Why is there a US-version of "The Office"?

Lieberstein is (or is about to become) the showrunner, yeah.

He's been showrunner for the last three years, since Schur left to start Parks & Rec.

So glad they haven't dropped a star in now/yet, really hope we get to see more dynamics of the office next year after the Michaelfest this season.

actually I think Dwight becoming a serious candidate is going to result in Jim's speedy ascension...

did you see how they set up & dealt w/ the whole Erin/Phyllis mom/daughter thing too?

Yeah, Phyllis's reaction was profound enough that her story in s8 could be adopting a child or something. This is what the show needs, the minor characters doing things. It's been all Michael this season (and fair enough) but the balance really needs to tip back now.

He's been showrunner for the last three years, since Schur left to start Parks & Rec.

ugh so we blame him ^_^

Having thought a bit about this last episode, I don't think I like the increasing focus on omgfamous actors. The show used to feel like a proper office with actual people, now it feels like a TV show (if you know what I mean). I really really liked yesterday's episode but there were waaaay too many celebrity cameos (and Kathy Bates) for it to feel real anymore. Maybe that's a deliberate decision by Lieberstein, I don't know.

hope the dilemma over outing the senator to Angela, and Daryl choking under pressure, is an indicator that they'll be focussing on employee-related plots next year.

also, Andy you idiot! bring back puppy love for the nard-dog.

I'll actually be excited for next season if Tate is in...

I dunno, she's playing it up a bit much for mine.

One throwaway gag I liked: Daryl calling Microsoft tech support about the missing "little paperclip" helper.

"I believe his name was..... Clippy."

I don't think I like the increasing focus on omgfamous actors.

I just assumed this was like an end of season/goodbye Michael thing/in-joke thing. I don't see them doing that next season but I am not a television producer. I thought they all did their job well (except Gervais which was lazy). Spader was worth it on his own though.

Spader was fantastic. Was he deliberately doing a Shatner impression or is that just what Spader does these days?

Well, he spent several seasons with Shatner on Boston Legal, so it probably just rubbed off on him.

Whether it be here or on a different show, Spader needs to be back on television.

Having thought a bit about this last episode, I don't think I like the increasing focus on omgfamous actors. The show used to feel like a proper office with actual people, now it feels like a TV show (if you know what I mean). I really really liked yesterday's episode but there were waaaay too many celebrity cameos (and Kathy Bates) for it to feel real anymore. Maybe that's a deliberate decision by Lieberstein, I don't know.

― 百万个叉烧包 (Autumn Almanac), Friday, May 20, 2011 5:15 PM (Yesterday)

The show hasn't felt real like what you describe since everyone became cartoon exaggerations of their unique quirks.

The cameos are also more of a way to keep people hooked, because I'm sure they're worried about holding viewers now that Michael is gone.

No doubt. Also I see your point about caricatures. Shame it's gone that way, but I still like it despite that.

half the cast were completely cartoony from the start (eg Creed, Kevin, Dwight, MICHAEL. Kelly was rebooted from S2 into a new character, so basically started as a cartoon there.), but played against the flatness of the tone and the comparative realism of some of the others, it didn't affect the overall feel. and I'll take the ongoing exagerration of some of the others if it brings moments like Meredith's cheerful pride at being caught on her "walk of shame."

Yeah that's true, they were cardboard cut-outs and became real from there (by "they" I mean basically every character whose first name is the same as the actor's — Creed, Phyllis, Oscar, Angela &c.)

