny either and never have. I think Andy would make a good replacement. although in my honest opinion it makes more sense for Jim to take on the managers role and to inject new characters into the office to add the zest in.

  7. I didn’t find Catherine Tate to be funny either. And I could barely understand her. I think it should be Jim, though if he’s a boss he can’t play pranks since he’d be a manager….I wasn’t sure if I’d be excited about season 8 since there wasn’t a sure replacement. Gee, maybe Charlie Sheen, he’s looking for work still, isn’t he? LOL

  8. The writers are amazing and i really hope season eight isn’t the last. i’m also not a fan of Catherine Tate, honestly i kinda wished James Spader, he just had that thing that i could sense… saying the craziest things things that end up making the most sense. He is definitely no Michael Scott but i think he could be pretty good at manager. Then again, i said that about Will Ferrell too and his character threw me off whack even though he was hilarious. ugh just raise a glass to whatever happens..i’ll still love The Office. *Cheers*

  10. Rainn Wilson tweeted that the cast knows who’s gonna be the new regional manager next year.

  11. Not sure if this is “news” but a programming note for Canadian fans, Season 8 of The Office will be an hour earlier on Global TV (8:00 p.m. Thursdays).

    Of course, I like to watch Community at 8:00, so I’ll still be watching The Office at 9:00 on NBC.

  12. I actually enjoyed Catherine Tate’s scene in the finale. I don’t think it makes sense to bring her in as the new manager because of how her interview went. I think it will go to Jim Carrey, unfortunately. Don’t get me wrong, he is funny, but the way his character was portrayed wasn’t all that funny. His weird accent just ruined it for me, I guess.

  13. #12 Jim Carrey isn’t going to be the boss next season. He was the ultimate stunt casting of the entire group. Warren Buffett has a better chance at it than Carrey does.

  14. Why aren’t people rooting for Pam to be boss? Am I the only one who noticed how she handled Creed acting up in the finale while everyone else was caught up in the excitement? I truly believe the writers are considering her and just aren’t saying it to keep it a secret. She is smart, persuasive, and funny. Also, she can get along with anybody in the office, from Dwight to Oscar to Jim (of course).

  15. @smalls
    except that Jenna Fischer is pregnant, unless they write her absence into the storyline for the manager, I don’t see how it’s feasible.

  16. @gyang333 That’s true. But, I imagine the cast being skeptical when Jo randomly picks Pam after the search committee cannot make a decision, then once all of the workers actually start enjoying this new boss, they find out she’s pregnant. Well, that’s what I’m hoping for.

  17. Ask ausiello just said that the boss won’t be Catherine Tate.
    They are throwing us for a spin!!

  18. Thank God it’s not going to be Catherine Tate. Not funny in the least and would be as annoying as the Phyllis character has gotten over the years.

  20. I liked Catherine Tate a lot in the finale – she’s clearly very talented and her scene was really funny to me (but I like British humour and it was definitely very British). I do think her character may have been too much like a female version of David Brent, the kind of boss who says whatever they think you want to hear but really has no clue at all. The fear, however, is that NBC has decided against her because they want a big name – I hope that’s not it – I hope it’s because they’ve decided to stick with the cast that got them this far.

  21. Does anyone else think Andy would be great as Regional Manager?

    Most of all though, I think it would be a mistake to go for an outsider. We’ve known the main characters for seven seasons now and they’re what makes this a great show… why bring in someone new who doesn’t have that status off the bat? The Office has some awesome characters, make use of ’em!

  23. As long as my 2 favorite relationships on the show are not changed(negatively) or taken away, i’m pretty cool with whoever(whomever?). Those being Jim and Dwight, and Jim and Pam. Either Dwight or Jim as boss would mean no more pranks. And we can’t have that.

    The idea of Andy as boss never appealed to me, but if it’s going to be a current cast member, i’d much rather Andy or Darryl over Jim and Dwight.

  24. Ooh is that Allison Silverman the same one who was head writer at The Colbert Report?

  26. “Return to the small, observational stuff”

    That makes me so happy!

  27. Please…puhleease no more Andy/Erin..love them both individually but I was over that storyline in the 2010 finale. Yay for getting back to small details though! Can’t wait for Season 8 (and it rhymes) :)

  28. Jim and Pam + another baby makes me happy. Going back to small stuff like earlier seasons makes me happy. More Jim and Dwight pranks – beautiful!!!

  29. It seems like Catherine Tate is definitely out, like Ausiello said, based on this interview with Phyllis Smith (Phyllis Vance) – near the end she says: “The departure of Steve was heartbreaking. He’s such a great guy. And I do not know who’s going to take his place. The powers that be may know, but we’ve been on hiatus since the middle of April, so by that time they had not made a decision. The rumor is that [British comedian] Catherine Tate was being considered, but she had conflicts.”

  30. Really happy to read they want to focus on getting back to the mundane, regular little problems that occur in an office. Storylines like that that involve everybody are the best. Think The Surplus, Chair Model, Health Care, even Casual Friday. I love when Jim and Pam are apart of the A plot, rather than kept separate.

