From TVLine:
Insiders tell TVLine that producers mounted an 11th hour effort last month to coax [Steve] Carell into making a cameo in the show’s hour-long swan song. And while no one is confirming that the final diplomatic push proved successful, no one is denying it either… a source close to the show cryptically teases, “Don’t rule anything out.”
Link: Is Steve Carell Returning for the Series Finale After All?
What do you guys think?
To be honest, I figured everyone was saying he wouldn’t be back, and then he’d show up as a big surprise in the series finale.
please, no false hope
I have never had a doubt, he will be there. Somehow, someway, he’ll be there.
I think Steve will come back in the May 9th episode – no one would expect it and it will play true to him saying “I am not coming back for the finale – but I’ll be back in the penultimate episode!!” haha.
At some point Steve said his theory was that Michael wouldn’t want/need to be a part of the documentary any more, and that’s why he wouldn’t appear in the finale. Maybe he’s since been convinced otherwise…
Please let it be so! Would love to see Michael just one more time!
I’m thinking he may do a scene from “Colorado”. Using a webcam to talk to everyone.
What? That doesn’t make sense, Steve himself said he wasn’t coming back…….Did he trick us? It would be great if he came back.
Praying that he does! My all-time favorite TV show character! To see him once more would be amazing!
I’m super hopeful. I feel like Steve was just throwing people off all along. I worry it’s just a small talking head cameo. I hope he’s there to say hey to the staff or help Jim out or something.
Oh man… this is promising! One can only hope! :)
Wait, wasn’t someone around here on the set during the filming of the finale who could tell us?
narrows eyes at Tanster
[ from tanster: i can tell you that i didn’t see steve the entire time i was there. now did i see other people I probably shouldn’t talk about? perhaps. :) ]
I for one love the idea of him doing just a simple talking head and nothing more. Steve (and the character Michael) have indeed moved on, but he has to give a nod to the show that made him!
“[ from tanster: i can tell you that i didn’t see steve the entire time i was there. now did i see other people I probably shouldn’t talk about? perhaps. :) ]”
Wow, wonder who would that be. Holly?
Did Steve pull a Michael on all of us?! I cannot be happier about this news!
I’m afraid to get my hopes up, but it’d be really great to see his character again!
[200-word limit]
@Tanster
You didn’t see Steve, but you didn’t say anything about his persona. :P
*cough*MichaelScott*cough*
I read it somewhere that some casts had to come to the studio for super-secret shooting after the final shooting. To include Michael in the final episode, perhaps? I hope so. I know Steve said Michael won’t come back. But, how could this show end without reappearance of its main character. We saw Roy & Jan this season for some closure. Surely there will be Michael Scott.
I notice you didn’t say anything about Mrs. Holly Scott, Tanster! ;)
Ooooo what a tease ! I would love a Michael appearance, even if just a fleeting glance. Sure hope it happens, I’m already bummed the recently-rumored Friends reunion isn’t being planned.
He did ask the camera crew to tell him if the documentary ever airs!
I totally respect Steve Carell’s decision not to come back at all. But in the real world, a boss who was so much a part of everyone’s lives for so many years has to make some kind of contact with his friends back in Scranton – especially if they were the subject of a film crew and the documentary is about to air. I predict a conference call – where we see the phone and hear his voice on speaker. Or basically – we’ll see some footage of Michael Scott we’ve never seen before.
I agree with #23. Steve left the show on good terms, which makes it odd that Michael never, ever ‘checked in’ throughout all the years he hasn’t been there. You’d think there would be some sort of reference to his wedding with Holly, if only a wedding invitation or a call to the office. It always seemed weird to me that he just dropped off the face of the Earth after being so obsessed with being friends with his employees. That said, I don’t want his presence (if any) in the finale to overpower the other characters who have had their stories developed over the past few years.
To everyone saying that Michael had a perfect goodbye — Does anyone not remember what his second to last line was? “Will you guys ever let me know if this ever airs? Thank you.” The documentary is airing soon, it’d only make sense for them to let him know about it and bring him back in some capacity in regards to it. I think NBC, Greg and Steve are hiding it very well if it is true, though. Either way, can’t wait to see what unfolds!
I wouldn’t be surprised if Michael showed up and this was all a long stunt — if Parks and Rec is any indication, some of the crew is known for lying (for lack of a better word) to hide surprises. ;) I’m talking covering up April and Andy’s wedding, filming a few endings to the episode where Leslie gets elected to city council, etc. So I have my hopes for Michael’s return here at The Office. They’re at a safe and non-disappointed level, just in case, but they’re there.