March 28, 2013: Mindy Kaling conference call
Mindy talks about The Office series finale:
I shot for a day. I can’t say too much about it, but it is a nice unexpected reunion with Ryan. There’s a very satisfying and dramatic ending for the two of them.
March 25, 2013 Glamour
From an interview with Craig Robinson:
Glamour: … does Steve Carell return [for the finale]?
Craig: No, I promise. He does not come back. They were very adamant that he got to say his goodbye two years ago, and that’s what it is.
March 22, 2013: Jennifer Celotta
The episode Promos, airing April 4, was written by Tim McAuliffe and directed by Jennifer Celotta.
March 22, 2013: NBC
A summary of the episode ‘Stairmageddon,’ airing April 11:
EVERYONE IS UPSET WHEN THE ELEVATOR GOES OUT OF SERVICE–ROSEANNE BARR GUEST STARS—”Stairmaggedon” strikes the office when the elevator goes out and everyone is forced to take the stairs. Dwight (Rainn Wilson) forces Stanley (Leslie David Baker) to do an important sales call. Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski) find comfort in talking with Nellie (Catherine Tate) and Toby (Paul Lieberstein) about marital troubles. Meanwhile, Angela (Angela Kinsey) stands by her man. Ed Helms, Phyllis Smith, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper, Clark Duke and Jake Lacy also star.
March 22, 2013: Watch With Kristin Spoiler Chat
Some former characters will be back for the end of The Office, and these are faces we haven’t seen in quite some time.
March 20, 2013: Entertainment Weekly
In an interview with Greg Daniels and Jake Lacey at The Office series wrap party about Erin and Andy’s relationship:
“There are a lot of big changes in both their lives; I’ll say that,” says executive producer Greg Daniels, who I caught up with at the show’s wrap party this past weekend. “To really understand their relationship, you probably should watch it [unfold in the next episodes].”
Jake Lacey, meanwhile, spilled a few beans that he maybe should haven’t. So to ensure I don’t ruin anything, I’ll blank out a name when he explains how everything unfolds: “[SPOILER] finds love in a different way, I suppose. He’s certainly not left out in the cold,” he told me. “He’s not put on a boat and shoved out in the ocean.”
You’ll find out the answer to that puzzle during the May 16 finale, and if we’re lucky, we could be in for a super-sized episode. As Daniels told me earlier this weekend, the finale is shaping up to be a little longer than expected, and as a result, he’s “been begging NBC to get more time so we could include the endings of everybody’s stories.”
March 19, 2013: The Tonight Show
During Jenna Fischer’s visit on The Tonight Show, she told Jay Leno “Pam is going to have another visit with the boom operator.”
March 19, 2013: TVLine
Jake Lacy — aka Pete — described the finale as both “satisfying” and “beautiful,” while Jenna Fischer urged fans not to miss the “last six [episodes] — particularly the second-to-last episode and then the last episode. That’s where a lot of the real satisfying, meaty stuff is going to happen.”
March 19, 2013: E! Online
We cornered executive producer Ben Silverman and demanded to know why he was trying to hurt our Jam-loving hearts by breaking them up, and he told us that whatever happens will be true to who Jim and Pam are as a couple. “Their relationship has gone through the rhythm of a lot of relationships. There’s not a lot of us who can survive nine years of knowing each other and the twists and turns and the compromises one has to make,” he says. “So I think one of the great things [about Jim and Pam’s relationship] is that it’s true. It’s very consistent with the way we really are.”
March 18, 2013: Zap2it
Those of you upset about Jim and Pam’s recent rough patch — patience. Executive producer Greg Daniels says PB&J are “stressed” right now, but the story is not done. “We’re in the Act 2 zone,” he says, and if you stick with it, you’ll probably get what you’re looking for.
March 17, 2013: Entertainment Weekly
From cast interviews at the series finale wrap party:
“Erin has a spectacular end that I can’t really tell you about,” teased Ellie Kemper. “It involves some amazing people that I also can’t tell you about, but I’m really happy with how we see her in the last episode. Basically my wishes for her send-off came true.”
Jenna Fischer [says] she was “very happy with how the entire show wrapped up” and gave special kudos to Jim and Pam’s storyline this season, which has seen the couple experiencing tough domestic times. “I think this year we really portrayed them as a real married couple with real obstacles,” she said. “People often don’t really deal with change well and Pam didn’t deal with the idea of Jim changing and his job changing. So I’m really proud of us for tackling some of those things in a realistic way and not a soap-opera way.”
Chances of a happy ending for the Halperts are high, but the same won’t exactly be the case for all the characters, according to Kate Flannery. “I think in Meredith’s mind, it’s [a] positive [ending],” she says with a smile, “but I’m not sure everyone else will think [that]. It’s all subject to the crazy reality of Dunder-Mifflin.” Overall, she added, “I think the fans are going to be really excited. Everyone is going to be very satisfied.”
March 15, 2013: NBC
A summary of the episode ‘Promos,’ airing April 4:
Everyone in the office is excited when promos start running on TV for the documentary. Dwight (Rainn Wilson) makes Angela (Angela Kinsey) jealous when he starts dating a brussel sprout farmer. Meanwhile Jim (John Krasinski) has a big meeting with Major League baseball player, Ryan Howard (guest star Ryan Howard). Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper, Catherine Tate, Clark Duke, and Jake Lacy also star.
March 13, 2013: E! Online
Ellen: Is it true that The Office is wrapping this week?
Sad, but so true. The Office officially completes filming this week (but there will probably be super-secret filming happening after the wrap party), and the photos being tweeted out by castmembers are not helping with our denial. Case in point: Mindy Kaling posted this photo of Kelly’s return to The Office, and it got our speculating wheels turning. That dress looks funeral-esque, right? We all know Kelly would wear white to a wedding, so it can’t be for a marriage celebration. Or it could be nothing! But we’re gonna go out on a completely unsupported limb and say: Creed is kicking the bucket.
March 13, 2013
The Farm was written and directed by Paul Lieberstein.
March 9, 2013: Deadline
From March 8’s ‘The Mindy Project’ Paley Fest panel:
… [Mindy Kaling] said early in the evening that she will be returning to shoot The Office series finale. “It’s really exciting,” she offered. “I’ve just read the pages, and it’s a really amazing episode of television.”
March 9, 2013: TV Guide
Kaling just received the script for the final episode of The Office and will begin shooting the return of her character Kelly Kapoor in two days.
March 8, 2013: NBC
The Office episode The Farm will air on March 14, 2013.
Tipster: Armand
March 8, 2013
Jen Celotta, former producer/writer of The Office and one of OfficeTally’s faves, directed Episode 18 (the episode that airs after The Farm).
March 7, 2013
Episode 22-23 was directed by David Rogers, long-time editor and producer of The Office.
March 6, 2013: Scot Robinson
Scot, who is Kate Flannery’s partner from “The Lampshades,” tweeted: “Honored to be in one of the last episodes of “The Office” EVER! Much love to the awesome cast & crew, in their final 2 weeks of shooting!”
March 5, 2013
I’ve been told by The Office producers that they’re adding an extra half hour to this final season!
Not only is the series finale an hour long, but so is the episode that airs before it. Hence, that episode is numbered 22-23, and the series finale is numbered 24-25. That makes it a total of 201 episodes for the entire series.
Here’s the updated episode list.
February 28, 2013: Angela Kinsey
Angela tweeted: “Yes we work until March 15th!!! And episodes will air in April/May”
February 25, 2013: ESPN
… the Philadelphia Phillies slugger [Ryan Howard] will appear as an exaggerated version of himself alongside John Krasinski (Jim) and Craig Robinson (Darryl) in the March 28 episode, which will see the marketing reps at Athlead attempt to sign one of Philadelphia’s biggest sports stars.
February 21, 2013: TVLine
Now that The Office’s Jim is dividing his time between two desks, obviously Dwight needs a new nemesis, right? (Right.) And TVLine has learned exclusively that that foil is going to be played by none other than Sopranos alum Michael Imperioli! As a matter of fact, the actor is taping today in his new role of Sensei Billy, the karate instructor who’s about ready to commit hara-kiri over Dwight’s inimitable “presence” in his dojo.