    Speaking of Jim/Pam, can they bring back their banter again, just little exchanges throughout the day? That brightens any episode.

    If Pam does end up being pregnant again, i hope they can do it a little differently this time. Otherwise i’d rather they keep it out.

  31. I liked Will Arnett. I feel his humor would fit in with the rest of the cast. I doubt it though. It looks like Spader will take over.

  32. So much for the return to the original mundane sense of humor on the show. It sounds like Spader is going to be a larger-than-life character who inexplicably gets what he wants from everyone.

  33. No! I really like Kathy Bates as CEO, I don’t want her to be gone! Also, Spader’s character doesn’t really sound fun at all. Why not just have a ‘normal’ person run the office?

  34. God, what is it about Catherine Tate that makes people think she would work any longer on the show than what she already did in “Search Committee?” I’m really not understanding all the love here.

  35. At first i didn’t want Dwight or Jim to be the boss, but with Spader as CEO, it would be a lot better. In ten years when the show is very popular in syndication i think Dwight or Jim would be the best choice

  36. I agree with 32 & 33. Spader’s character sounds like another sitcom-y intrusion into the show. The Office did not used to feel like a sitcom, it felt like a documentary of an actual office. PLEASE return to that!

  37. If i had to choose between Dwight, Andy or Jim as RM, for the logical answer i’d say Jim. For everything else? I truly have no idea. A “normal” boss would be interesting, if written right. It may be fun to see him play off of Spader as CEO. I’d just hate to see Jim lose his prankster, funny, sarcastic side and become serious and stressed out all the time.

  39. Ughhh, please don’t cast Spader or Tate! I think it’d give the show too awkward a feel and I don’t think either of them fit well with the cast. Maybe Ray Romano? More importantly, DON’T GET RID OF KATHY BATES! She added something nice.

  40. I did love Kathy Bates as CEO but she just wasn’t on enough and it made it seem like Michael ran the company. When the office was at its best they had jan as the boss or Ryan who were on almost every episode

  43. I’m glad that James Spader is going to be the new CEO, but is there going to be a new regional manager for Dunder Mifflin, and if so, WHO!

  44. I thinking Andy will slide into RM. If Robert California is going to be this manipulative firecracker, it makes comedic sense for him to go head to head with someone spineless & neurotic.

  46. TANSTER! Did you catch the news about JAM’s office-conceived second miracle?!?!

  49. OMG, Michael would be thrilled. This baby WAS actually conceived in the office like he thought Cece was. Haha

  50. i KNEW that if they wrote jenna’s pregnancy into the show that they’d use the “PDA” storyline!

    how nice of her to get pregnant right around the filming of that episode!

  51. Could not be happier. Here’s hoping they keep Jim and Pam front and center this season.

  52. So happy right now! I can’t wait for Baby Tuna #2. Team Boy this time!

    And yes! I called it months ago that if Pam got pregnant because Jenna was, it’d be because of Valentine’s Day. I never expected to be right, so yay!

  53. Hey Jenna, way to take one for the team for a great storyline! ;) haha in all seriousness though, I’m very excited (for Pam and Jenna!) I agree with Karen, I hope this story helps to put more focus on JAM this season..more cuteness please!

  54. That’s actually a perfect way to get some JAM going on in there – for all the fans that’ve been wanting it so badly.

  55. YAY! Finally a good decision! I’m so happy that they are going to do that, I was hoping they would. Time for baby boy Halpert

  56. Pam’s pregnant! I wasn’t sure i wanted this, but now i can’t help but be super excited! Will Jim be less frazzled this time around? I hope it’s different this time.

    IT BETTER BE A BOY! Little James, aw.

  57. Yes yes yes! I’m so thrilled at this news! I’ll also join in wishing for a boy this time.

    I hope they bring back the great JAM dynamic that has been missing lately. You know, the little things. Here’s hoping we get another roof scene with them in S8.

  59. I doubt this will be a big storyline. They’ve already done the “Jim & Pam have a baby” thing. And Pam/Jenna will be almost ready to pop by the time they shoot the premiere.

  60. So unbelievably happy that Jenna’s pregnancy is going to be written into S8! More Halperts please =) Congrats to Jenna and Lee <3

  61. So happy that PDA resulted in a second Halpert baby! Can’t wait for S8 =)

  62. Jenna’s spoiler of Michael’s replacement is interesting. Robert California will start out with a bang, selecting the new reg. mgr. in Episode 1.
    Scripting Pam’s pregnancy means Office producers are ready for Jenna’s real maternity leave of 4-6 episodes.
    So, this rules out Pam as either Reg. Mgr. or Asst Reg. Mgr.
    Robert already knows Dwight can’t do the job.
    So, Pam & Dwight ruled out.
    Robert senses Jim as his protégé from the Season 7 finale, someone needing a challenge. With a 2nd baby on the way, Robert thinks it’s time for Jim to step up in his career.
    Jim views Robert with an equal measure of admiration and fear-comedy gold.

