The Office: Anyone think the show can survive?

[Jet Beetle]

Carell is hands down my favorite personality going today. The man is genius and what he did with a hand me down character who (I believed) was owned by Ricky Gervais (another genius) was nothing short of phenomenal.

But, now that he's exited the show - can it survive? I've been watching the ones with Ferral - and even he couldn't really "get" his foot in where Carell was at. Soon Ricky Gervais will step in and take over for a few episodes and that will be crazy great - but what after? I'm not sure how many Office fans there on the board - but I'm pretty avid. I don't think we'll get another season after the next (if that). How about you?

 

[Vivek]

With that recent accident guess Ferral's character will be making an exit soon, making way for Gervais which indeed would be hilarious.

The episode with Michael Scott's exit was really powerful, sweet and emotional. No episode of The Office has got me teary eyed before, the staff's farewell song in the prior episode almost did it.

Anymore it doesn't really matter who is the boss, as most fans including myself would see it as a temp replacement just for another season. Unless they somehow make the new boss really funny and likeable, I don't see how it will fare for several more seasons. Of course even though I like Steve Carell, I found the character of Michael Scott really annoying during the early seasons. I guess the character was always written like that to be perceived by the audience as a annoying boss. But later on they started showing the emotional shades of his character, which made him one of the favourites on the show.

What matters to me now are probably rest of the characters especially Andy and Erin, hopefully their relationship will materialize. And I want to hear and see more of that Scranton Strangler.

 

[HAL9000]

It all depends on the writing. And the fact that it is better in the
US version than the UK version (IMO) suggests things can
get better.

Have faith. Seems to be a lot fo love for the show. So maybe...

 

[Jannix Quinn]

I don't see it lasting more than another season.

This latest season has been terrible. Personally I can't stand Ed Helms' character and have never found Will Ferrell to be anything other than utter crap.

It was great for the first maybe... five... seasons but has gone downhill after that.

 

[JLeezy23]

Farrel seems a bit too over the top, like he was trying too hard. If Jim Carrey stepped in that would be great, not sure where its going as of now but Michael Scott made the office and the other characters who they were. So yea writing is crucial and the replacement needs to be no less than excellent in order to have the show survive

 

[Kerr Avon]

Glad Farrell is gone. The Office has gone downhill in the recent years, but hopefully i'tll get better with new blood in the manager seat. I'm not sure about Gervais though, I don't really find him all that funny on anything he does. Even the original Office.

 

[Jet Beetle]

I know James Spader is supposed to come in at some point - and I read somewhere they were trying to get Michael Keaton to play Michael Keaton - who has been out of work in Hollywood and is friends with Joe from Saber. He takes the job as Office manager. One of the funnier bits I read that was proposed is where Dwight walks in on Keaton while he is wearing his Batman cowl! Dwight of course starts to suspect he is Batman searching for a new secret identity. Not sure if they landed Keaton - but this would be funny and he's one of the few people I believe may be able to save the show.

I believe Dwight takes over this week and then the guest cameos start flowing.

 

[Feraud]

Now that is funny!

 

[Idaho Jones]

I know James Spader is supposed to come in at some point - and I read somewhere they were trying to get Michael Keaton to play Michael Keaton - who has been out of work in Hollywood and is friends with Joe from Saber. He takes the job as Office manager. One of the funnier bits I read that was proposed is where Dwight walks in on Keaton while he is wearing his Batman cowl! Dwight of course starts to suspect he is Batman searching for a new secret identity. Not sure if they landed Keaton - but this would be funny and he's one of the few people I believe may be able to save the show.

I believe Dwight takes over this week and then the guest cameos start flowing.

That is an episode I'd love to see. I've been watching from the beginning and the show sure seems to have struggled after Mike Schure and Greg Daniels left for Park and Rec. I hope the new blood brings life back to the show.

 

[ihs]

...and I read somewhere they were trying to get Michael Keaton to play Michael Keaton - who has been out of work in Hollywood and is friends with Joe from Saber. He takes the job as Office manager. One of the funnier bits I read that was proposed is where Dwight walks in on Keaton while he is wearing his Batman cowl! Dwight of course starts to suspect he is Batman searching for a new secret identity. Not sure if they landed Keaton - but this would be funny and he's one of the few people I believe may be able to save the show...