February 12, 2013: NBC
Cast interviews about the episode Moving On:
Jenna Fischer: We’re getting near the end now, and so we are trying to figure out the ways that all these people will be moving on. Either with Dunder Mifflin, without Dunder Mifflin, with each other, or without each other, and I think a lot of the endings might surprise people. This is a big episode for Jim and Pam. We saw in the Valentine’s Day episode that Pam and Jim have decided to fight for their relationship. So rather than spend Valentine’s Day alone, not fighting, they decide to spend it together, fighting for their relationship. And the result of that is that Pam is going to do her best to make a go of Philadelphia. In this episode, Pam goes on a job interview in Philly, at a real estate office. The manager of the real estate office is Bob Odenkirk, and Bob Odenkirk plays a very Michael Scott-like character, and Pam kind of realizes that she’d be taking a little bit of a step backward, in her professional life, by moving to Philadelphia.
Jake Lacy: [Andy] hires my ex-girlfriend and Zach Woods as Gabe come back as Erin’s ex, just to ruin our lives.
Angela Kinsey: [Director Jon Favreau] made me make out with Rainn Wilson for 70 minutes! That scene was 70 minutes. My chin was chafing.
February 4, 2013: John Krasinski
John tweeted: “We wrap shooting on Mar 14th.”
It’s gonna be so sad without Dwight on the show! He was so funny!
So basically Lieberstein wants things to go back to the way they were, but Greenblatt wants new cast members.
Typical.
Did they ever really say Rainn Wilson would leave the show? I haven’t read anywhere that he’s leaving the office to just do the spin-off. Is it possible that he’s starring in both?
@Andrew: While we would all love for that to happen, I thought it was strongly implied at one point that the special episode serving as a pilot for The Farm would be Dwight’s departure. Of course, there is always the possibility that the Farm flops and is canceled, and Rainn Wilson returns to the Office. That’s why I can’t decide if I’ll be rooting for the Farm or not…
He won’t be in both shows. The Office only has one season left, the spin off is probably going to replace the office’s time spot when it ends.
YOLO?
You only live once?
And this is not the last season of The Office.
Oh, and also, The Farm hasn’t actually been picked up yet, but if it does, I believe it will begin mid-season, which means that Dwight/Rainn will be leaving The Office sometime during the first half of the season. But if The Farm doesn’t get picked up, then I hope Rainn stays on in The Office.
So I guess Tom Peets thinks he knows all the answers for Season 9 and the rest of series…
Something like this:
– David is CEO of DM, and Andy is RM of DM Scranton.
– Kelly has moved in with Ravi and went back to school (exit Kelly).
– Nellie works on a special project for a story arc and gets a few others on board.
– Dwight struggles with money and faces losing the building.
– Scranton Branch struggles with keeping all DM/Sabre clients as well as clients from closed branches.
– David Wallace decides that two co-managers worked well. Jim and Andy are promoted to co-manager and co-manager.
– Scranton absorbs new salesmen from closed branches.
– blah blah blah… more stuff happens.
– Jim promoted to regional manager of new branch where some of the office goes.
– i dunno
Wouldn’t it be awesome if Tom Peets never really died!?
Hey I really like this article: looking-back-on-the-office-season-8-cmon-guys-it-wasnt-that-bad-28698
It’s so true. Season 8 really was so good. But it just happened after the first seven seasons. Take those away. Take Michael Scott away and you have a great cast with great humor.
I wish all of these characters the best as they continue their careers. The show is not what it used to be but regardless, I am all in. It seems like there is a new writer writing the show every week. Just keep it simple like in seasons 2-3. Everyone wants that!
I truly hope Dwight will stay for all of Season 9! I was looking forward to Dwangela again. It is just getting interesting. I didn’t care much for season 8. Quite boring & predictable,
in my opinion. And for Kelly, good riddance. She was pretty pointless anyway. I say stick with the same cast, not new characters, and pleeeease get rid of Nellie!!!! I didn’t think I’d ever say it… but, I miss Michael. The Office will never be the same.
That TV.com article was hilarious. It basically said “I hated all of the major plotlines and new characters, but Darryl and Val were okay, so it wasn’t that bad.”
[ from tanster: thanks! ]
Kelly was not pointless and I disagree with anyone who says she is.
They could always recast Mose. And hopefully bring in James Urbaniak as Rolf.
The office is the best show ever! I would be sad to see it go if season 9 was really the last. They need to bring Michael back into at least one of those episodes if that’s the case. Dwight is funny, I hope his show does well. I will definitely watch it. Kelly is okay, I wish her well. I don’t think I’ll stop watching even if it is the last season, thank goodness for netflix! The office always leaves me smiling and satisfied…. That’s what she said!!!!!
Per David Koechner, there is a good chance we will be seeing a good bit of Todd Packer this coming season.
[from tanster: thanks for the tip!]
Whoa! Greg Daniels is coming back? Maybe he can sort things out. That’s an interesting move.
Well I think it’s official that the writers don’t pay attention to fans anymore…Catherine Tate is a black mark on this show and I’m not sure what she did to Paul Lieberstein that’s made him obsessed with her and her character.
The fact that Nellie’s back is horrible news..
I’m not happy about Tate’s return either. If they plan on returning the show to its old self, then Tate should NOT be a part of it… She barely fit when she came in and she won’t fit anymore so now.
I don’t mind that Nellie is back. Just because she’s a series regular now doesn’t mean she’ll get a lot of screen time.She’ll be special projects manager I’m assuming. There may be episodes we barely hear a peep from her. On another note we haven’t seen the last of Todd Packer.
Ugh, honestly not happy to hear Nellie will back. However, that said, there were some moments in the last few episodes that showed her more “normal human” side, and less of the whackadoo nut-job. If they continue to make her character more real and less of a caricature, then perhaps there’s hope. Some crazy is good. All crazy, not so much.
excited about the news that nellie is series regular! :)
I think Catherine Tate being in the show was something that either people loved or hated. Nothing in between. I gotta say that I loved her being in the show. Just hearing her talk would be OK with me, because I adore her accent. I can’t wait to see more of her.
Not thrilled with Nellie, not at all.
Don’t care so much about nellie but am psyched for no more robert california, worst thing to ever happen to the show, just completely unfunny!!
Jenna tweeted the other day that the writers’ ideas for the new season were “amazing” and that it would “knock our socks off”, so I got really excited about it, but this news kind of deflated me. I don’t like Nellie, and believe me, I’ve tried to like her. She annoyed me a lot less by the end of the season, true enough, but I still don’t think she’s a good fit for the show. Her acting isn’t as naturalistic as the rest of the cast, and although she gets some really great lines, she throws them away. Also, her character just doesn’t work for me, because I don’t know who she is. Michael was funny because you recognised him. Everyone knows someone a bit like that in real life. Also, he was extremely well written, and everything he did made sense for his character. Nellie’s all over the place and I just don’t get her. Sigh! I’m going to trust Jenna’s excitement about the new season and hope that maybe the writers are planning to use Nellie in a way that makes sense.
Wait, so Nellie is Special Projects Manager again or what? Honestly, she wasn’t terrible in that role, plus that means that if she’s in most episodes… then Corporate is in most episodes… which means more David Wallace! Hopefully he becomes a full cast member as well. I just hope they don’t try to make Nellie a central character a la Dwight, Jim, Andy, etc. If she can stay in a role no larger than the one she had in the Florida arc then she’s fine.
Meanwhile, is it just me or is it insane that Todd Packer is coming back again?
Nellie bugged the heck out of me until the magician episode which totally turned things around. Plus I am totally thrilled that the cast is coming back. No real loss with Kelly leaving.
The Office has been my favorite television show for eight seasons. But I don’t think I can watch the next season if Nellie (Catherine Tate) is part of the show. Why do the writers feel they need her when they already have a talented, underused cast?