    Paul talked about a new accountant coming in for S8.
    Why? We already know that DM’s accounting staff of 3 are doing the job of 2. Why add a 4th?
    My guess: Robert will pick Jim as DM’s new Reg. Mgr., and shockingly, pick Angela Martin as Asst. Reg. Mgr. That’s why the new accountant is needed.
    Dwight will be promoted to Sales Manager.
    But what will Robert do with Jordan & Pam’s positions?

  63. Well they found a way five months after the fact to rub that hated episode in my face again. I’m glad they’re writing her real pregnancy into the show. But why, why, why do they have to remind me of that awful, awful scene? Here’s hoping for a boy. But I can totally see Jim with two darling little girls and his beautiful wife too :)

  65. I love Jim and Pam! My favorite characters…ever! I always support any plot they are in. That being said…. I don’t like this! Unless the writers can come up with new, “never before seen,” type of stories… I see it overlapping with season six. With Michael leaving, I wanted to see Jim and Pam “doing” something new, you know? I feel like history is repeating here!

  66. That baby could be the star of a show called “Babies I Don’t Care About”

  67. Oh, gosh, I hate that. I don’t care about their first baby and I don’t care about a new one. Not a fan of this storyline. I hope they don’t make the babies a bigger part of the JAM storyline. I’ll stop watching if they do.

  68. Yes! Little Jimothy. Maybe Mose could beef up the childcare facility downstairs now that they would have 2 kids.

  69. There may not be a huge story line with this new baby. They need an excuse to why Jenna is gone for a month. It won’t be like season six.

  70. I can’t see how the second baby will rate any significant story time. There isn’t really anything new to mine there. Also, I’m baffled at people who hate their PDA storyline. Did they fail to meet some abitrary standard of propriety?

  71. Shannon I wouldn’t worry too much. Cece was a part of 3 out of 26 shows. It’s not going to be a big deal.

  72. I just heard that “Men of a Certain Age” got cancelled – maybe Ray Romano’s available now to be office manager if James Spader will be the CEO.

  73. I’m really happy about this, even though i *know* it won’t be a major thing on the show this time. Great news for Jam and a great reason for Jenna being gone. I don’t even expect to see the new little one, so nobody need be worried about babies taking over the show.

  77. Haha during the valentines day episode I said “they totally just made a baby” and I was right!

  78. Dwight has updated his blog and asks why he shouldn’t be manager. So I guess he didn’t get the job.

  82. So, Pam’s going to be a bit taken with the ultra confident, sexually charged creepy guy, I’m guessing. More contrived awkwardness for Jim.

  83. I’m hopeful that Pam won’t be taken with this guy, but that Jim will be the one who supports him and is scared of/enthralled with him, then Pam sees through him and sort of plays off of him and undermines him. That would be interesting.

  84. I think it’s just going to be that Pam will have to justify her role as office administrator and all the hijinx that will ensue. There is so much they can do with that, and it will be classic Office realism. BJ Novak said they’ll return to small, genuine office dynamics; everyone is saying things will get shaken up. I think Pam squirming a little will accomplish both of those dynamics.

  85. I’m not sure how they could come up with a plausible story of Pam being attracted to the new CEO during or immediately after her second pregnancy. I’m guessing it’s something else. Maybe Spader takes her under his wing and mentors her?

  86. Pam always has a great storyline with any character on the show. She’s a connector, the office’s social glue. Ofcourse she has a storyline with the new boss, Jenna wasn’t dropping a hint about JAM troubles. She’s excited to get to work with a wonderful actor she’s never worked with before. Anyone who watched the finale can see that if anyone has a crush on RobCal, it’s Jim. ;)

  87. Jim’s only ambition in life is to be with Pam. Pam loves Jim and wants both herself & Jim to go as far as they can. She’s gonna learn more about confidence and manipulation from Robert California. Remember how she bullied Gabe into acknowledging her position, authority, & salary as office administrator. Don’t worry about JAM, Pam only has eyes for Jim. This season she will further her education, just like every season. Jim is laid back, Pam is ambitious, that’s all, no one can come between them.

  88. Well we all know that:
    1. Pam is preggers
    2. Someone else is preggers (probably a woman)
    3. There is a Pam/Angela frenemy storyline
    4. There will be a new accountant

    So… you fill in the blanks….
    (actually, I will still say it)
    Angela and Pam are both pregnant. (Angela’s is from the senator or Dwight)
    They get a new accountant to replace Angela while she is gone!

    TA Flippin DA!!

  89. The obvious choice for pregancy would be Angela, but knowing the writers it will be the least obvious, so I’m voting Phyllis!

  90. @ Roy – I don’t have a particularly logical reason for disliking PDA. It just went against who the characters are in my mind. I get that lots of people liked what they did. I just am not one of those people. I admit my view of them is highly romanticized, but drunken sex seems beneath them to me.

    As for baby 2 I’m taking a guess and saying Phyllis. But I bet it’ll probably be Angela. Phyllis I don’t think is too old (remember her character is the same age as Michael) and maybe her arc with Erin last year motivated her and Bob to try it. Angela seems the more typical and easier to write story. Especially if Senator Robert isn’t the father and a certain spectacled salesman is.