That would be excellent; I've always liked Keaton. :thumbsup

I'll certainly give it a chance with whomever they bring in to fill the role, but it feels like the beginning of the end for me. Really, really hope I'm wrong.

 

[cboath]

The last 2-3 of the season are supposed to be Ferrell (i thought), Gervais, Will Arnett, James Spader, and I think one more person, fighting it out or applying for the job.

Keaton, especially with that story line would be awesome. Seems like a setup for Arnett though since the rest don't seem to be candidates who'd be interested in it full time. I know Gervais did the original, but I can't see him sticking around for a 20+ date US season.

 

[JD]

I don't watch much TV. I do watch The Office - when it works, it works well. But, with every good thing... sometimes its longevity gets in the way and things get a bit stagnant. There have been a few too many episodes that - while still good - just seem to be going through the motions or a just a bit of a lull.

The program has taken a few chances in the past... moving Jim to a different branch, then incorporating members of that branch into our beloved Scranton branch, the Pam-Jim-Karen triangle, Ryan's rise and fall, moving Pam into sales... etc. But, obviously Michael's departure is the biggest (and it was the actor's call).

Soooo... this could be a rebirth or it could be end. It's not going to be the same without Michael, but I'm hopeful that the new manager brings new life and energy to the show that has showed its age at times. The show can survive and I cautiously optimistic for a bright future.

I do fear that all these guest stars will be too much of a gimmick. Will Ferrell is not a favorite of mine - I do think that his character finally fit in last week (which was his last episode, I believe).

I hope they go with Ricky Gervais. Even though he's made comments to the contrary.

 

[JD]

...just to add that the biggest rumor is that Michael's spot will be filled internally. But, that a new actor might still join the cast in a different position.

 

[Art Andrews]

Am I the only person who doesn't find this show even the least bit funny? I have tried it a couple of times because so many people seem to think it is just a riot, but I find it boring and annoying. What am I missing?

 

[cboath]

I don't watch much TV. I do watch The Office - when it works, it works well. But, with every good thing... sometimes its longevity gets in the way and things get a bit stagnant. There have been a few too many episodes that - while still good - just seem to be going through the motions or a just a bit of a lull.

The program has taken a few chances in the past... moving Jim to a different branch, then incorporating members of that branch into our beloved Scranton branch, the Pam-Jim-Karen triangle, Ryan's rise and fall, moving Pam into sales... etc. But, obviously Michael's departure is the biggest (and it was the actor's call).

Soooo... this could be a rebirth or it could be end. It's not going to be the same without Michael, but I'm hopeful that the new manager brings new life and energy to the show that has showed its age at times. The show can survive and I cautiously optimistic for a bright future.

I do fear that all these guest stars will be too much of a gimmick. Will Ferrell is not a favorite of mine - I do think that his character finally fit in last week (which was his last episode, I believe).

I hope they go with Ricky Gervais. Even though he's made comments to the contrary.

I was about to say the same about ferrell's character in the last episode. Problem was, at the tail end he went right back to the abysmal standard will ferrell character.

 

[Clutch]

Am I the only person who doesn't find this show even the least bit funny? I have tried it a couple of times because so many people seem to think it is just a riot, but I find it boring and annoying. What am I missing?

Have you been a part of coroprate culture? If you haven't been in that type of environment, you might not see the humor.

I thought the British series was spookily realistic while the American series was too over the top goofiness and everyone sleeping with each other.

 

[Art Andrews]

Have you been a part of coroprate culture? If you haven't been in that type of environment, you might not see the humor.

I thought the British series was spookily realistic while the American series was too over the top goofiness and everyone sleeping with each other.

I sure have been. Was an employee of a very large company (cubicles and all) for almost a decade. I could relate quite a bit to Dilbert if that helps.

I don't know what it is about this show, but it almost feel like the who thing is improv and it is just them doing pointless things the whole time with no story arc and the banality only broken up by the weird interview style clips. Again, clearly it has a huge following but I am just frustrated because I don't understand what I am supposed to be laughing at.

 

[Vaderman]

Am I the only person who doesn't find this show even the least bit funny?

Yes. Yes you are.

 

[Clutch]

Great first post! :lol

 

[Art Andrews]

Yes. Yes you are.

Boo me. :cry