It was only a matter of time before all this bleak economic news affected the country’s most famous paper manufacturer.
Sources confirm that NBC’s plan to expand Dunder Mifflin via an Office spin-off has essentially been shredded. In its place, Office exec producer Greg Daniels is said to be creating an entirely different series (possibly a workplace comedy) built around Saturday Night Live‘s Amy Poehler.
The network isn’t commenting, but one insider close to the project says that while The Office 2.0 isn’t officially dead, it’s “definitely not alive at this point.”
For awhile now, there have been signs that the offshoot was in trouble. For starters, NBC announced its plans to extend the Office franchise back in April before producers even had a chance to hash out a premise. Never a good idea. (Adding to the pressure: It was going to debut after the Super Bowl!) In the ensuing months, various ideas were hatched and then quickly tossed in Michael Scott’s favorite file. (You know, the circular one.) “No one could come up with a strong enough concept,” says another source.
There was also apparently some debate as to whether any existing Office staffers would make the jump to the new series. In fact, last month word leaked that NBC had all but signed Rashida Jones (Karen) to headline the spinoff, but the casting was never confirmed by the network.
Still, this may ultimately prove to be a good thing. NBC could have easily rushed some half-assed show onto the air and slapped an Office label on it. But doing so would have weakened the franchise, perhaps irreparably. In other words, it looks like creativity won out over commerce. Woo-hoo!
Agree with me? Or are you just SO warped that the idea of a half-assed Office clone actually APPEALS to you? Sound off below! – Additional reporting by Lynette Rice
Oh, thank God!!!
That spin-off was one of the worst ideas ever.
I’d much rather have no spinoff, than some poorly done spinoff.
Plus, Amy Poehler is pretty great, so I wouldn’t mind seeing something with her in it!
I was terrified for the idea of a spinoff, so I guess The Office people dodged a bullet.
I was hoping the spin-off would be similar in plot to the failed “The IT Crowd” re-write.
There’s always something funny about a disgruntled computer staff.
Office spin-off or not, if it has Amy Poehler, im there
You’ve just made my day!!! Thank you so much
I’ve been so opposed to the idea of a “sequel.” You can’t improve on perfection NBC! “So suck on it” –Pam Beesly
Praise the Lord – BAD idea from the start!!
Amy Poehler? She’s like laugh-repellent. This show will be cancelled in less than one month.
I laugh no matter what Amy Poehler says. I actually ran into her at a movie screening and, trying to make conversation, said, “Did you like the movie?” She said, “Yes, very much.” And I just laughed and laughed.
Pumped for her to have her own show, but would hate to see it not do well and lose her from network television (since she’d surely have to leave SNL).
ugh. No spin-off, please.
I HATE them!
Thank goodness! I was worried about this. It would be so hard for them to make something that would actually be good.
I am actually excited for a new Office-like series. Whether it’s a hit or not, I’ll still love the original more, but I’m hoping they take a character and make it a different type of show, a la Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice, not a CSI franchise. Because we REALLY don’t need The Office: Miami.
Also, I like Amy Poehler. Although she better make this good, if she’s leaving SNL for it.
Interesting that this bit of “news” pops up on the same day as that it’s announced that a) Amy Poehler is close to signing a deal to join the cast of the show and b) it’s no longer going to be a spin-off.
Does “unnamed sources” stand for “I haven’t gotten anything on the main page in a few days”?
I’m glad I canceled my subscription.
I know that’s really you, Andrew Dice Clay, so piss off!!!
It’s DOA, on the same day Amy Poehler’s in talks to join it? I don’t think anyone knows what they’re talking about here. And that includes Ausiello.