Who Should Replace Steve Carell on The Office?
During an NBC Upfronts conference call this morning, TV Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin conceded that he too had heard the rumor that Steve Carell would probably not be renewing his contract with The Office after next year. However sad that revelation is, Gaspin assured reporters that producers on the show are already "preparing in the event he chooses to move on." But who will lead Scranton's finest paper company into the future? Here are Movieline's casting suggestions -- feel free to contribute your own.
Ricky Gervais
Maybe the original Michael Scott will get tired of hosting award ceremonies, recording podcasts, and fulfilling favors to appear on his friend's marital advice shows and instead commit himself to a full-time U.S. network. Like Darren on Bewitched or Becky on Roseanne, the casting change would never be acknowledged on the show.
Amy Ryan
If John Krasinski's Jim Halpert becomes sole manager of Dunder Miffler Scranton, producers might want to consider bumping guest star Amy Ryan up to series regular by transferring her character Holly Flax to the Scranton HR office.
Patton Oswalt
NBC recently released Oswalt from his duties on the pilot Beach Lane after a table reading gone wrong. So really, the Peacock owes him one -- even if they just attach him to the show for a few weeks before dismissing him again under murky circumstances.
Megan Mullally
The Will & Grace alum is no stranger to Thursday nights on NBC, having recently guest starred on Parks & Recreation, where her husband Nick Offerman plays Ron Swanson. Mullally has no problem playing slightly delusional and constantly distracted and let's face it: Party Down's days are numbered. Besides, just imagine the sweeps episode where Sean Hayes guest stars as a jilted former flame.
Kristen Wiig
Tina Fey has 30 Rock, Amy Poehler has Parks & Recreation and at the very least, Wiig should get her own recycled NBC prime time comedy.
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Comments
Tilda Swinton as an ice-queen British overseer who secretly binges on american fast-food. She just might do it too, just to prove how unpredictable she is.
James Franco. Wait, what was the question?
Want to see, now.
John Locke.
It would be a HUGE mistake to hand over the reins to straight man John Krasinski. If they have to promote someone from within, it at least makes a lot more comical sense to pass it to Rainn Wilson, possibly Ed Helms, or a not-all-that-surprising resurrection of B.J. Novak. But my ideal propped-up candidate would be Mindy Kaling; her elevation could flow directly from the diversity executive training program she just began on the show.
I like the idea of Ricky Gervais taking over, but not as Michael Scott ala Bewitched. I'd love to see "Scranton's finest paper company" hire a manager from overseas with managerial experience, a guy named David Brent.
Just steal another guy off "The Daily Show"
I second Kristen Wiig.
My picks: Kelsey Grammer, Alan Tudyk as a super-neurotic corporate climber who's stinting @ Scranton, Nordberg.
Duh, how could I not think of this? Ron Livingston would be PERFECT.
Gary Cole, but not as Lumbergh. The guy can pretty much do anything.
Yes, but only as the Smoke Monster.
OT, but, uh, well...here's another idea if Carell leaves. How about canceling it while it's still (somewhat) good? The ep featuring the birth of Jim and Pam's baby was AWFUL. It used to be "must see" now it's "meh see".
The casting change of "Becky" on Roseanne was humorously acknowledged many times on the show.
Ricky Gervais is a perfect fit based on your criteria, it even adds to the documentary-like realism of the show.
But lets get real here: Steve Carrel cannot be replaced because Michael Scott has become one of the greatest fictional characters in history. Thats right, you heard it here first: Scott is among the greatest in our culture's history of story telling!
As an avid fan, i reluctantly agree: especially since the birth, the show has lost its charm. Ive wondered if it was right to make the 2 most charming characters have a baby-cause they've become (all too realistically) more like focused professionals and parents than their former youthful selves.
Michael Scott could not be replaced. It would be time to end the show gracefully.
Love the show, but it's done, and frankly, the sooner the better. Let it go out with some grace.
Please not Mullally, she ruined trans fats for me.
1. Jane Lynch (though doing Glee & the Office may just wear her right out)
2. David Cross
3. Michael Ian Black
4. Portia De Rossi (as her character on Better Off Ted which should NEVER have been cancelled)
5. Exit gracefully and let the Office close with the exit of Michael Scott.
Tina Fey?
Eh. As soon as I heard he was leaving, I thought they need to let it go. It still does have its funny moments, and I'm a Dwight fan myself, but it's really been on it's last legs recently. It jumped the shark for me when Pam/Jim got married and had the baby.
Vince Vaughn!