[200-word limit]
UGH!!!!!! I LOVE The Office, been an avid watcher for all 8 Seasons. Even rewatched the entire collection start to finish so my wife could enjoy my favorite show, and understand my jokes….then you dump Nellie in there?…serious? So much talent on the cast and we have to see her?… cmon guys, you did us all a favor dropping Robert..now let Nellie go, she diminishes your viewing base
I’m okay with David Koechner coming back, I just don’t see how. I mean, what else can they do with Packer that won’t just seem like something they did before?
Everyone I know who are huge fans of The Office, completely dislikes Nellie. She is an unnecessary character who brings down the others.
I agree with most of you.I don’t want to see Nellie back and I’m also glad Robert is gone.
“The Farm”? Don’t do it!! Two words: “After MASH”
I will never watch the office ever again because of Nellie. Catherine Tate ruined the office.
I really don’t see what the deal with everyone’s dislike towards Nellie. I find her hysterical, and she really adds a nice UK Office blend. Granted, I never cared for the UK version, but I still think she’s pretty funny.
And hopefully Andy Buckley will return back in the series, hopefully either as a series regular, or just an “also starring” character, since he’s stuck with the show and deserves it!
Tanster, Mindy Kaling just tweeted that BJ Novak is a on the writing staff of her Fox show. Have you heard anything about him returning to The Office?
[ from tanster: thanks! :) ]
[ from tanster: thanks, saw that! ]
@Roy’s Mugshot, BJ is an executive producer on Mindy’s show, but I don’t know if that means he’s not working on The Office any more. Nothing’s been announced or reported about him leaving – in fact it was reported that he was in line for the showrunner job. I’m a bit confused about that as well – it hasn’t actually been announced who the showrunner is yet. Greg Daniels is returning to the show, and people are assuming he’s returning as showrunner, but that has never actually been announced.
Agreed with all the others in their resentment over Nellie coming back. I absolutely hate her character and have no idea what she’s supposed to bring to the show. As someone else said, I think she brings the others down.
I can live with no Michael, but Nellie is a bore, frankly. Utilize the other talent actors on this show. More Stanley!
The Robert California & Nellie characters were not funny at all! The show is mostly not funny anymore. They had a couple of good episodes last season.
Hoping they can turn it around for this upcoming season.
Nellie a regular…OMG, I think I just threw up in my mouth a bit. I will not watch an office that includes Nellie.
I still will watch, I have to see how, I tear up,how my favorite show will end.
Allociné: “Will Oscar finally call you?”
Jack Coleman: “That will probably happen, yes.”
Just read that Steve Carell has ruled out returning to The Office, even for an episode. He thinks a cameo would be “ultimately disappointing” and says it’s better for people to imagine what Michael and Holly are doing rather than see it. So I guess everyone’s going to have to resign themselves to the fact that’s there’s not going to be a Michael/Holly wedding episode.
I almost cried when I read that this may be the last season…
Wow, this news makes me feel worse about next season. Season Eight was completely unfunny, with maybe two okay episodes. Michael was the heart of the show, Nellie makes it worse, Andy is just a homogeneous, boring character…
I totally agree with nr 29: Less Nellie more David Wallace! Also I agree that most of the cast is underused and very talented. The lines/scenes they give to Catherine Tate should be given to Gabe, Oscar, Kevin, Darryl for example. The cast is capable enough to run a great show without Catherine Tate who supposedly is a big name to attract new viewers or something. She actually blocks the other characters IMO.
the office is done for. Clark Duke isn’t the right actor for this show. Nellie isn’t funny, she is just depressing. Robert California was only funny for 2 episodes. Andy and Erin’s relationship became more annoying than interesting. If they get rid of dwight the show will…well…seriously? don’t do that. Michael and Holly are the only thing that could save the show. And they won’t come back. I love Jim and Pam, but their story has run its course.
I’m a pretty die hard fan, but I will say that although I like Catherine Tate, I hate her character. Watching the Office is going to feel a little more like a chore with her as a series regular. It’s sad to know that the golden age of your favorite show is gone. I’ll watch to the end of course, but it’s not going to be the same at all.
Wow I’ve been away on vacation and I actually just cried reading this. My favorite show ever ……goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend, listening to the same song Michael was playing over and over when Holly left DM :(
At the height of its popularity the Office was centered around Michael Scott and Jim and Pam’s romance. Once Jim and Pam got together the show started stagnating. They should’ve gotten married about a season earlier and instead of Michael leaving the show it should’ve been he and Holly getting married ending the show altogether.
I have to say that while the Office isn’t the same anymore, it is still leaps and bounds better than 75% of shows on TV. I will keep watching until it isn’t on anymore. :)
[ from tanster: thank you! ]
So now I see the problem…
People don’t like change.
The Office is still good. Just not as good as it used to be. You people do realize that this show has eight seasons, right? I mean, 176 episodes.
Most of us couldn’t even make up a funny joke or act for our life. So try doing that for 22 minutes.
Okay, then do it again. Now do it 174 more times.
Now to add to it, people are mad because you aren’t working hard enough to get it to how some people like it.
All we have to do is watch it and talk about the lives of these made up people. Nothing we say can change the show.
Until about two months ago, I had never seen an episode of The Office before. It’s always been highly rated, so I knew one day that I would finally get around to giving it a shot. Well, over a month ago, I bought all of the seasons and decided it was time to start watching. After a few episodes and I was hooked (I started with a few episodes of season 2 before going back to season 1). I also got season 8 and am currently about 5 episodes from completing the entire series. It’s been a pleasure to catch up on 7 years worth of episodes within the past 6 weeks or so. The departure of Michael really sucked, but season 8 still has its moments. I have been spoiled being able to do this though, it’s going to suck having to wait one week for each new episode for this upcoming season instead of being able to watch them back-to-back-to-back-to-back (lol, I usually watch about 7 episodes at a time). It’s also worth noting that I was never a Steve Carell fan until I saw The Office and saw how brilliant he was in the role. I do have 5 episodes left and will probably go ahead and finish off the entire series tonight and start waiting season 9 to air.
I will watch The Office until the end, but it has not had the fire that first drew me into watching. I am glad to read they are going to narrow down to one manager. Last season felt so confusing and lost. However, no personal offense toward Catherine Tate, but I CAN NOT stand the Nellie character! Please make her not so whiny, annoying and stupid. Give her some intelligence and backbone!
Would like to see more of a storyline for Ryan, Gabe, Nellie (obv), and Creed. They also need to add another funny chick. I could see this season working out better than last if they get back to the classic office structure.
I’ve watched all 8 series in 6 weeks and coming here to read this is makes me feel empty inside. It just couldn’t be worse.
Packer has annoyed me throughout the series and now we’re expecting to get more of him. I’m from the UK and pre-Office I hated Catherine Tate and I was praying she wouldn’t be back as a regular. Jim and Michael are/were the key members of the cast. Michael’s gone and now with Jim having reduced time I really fear for it. His and Pam’s relationship is one of the only special bits left with the Office and with reduced time for Jim that’s going to go even more. Obviously Dwight leaving halfway through is also a massive blow.
All in all, it’s been a great ride. Unlike others, I thought the last series was decent (not brilliant) but I’m really not sure what to expect from this series. If it’s bad and the last one I’ll be really upset – right now I can’t imagine a world without it. Let’s hope that there’s a brighter future ahead and that also this won’t be the last series.
Whoa, whoa whoa! This new cast member is a potential love interest for Erin? Are we really going down that path again?
Saw an interview with Jenna where she teased some Jim/Pam tension this season. Nothing that sounded too soapy, just the strain of working together while raising two kids beginning to affect their relationship. If it’s done right, this could be great, especially under Greg Daniels’ supervision – we all know Jim and Pam conflict always leads to sweet moments and a stronger relationship. If it’s not done right, it’ll just depress me beyond belief!
OMG! Just read on TV Line that Roy is coming back this season!! It’s says he’ll guest star, and that he’ll appear in the second episode but it doesn’t state if it’s just for the one episode or if it’ll be an arc. Why is he back?! What is this about? Aaargh, dying to know!
