'Office' mystery: Who will replace Steve Carell?

TODD FREAKING PACKER

Larry David!

My wish is that the show will end with Steve’s departure. Going on would be like beating a dead horse. Oh, and that Steve wins an Emmy. Believe me, I used to be an absolute Office fanatic, but the show has just gotten tired for the past two years. Sure, there has been a gem of an episode here and there, but as a whole, the show needs to go. There is only so much you can write about everyday happenings in a mid-sized paper company. The realism went out the door years ago, the characters have become caricatures and the “documentary” feel of the show is long gone.

All of that being said, this is NBC, and The Office is one of their highest rated shows, so I wouldn’t put it past them to go on without Steve. However, I think most of the other main players’ contracts are up the year after Steve and I can’t see them sticking around. I mean, Krasinski has his chick flick movie career to tend to.

So to answer the main question, IF it has to go on, bring in someone not so mainstream. I say Paget Brewster. She’ll be done with Criminal Minds after this year and she was great as a boss on Andy Richter Controls the Universe.

Great list! I also like the Will Arnett, Jim Gaffigan, and Craig Ferguson suggestions in the comments.

I love the idea of Darryl. It would drive everyone crazy if a warehouse guy was promoted above them. Plus he is funny.

I may be in the minority here, I just don’t find Ricky Gervais very funny or entertaining.

I think that Phyllis should take Michael’s place for two reasons 1. it would be totally out of left field, and 2. she’d be just as clueless as Michael about how to perform the job.

NO ONE. Let this show end properly with Carell’s departure. It’s clearly been going downhill the past few years. Watching old episodes comparing to recent ones really accentuates how funny it USED to be. It’s time to set an end date and bow out gracefully. Any other decision will p!ss me off big time.