Image Credit: Sam Urdank; Chris Haston/NBC; Mitchell Haaseth/NBC (2); Albert L. Ortega/PR PhotosNews that Steve Carell intends to leave The Office at the end of the NBC comedy’s upcoming seventh season got us thinking: Who could replace Michael Scott? Some ideas…
Ricky Gervais: If Michael’s precursor, British Office manager David Brent, could get a work visa to come over to the States, he’d be the funniest English export to land in Scranton since spotted dick.
Kathy Bates: No average Jo, Michael’s current boss can be a real pit bull — and man, do we love her for it. Though she’s committed to David E. Kelley’s midseason legal drama, Kindreds… well, does it make us bad people to kinda hope it doesn’t take off?
Amy Ryan: Her Holly Flax and Michael haven’t been able to truly reconnect ever since she was transferred from the Scranton office. What a tragicomic end to the romance if she were to return to Pennsylvania just as he left.
Rainn Wilson: A promotion to co-regional manager alongside rival Jim would be a dream come true for Dwight. And a nightmare come true for Jim. And then yet another dream come true for us. You see where we’re going, right?
Michael Emerson: The Lost alum can certainly play creepy. Plus, if he can keep those freaky Others in line, surely he can control the misfits at Dunder Mifflin.
Craig Robinson: We already know warehouse supervisor Darryl is ambitious — at least ambitious enough to like having an office upstairs. Perhaps he isn’t done climbing the corporate ladder? And perhaps he’d be even funnier at the top?
David Cross: Odds are he’ll never find another character as memorable as Tobias, the never-nude “analrapist” he played on Arrested Development. But if any actor could make lightning strike twice, our money’s on him. A lot of our money.
Who would you like to see fill Michael’s soon-to-be-vacant office? Hit the comments with your suggestions!
David Wallace
David Wallace would be fantastic. I can see him still trying to push his “Suck It” agenda in the new Dunder Mifflin. Or Jan…I’d love to see her up against Kathy Bates…if Kathy Bates was wielding a sledge hammer…
I agree with David Wallace – But only on the condition that it is the new, loopy wallace. At a minimum, they need to bring him back into the Dunder Mifflin family.
holly would be good
tobias funke in the office, oh goodness don’t know if its the right match but its worth a thought
David Wallace
holly would be good
tobias funke in the office, oh goodness don’t know if its the right match but its worth a thought
YAY! I was thinking of Ricky G all along and am glad someone who has some pull (or audience) agrees! He would be perfect….or as David Brent would say “Spot on!”.
Too many people never saw the original The Office. The masses would think Gervais were trying to copy Carell. Besides, the dynamic of the character wouldn’t really work the same in a US setting. A guest spot would be fine for David Brent to show up, but not as the ‘new lead’.
If the show is to go on, don’t look to replace Carell. Let the story dictate whether you need a new cast member. In a ‘real’ office, if Michael Scott left, Jim (or Dwight?) would take his job and life would go on. Try that and see if the story takes you elsewhere before assuming another ‘quirky and confused boss’ character is needed.
Kelly Clarkson
What?!?! Steve Carell is really leaving? This frickin sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love him! It is going to be very hard finding a replacement for him. Im going to miss him so much, so I will be watching ALL of his movies that he is going to be in for sure. I had a feeling he was gonna leave the show to do movies instead. A lot of them end up doing that. Oh well. He is a amazing actor and I wish him all the best.
I totally agree! Jim or Dwight would really be the obvious choice unless they brought someone new in, in which case, I like the suggestion of David Cross.
Michael Keaton
The Original (BBC-version) of The Office can be seen at fancast.com.
Why don’t they just end the show on a high note? Seven years is long for a television series and they go just have a great swan song of a year… Of course NBC would prefer to just keeping making more than to allow the show to end gracefully. That said Ricky G is the only guy that could keep this show as good as it is.
Hurley and John Locke or Val Kilmer
steve merchant would be better than gervais – [gervais isnt funny people]
Adding the inbred* creep from Lost to the show would kill it.
That is a truly awful suggestion.