This is the last season?? I wish they’d bring michael and holly back for at least 1 episode! Just to do their wedding! That would be a really good episode; Michael has ruined all the other weddings, so it would be really interesting to see how his own crazy wedding turns out. The office isn’t as good as it was before, but I still love it and will continue to watch it!
What a horrible, horrible, horrible decision to take Dwight out of the office!! It will be so much worse without Dwight.
Catherine Tate bugs me so much on this show. She needs to be gotten rid of. Although new characters could make things more interesting, adding new roles in the show for old characters would be better. I like the idea of returning to old format though. Dwight should be kept for the remainder of the show. Hopefully it will be a good last season
Oh yes- think of another title for the new show coming out- NOT ‘The Farm’. Too bland, too ‘who cares’. Use the name Schrute in the title. Maybe Schrute Farm would be good. The writers should really read what people put in the comment section because so far I’ve seen things I and others agree with. BTW- look up Schrute Farms on Trip Advisor! LOL!
Nellie’s best episode was the magician episode. Robert California’s best episode was the one with him basically calling Andy a soft penis. We need more Andy, more creed, and more Dwight. A little of Pam and Jim, and a lot of Kevin.
I want to see an episode where Michael and Holly come back to go out to eat with Andy and Erin.
Holly is pregnant. and it’s awkward because Erin still doesn’t get what the big deal is with Holly.
Also… awkwardness between Michael and Andy… just because Andy has his old job.
This is pretty random and nothing at all to do with the new season, but I was really hoping someone could help me out. I was reading something online about The Office recently and discovered for the first time that Jim’s middle name is Duncan. I asked my husband to guess it and he already knew. He claims it was mentioned at some point in the show, although he can’t remember when, but I’ve seen every episode I don’t know how many times, and I have no memory of that. I’m pretty sure it was never mentioned in the show. Can anyone tell me if it was and if so, what episode? And if not, how do we know it? Thanks!
[ from tanster: his middle name has never been mentioned on the show. however, it is listed in the official wedding program which you can find here. ]
Ahh, thanks Tanster! I thought I was going crazy there, I knew I’d never heard it. But this wedding program is great, I haven’t seen this before, thank you :)
Many many expletive filled screams of excitement were screamed out loud when I read about Bryan coming to direct. Maybe Creed can get a Breaking Bad thing going like they tried during the Emmy’s, I mean Joss Whedon got a bat filled episode for his office directorial debut a few years ago.
Oh wow, so just read that episode 2 features Roy’s wedding! Can’t wait to see that! Why the hell did he invite Jim and Pam though? Seems weird.
Here’s my issue with the Dwight spin-off: It specifically mentions him leaving Dunder Mifflin. I’m sorry but that’s completely against his character, unless he goes through some amazing development this season I don’t see him quitting. Now we’ve seen him grow over the years from some blind follower of Michael into somebody willing to go EXTREME places, but for him to just say “I’ll just stick to the farm” one day is insane.
@76 Jessie: I was wondering how the wedding ceremony would be written into the episode as well… my theory is that Darryl is probably invited, and perhaps Jim and/or Pam tries to come along as guests of Darryl’s.
When it comes to this season, though, I’m going with the motto “In Greg We Trust”.
@Matt Martin, I understand what you’re saying, however it strikes me that Dwight’s dedication to Dunder Mifflin was borne out of his ambition to rise within the company. Maybe this season it will finally occur to him that because of his past behaviour he can progress no further in the company, and he’s reaached a dead end. I also suspect that the whole Angela/baby thing will have something to do with his departure. There’s been nothing so far about Angela Kinsey joining The Farm, so it may well be, unfortunately, that the Dwangela does not have a happy ending.
@remember to call, no, Greg Daniels actually said that Roy invites Jim and Pam to his wedding!
alright… let’s be honest..
Who called the 200 episodes thing?
That was comment #35 for the “what final season questions do you have?” page…
Oh yeah. this season will rock!
I just read that the “New Jim” will be Erin’s new love interest. I don’t like that. Are they trying bring back the old “JAM” moment, where Jim went up to reception? I hope they don’t try to re-invent a “New” Jim and Pam when the actual Jim and Pam ARE RIGHT THERE!!
[from tanster: thanks!]
It’s weird not seeing BJ Novak or Mindy Kaling listed on the cast for “Roy’s Wedding”.
Also, has anybody else noticed that Zach Woods isn’t listed for either one? Did Gabe leave with Sabre? That’s too bad, I actually liked him last season… Maybe he returns, having been revealed as the Scranton Strangler?
No more Gabe? WOO-HOO!!! Also: who cares about the Strangler? If they reveal it to be a character in the office I’ll quit the show for good.
“To make every episode must see tv”…shouldn’t that have always been the case???
@remember to call
I can totally see Gabe as the Scranton Strangler. He has that creepy vibe…
The Scranton Strangler is the camera man.
Hey, I don’t know if this is news worthy but Brian tweeted that Matt Holliday and David Freese, two MLB players, were on the set of the Office. This is really becoming interesting if they are going to be in an episode.
Not really a spoiler, but did anyone notice that the actor who played Robert Dunder (John Ingle form General Hospital) died. :(
That latest spoiler might be the best spoiler in the history of spoilers – Stephen Colbert, Halloween episode, Here Comes Treble. Seriously, I can’t think of one way that could be better.
There will not be an episode on October 11, due to one of the national debates.
alright… there has been a lot of talk about the scranton strangler.
I do not think we know who the Scranton Strangler is.
At least, I don’t think he worked at the office.
My reasoning, is that Toby saw the strangler. So he would know if it was someone from the office…
however… that being said…
how funny would it be if Justin from the Job Fair was the Scranton Strangler!
Yay! Josh Groban’s back. I was hoping to see him again. And he’s now a drunk! Even better. I’m taking it from the episode title that the boat he bought that Andy mentioned in the cold open of ‘After Hours’ didn’t work out for him – just like Andy predicted! Now if we can just see Nate again…I miss him.
Why doesn’t the synopsis for ‘The Boat’ mention Josh Groban? Was his appearance supposed to be a surprise?
Hey Tanster, The Office’s FB Page seems to be indicating Melora Hardin will be returning in an upcoming episode. Is this an official confirmation?
[ from tanster: see these promos! ]
I’m calling it: Michael will be back! :P
[ from tanster: thanks nardpups! :) ]
Wait, so the camera crew is going to follow Jim to Philadelphia? Oh wow, never even thought of that, really excited to see it!
[from tanster: thanks, saw that!]
“and now we’re hearing talk about working out schedules”
omg
[from tanster: thanks, saw that!]
[from tanster: thanks!]
Rainn just tweeted “Just got out mtg w/Office writers. Holy Sh** the 2nd half of this season is going to explode yr TVs!”
I have always been searching for a confirmation that Dwight is staying on the show to the end. I have not been able to find it, but this seems promising!
Could 915, 916, and 917 be one hour episodes? The grid they used leaves more space for those three episodes and makes me wonder if they simply forgot a line and I’m wildly speculating or if we are getting longer episodes.
So they are going to show the ‘lost’ episode of The Farm, I would think.
As always, we’ve talked at length. Based on the clues we think:
1. Michael and Holly will return for the screening of the documentary- how could Michael resist? Kelly and Ryan return too for one ep.
2. Dwight and Angela will end the series on the farm together- Dutch Pensylvania wedding and maybe open a cattery
3. Some of the office regulars (Kevin, Meredith etc.) enjoy their minor celebrity as David Brent did in the original
4. Other romantic knots tied- Pete and Erin, Nellie and Toby
5. Toby brings the strangler to justice- a return for Robert California?
@108 BritishFans: I’d have to disagree with you regarding the Strangler’s identity. If it’s anybody we know, it’s Gabe (whose return has been promised).
The evidence:
– Gabe’s first appearance was exactly one month before the first reference to the Strangler, in the headline “Scranton strangler strikes again” (note lowercased “strangler”, indicating the attacks had just started).
– Gabe is obsessed with violence/horror films/general creepiness.
– Gabe arrived late during the televised car chase of the alleged Strangler, and awkwardly encourages his coworkers to get back to work.
