Michael Scott’s exit from “The Office” on Thursday was hard, really hard. That’s what she said. Sadly, Steve Carell’s final episode aired Thursday and there will be no more Michael Scott as the boss of Dunder Mifflin, no more Ping impressions, no conference room pep talks and awkward call-outs, or “that’s what she said” jokes. He really was the world’s best boss (even if he did buy the mug himself).
In the last episode, Michael moves to Colorado to be with his fiancée, Holly, where they will live and take care of her sick parents. The storyline pleased long-time Office fans who were rooting for their favorite boss to end up happily in love and finally starting a family of his own, something that he has always wanted.
But how can the people behind “The Office” replace Steve Carell? You don’t want anyone who will draw too many comparisons to Carell’s character, and you don’t want anyone who will take the show in a completely new direction. This isn’t replacing a warehouse guy, or Creed, this is replacing the show’s main character. Not ones to take casting lightly, the people behind the show have their work cut out for them. Every other cast addition has added more laughs and more dimension to the show, there’s been Andy, Erin, and Darryl. (Sorry, Gabe, you’re creepy.)
So who is the logical choice? Can anyone fill Steve Carell’s shoes? Who should be the new regional manager at the Scranton Dunder Mifflin?
Will Ferrell
One of comedy’s biggest names, Ferrell signed on for a four-episode arc of “The Office.” But no one really counts him as a possibility because well, like Rainn Wilson just said, he makes $20 million a movie. Ferrell began his four-episode arc three episodes before Carrel’s exit as his replacement, Deangelo Vickers.
Vickers is a bizarre character, somewhat dim and out of touch like Michael, but doesn’t have the underlying goodness and desire to be loved by his employees like him. The writers didn’t hit the mark with this one, his personality flip flops from someone who wants to fit in, to someone who is unnecessarily mean and unlikeable.
Verdict: Ferrell was a good distraction for viewers during Carell’s last few episodes, but he’s too famous and well-known to make the move to TV.
Will Arnett
It seems that fans and bloggers alike are pinning Will Arnett as the most likely person to replace Michael Scott. Original Office creator, Ricky Gervais, recommended the former “Arrested Development” star to NBC execs and he seems like someone who could fit in with the cast and bring big laughs as Carell’s replacement. Mindy Kaling, Office writer and regular as Kelly Kapoor, revealed on her twitter that Arnett would be playing a character named Fred Henry.
Verdict: After Gervais’ recommendation and claims that he’s amazing, Arnett seems like an excellent choice to take over the office. He’s proved he can do TV comedy with “Arrested Development,” and he would be a big enough name to make people tune in next year. But don’t keep your hopes up if you’re pulling for Arnett, he’s supposedly set to star in another NBC comedy pilot.
James Spader
The 51-year-old actor is best known for starring in the TV series “The Practice” and the spin-off “Boston Legal” where he won three Emmy awards. Spader is a dark horse in the bets on who will replace Carell, but with a TV background and no show currently in the works, he is a possibility. It was revealed he will be in the season finale episode “Search Committee” and will play a man named Robert California.
Verdict: Unlikely and not most fans first choice, he will hopefully just guest star.
Jim Carrey
Famous for his classic comedic roles in “Dumb and Dumber,” “Ace Ventura,” and more recently “Bruce Almighty,” which also starred Carell, Jim Carrey is one of America’s favorite funny guys. And he would probably make a great boss at Dunder Mifflin, but like Ferrell, he is too famous and probably too rich to want to take on TV’s tough hours and commitment. The guest appearance will look good for Carrey, who will probably announce he’s starring in a ridiculous comedy about completely impossible situations soon after the finale.
Verdict: He will make a hilarious guest appearance, but won’t be signing any contracts with NBC.
Catherine Tate
The English comedian and actress is most well-known for “The Catherine Tate Show” and her role in the British TV favorite, “Doctor Who.” Not very recognizable to most Office fans, Tate could be a good choice because she meets the criteria but won’t over power the show with celebrity.
In the season finale, Tate will play Nellie Bertram and guest star alongside the other hopefuls to fill Carell’s spot.
Verdict: Tate is a definite contender to replace Carell. Her relatively unfamiliar face is a plus, she will be able to take on a character without drawing references to herself or her past roles. Plus a woman in the top job will shake up the dynamic at Dunder Mifflin, I wonder how Dwight Schrute would handle it.
Ricky Gervais
The British comedian is the original writer and director of “The Office,” the show premiered in the U.K. in 2001. Gervais took on the lead role of David Brent, the manager of stationary company Wernham Hogg in Slough, England, for 12 episodes and two special episodes before retiring the character and the show because of low ratings. Popularity after the show aired led to high DVD sales and spin-offs in the United States, Germany, France, Brazil, and Quebec.
As the original Michael Scott, Gervais seems like someone who could smoothly transition the show into next season. Familiar with the cast, storylines, and writing, Gervais would be an easy choice for the role, but I’m not sure either NBC or Gervais want to mesh the two series so much. They have always been seen as two different shows, the characters resembling each other, but Carell and Gervais played two completely different bosses.
The question is would he play David Brent, the character he originated in the British version? Or would he take on a new persona?
Verdict: Gervais seems like a logical choice for the show, bringing it full circle and giving the audience a familiar character who would fit in well. But Gervais has a busy schedule and if he wanted to keep playing David Brent, he would probably do so in the U.K.
Ray Romano
Famous for his Emmy-winning role on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Ray Romano is no stranger to the world of television comedy. He starred in the sitcom, that is loosely based on his real life, from 1996 to 2005.
His guest appearance on “The Office” will be on the May 19 season finale, where he’ll play Merv Bronte, a man interviewing for the regional manager position at Dunder Mifflin. The last episode of the season will likely focus on all potential candidates vying for the top job and how they would mesh within the Scranton office.
Verdict: Romano seems an unlikely choice; he’s already starring in another TNT show, “Men of a Certain Age.”
Who do you want to see replace Steve Carell? Is there anyone not listed that you think can take on the role? Let me know in the comments, socialites.