  94. Oooh anyone else think the second pregnant lady is Kelly?!! when dwight was in charge of the office and she got to work late and dwight asked what was wrong with her and he stopped at her tummy?!!! Please let it be KELLY!!!!!

  95. I bet Kelly’s pregnant… for real this time. I’ve been thinking she was since Dwight questioned her reason for being late. Hopefully it’s true, Ryan needs to settle down a little. Are they still together?

  99. Has it been confirmed the new manager is someone we know? Or an outside hire? I was just wondering because of the Ausiello spoiler.

  100. How can the office run without warehouse people? Is it safe to assume that new people are hired? It’s probably nothing but what do you guys think?

  101. It has to be an inside hire doesn’t it? If they had added a new cast member to be manager we would have heard of it by now given that they have started filming?

  102. I think the new RM is Jim – makes sense with some of his new plot points. And I just love Spader. Always. Very excited.

  103. I think it’s either Kelly or Angela who’s pregnant, not that there are a lot of other possibilities. I could see an Angela pregnancy influencing the “frenemy” element.

  105. I’m sorry but the Jim I know would never want to go out for drinks with co-workers rather than be home with his family. I hope that is a very quick blip on the radar. I really don’t like that news.

  106. If you read all the interviews, the answer is clearly revealed as to who will replace Michael Scott as manager. So if you don’t know, just scroll back up and read all of them.

  107. @jmsteeley I think there is so much spoken about pointing away from Jim – too much – that I see it as a red herring. But I’m thrilled that it’s going to be an existing character.

  108. I shouldn’t’ve read this! Arrghh! Some of the stuff was so cool! I’ll be damned.

  109. Based on recent interviews (Paul, NBC exec, BJ Novak, Jenna), Season 8 is shaping up to be The Office 2.0.
    Hooray for the “Cult of Robert California”!
    Imagine…a dominating, guru-like, CEO whose philosophy of life is “Everything is sex”.

    Big Problem: Only 15 out of 26 episodes for James Spader? But Spader is replacing Steve’s star power. Steve/Michael anchored the comedy in all 26 episodes. So must Spader.

    I’ll watch The Office ONLY because of James Spader’s “Robert California”. I won’t watch ANY episodes without Spader. Without a comedy anchor-Steve or Spader-The Office would drift into boring waters.
    Robert California or Bust!

  110. I was totally thinking that Angela would be pregnant (is it the STATE senator’s or Dwight’s?) because of the “frenemy” statement, but @BoomRoasted, if Holly was the pregnant one, I’d be so ecstatic! Good thinking!

  113. So yep, Andy is definitely the manager if you ask me. Everything that’s been said points to that pretty clearly, especially John’s comments. And it sounds like Jim will be helping him through a lot of it, which i love. Jim works so well as the backbone.

    On the other hand, i don’t love the idea of Jim avoiding his home life, dreading going there, and making up excuses so he doesn’t have to. Being stressed is one thing, but all of that is absolutely not Jim Halpert. Jim and Pam used to be best friends, each other’s strength, did they forget?

  114. If Jordan Garfield/Cody Horn isn’t sticking around, why the heck did they put her in that “Sunday Afternoon” photo?

  115. My big question is whether Mindy Kaling will be working on the show this season. I remember reading months ago that her contract was up and that she wasn’t returning for s8, but I haven’t heard anything to confirm or deny that recently.

  116. @Tyler – It is a mystery. What was Jordan doing there to begin with? How great would it be to work at Dunder Mifflin – Sabre, where they have 3 people doing one job, in a severe recession?

    But give Paul credit for pulling the plug on a half-baked idea before it started causing serious damage. Hopefully he’ll see the light on the other new characters before it’s too late.

  117. 115/Patrick – If you scroll to the May 15th spoiler from TV Squad, Paul says Mindy will be back as an actress but probably not as a writer. Maybe that’s the trade-off since she’s got other projects she’s developing that will require her time? Just speculating.

  124. I’m excited about Andy’s parents coming on board – and I think Stephen Collins is exactly how I portrayed Mr. Bernard – but I’m wondering why The Office keeps switching parents’ roles to more “famous” actors? First with Pam’s mom, and now Andy’s parents, whom we already saw briefly in Goodbye,Toby. They were quite fitting as his parents. Were they unavailable this time around, or not famous enough?

  126. In Goodbye Toby, Andy says his dad’s name is Andrew, although I might be remembering this wrong.

  127. Don’t see how it could pull off an ER transition in one or two more seasons. My guess is that they use this season setting up reasons why folks are moving on. The real question is who leaves first?

  128. I just re-watched Goodbye, Toby, and I find it odd that they decided to recast (@126: and re-name!) Andy’s parents. Why are they doing this?

  130. “Andy’s parents were played by Ed Helms’ parents.”

    On the commentary for “Goodbye Toby” they mention that those were just actors. Mindy Kaling’s parents were Kelly’s parents in “Diwali”.

  131. I think The Office is a good enough show to have stuck around for 10-11 seasons. But if any more actors leave I think it’s time to call it quits. I don’t want to see it morph into a new office, it should be rebooted a few years down the road

  132. Just realized Andy once mentioned being named Walter, Jr. and then being renamed Andrew after his brother looked more like his father. But it had no bearing on the story of that episode, so why would they ever make this change?