– Gabe’s actions after Erin leaves him show his obsession with horror/creepiness can and does overflow into his real life, and his strangling must have ceased just before then because that was after the alleged Strangler was captured.
[ from tanster: saw that, thanks! :) ]
IMDB is reporting that Jon Favreau is directing an episode. Not sure if this qualifies as spoiler or not, as they don’t know which one, but interesting nonetheless.
IGN reported that the guy who directed Iron Man will be directing one of the final installments of the office.
Cool
If they’re showing the documentary crew soon, Favreau could play the documentary director.
Also, get Joss Whedon to direct an episode again.
While I’d also like to see Joss Whedon direct another episode, he definitely should NOT direct the finale– when Whedon does series finales only a handful of the regulars escape alive.
[ from tanster: thanks, already posted! ]
I hope they include the unedited “pilot” version of “The Farm” on the season 9 DVD set…
What if Michael hired the documentary crew…
@Michael….i thought the EXACT same thing as soon as I read:
Daniels “definitely encourages” fans to watch the show’s Jan. 24 episode. “We start to break down the mystery of who’s behind the documentary,” he teases. “It’s a total explosive mind-bender.”
Hmm…TOTAL EXPLOSIVE MIND-BENDER. I hope Michael had something to do with this!!
I wonder if Andy will get to confront Pete. I am surprised that the writers are still debating the outcome of the triangle. It is going to be interesting.
What?! Even the writers don’t know who Erin will end up with?! It has to be Pete – she wasn’t even liking Andy much when he left – his dumb acapella drama, leaving her on the dock.
Since they are re-running the whole triangle plot (aka Jim and Pam), which by the way is fine with me (loved it the first time and love Pete and Erin now!), they should see it to the end. Andy has an epiphany down in Bermuda/Bahamas (wherever he is) and comes back and proposes to Erin. Erin says yes and then gets cold feet near the finale and goes to Pete. There, issue solved.
>>Someone gets fired in episode 15<<
Wouldn't be surprised if it was Jim. Sets up the perfect "Pam moves to Philadelphia" with him storyline.
Or, it could be Pete vandalizing something in the warehouse to declare his love to Erin. OR, it could be Pam, maybe David Wallace sees her mural in the warehouse and considers it vandalism.
@120, Jan:
I’m sorry, but in my opinion, that would be really, really boring. The show’s been rehashing old plots with interchangeable characters for two seasons now, and, whether you’re Team Andy or Pete or Erin By Herself, I feel like that would insult a lot of viewers. Not all, not most, but definitely a large portion. It’s like, oh, she ended up with the good guy who is obviously better for her — raise your hand if you’re surprised.
I want her to go off and be her independent Erin self instead of all this Love Boat/”getting in ratings because we accidentally made Jim and Pam super boring after we exhausted their romance, whoops” nonsense.
About someone being fired in episode 15. I think it’s Dwight so the spin off “The Farm” can start
Spinoff isn’t happening anymore.
[ from tanster: saw that, thank you! :) ]
So Erin is looking for her biological parents. Now, what if it is revealed that she is related to Pete or Andy?
@123 Jarred – no “The Farm” was not picked up. There is no spin off.
Pam will be the one being fired, in Vandalism.
Her mural is what will do it, and it will put strain on her and Jim’s relationship.
Andy is going to fire Pete or Nellie once he gets back from his trip, I would imagine. I can’t see him ever firing any of the “classic gang”, regardless of how they behave!
Okay, so I need the collective memory of the Tallyheads here – let’s list “Dwight’s cronies” (other than Mose), who might be on his super team!
My guess is that Jim will be fired since Dwight will be looking for part-time replacements.
So happy that Ken Kwapis will direct the finale! He’s great!
[ from tanster: me too! ]
@TobyFan Trevor, the Knights of the Night, his brother Jeb, or maybe another volunteer sheriff and/or guy from his karate class
[from tanster: thanks!]
I don’t buy that Carell won’t be on, on the finale.
Wasn’t there information posted on this page that they were working out his schedule. Seems like they want it to be a surprise IMO
I cannot describe how excited I am about this Jim/Pam news. As a diehard JAM fan I cannot wait to have some of the past brought up. YEAH!!!
I feel the same way @Karen. But I hope that it doesn’t come down to Jim having to choose between his new job and his family – like when he chose Pam instead of NYC. I really want Jim and Pam to find a happy medium. Yay for drama!
Am I the only one still wanting to know what was in that teapot from the earlier Christmas episode(Season 2 I think)?
I guess it’s better left unsaid, but it was always one of those things that would be nice to look back on and let Pam know how much Jim cared for her in those early days.
The rest of the season looks like it’s going to be amazing. I have a feeling that Michael Scott will be behind the documentary, wanting to know about the lives of all his co-workers. Possibly getting the DVDs in the mail keeping up with everyone. I know there’s a lot of reasons this wouldn’t make sense, but it would be nice.
@DanielG I like your theory about Pam being the one fired in episode 15. It would definitely create drama between her and Jim. Very interesting.
@Pam No! Your theory about Michael being involved with the filming of the documentary is actually quite brilliant. In fact, someone else had previously posted something similar. That would be freaking awesome!! There has to be a reason someone would follow them around and document them for SO LONG. Both in and outside the workplace. Who would care so much about these unknown people? Michael Scott! Just the thought of it gets me excited. Sadly, I will be so disappointed cause it’s just fanfiction :( But, one can dream, right?
Now now now…We already KNOW why they have been following them for so long. In the first episode of this season they said it’s because of Jim and Pam. They found them very interesting.
BREAKING: The one being fired is Dwight – which will explain why we’re visiting him at his farm, right after Episode 15 (“The Farm” episode is scheduled to air right after Ep. 15 apparently). They’re still not gonna do the spinoff, of course, but they will still follow the original plan to have Dwight leave the office.
[from tanster: thanks!]
My prediction- Erin’s parents will turn out to be Pete’s. Genetic Sexual Attraction storyline written all over it!
If Dwight is the one that gets fired I like to imagine that if Jim proves successful in his new venture that he would hire him. Dwight and Jim are portrayed as “frenemies”, but even in a fictional TV show it still follows that you do not waste time on people you hate. They both care about each other, somewhat like brothers. Anytime Dwight has known that he was in peril he always showed Jim affection. They’re inseparable.
[from tanster: thanks!]
I just watched “Customer Loyalty”. I’m starting to wonder if the boom operator Brian will comfort Pam while Jim is in Philly causing additional stress in their marriage? In the end Pam selects Jim and living in Philly, mirroring Jim’s choice of Scranton over NY. Of course Jim & Pam end up together at the end of the series….but it would blow everyone’s mind if they didn’t!
I think Brian, the boom operator, gets fired for going in front of the camera and becoming part of the story that the crew is trying to film. This will allow us to see the relationship that he and Pam will continue.
I don’t know. It was a passing thought when I read someone was going to pay for the drama created.
If Darryl and Jim share an apartment in Philly, it sounds like maybe Darryl will be fired? He was going to quit anyway, but I think it will lead to a lot of drama around Athlead picking off employees from Dunder-Mifflin. Maybe Darryl gets fired and it sends a strong message to Jim that he either fully commits to DM or leave.
It would be weird if Michael is the one running the documentary. I mean, unless he’s a robot with very low self esteem, and edit in all s*** said about him. I’m guessing in the end Oscar will be fired, people will finally find out he’s been messing with the numbers, not for personal gain, but to keep the branch alive. He’ll simply say to the cameras that he loved his co-workers too much. The branch closes, Oscar goes to jail, and everyone has to deal with their new lives…
OMG! Erin is breaking up with Andy. Team Pete forever!
Something tells me that I should not be happy so soon. I sense complications coming.
[from tanster: thanks!]
Am I reading it right? No Erin in Moving On? :-(
Yep, Ellie Kemper isn’t listed in the credits for Moving On. Which likely means she is the one who is fired in Couples Discount. It makes sense; Andy fires her when he finds out about her feelings for Pete.
