Category: BBC

It’s a common event in the history of situation comedies – a main character sees greener pastures and bolts their show. Don Knotts left The Andy Griffith Show, Maclean Stevenson left M*A*S*H, Randall Carver left Taxi and Shelly Long left Cheers. Okay, so the Randall Carver thing was no big deal…even a blessing, perhaps. But the truth is, a key player leaving can totally throw a show off balance. Now comes word that Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute) might be leaving for spinoffville…

Foxnews.com

Is Dwight Schrute about to have his own TV series? That’s the buzz at NBC, where new head of programming Ben Silverman could be thinking about a spin-off from the hit sitcom "The Office."

This is bad news for Office fans. Dwight is an important player in the Office mix and his departure would be a big loss for the show. His interactions with Michael and Jim are key pieces to The Office’s brilliant puzzle. If true, the move should come as no huge surprise. Wilson’s departure is something most Office fans have been fearing. His brilliant performance as Dwight has made him hot property in Hollywood and he is in demand. The only real surprise is that he would be jumping for another television show instead of focusing exclusively on film. The other piece that lends credibility to Fox’s story - it’s looking like the only character left from Season 3’s Scranton/Stamford merger is going to be Andy Bernard (Ed Helms). Like Dwight, Andy is a comic antagonist and I have suspected since his introduction he was being groomed to be the main Office villain in the event Wilson departed the show. While I think Helm’s Andy is truly funny, Dwight Schrute’s shoes are mighty big ones to fill.

This post was Authored by Joe Purcell, Our Resident Authority on all things The Office

Jenna Fischer has stated that Rashida Jones is still around for the next season so that means there should be two Stamford leftovers in Scranton. BTW, this spinoff idea makes sense financially but it would cripple the show. This show needs to end soon, like next season. The best thing about the UK series was it's length as a series. This adaptation has gotten so popular and now they need to keep stretching it out. If you think about it, they have to break Jim and Pam up somehow for next season because nobody cares past their little last moment there in the third season. That's what made the UK Office Special so perfect. Ricky Gervais is a genius in my opinion. Anyways... goodbye.

OH NO!!!!! That would ruin the entire show. It would never be the same. The dynamic wouldn't work. Rainn Wilson is a genius and they need to do whatever they can to keep him around. NBC don't ruin one of the 2 hits that you have to try and make another show!

Joe,

If Rainn left the show, what would you do fill the huge void that would be left behind?

Josh,
Completely agree with you that the UK version went out on top after only two seasons. However, for completely selfish reasons, I would like to see this Office last several more years. For fans of comedy television there really isn't a lot more out there to choose from.
Regarding Rashida Jones, there are rumors back and forth as to whether she will be back or not. From what I have heard, Fox picked up her pilot, The Rules for Starting Over, but it is not on their schedule yet. As far as Jenna Fisher saying Rashida would be back, I wouldn't put too much weight in anything she has to say right now. Since she broke her back in a fall in NY last month she is probably on way too much pain med to be considered credible. Interesting also, it was reported that Rashida was spotted having breakfast at a New York diner with Jeff Gillooly on the morning of Jenna's "accident".

Not to worry. True, Rainn Wilson is a great talent, but Ed Helms can fill any shoes on TV.

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