  133. This is so dorky that I know this, but: Andy’s dad is named Walter Bernard (continuity in Goodbye Toby notwithstanding). Andy was named after him, until his brother was born and his parents thought him a worthier carrier of the Walter Bernard name, so Andy was renamed. So I guess that makes Josh Groban Walter Bernard, right?

  134. They’d be silly to even attempt a transition at this point. Once Rainn, John or Jenna go, the show is gone. Those 3 are why i watch.

    These people are not who i picture as Andy’s family. None of them even remotely look alike. Oh well, as long as the writing’s good.

  135. I thought Ed Helms said in an interview that they were his parents in Goodbye Toby, but I could be remembering it wrong :)

  136. 8 or 9 seasons left for The Office, according to Paul:

    “I think it(The Office) has a couple more years, for sure. I think we have a total of eight or nine in us…The show will morph into a new office…driven by actors (leaving) having their fill.”

    So all this hoopla about Spader’s power role as CEO, “Who’s Michael’s replacement?”, new guest stars, Andy’s parents & brother, Pam’s pregnancy…all just treading water for Paul’s “eight or nine in us”.

    Basic question: If Paul, the showrunner, is talking up the new energy on set, with new cast, why is he only giving the show 1 or 2 more seasons?

    Me, if I was showrunner, I’d say: “New cast. New energy. New stories. Who knows, The Office might be around another 7 seasons!”

    #1 rule in Hollywood: Never admit you’re running out of creative ideas. Self-fulfilling prophecy!

  137. Aren’t the actors’ contracts up for renewal after this next season? I believe Jenna Fischer and John Krasinksi said they would stick around as long as the show does, but I don’t know about the others. Let’s hope that if the show continues after S8, they actors do too. Doubt the show would go on with losing even more characters. Losing Steve is bad enough.

  139. With all these casting announcements regarding Andy’s character – It seems obvious to me that Andy will be named manager of Dunder Mifflin

  140. @smartone – …or is that exactly what they want you to think? Hmmm…

    Anyone who has been keeping up with the various spoilers this summer can tell that the producers have tried to put misinformation out there, in the hopes that it will mask any real information that might leak out. (I wonder if they learned that from the Gossip episode??)

    But I think you’re right. I think the new RM will be Andy, with Jim and Dwight competing to see who has the most influence over him (i.e. the power behind the throne, as Dwight would see it).

  141. @134 JimisBigBird: John and Jenna have said they’re in it for the long haul, but the May 1 LA Times detail mention Rainn would like to play Dwight for another year or two…

    @137 chris: I believe Brian Baumgartner also said he would stay on for as long as possible.

  142. Didn’t Rainn say he’s a huge fan of Spader? Even before he was officially signed as a CEO?

    I believe if the show goes right, he wouldn’t/shouldn’t go away.

    And the thing I’m most excited about in Season 8 is the interaction between those two.

  143. Didn’t see all this new casting of Andy’s family until now. Seeing as this is the spoilers thread I don’t really think they’re trying to throw anyone off or create twists in the premiere with this sort of info. Looks like Andy’s gonna be RM, which I’ve been reading quite a bit on here. Kinda indifferent towards the choice.

  145. Not sure if this has been discussed so apologies ahead of time if I’m repeating, but do any of the spoilers hint if Andy’s parents are actually still together? I only ask this because I am currently watching ‘Secretary’s Day’ and in the beginning Andy says something like “if it weren’t for secretaries, I wouldn’t have a step-mom”. Just putting that out there :)

  146. Everyone seems to have forgotten that Andy’s parents already appeared in Goodbye Toby. Another parental recast… *eyeroll*

  147. If you watch the “Who’ll be Boss” video with James Spader, fast forward to the 4:01 mark. Andy says the new manager’s name but it is bleeped out. Go back and watch it. Ed Helms is saying “Meredith Palmer”. I guarantee it.

  148. Doe’s Will Ferrell’s character come back from the hospital just for an episode at least?

  149. If you think about it Robert California will pick the new RM and it seems like he would pick Dwight. Just an assumption

  150. I really hope the new RM is not Dwight. We’ve seen that story before in “The Job” and “Dwight K. Schrute, Acting Manager” and how far can you stretch the funny premise of Dwight treating the office like an internment camp? Andy, on the other hand, would be a somewhat fresh storyline, and Robert California would’ve picked him because he could “steamroll” over him, so the season could be about Andy getting his own sense of power/leadership. That’s what I hope rather than the tired “Dwight is insane” storyline.

  151. Anyone besides me notice the oddities where timelines are concerned? (i)When Jim told Pam about his crush on her when she first started. Who was at DM first?
    (ii)When Pam said she knew he was the one when he came up to her desk and warned her about her yogurt going bad because of the “best-by when label” when he first started. Again who worked there first?
    (iii)When Jim told Dwight at the Philly convention that he made $40k in sales for the year. How much time is supposed to pass between seasons?
    (iv)Michael telling the camera crew to let him know if this ever airs. Is the audience watching a “doc” that took place in the past? Regarding (iii) and (iv), if either or both are the case, then why do the writers use current hit songs/trends? It doesn’t jive.