I bet Pam vandalized her own mural in order to get fired. As the episode plot summary for ‘Moving On’ reveals that she will be looking for a job in Philadelphia.
Clark is getting fired. He is the one I most medium suspect.
[from tanster: lol!]
My guess is that it’s Jim. Talk about shockers. By this episode, Wallace has already had Dwight find a part time salesman; perhaps he now decides to replace him before he formally puts in his resignation, hence “firing” him. And maybe that’s why Pam is now interviewing for jobs in Philly. She knows for sure, when before she might’ve held out hope to remain in Scranton, that Philly is her destiny. It would be simple to keep Jim in the story lines this way.
Interested to see that Greg Daniels emphasises Brian’s role in the next two episodes as opposed to the rest of the season. Though obviously he will continue to be a constant invisible presence behind the camera, and we’ll probably see him again. But it certainly seems like he has a major impact upon Jim and Pam’s relationship, and that it happens this week! It also sounds like Brian won’t the only crew member to cross the line and impact their subjects. I’m starting to wonder if it’s one of the documentarians that causes the upcoming firing?
Roseanne Barr. What happened to my once-favorite show?
David Wallace will be pretty angry at Jim for poaching Darryl for Athlead, right? He’s not going to take well to the best Dunder Mifflin staff being picked off one by one after he has been so accommodating in letting Jim go part-time. Jim being fired would be explosive, of course. Pam would probably have no choice but to leave too.
I don’t think Andy will fire Erin. Toby has already told him that he can’t fire Nellie without just cause. You can’t fire your girlfriend because she has met someone else. She would be able to sue the company!
I cannot stand Roseanne Barr.
I was worried last week that Brian might be a threat to Jam. Now, I think that perhaps he will in essence be representing “us”, the viewers. He has had the same perspective as us over the years watching them, and is as emotionally vested as we are. As it looks like Jam might be dissolving, maybe he becomes “the voice of the fan” trying to keep them together.
On a side note, with Zach Woods coming back, I would bet anything he ends up being the Scranton Strangler. The Strangler cases started right around the time he started. He was also a huge fan of horror movies.
I don’t understand what’s the point of jim bringing up that he chose pam over his possible job as a regional manager. She also chose him over new york. It’s like guilting her for his professional frustration.
@Courtney, 162- I think that’s a really good theory. Hopefully the behind the scenes crew is portrayed as an integrated part of the DM family and not there to drive more conflict. JAM + Conflict = not my favorite!
@161. Me either.
Gah! Stunt casting! Familiar celebrities like Julius Erving and Josh Groban were clumsily, and I think unsuccessfully, incorporated into very loose plots, and neither of them had a pre-existing TV persona. Rosanne Barr is not a good enough actress to overcome Rosanne Barr. An interesting character actor or a talented unknown would have been my preference. Still, if I was going the “Roseanne” route, I’d have tapped Laurie Metcalf – she is a genuinely fine actress.
Rosanne Barr?
Every second a special guest star appears on screen is a second taken away from the likes of Creed, Oscar, Kevin, Erin, Dwight, etc etc etc.
@163, maybe I missed it, but where does Jim bring up choosing Pam over NY?
I think maybe Brian gets fired. Did anyone else hear the other camera operator say, “BRIAN!” in a really shocked ‘please don’t do it’ voice? It would make sense if he got fired for interfering.
As for Barr…. I love this show far too much to judge it for a crappy casting call. But I hate her and hope she has very little screen time.
So the thing I was thinking (and maybe the Andy/agent plotline makes sense in this context) is that after years of filming, the documentary is going to actually be shown to the public – something that would have a major impact on everyone: Andy and his dreams of stardom; Pam and Jim seeing their entire courtship and lives together on film; Angela and the Senator’s story becoming public; and the others – people who live unassuming lives thrust into the spotlight suddenly. Just a thought I had last week, but it would certainly make things interesting.
TobyFan, I think you’re onto something. If you’ve seen Brian Baumgartner’s blurb about how if Kevin ends up like he thinks he might, he (both Brian and Kev) will be very pleased. I could see Kev becoming a local star and getting the hot chick he’s always wanted. On that subject: whatever became of Kevin’s relationship with the woman he met during the Blood Drive and was subsequently making out with at Cafe Disco? He did ask her out (and complimented her on her chest). That arc seemed to have dropped by the wayside. Too bad. Who knows, maybe it’ll be picked back up.
@TobyFan, believe it or not, I just read a spoiler on Watch With Kristin that said that exact thing would happen! All the staff are going to become celebrities and it will have all sorts of repercussions, but that it’ll be a good thing for Jim and Pam to see the history of their relationship on screen. That was the gist of it anyway!
@171 keith – Kevin and red-head girl from blood drive broke up. I can’t recall the episode, but they are in the elevator and Kevin asks if she had bacon for breakfast. That was the end of that arc.
David Wallace must be the worst fictional CEO ever. His hand-picked manager is on a 3 month sail all over the world and incommunicado. His number two sales rep is working part-time while collecting a full paycheck and recruiting other employees in the office. Make Creed the boss; at least he works there.
[200-word limit]
My only issue with the documentary finally airing in 2013… is that we’ve been watching it for years. So the characters finally get to see it but we’ve been watching since what, 2004?
So we thought we were the audience, but in reality the audience won’t actually see it until 2013. So does that make us the audience of the audience? Or is 2004 really 2014?
Inception…
I wish the writers would get going on the storylines surrounding the airing of the documentary footage and exploring more behind the scenes. THAT is comedy gold but I feel it will all be stuffed into a few short episodes and not given the time it deserves. Just like finally seeing Brian – it’s cool – but it is a cool 30 seconds surrounded by the rest of a ho-hum episode. The writers are sitting on some great material….get to it!!!
Does anyone think the “Danny Cordray” character (portrayed by Timothy Olyphant) will make a reappearance? He was in two episodes and is technically still a field sales rep. Did they ever mention his character again after the Halloween episode when Pam hounded him for an explanation for never calling her again four years earlier?
The idea of Andy getting an agent is an intriguing one as it suggests he becomes a minor celebrity when the documentary airs. This is actually pretty much what happened in the UK Office – David Brent became a Z-list celeb who trawled the country appearing in provincial nightclubs for a small fee. He also blew all his cash on releasing an album. It has been reported that Roseanne will appear in three episodes, which suggests that this is Andy’s final arc. Of all the Dunder Mifflin employees, Andy is the one who would love to be famous.
I was going to post this bit of wishful thinking on the OfficeTally birthday page, but was afraid part of it might be considered spoilerish.
How cool would it be if, since we’ve heard that the documentary would be aired on the show and that the DM Scranton folks would become minor celebrities, they mentioned on the show a certain fansite dedicated to the documentary? Could be an awesome little shout out to a very faithful fanbase on an amazing site…
[ from tanster: lol, that would be super cool. :) ]
Theory: We find out that Philip Lipton is not the state senator’s biological son and that Dwight still technically fathered Philip. Thanks to Dwight’s “resorbed” twin, he is a human chimera with two sets of DNA– his own and his twin’s. The DNA sample of his that was tested against Philip’s was not the same because Philip has the DNA of Dwight’s resorbed twin (or Philip has Dwight’s DNA, but Dwight’s DNA sample contained the resorbed twin’s DNA). How’s that for the craziest theory you’ve ever heard for this show, Tanster?
[ from tanster: that’s awesome, love it! ]
Alright guys.
Here’s what’s gonna happen:
I don’t think Andy will get fired. His being gone didn’t actually affect the day to day work at the office. I think David Wallace will take away his pay and bonus for those 3 months and give him one more chance. David doesn’t want to try to find a new manager.
Andy will try to fire Pete so that he can be with Erin again. This doesn’t work. So Andy finds Gabe and hires him back to the office because Andy knows that he can win her back from Gabe.
I don’t know… I am trying to think how Gabe returns.
I think the method of Gabe’s return is obvious: he, Ryan, Kelly, and any other finale guest stars (Michael, please?) are invited back into the office to watch the documentary.
Or Gabe is the Scranton Strangler, as I’ve been saying all along.
