NBC’s The Office went through a major transformation at the beginning of this season, following the departure of original star Steve Carell. But I hear the show, which has not been officially renewed, may undergo an even more dramatic change going into next fall. Word is that The Office executive producer Greg Daniels, who originally developed the American version of the cult British comedy, is mulling a reboot of the series, now in its eighth season. Daniels is expected to meet with NBC brass to lay out his idea for The Office 2.0, which I hear would feature existing characters as well as new ones. As for The Office key original cast members John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer and B.J. Novak, whose contracts are up at the end of this season, as well as that of Ed Helms, there hasn’t been a lot of movement in the negotiations over the past few weeks, following an early overture by the network around the time The Office spinoff starring Rainn Wilson came together.
With much of the main cast only under contract for the current season — Season 8 — speculation regarding another season (or possible lack thereof) has run rampant. Now, the latest bunch of news — Ed Helms joining the cast of a Fox comedy pilot and showrunner Paul Lieberstein leaving the series to work on the Dwight Schrute spinoff — has put the future of “The Office” in serious jeopardy.
But rumors have been on the tips of TV insiders’ tongues for some time. First, the news of Mindy Kaling’s new OB/GYN comedy pilot at Fox broke in January 2012. Kaling’s overall deal with NBC is also expiring. Then, talk of a Dwight spinoff emerged and was quickly confirmed by series star Rainn Wilson. But it doesn’t stop there. New cast addition James Spader didn’t renew his contract for Season 9.
That brings us to the latest casting news: Helms will appear in Kaling’s comedy project at Fox. According to EW, Helms will guest star in the pilot as a potential love interest for Kaling’s character, his character goes on a blind date with her protagonist. However, guest starring roles on pilots do not always guarantee series regular status if the show is picked up. TV Guide reports Helms and John Krasinski are close to signing new deals for Season 9, and many on the show are treating a new season — if there is one — like it would be the last. It looks like Helms’ guest role on Kaling’s project could be left at that.
Meanwhile, network brass and “The Office” showrunner Lieberstein, who also plays Toby on the series, are at work on the Dwight spinoff. Both The Hollywood Reporter and EW report NBC is “actively searching for a replacement” for the writer/producer. According to THR, the potential spinoff, “The Farm,” would feature Wilson’s character leaving “The Office” altogether. Lieberstein could still participate on the series in a reduced capacity. He’s attached to “The Farm” as a co-creator and would serve as showrunner if the backdoor pilot — an upcoming episode of “The Office” is expected to be used as a test run for the spinoff — makes it so series.
It’s been a long time since I took a flight anywhere. Legally, that is. Usually I throw on my “aircraft mechanic” coveralls (which is just my Michael Meyer’s Halloween costume), tell everybody I’m fixing the air-conditioning on an Airbus 340, head for the tarmac and hop into somebody’s luggage before it’s loaded into the belly of the beast. But I’ve been dealing with a torn ACL after joining this break-dance circle at a bar mitzvah I crashed last month, and there was no way I’d be able to stay in somebody’s suitcase for hours crouched up like a giant in a Japanese apartment. So I booked a flight the old-fashioned way: I hid in the airport bathroom and waited for some chump to put his carry-on down, stole his tickets and wallet and bada bing bada boom – Ol’ Creedy’s got himself a business flight to San Jose.
Hey blogosphere. Pam here. It’s been a couple of months since we brought baby Philip home from the hospital. All is well – he’s healthy and very happy. I even heard him laugh the other day when I was making funny faces! Jim thinks it was just gas. But either way, he’s advancing so quickly. He’s like Einstein with less hair.
She will write, executive produce and star in the comedy about a Bridget Jones-type doctor trying to navigate her personal and professional lives. Should the project earn a series order, the actress would depart the NBC comedy.
Fox has ordered a half-hour comedy pilot produced by and starring The Office‘s Mindy Kaling.
The project, which was originally in contention at NBC, finds Kaling playing a Bridget-Jones type OB/GYN trying to navigate both her personal and professional lives.
In addition to writing the pilot, Kaling would serve as an exec producer alongside fellow Office producer Howard Klein.
“The Daily Show” compared younger Newt Gingrich to Dwight Schrute from The Office! Newt and Schrute also believe in the right to bear arms and loud speeches. Separated at birth?
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Meet Philip Halpert on Pam’s baby blog at NBC.com!
It’s official! I’ve said goodbye to my lovely lady bump, and hello to baby Philip Halpert!!! Everything went really smoothly. He was delivered completely healthy, and so happy that he was giving a thumbs up on the way out. Afterward, I had to stay for the recommended 48-hours (which is a little long to be eating questionable hospital soup and rock hard rolls, but I made it through).