  152. This might be a little late. But we should probably start campaigning.

    I am voting for California|Bernard for 2011-2012 year.

  154. Last night during the re-airing of Search Committee Part 2, they showed Andy and California walking out of the Manager’s office.. and Andy’s suit looked more professional than ever.. and his hair is very clean cut.. and if you look behind them, there is a coat rack.. and it looks like Andy’s coat from an episode before.. It’s blue and red. I can’t remember when he wore it.. Maybe when he sold his vehicle to Dwight & Dwight flipped it for profit.. or when he and Dwight had a duel.

  155. @Ryan about Wallace… you take out your suck it and you suck it WHAT? you suck it swhoooomp

  156. California’s marriage is bad, Jim finds excuses to leave Pam with the kids… I don’t like where that might go.

  157. I think we’re about 4 seasons past worrying about the state of Jim and Pam’s relationship. Does anyone really think they are going to write a storyline where Jim dumps Pam with two kids? Talk about taking one of your most likable characters and destroying him.

  159. Major spoiler. New boss is Andy! There’s another version of the “Who’ll Be Boss?” video online with Andy drinking coffee behind Michael’s desk at the very end.

  160. Andy is the new boss. Why else would his parents be there? Betcha, betcha…can’t wait until tomorrow night to find out! I’m too excited to sleep!!!!

  164. Hey! That summary for “Spooked” that was just posted omitted Zach Woods. Was this an error on NBC’s part or is he actually gone? He’s been listed so far in all of the other summaries before this episode.

  165. Wait, I’m confused. Is the episode “Spooked” showing on the 20th, or 27th? (The summary says 20th, the sidebar list says 27th.)

  167. I don’t remember a lot of people excited for her to come back, but maybe I have a bad memory.

  168. So glad they wrote it so that Jo is still at Sabre in some form, leaving the door open for Kathy Bates to continue if she has the time. Hoping she makes an appearance.

  170. Ugh. Really, really not wanting Catherine Tate back. Her character was too over-the-top weird. This show is supposed to be at least semi-believable. This makes me so sad. I want the focus back on our original Scranton people.

  171. While I’ve enjoyed some of the episodes this season, I’m starting to get worried about the direction of season eight. I was okay with the decision to make Andy the boss, but the character seems to be less and less his former funny self and more a professional just trying to be a normal boss. This show used to focus on events between a few characters, supported by small moments of their interaction with the supporting cast. Now they bring in tons of new characters while they write UN-characteristic stories containing everything from arcs about Pam being an emotional wreck and questioning everything in her “soul-mate” relationship, to a cold-open with the staff cheering Oscar vandalizing a car, and even the use of an uncharacteristically raunchy cold-open containing nothing but penis jokes. Now either they are trying to completely reinvent this series and the changes are completely the opposite of what I’m used to from the Office, or they are just trying to continue the show the best they can for as long as they can by creating new characters and material while still attempting to include the classic season 2 Jim/Pam/Dwight dynamic in episodes such as “Pam’s Replacement.”

  172. I really don’t think this show needs Catherine Tate :(

    I thought BJ Novak said they were returning to a more season two-esque style this season. I haven’t seen that in the past few episodes, and I don’t think Tate will help at all :/

    Too much change is bad D:

  173. Does anyone know how many episodes Jenna Fischer will miss with maternity leave? Just curious.

  174. I wonder if they would do what they did in Season 6 and have her voice appear on the phone with Jim or something, if she was willing.

  175. I almost hope Maura Tierney plays Lisa Miller. I mean in many ways I don’t hope that as I think it’s too wacky, but the show’s not wedded to any kind of realism these days. For some reason I like the idea of connecting the worlds of Newsradio and The Office.

  177. [ from tanster: you can email me at the Contact link at the bottom of this page. thanks! :) ]

  178. Does it seem like they’re airing less eps this season? We had that weird break in October (which the show never does) and now only one new ep in December instead of the usual two. Do they have a full season pickup yet?

  179. Something I noticed: Jenna’s credited for the next episode, but not the Christmas one. (I have to say, it’ll be weird not having Pam there for that). Anyway, she must be around even longer than I expected. What’s also odd is that Lindsay is ONLY credited for the same episode as Jenna. I thought Kathy was supposed to temporarily take her place? What’s the point of having them both there at the same time?

  180. @178: There are 2 new eps in December, like last year. The October break I believe has to do with the World Series, but maybe I’m wrong. I did see that they were picked up for the winter schedule and will be back Jan. 12th, at least a week earlier than they’ve returned the last few years, which makes up for the missed week in October.

  182. So if “Trivia” is episode 8.11, then that would be the Jan. 12th (first week back in January) episode, right?

  183. In regards to the spoiler about the Christmas couple: when in doubt, write yet another office romance.

  186. The fact that they’re making an episode called “Trivia” that takes place in a bar makes me wonder if it will be anything like the British version’s “The Quiz.”