[from tanster: thanks!]
tanster,
why is Bob Odenkirk on the list of guest stars?
did I miss him?
@Nate M, Bob Odenkirk is in tonight’s episode. I’m guessing (and hoping) he’s the Michael Scott-a-like manager who interviews Pam!
Oh no, it sounds like there’s more trouble in store for Jim and Pam. I’m not sure how much more of this I can take. I’m getting really disheartened, I really am.
whaaa? I didn’t even see this episode yet :(
but I think I was right about Gabe…
How can Pam’s career take a step backward from her made up job at Dunder Mifflin which seems to involve ordering pens? And is there only one job in Philadelphia? Man, their economy must be in tough shape.
A new nemesis for Dwight? Um, aren’t there only like 8 episodes left??? Don’t we deserve classic Office for once and not this dead-end reboot stuff?
What the heck is with all the guest stars? I’d rather see some small developments for Phyllis, Stanley, Creed, etc. I feel like a lot of the ensemble is interchangeable now and getting shoved aside for the rotating personalities of the mains.
Looks like we are gonna get some mentions of BJ’s Ryan Howard.
ya know… with Ryan Howard guest starring.
Can’t wait!
March 28th means that the April 4th return is out! :)
I think they are starting to overdo it with all the guest stars. But being a huge Phillies fan it will be cool to see his appearance. He and Chase Utley were good on Always Sunny.
Please tell me that Ryan Howard the baseball player gets to meet Ryan Howard the former paper salesman. They have the same name! They can’t just ignore that fact, can they?
I have to admit, I saw that new story and instantly thought “Yes, BJ’s back! BJ’s back! BJ’s back!”
Then I read it again… if they simply ignore the name (like ESPN did in that story) I will be so disappointed…
I would prefer a special guest appearance by Bob, Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration.
Enough already with the Athlead stuff! Seriously!!!
I am pretty sure that Ryan Howard the character partially was named for Ryan Howard the baseball player. When the show was created, Ryan Howard was the first baseman for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (who became the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and are now the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders)
So now that the show is ending with 201 episodes, does this mean the finale will still air on May 16?
Won’t there be 202 episodes since Moving On was also an hour long? It will air as two episodes in syndication.
Might as well make them all hour longs! Great news!
@201, from how I understand it, Moving On will be treated like any other Supersized episode, such as Casino Night, The Merger, The Negotiation, Women’s Appreciation, and Beach Games.
While some of those episodes were missing scenes in syndication to fit the half hour time slot, Women’s Appreciation had scenes added in with others deleted and told a bit of a different story.
[ from tanster: thank you! :) ]
Arrrrrrgh! These hiatuses are killing me! I can’t wait for “The Farm” next week! Hopefully the 2 week hiatus after it will be the last. Fingers crossed…
What about BJ tanster? Do you have any information on his return?
Glad to see Jen Celotta is coming back. I think her take on things has been missing for a few years.
[from tanster: thanks!]
I don’t understand. March 13th, who was interviewed by ellen? And how about this super secret filming?
Yeah, I’m curious as to what they mean by “super-secret” filming.
#208,@Vic, I don’t think that is Ellen Degeneres doing an interview, it’s someone called Ellen sending in a question to a TV columnist. The ‘super-secret filming’ appears to be speculation on the part of the columnist – if it was ‘super-secret’ then why would they tell anyone?! Maybe they’ve heard a rumour that there’s secret filming in order to keep the ending under wraps – perhaps the ending to Jim and Pam’s story, since there’s so much speculation about that? I don’t know, I’m just guessing.
Yeah, Perez Hilton said there was some filming on Sunday too. Very curious.
I love how the spoilers this year aren’t really spoilers! They keep us on our toes, and I am so excited to figure out what all of these subtle hinting spoilers really mean!
I watch at this point because I used to love the show. I’m just seeing it to the end. The structure and tone has changed so much that I don’t care how they finish the storylines.
I disagree with Steve… there can be a way to tastefully bring back Michael Scott in some way for the series finale. This makes me think we may be tricked into believing that he won’t be on when he really will. He needs to redeem himself after that Burt Wonderstone debocle, anyway. Perfect opportunity!
[from tanster: already posted here. thanks!]
NOOOOOO! I really hoped we’d seen the last of Brian. Hopefully this will be the time Pam shuts him down for good.
Brian’s much more of a loose cannon than Jim ever was. When Pam was with Roy, and felt neglected by him, she turned to her “friend” Jim for emotional support. On the sidelines, the soon-to-be divorced Brian watched that friendship turn into love. If Pam reaches out to Brian now, she might get a response that is more than she bargained for.
Um hey, I had no idea to post this theory so if this comment is in the wrong place, please excuse me, but Steve just tweeted that he was on a plane, followed by an Emily Bronte joke. But if Anchorman 2 is filming in Atlanta, what was he doing on a plane?? Is it possible he is flying back after filming a cameo in THE OFFICE? My hopes are now back up.
Yes. I have faith!
Everything said he wouldn’t be in the Finale.
I think he will be in an episode before that.
Just a small cameo.
I agree! If it were to be a “secret”.. why would Steve say anything about being on the show at any point… wouldn’t that spoil it? I have faith that he will show up somewhere…whether it is the finale or another episode. There is no doubt that despite the great ensemble cast, Michael Scott is the reason The Office has had such a long run NO DOUBT! Ever since he has left the show I say at the end of every episode, ” I miss Michael”…I think most of us do.
It’s an interesting thought that we’ll see some old characters back – the airing of the documentary will have an impact on more than just the principal/long-term characters, but also on people who were around for a shorter period.
If they bring back Michael who has bought DM from Wallace using inheritance money from Holly’s dad’s estate, I’m throwing a shoe at the tv.
I just saw the post about Jen Celotta directing Promos! I’ve been wondering about her, as I haven’t seen her name associated with The Office for awhile now. I was lucky enough to get to chat with her at the Office Convention. She was so incredibly nice – and she wrote on of my all-time faves, Drug Testing, so it was fun to talk to her about that.
Here’s a thought: There could be a short scene of Michael and Holly watching the documentary — maybe not even speaking. Maybe that’s how they get around the “he’s not coming back/I’m not coming back.” Technically, Michael Scott doesn’t come back to Dunder Mifflin, but we get to see him anyway.
Or I would even be satisfied with a phone call from Michael.
Just wishin’.
Every day it seems like the chances of a “secret” return are getting smaller and smaller, but I’m still hoping.
Everyone keeps saying a variation of the same thing. That is, “he’s not coming back” and he made that clear. I’m sure the cast was told what to say if asked. I am holding out hope for a Michael Scott cameo. It will be disappointing if it doesn’t happen.
Yeah, there is definitely something about the way the cast/crew denies Michael’s return that isn’t 100% convincing me. It’s not blind hope on my end — it’s just the repetitive nature of their responses…like someone from PR gave them a list of approved answers.
I don’t know if Michael Scott will return or not. What I do know is that no one would ever, ever admit to Steve Carell coming back to the show. No matter what question is asked, or how it’s asked, they just wouldn’t leak that kind of info.
If there really is a funeral at some point, I hope Todd Packer’s the one who eats it. That double entendre was just one of the many I hope the gang launches in his eulogy. Or maybe another bird funeral. That was also pretty amazing. I’d like to see a Dwight-Pam recorder duet again.
It can’t possibly be Michael’s funeral? That way he doesn’t have to appear, but he’s still involved.
This sudden turn from “we hope Steve comes back” to complete denial of a Steve Carell return just doesn’t feel right to me either. The talk of “super-secret filming” and “some former characters… we haven’t seen in quite some time” without mentioning who they are is more what I’ve come to expect of Office leaks.
Hurray for Jennifer Celotta being involved again with The Office. She was the co show runner (with Paul Lieberstein) during season 5 and 6, then left. Greg Daniels was involved during all the arc about Michael leaving, but during the first half of season 7 and all season 8, Paul Lieberstein was the only person in charge.
I would never link some of the decline I perceived in these seasons to Lieberstein, who wrote some of the finest episodes in the entire run. But I think the responsibility turned out to be quite exhausting for him, and I’m glad that the old gang is back in some form.