(*note: It is easy to spot his inbreeding. Just look at the eyes. WAY to close together. A missing gene is likely.)
Jan Levinson for sure. She’s not quirky, but she certainly is nuts. it could be really funny
Scooptress, I find your comments crass, immature, and unnecessary.
Please show a little respect for fellow fans of Michael Emerson.
I can’t see ricky g doing it–he never does anything long term, and a US series is always a huge commitment. How about Eugene Levy?
Oh, LOVE the Eugene Levy idea. He would be fantastic in that role.
If not him, then promote Gabe. Gabe rules.
levy = lame
if you want someone thatd make the office and awkward place again – Todd !F! Packer for the job
Yes! Levy would be amazing as well as Fred Willard. Gervais, Levy or Willard would be the only three that could make me watch.
YAY! I was thinking of Ricky G all along and am glad someone who has some pull (or audience) agrees! He would be perfect….or as David Brent would say “Spot on!”.
Adding the inbred* creep from Lost to the show would kill it.
That is a truly awful suggestion.
(*note: It is easy to spot his inbreeding. Just look at the eyes. WAY to close together. A missing gene is likely.)
Jan Levinson for sure. She’s not quirky, but she certainly is nuts. it could be really funny
I can’t see ricky g doing it–he never does anything long term, and a US series is always a huge commitment. How about Eugene Levy?
Oh, LOVE the Eugene Levy idea. He would be fantastic in that role.
If not him, then promote Gabe. Gabe rules.
I think the show should bow out gracefully like Mr. Carell did. Seven seasons is enough.
Show should finish with Michael.. it will never be the same again..
agreed. the british version was so memorable because it naturally ran its course and knew that it’s ALWAYS better to leave the audience longing for more of their favorite characters (as opposed to feeling like their favorite characters’ essence has been run over by a semi-truck).
Totally agree. This show is well past its prime and needs to end. Period.
Laura I bet you also agree that True Blood is a waste of time, and should be canceled.
random ythu…
I completely agree Laura. That last two seasons have been sporadic at best. I’d love to see an episode where David Brent meets Michael Scott this season.
YTHU why the insults? You are yet another reason why I believe this site needs to be moderated.
ythu, you’re dumb. True Blood is great, but Office is past its prime. Jim & Pam are freaking married! Dwight is too much now and Michael though often too annoying remains the show’s glue. END IT.
Here here! Graceful exit. What is Dunder Mifflin without Michael Scott?
What would this thread be without TBFan to beat a dead horse?
And to say “here, here” instead of “hear, hear.”
I only see the office going on for 1 more season after Carrell is gone. But I would love to see David Cross or Michael Emerson show up.
Not really 7 seasons… unless you count the 6 episode Season 1 a “season”
I think the show should bow out gracefully like Mr. Carell did. Seven seasons is enough.
That is exactly what they need to do. The show was up and down this past season, mostly down. Taking Michael Scott out of the office will change the entire dynamic of the show. This show has worked because Steve Carell carried the load with a great cast of supporting players, some more prominent than others. But he is the center and heart of the show. You take that out and the show fails.
Josh, I agree with you 100%. You’re definitely not the only one who thinks this past season was pretty weak compared to others. I’ll look forward to watching The Office on syndication. Also, I don’t understand why someone would find your comment disrespectful to the show. Classic trolling.
Scooptress – How exactly were his comments crass, immature, and unnecessary? And how was he being hysterical? I think you’re reading a little bit too much into his comments. Are you a little loopy?
oh scooptress – u funny
Show should finish with Michael.. it will never be the same again..
agreed. the british version was so memorable because it naturally ran its course and knew that it’s ALWAYS better to leave the audience longing for more of their favorite characters (as opposed to feeling like their favorite characters’ essence has been run over by a semi-truck).
Absolutely right…there IS no replacement for Steve Carrell. It was like Archie trying to go on without Edith…let it go gracefully, don’t let it turn into something people ridicule.
Totally agree. This show is well past its prime and needs to end. Period.
Laura I bet you also agree that True Blood is a waste of time, and should be canceled.
random ythu…
I completely agree Laura. That last two seasons have been sporadic at best. I’d love to see an episode where David Brent meets Michael Scott this season.