In the beginning Michael's cartoony-ness was the basis of the show, Dwight's was secondary, and the moments involving the background employees in the office were all there to present a relatable experience. Maybe it's something like yours, or one you heard from a friend, but they all take place in a atmosphere that is believably mundane, and involve actual PEOPLE. Since Michael's cartoony-ness was the epicenter, his character was balanced out by the realness/relate-ability or dry/mundaneness of the other characters. Even Dwight had sensitivity and his shenanigans were in-check and believable. As the balance faded and the anonymity (and mysterious strangeness by some) of the characters went away, they literally became their quirks after initial bits involving them were piled on and shaped them into something singular. Meanwhile the more complex, spotlighted characters were boiled down due to too much reaching for new bits involving their most popular quirks. The show only worked when we still had something to learn about everybody.

an atmosphere*

There was a seriousness that I don't think The Office will ever be able to get back.

Same goes to The Simpsons

So damn true. New Simpsons just makes me sad.

my motto is, when your credibility is shot, start shovelling in the hawtness

(hi cody <3)

spader killed in that ep

still like this show enough to watch

why is there no British version of Prince

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s68P-GS4lyw

what! stupid Ted Turner embedding failure! go eat you dam buffalos! thats why there is no British Prince!!

still like this show enough to watch

otm. It's changed quite a lot but I still love watching it.

my god that was a pointless comment, sorry

I won't say the most recent season was a return to form because a) I hate that phrase and b) it wasn't, but it was an improvement over the slump the show had fallen into the last couple years. I actually DID enjoy watching it again this year...well, from where I picked it up anyway (I didn't see the first half of the season).

my god that was a pointless comment, sorry

nah it's worth noting amidst all the dissatifaction. idgas that it isn't the same show that it was four years ago, it's still funny pretty much every week.

certainly funnier than other nbc mockumentary-style sitcoms i could name

if you are referring to parks & rec you fail as a human being

hm, while I find that within the realm of believability (the fact someone might prefer The Office to P&R—ratings don't lie), the fact that you'll insert your challop into any situation is annoying. Or endearing. I haven't decided.

Park & Rec's ratings are not as good because (a) it's newer and (b) it takes more effort to get into. sales != quality

JAMES SPADER.

awesome.

he's not the new boss though, just the CEO. They really punted on replacing Michael Scott.

u can't ask me to not be excited about james spader

how many threads do we need on this?

Spader as CEO >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Spader as Michael tho

what other thread is it on?

The Office (US) — Season 6 thread last updated two hours before this one

oh -- i think this one gets more use. i unsubscribed from that one awhile ago for the reason you mention -- how many office threads do we need?

so awkward

what's awkward is that every week, another thread gets revived.

The Office Season 8: It Kinda Seems Like the Left Side is the Side to Be On

Rewatching the complete series of this, loving James Spader so much.

"I had a one man saturnalia last night to celebrate the finalization of my divorce."

http://38.media.tumblr.com/981d3964c092b684cfc20c7270b049f5/tumblr_mvw2uuSwXh1s6xigeo1_500.jpg

So yeah this show started out ok then got really good til Michael Scott left. I love the episodes immediately following it, the guest star managers and weird Lynchian James Spader stuff. But it's pretty clear that they decided to end the show when Michael left. Maybe they were thinking Ed Helms could save the show but his character is really detestable for that final season. Erin is easily the best part of post-Michael Office. New Jim and New Dwight were cool. Jim's sports thing in Philadelphia is a lame subplot, and the Boom Mic Guy subplot is some Twin Peaks season 2 James Biker-level blah blah blah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AtFy1kGaHc

Craig Robinson rules

Creed Bratton: Hey, coz. Heard you're having money problems.
Michael Scott: No, you didn't.
Creed Bratton: Listen, I got the answer. You declare bankruptcy, all your problems go away.
Creed Bratton: [in confessional] Creed Bratton has never declared bankruptcy. When Creed Bratton gets in trouble, he transfers his debt to
[holds up a fake passport]
Creed Bratton: William Charles Schneider.
Michael Scott: How would that help, Creed? In Monopoly, you go bankrupt, you lose.
Creed Bratton: You don't go by Monopoly, man. That game is *nuts*. Nobody just pick up Get Out of Jail Free cards. Those things cost thousands.
Michael Scott: That is a good point.