Jack Black Lands Office Gig

Jim Halpert illustrates 'the worst purgatory of 30-something life'

(NEWSER) - The Office has turned from funny and charming to the most depressing show on television, and it’s all thanks to once-beloved character Jim Halpert. “The show has taken the story of a man with a promising future and given him an interminable present,” writes Meghan Keane for The Awl . But wait: Didn’t Jim get married and promoted? Yes, but the former development showed Jim has no real friends—and the latter, that he's lousy at his job. More»

Michael Scott clocks out of Dunder Mifflin

(NEWSER) - "The world's best boss" has walked out of Dunder Mifflin for the last time. Steve Carell's inept Office character Michael Scott said farewell in a sentimental, hour-long episode of the sitcom, reports Reuters . Carell, who played Scott for seven seasons, is leaving the show to focus on his movie career. His alter ego, meanwhile, has left Scranton for Colorado. Will Ferrell has joined the cast as Scott's possible replacement. More»

Why NBC should pull the plug

(NEWSER) - Sure, sure, The Office is still funny, but it’s becoming increasingly obvious that it’s running out of steam, and should just close up shop when Steve Carell departs. “You can sense a weariness and desperation setting in,” writes Matt Zoller Seitz on Salon . “Are we seeing yet another example of network TV's factory mentality (26 episodes a year, series run extended indefinitely) squeezing the vitality and focus from a once-great show?” More»

How about Ricky Gervais to replace Steve Carell?

(NEWSER) - The Office without Steve Carell as boss might be unthinkable, but think we must. Who could possibly replace him? The Week rounds up five possibilities:

• Ricky Gervais: He's the boss from the original British version, and he's "inherently meaner" as an actor, which could be fun, writes Christopher Rosen at the New York Observer .

Sitcom star will depart after upcoming season

(NEWSER) - Ending weeks of speculation , Steve Carell has confirmed that he'll leave The Office when his contract expires at the end of the 2010-2011 season. "I just think it's time," the sitcom star tells E! "When I first signed on I had a contract for seven seasons, and this coming year is my seventh. I just thought it was time for my character to go." More»