YTHU why the insults? You are yet another reason why I believe this site needs to be moderated.
ythu, you’re dumb. True Blood is great, but Office is past its prime. Jim & Pam are freaking married! Dwight is too much now and Michael though often too annoying remains the show’s glue. END IT.
I agree with Laura. As much as it pains me because I have been an Office fan from the beginning, this show is in real danger of jumping the shark soon. They should bring back Holly for the last season, then have the show end with she and Michael getting married.
Good point Jen!
A graceful exit is my vote, too. But if they’re determined to keep it going, I think they should do something more unpredictable, like promoting Phyllis to manager. She’s about the funniest of the minor characters, and I love when she shows her slightly mean side.
or creed – he’s got seniority & he fudges his numbers so much he looks like the perfect employee [on paper]
Here here! Graceful exit. What is Dunder Mifflin without Michael Scott?
What would this thread be without TBFan to beat a dead horse?
I only see the office going on for 1 more season after Carrell is gone. But I would love to see David Cross or Michael Emerson show up.
The Office is NBC’s only real comedy hit (the fact that both Community and Parks and Recreation were much more reliable this year quality-wise but much worse ratings-wise is sad), and so NBC will not let it die until the ratings drop off. Drop-offs in quality don’t really make any difference to them.
NBC is known for it’s graceful exits… right?
Not really 7 seasons… unless you count the 6 episode Season 1 a “season”
I think it should be Neil Patrick Harris, and I am not just saying that because I am Gay.
no. enough of that guy.
He’s also on How I Met Your Mother, which is a more steady sitcom in my opinion. Without Gervais coming on board I think they should end it. Also, Gervais isn’t coming on board.
Leave NPH to HIMYM, which is superior to the Office.
or justin beber …we would know the end has come if this happened
I think it should be Neil Patrick Harris, and I am not just saying that because I am Gay.
Will Arnett! Forget Tobias, only Gob can fill the shoes of Michael Scott.
GOB would be an awesome option!
Will Arnett is an EXCELLENT idea. Too bad he is attached to that smarmy Fox show, Running Wilde. I suspect he can’t get out of the contract right now since he is a lead.
Anyway, I also agree with Jillian in the above post that perhaps The Office should just fade (gracefully) into the sunset. There has been way too much of a dropoff. The perfect place to make a clean “break” would have been Jim and Pam’s wedding, and Holly showing up as Michael’s date (without the silly Michael/Pam’s mom story line). That episode had a lot of heart, some sillyness, but also it tied a bow on the series…
Will Arnett! Forget Tobias, only Gob can fill the shoes of Michael Scott.
I’d like to see Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig or Will Arnett give it a try.
Kristen Wiig would be great
I’d like to see Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig or Will Arnett give it a try.
I was just thinking of Will Arnett.
Kristen Wiig would be great
agreed
I would like to see no one.
I love “The Office”, it’s one of my top 10 favorite shows of all time and (unlike a lot of people) I still think it’s really good….
…but this season should be the last. Seven years is a great run for any TV show, and, as incredibly talented as this ensembles is, the show shouldn’t go on without Michael.
Completely agree.
agree as well, although sad to see it go
Without Michael, the show will fade away. His quirkiness can’t be replaced. The ONLY person who may be able to save it would be Ricky Gervais since he originated the role Steve played. Otherwise, end it while it’s still good & syndicate it!
Agree
I would like to see no one.
I love “The Office”, it’s one of my top 10 favorite shows of all time and (unlike a lot of people) I still think it’s really good….
…but this season should be the last. Seven years is a great run for any TV show, and, as incredibly talented as this ensembles is, the show shouldn’t go on without Michael.
Completely agree.
agree as well, although sad to see it go
Agree
I don’t think Ricky Gervais would do the show permanently in a million years, there’s a reason he ends all his shows after only a couple seasons. Maybe a guest spot. I agree with Jillian, this might be a time for the series to wrap up before it crashes and burns.
I think it’s only appropriate that, if they choose to continue the show, they film the interview process, and bring Ricky in for an interview. It would be a nice homage.