[from tanster: thanks!]
[from tanster: thanks!]
I’m a bit surprised that they’re not running the rest of the episodes without a break (looks like Stairmaggedon and then a re-run) – they set so much in motion with Promos that it seems a shame to stop things in their tracks so soon afterwards.
I don’t think Steve Carell is coming back. And I’m really okay with it. I love him, but he left, and I think the rest of the cast deserves to have the spotlight in the final episodes – especially Jenna, John and Rainn.
[from tanster: thanks!]
[from tanster: thanks!]
Prediction: JAM will live on. They will move to a Philadelphia suburb in the affluent “Main Line” of Pennsylvania… Bryn Mawr makes sense, and they will move in to Pam’s “dream home,” one with a terrace (Andy dated a girl who coached at Bryn Mawr College… could have been a little foreshadow by the writers).
I wonder if Dwight’s best day ever, which happens to coincide with Andy wanting to quit, also involves being named RM of DM? Which also happens to coincide with Jim spending more time in Scranton, and perhaps both he and Pam say “We’ve seen this movie before (Dwight as manager) and yep, it’s time to leave DM.” Just a thought.
[from tanster: thanks!]
The happiest item for me on the schedule is the repeat airing of “Work Bus” ahead of the penultimate episode ever for this show. The reason for this feeling is that WB is an episode where Jim does something really nice for Pam and the story ends with them as a happy couple. And I just want the Halperts to finish their show journey on a positive note, so I’m hopeful that they aren’t showing, say, “Here Comes Treble” is a sign of what’s to come.
Does this imply Dwight is the manager!? If this is true then Jim and Pam can break up and I’d still be happy!!! YES!!!!
The synopsis for the finale scares me. Waaaay too many guest stars. I don’t care about them. I care about my DM friends. It also looks like the petition for additional time didn’t have an effect. Sigh. That means one of two things: Either we’re not going to get to see the finale that the writers and cast members wanted us to see (which will have time eaten away by a myriad of unnecessary guest stars), or (and I hope this is the case) the additional half hours added to the penultimate and antepenultimate shows will allow for all the arcs to play out like the writers and actors intended. Fingers and toes crossed on the latter.
I bet the wedding is Jim and Pam renewing their wedding vows. I don’t see ol stick in the mud Angela agreeing to have a wedding with Dwight (if that happens) with the cameras there, since she didn’t do it with the senator.
I’m thinking that all these guest stars are wedding guests, and the presence of Mose and Zeke suggests that Dwight’s getting married. I think the wedding is Dwight and Angela’s.
A Dwight and Angela wedding is the perfect way for the Office to end. The idea of Michael Scott making an appearance at a Dwight Schrute wedding gives me comedy goosebumps.
Prediction: the cast will be gathered for this wedding, and at the end of the episode we will find out whose it is: Michael’s & Holly’s. (they’re not married yet, right, as far as we know? I missed a season or 2.)
I know that they keep saying Michael won’t be making an appearance in the finale, but…seriously, that would be ridiculous. Of course he is. And it would be totally unlike Michael to not invite everyone to his wedding. Hence my theory that the wedding is his & Holly’s. :)
If it is Dwight and Angela’s wedding, please God, let Rachael Harris be playing Angela’s sister! That would be amazing!
Holy dang! I didn’t even consider the wedding being Michael & Holly’s! It’s been like 2 years since he left & it’d make total sense for the show to end on Michael’s wedding. I really hope it happens
You might appear in the finale again?! I think we need a petition for THIS! :)
Tanster??? You?? FInale??? I am jealous of you.
Tanster in the finale! Woohoo!
And do I remember reading that you are going to activate the OfficeTally chat room during these final hours of The Office?
[ from tanster: yes, the chat room is open for business! ]
Now I know why Tanster wants an extended Office! Just kidding, I know you want it because you love the show so much, and that’s why you DESERVE to be in it! I was really hoping you would be! Now if we could just get Michael and Holly, too…
[from tanster: lol!]
I think Tanster being in the finale makes up for any lack of Michael Gary Scott, former manager of that there orifice.
I just realized something… Zach Woods appeared as Gabe in “Moving On,” and by the next episode, he had disappeared with no mention of what happened to him. Does anyone know anything? Is there a deleted scene somewhere that I missed?
[from tanster: thanks!]
[from tanster: thanks!]
Tanster can you comment on this newly released article courtesy from TV Line?
[ from tanster: no comment. :) ]
@258
tanster I know you’re hiding something..
but I’m glad there IS something you’re hiding lol
[ from tanster: lol, i’m hiding many things. :) ]
Who else had a dream about the cameo?
Woo Hoo! I knew Michael would come back.
No, really. Hours after finding out the news, I went to bed, and I had a bizarre dream about the cameo. Steve Carell looked very old. However, I also had a very disturbing dream that I’m not going to go into, so I might not be able to see the future in my dreams. ..Yeah, that was a bad joke. Still, I can’t wait for the finale!
Calling it now: the series will end on a talking head/voice over by Michael. Just as several episodes have.
255/Remember to call – I think both of the exes (Gabe and Pete’s ex) were just hired as “consultants” and that’s why they weren’t there after just the one episode – although I was really glad to see Gabe – I love him, in a creepy God-knows-what-he’ll-say way.
260/Zarion – I had an Office finale dream last week – I’m not kidding – that’s so weird.
The office finale has been supersized to 1 hour fifteen minutes!
When the NY Times article suggested that Carell may make a cameo and Daniels didn’t refute it, that was pretty good evidence.
I hope Steve Carell has the very last scene…
@TobyFan aka 264: What was it about?
I seriously just screamed (in my head). MICHAEL SCOTT IS GONNA BE IN THE FINALE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my word, oh my word. So dang excited!
Tanster, you might be in the finale too?! AHH! :D
Wedding for Dwangela..Michael is best man..him and Holly have adopted a baby.Toby is Scranton strangler…Pam and Jim are pregnant again…Andy wins talent contest…Kevin dates supermodel…Stanley becomes nice…Creed gets inducted into Music Hall of Fame for song writing post Grass Roots…
I sincerely hope for a happy ending all around but especially for Dwight and Andy!
In the ew.com finale photo gallery, there’s a picture of Pam sitting at reception, Jim at his desk, and they’re looking at each other…This picture says so much! It’s so beautiful! Being that it’s part of the finale, Jenna can’t talk about the picture, but does say it’s emotional. Wow…
[from tanster: love that photo!]
Some of those Entertainment Weekly photos are heart-breaking. :-(
Wouldn’t it be awesome if they somehow tied in the Scranton Party footage into the finale.
Zarion – my dream was much happier – everyone ended up just as they should be in my dream!
One of the highlights of my day was checking this spoilers page. Now, there will be no more spoilers…
The last spoiler. Wow.
[ from tanster: i was just thinking that. yep, i think that is the last one. :( ]
I’ve been coming to this website religiously since 2006/2007 and this is my first post.
I, too, will miss checking the spoiler page everyday.
Best finale ever…I am so sad, but it was perfect. I will miss my old friends on Thurs nights, but I guess life goes on. Thanks for 9 seasons of great writing and acting. Much Love.
So who is the scranton strangler???
[from tanster: see officetally’s q&a with david rogers.]
Sad to think there won’t be any need to check this page anymore.
@Michael Klump
Unless NBC is forced in a few years to make “The Office: The Next Generation”, a grittier and darker re-imagining of the original.
Life feels so empty without spoilers. I checked this page on a daily basis. Sad there’s no need to anymore.
[ from tanster: :( ]
never knew the actress that played carol stills was steve carell’s wife
I say that we start a petition to get NBC to air another generation of the Office. A completely new cast and new story. I’m sure that Greg Daniels could succeed in making it.
I keep checking this page out of habit. And then realizing there’s no need. And then spending an hour scrolling through OfficeTally archives… I have a problem.
[ from tanster: i have a problem, too. it would be this time of year that i would lock this post and create a new one for the next season. can’t bring myself to lock this post… :( ]