9. Loss of Key Players
It's also been announced that three more key players of the hit comedy will be departing. Paul Liebertstein, who not only plays human resources rep Toby Flenderson on the show but has directed 6 episodes, as well as producing and writing an impressive number, will not be returning for Season 9. Liebertstein has been the showrunner since the 5th season, but will be departing to focus on the Dwight spin-off. Mindy Kaling is another on and off camera star that will not be returning as Kelly. Kaling will be departing to star and produce her own show, The Mindy Project on Fox, which should air this year. She has written over 20 episodes for The Office and, like Liebertstein, has produced and directed a few as well. And her on and off again romantic opposite Ryan (played by B.J. Novak) who also wrote and directed several episodes, also announced that he will make very minimal appearances in the show from here on in. With these three staples of the show's setup leaving, it's difficult to see how it can effect the show in anything but a negative way.