Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Office

I love NBC's show "The Office" Who doesn't ?? It's dry comedy and quirky relatable humor draw in viewers of people all ages. This is even more exciting! The show is branching off! Here is an article I found on www.newsinfilm.com by Jeff Leins:



As if part of some elaborate prank hatched by Jim Halpert, NBC is developing a spin-off of “The Office” centered around perpetual Dunder-Mifflin assistant regional manager Dwight Schrute, played by Rainn Wilson on the U.S. version for eight seasons.
Deadline reports the network is preparing the concept for a mid-season 2013 launch and will tease the potential spinoff series in an episode later this season set on Schrute Farms. Dwight’s family beet farm/bed-and-breakfast has been a regular source of material for the comedy show, and the new series would focus on Dwight’s “agitourism” business. If picked up, Dwight’s Schrute Farms adventures would be a sort of family spinoff, not unlike NBC’s successful “Cheers” spinoff “Frasier.” Though, to me, it reminds me of the failed “Friends” spinoff “Joey,” another ill-advised continuation at NBC.
Dwight works as a weirdo supporting character, a punching bag for Jim’s wit and pranks or a lapdog for an unfit boss. But an entire series set on Schrute Farms would be too bizarre, an especially odd spin-off from a show that was originally intended to be relatable.
This is the second time the network has considered a spin-off of “The Office,” itself an Americanized remake of Ricky Gervais’ British original. Another Dunder-Mifflin office was planned in 2008, before the idea became the very funny “Parks and Recreation” instead. (Mose, Dwight’s Amish cousin, is played by “Parks and Recreation” creator Michael Shur, so there may be some changes on Schrute Farms if it becomes a permanent setting.)
Wilson and “Office” showrunner Paul Lieberstein (Toby on the show) pitched the Schrute spin-off to NBC executives who, of course, loved the idea of keeping their most-successful sitcom in years alive, partially at least. “The Office” has not been renewed for a ninth season, but if it continues to limp along, Dwight would leave Dunder-Mifflin mid-season, like Steve Carell’s Michael Scott character did in April 2011. The fourth-place network has been propping up “The Office” since Carell’s departure, even though the once-brilliant show is now a rusty relic of when their Thursday comedy block was unbeatable. Sinking ratings now match the fans’ sinking realization that the best days of “The Office” are long gone.
NBC is hopeful for a ninth season, but it would need to come up with some serious cash to lure back the cast. Ed Helms (Andy on the show) is negotiating for a $15 million payday forThe Hangover Part III and other movie deals, but does not have one for even more “Office” episodes. Neither does writer, co-executive producer and actress Mindy Kaling (Kelly), who is working on her own series and recently launched a popular comic memoir. Meanwhile, John Krasinski (Jim) wrote a movie with Matt Damon. Gus Van Sant will direct this summer.
Instead of throwing money at actors who don’t want to be there anymore, why not use that money to properly promote “Community,” one of the best shows on the flailing network?

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