Which Dunder Mifflin Employee Should Succeed Michael Scott?

Dunder Mifflin traditionalists can breathe a sigh of relief: Executive producers of The Office are reportedly pushing for a current cast member to take over as Scranton branch manager when Steve Carell retires this spring. Below, Movieline investigates each character's chance of inheriting that World's Best Boss mug.

· Jim Halpert (John Krasinski)

Odds of Succeeding Michael: 5-1.

Although Jim is the most logical choice after shouldering many of Michael's responsibilities this past season, who wants to see the show's cornerstone role taken over by someone who spends most of his airtime staring into the camera and rolling his eyes? As The Office chugs into its seventh season, NBC needs a star who can resuscitate the once-mighty series with his or her own eccentricities, and Jim Halpert doesn't have any.

· Darryl Philbin (Craig Robinson)

Odds of Succeeding Michael: 10-1.

If The Office producers are brave enough to take their show into a new direction, they will start positioning Darryl as Michael Scott's successor. Craig Robinson has already proven his mass-market appeal after playing the most tolerable character in the barely tolerable Hot Tub Time Machine, and Darryl's promotion out of the warehouse was already embraced by fans. Also, for what it's worth, Darryl is Ellie Kemper's favorite candidate.

· Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson)

Odds of Succeeding Michael: 10-1.

Dwight Schrute is a character best served vengeful. It would be more interesting to see how Dwight adjusts to a new boss than to see Dwight victorious over the entire office.

· Andy Bernard (Ed Helms)

Odds of Succeeding Michael: 50-1.

Andy couldn't find the courage to ask Erin out for a full season. How could he run the paper company?

· Pam Halpert (Jenna Fischer)

Odds of Succeeding Michael: 50-1.

To put it simply, NBC already has an workplace mockumentary with a female star (See: Parks and Recreation).

· Holly Flax (Amy Ryan)

Odds of Succeeding Michael: 200-1.

Although she is the only character who could possibly replicate Michael Scott's socially awkward managerial skills, Holly Flax belongs with Michael, not in Michael's old office. Producers confirmed that Ryan will be returning to the series in the love interest capacity, and if we've learned one thing from the will-they-won't-they courtship between Jim and Pam, torturously cute Dunder Mifflin lovebirds will get hitched at a twee destination wedding. Also, Amy Ryan is an Oscar nominee with film commitments. If she were to pursue full-time television, her dramatic talents would be better utilized on cable.

· Kelly Kapoor (Mindy Kaling), Creed Bratton (Creed Bratton), Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak), Erin Hannon (Ellie Kemper), Angela Martin (Angela Kinsey), Kevin Malone (Brian Baumgartner) or Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nuñez)

Odds of Succeeding Michael: Infinity-1.

Unless Michael Scott snaps on his last day and razes the entire building while leaving one of these secondary employees to survive as heir apparent, there is no way that NBC will bequeath its starring Office role to any of these Scrantoners. Not that I wouldn't love to see Creed oversee the business using only non sequiturs about iron lungs...

Who are you putting your money on?

· Who Needs a Newbie?! Steve Carell's Office Job May Go To... [E!]