As Ricky Gervais' Brentmeister General would muse,
Steve Carell is leaving
The Office. Fact. But yet, whilst we've known for some time that this current seventh season is going to be his last, not much else has been confirmed bar water cooler speculation. Speaking to
TV Line recently though,
Paul Feig, one of the show's executive producers and director of the two-part finale (imaginately titled "Goodbye, Michael"), dropped some hints... Primarily, he dismissed rumours that Michael's quirky 'soulmate' Holly Flax (
Amy Ryan) wouldn't be involved in the finale as it was revealed by EW last week that Carell's final episode will be screened April 28th, whilst Ryan's will air March 24th. "All I'll say is she actually is in the episode in a way," he revealed. " is involved." Going on to descibe the swansong as very emotional, Feig also praised co-showrunner
Greg Daniels for writing a farewell that is sentimental, but "not in a corny, cloying way". Still no final decision on Michael Scott's replacement has been announced. Whilst the word on Scranton's mean streets is that the successor won't be officially confirmed until after series seven ended, the rumour mill has inevitably thrown some names up.
Harvey Keitel (!) was mentioned back in September (as a former salesman forced out of retirement), but that's very unlikely.
Ricky Gervais recently blogged that he put Arrested Development's
Will Arnett forward for "a role", so read into that what you will. As for the possibility of Gerv himself (who cameod effectively as Brent in episode, The Seminar) crossing the pond to take over, don't bet your Wernham Hogg stapler on it. And of course there's
Will Ferrell, who's confirmed for a four-part arc as a home office branch manager at the end of this season, brought in to help the transition of a show that has just lost it's lead star.
Will Carell's buddy and Anchorman co-star take over long-term? Highly doubtful. Daniels has already stated that whoever takes the position won't be the main focus like Michael previously was. That said, expect a reversal if someone like Ferrell is cast, though with his film schedule, a regular t.v. part is not really feasible. Personally, I think the show's ran its course and, as such, should've finished too. Honestly, there's times where Steve goes a tad over-board for my liking and the amount of time dedicated to the same recurring character plotlines is frustrating (Michael is excluded or feels inadequate in some way and tries to 'right' the situation) - but he's the essence of the American version. Those facial expressions, the subtle tics; it's hard to imagine someone else in his position. That's what she said.
(article written by OWF trialist Stephen Carty)