  188. @187 michael: If you are referring to the DVD release, I would expect them to follow the pattern of the past few years in which the DVDs are released a few weeks before the start of the season, around the first week of September/Labor Day weekend. If you are not referring to the DVD release, I’m not sure what you are saying.

  191. @Chris K. I read Catherine Tate would be making her first appearance around the beginning of February. If memory serves me it was Paul Lieberstein who mentioned this when he announced she would be joining the show.

  192. So apparently no Jenna/Pam means nothing but Robert California and Andy storylines? Is it too much to ask for a JAM one when she returns?

  195. a pool party, really? i mean i usually don’t care when they leave the office but this is getting pretty ridiculous. maybe they’ll go to brazil or something as a business trip…

  196. Have none of you heard of pool as in billiards? I really hope they mean billiards.

  198. As soon as I read that Erin is going to flirt with Dwight to make Andy jealous, I started cracking up. That being said, I really hope Jenna comes back soon too! :( Although, I guess she has a good excuse…

  200. >>A pool party? In January? This isn’t Florida…

    Like driving a convertible with the top down in 50-degree Scranton, with someone on the passenger side wearing Terminator shades.

  201. Does anyone know how long Jenna Fischer’s maternity leave is? In S6 Pam had about 8 weeks of maternity leave, but will it be the same this time around even though Jenna is actually pregnant?

  202. Oh goodie, more Erin-Andy drama and more Andy Trying To Be a Good Manager.

    Recycle much?

    Ugh.

  203. Tanster, any idea why there is no new Office episode on January 26? I noticed that there is a second episode of 30 rock airing in that time slot. All of the other shows appear to be new, as well.

    [ from tanster: sorry, i don’t know! ]

  204. “Oh goodie, more Erin-Andy drama and more Andy Trying To Be a Good Manager.

    Recycle much?”

    I have a feeling this is the new office. They need to do what got the ratings back in the day, romance, dry-wit and smart comedy that is not so pathetically raunchy. Heck, maybe get Steve in for an episode, it cannot be that hard, right, right? :(

  205. @203, I don’t know anything official, but maybe I can provide some insight. When they decided to wait until January to start 30 Rock, because of Tina Fey’s pregnancy, they did say that it would still be a full season, just in half the time. So I have a feeling that there will be many weeks where a second episode of 30 Rock will replace either The Office, Parks and Rec, or Up All Night. Just a thought!

  206. “Jury Duty” sounds so good! I love Jim and Dwight storylines. And it looks like Jenna/Pam will be back for that, so yay!

  207. Nellie will be taking a few Scranton folks to Florida. Dwight is one. Any guess as to the others? I’m thinking Erin–that would get her away from the tired Andy/Erin dynamic, and force her into closer proximity to Gabe, for some tension. Also, maybe Ryan and Kelly. If Nellie wants to do something cutting edge/trendy with the new store, then Ryan & Kelly seem like likely candidates. Who does that leave in Scranton, and how can they keep things interesting for them?

  208. Not excited about Nellie coming back, but extremely excited to see this “failed store” plotline, because failed stores are hilarious.

  212. Please please please let the unwelcome visitor in Jim’s room be Meredith or Creed, because that would be excellent.

  214. LOL that Indian doctor spoiler is hilarious! So much for not wanting to date a doctor eh Kelly? Perhaps that’s how they write Kelly off?

  215. Since Steve Carell left, I was hoping we would see entire episodes revolving around individual members of the ensemble (as opposed to Andy, Jim, Pam, etc) and I’m hoping that will happen with this Kelly and Ryan plot…

  217. No more Erin/Andy, PLEASE. I wish the writers would stop ignoring what the fans really want.

  218. They can’t be serious about Anger Management Andy, right? I didn’t know people actually liked that. I abhorred him then and loved him so much more when he came back as a quirky and good-hearted (if slightly awkward and effeminate) guy.

    :(

  219. I loved Anger Management Andy far more than the weak, singing milquetoast version they’ve given us since Season 5. His bland “please like me” persona has seemed like a pale imitation of Michael Scott. And for god’s sake, no more Andy/Erin!

  220. When did Erin reject Andy’s affections recently? The only time I remember was in “secretary’s day” The only recent rejections have come from andy to erin after I don’t know how many times she’s asked him to reconcile through sock puppets and public dinners. I wish Erin would just move on and date ryan gosling (he’d guest star) and everyone would move on.

  221. As a fan I must say that Erin is the reason I am watching The Office. More Erin/Andy please! Better yet, make Erin part of the main cast.

  223. Lots of good things mentioned, but like others said please no more Andy and Erin.

  224. To all of you who don´t like the Erin-Andy storyline we get it, you don’t want to see that but for the rest of us it’s great and we can’t wait to see how they interact in a relationship, those will be epic episodes!

  225. I’d rather watch hours of the lack of chemistry between Andy and Erin than a second of the Nellie character. Was hoping her arc ended after the opening of the Sabre Store. Oh well. Hard to not be biased towards the original characters of the Office who seem to get little time on the show now.

