Is It Time for Steve Carell to Leave The Office?

I hate to say it, but he needs to leave the show before it drags him down with it. I’m still not sure how The Office went from a must-watch to NBC’s 4th best thursday night show, but it happened quickly and I haven’t seen any signs of life since the wedding episode.
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I was just about to make a comparison to Seinfeld after Larry David left, so I googled Greg Daniels to make sure I had the name right. It turns out the only episode he’s credited as writing recently was the wedding, which is the only good episode this season. Every time I watch Parks & Rec it becomes more clear that he was the driving force that made the Ofifce so good.

I’m all for setting an end date. They could conclude the series in a number of funny and satisfying ways but if they’re not going to do that, they at least need to step up their game considerably.

It is hard to imagine that the Office could continue without Steve Carell playing Micheal Scott.

The only show I can think of that has ever survived major cast replacements was M*A*S*H, and some might say it improved. They did not, however, replace Hawkeye. Even though the Office’s Hawkeye in character traits is Jim (character to character comparisons between the two shows are really quite fascinating), Micheal is the driving force behind the show.

I think an exit strategy would be a good idea for the show. Make it a goal that Micheal finds his way to a healthy relationship – but be honest to the character. By all means take some risks, but follow in the lead of Gervais and Merchant who, for lead characters in both the British Office and Extras, where able to wrap things up for the Gervais character (Brent and Milman) responsibly and in entertaining fashion.

I’d much rather see the show set an end date, work toward something, and go out on a high note than flounder without Steve Carell. People give The Simpsons a lot of guff for going on too far past their prime, but can you imagine how much worse it would be if even a single member of that cast had changed? I’d rather miss the show than lament its sorry state in its twelfth season.

This is potentially good news if it means the show will end with his departure. I’d like to think that knowing there is a final episode in the near future will allow the writers of the show to take some bolder chances with the characters like they did in seasons before. Currently, the shows just meanders with its plots. Either they lead nowhere, or worse, they couldn’t have possibly lead anywhere interesting to begin with (was anyone actually on the edge of their seat wondering if Andy and Erin were getting together?) I don’t think there’s been a spot of genuine tension since season 3. They need to go all out on a story that redeems Michael Scott’s character. Not tease at it, not sidestep around it but really devote to it like they did with Jim & Pam.

This discussion makes me wonder if the influx of British comedies and cable-tv cycles have forever changed the expectations of the tv viewing public. Not just in terms of quality, but in terms of what we are willing to see happen to our favorite shows.

I can think of a time in the not too distant past when the idea of fans of a show actually ASKING for an end date to said show would’ve been insane. Why would you ask to see your favorite show cancelled, or your favorite character written out of the show? Now, we cheer when we know we’ll get an end date (I’m thinking mostly of Lost here).

I find it really interesting. What will this trend (if it continues) do to networks already struggling to find enough decent programming to fill their airways?

Personally, I’d be fine with Michael leaving DM at the end of next season, and possibly even ending the show at that. While I haven’t hated this season, I have found it kind of, well, boring.

I think things should develop with Donna, and then BAM! Bring back Holly!!! PLEASE. I think Michael and Holly were the funniest couple ever. Let themget bac together, drive eveyone nuts, and end te season with their marriage at a Sandals resort!!

It *is* a fascinating discussion that we’re having here in the comments. I can imagine the Brits, or even the Canadians, having it—but Americans? We tend to run things until we run them into the ground. Fascinating indeed.

One of the beauties of the British original was that it ended far “too soon,” with David driving from club to club, being disparaged by a potential date as that “horrible boss from the documentary.” I would have liked to have known how the Dawn-Tim relationship worked out, but the early departure was actually a blessing. I miss the characters instead of looking up, as I occasionally do with Scranton, and thinking, “are you still here?”

I love Steve Carell and Michael Scott and I wouldn’t watch the Office anymore if he were to leave.

They need to wrap the show up next year. Bring back Holly and let Michael be happy.

Fans have started calling for favorite shows to end because:

1. – It’s easy to re-watch prior seasons on DVD, Good shows never really go away anymore.

2. – In well-written shows, we care about the characters and want them to be relatively happy. But as long as the show stays on the air, the dysfunction level has to stay too excessively high and the growth level too low for that to happen.

3. – There’s something off-putting about the fact that network executives are keeping a tired show in production just to squeeze out some extra cash. When it becomes all about the money instead of the pride associated with telling a quality story, the audience feels manipulated.

I’m going to go against the grain and say I’ve loved the show from season 1 and still do. For me it has never really been an in depth or serious show so I’m honestly not bothered by what some people are seeing as boring writing in the latest season(s).

The office has hit my funny bone in a way that no other show has been able to come close to. I’ve laughed myself to tears more times than I can count and I dread its ending.

I think there are an endless amount of options for mixing things up and keeping the show alive and entertaining. Michael Scotts upcoming exit alone will lend itself to some great material. After that you got even more possibilities with finding and implementing a new boss. If the new guy has the right stuff he can breathe new life into the show and recapture those that have started to lose interest.