The Office Politics

It was everyone’s prediction, including mine, that The Office jumped the proverbial shark once Steve Carell left and James Spader came in as a replacement. No question James Spader is a great actor, going back to his role on Seinfeld as the bee-boppin’ and scattin’ jokester going through the twelve steps, who refused to apologize to George. Also, if you were to preview a brand new show these days starring John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, James Spader, Mindy Kaling, Jenna Fischer, and Ed Helms, I bet you’d tune in for the premier, I know I would. The real issue is that Steve Carell was just that good, so people are just inherently disappointed he’s not on the show anymore.

Well prepare for more disappointment, and what I really think will be the end of the show eventually. Rainn Wilson, our beloved Dwight is leaving the show along with head writer Paul Liberstein will be reduced to a smaller involved role behind the scenes. Paul Lieberstein also plays the sad sacked Toby on the show. In addition to these two staples, Mindy Kaling, one of the favorite characters and writers on the show is moving to her own project on Fox. Also, James Spader is not coming back for a ninth season.

Before you starting popping the post-office depression pills, the main reason Paul Liberstein and Rainn Wilson are leaving is to start their own spinoff together called “The Farm”, which is about Dwight Shrute on the farm I can only guess. It sounds funny already, so we’ll see if it’s spinoff worthy of Frasier comparisons or Joey comparisons. It also should be interesting to see what Mindy Kaling’s show will be like, but I’m already less interested in that. However, I have a funny feeling her show will be more successful.

What is also very exciting is that there will most likely be a show starring John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and Ed Helms showing up on NBC next season. Oh wait, that’s just The Office coming back for a ninth season. Isn’t that interesting? It sounds so great, but then you realize that it’s The Office, and you automatically think it’s going to suck because of the people who left. Ed Helms and John Krasinski have proven that they can carry movies. Well carry might be a strong word for John Krasinski, but Helms has for sure. I think they can still get through a season or two with that cast, as long as the writing caliber stays high.