  226. I’m one of the people who loves Andy & Erin, I just hope they quit dragging out the “will they get together?” The Jim Dwight stuff is great though.

  227. My heart is already breaking over Ryan and Kelly. I can’t be the only one here. :(

  228. Erin and Andy have a unique kind of chemistry. It is really fun to watch. Andy will have a lot of explaining to do.

    Many critics think that Erin is the highlight of this season and I agree. Someone with so much comedic talent ought to be given a much larger role.

    They need to invest a lot more on the couple. My main complaint is that the relationship has too many small bits. They should devote more A-plots to it.

  230. I agree that Andy and Erin are fun to watch, but my problem is that I’m just not that invested in their relationship. If they never got together, I honestly wouldn’t care. I wish they had built up a friendship between them first – them liking each other suddenly came out of nowhere, and felt forced. Also, they’ve never really been very sure about each other, which makes me very unsure about them as a couple. I don’t believe the writers are trying to make them the new JAM, and that’s a good thing, because they just don’t have the same chemistry.

  231. Pam & Jim were THE OFFICE poetry in motion. They are now treated as 2 old married people. A&E will never be another JAM. JAM was a perfect match. Kudos to whoever put John and Jenna together. Please more JAM!

  232. Perhaps I am weird because I like to watch the awkward couple. Please do not make Erin and Andy a “perfect” couple.

  233. There’s this guy on Twitter called Dennis Fletcher who claims to be an Office writer, except he tweets all in caps, misspells everything and is really abusive to some of the other writers, who are all having Twitter fights with him. I thought he was just a nut job, but the other writers seemed to know him, so then I became confused. I noticed that he seems to be obsessed with Carrie Kemper, and that Danny Chun told him to ‘f**k off back to Boston’ and I suddenly remembered a while back Mindy tweeted something about B.J. having a character who was a staff writer from South Boston who was in love with Carrie. Does anyone know if this is B.J.? If so, it’s genius!

  234. Okay, I’ve been following this guy for a few days now, and I’m pretty sure it’s B.J., or at least it’s somebody on the Office writing staff having some fun. Also, a lot of the writers and cast, including Jenna, are following him. It’s really funny stuff!

  235. Now I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure Dennis Fletcher is story editor Dennis Fletcher that Tanster just posted about.. :)

    Hey! Lets discuss this-> Cathy is done temping at Dunder Mifflin. Does that mean she is gone? or does she have a new job there??

  236. Nate, Lindsay Broad tweeted that in response to a question about why she wasn’t in the last episode, so it means she’s done. And you should really, really check out Dennis Fletcher’s Twitter :D Here’s something that’s intriguing me though – just read on Watch with Kristin that Jenna teased that next season will be “a big year for Jim and Pam” but she’s not allowed to say why. Now let’s discuss what that means!!

  237. With the latest article out regarding more and more of the staff leaving, I’m really starting to wonder if Season 9 is going to happen at all. Especially if Dwight/Toby/Kelly aren’t in it.

  238. Jessie, I guess she is probably gone. That’s fine.
    Ya I read about that thing with Jim and Pam!
    I’m so excited. If it’s a personal thing, in their family, then I don’t know what it could be.
    But maybe there is a promotion or new job or something.

  239. Nate M, that’s exactly what I’m thinking! They’ve done everything with their personal lives that they can do, so it must be to do with their careers. And if next season is the last one, it makes sense for Jim and Pam to move on to something better.

  242. “Unemployed Andy” I’m at a loss for words. Obviously this is just an arc. If it is not, then the fact Ed Helms is negotiating a shorter contract for season 9 makes more sense.

  243. O______________________O at the “Fundraiser” summary. I’m going to cry a bit.

  244. @ Nathan – Jenna was asked about the Ed/Paul/John leaving rumors and she said not to believe everything you read.

  245. Hi tanster, is there anyway to move some of the spoiler posts to the second page? Currently, stuff from July 2010 is showing up on the first page for me.

  247. I’m really starting to think these last 4 episodes may be the last of the series. Yeah, they may reboot it or have a spin off, but I’m not so sure we aren’t seeing the last of The Office as we know it.

  248. Is it really necessary to have so many guest stars on another finale? How many guest stars were there during the season 2 & 3 finales?

  249. @248 Danielle: I count one guest star in the finale (Jack Coleman as the Senator, I assume) – Catherine Tate and James Spader are main cast members.

  250. At this point I am hoping they just wrap up whatever they are trying to do with Andy as manager. Then if we have a season 9 I pray they will switch gears.

  251. @Dan, I really hope not, since Jenna Fischer teased “a big year for Jim and Pam” if the show comes back next year. I need that!

  253. Not sure if anyone has noticed, but Mindy Kaling is not in the descriptions for the last few episodes. Has she officially left Dunder Mifflin before she goes to her show on Fox?

  256. Did anyone notice the phrase “with a little help from an old boss” in the description for the finale?

    A Steve Carell guest shot perhaps?

  257. I think the former boss who helps Andy get his job back in Free Family Portrait Studio is David Wallace. Notice his cameo in the Fundraiser episode.

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