For those of you who follow me on Twitter (@CelebitchyCorey if you dare), you know that I have already expressed my displeasure at the news that NBC is considering a reboot of The Office. You can bet that if the return of Will and Grace tanked, this would not be news right now.
TVLine reports that NBC is looking into making a return visit to Dunder-Mifflin for a reboot of the series, which ran from 2005 to 2013. The new series will feature a mix of (as yet unannounced) characters from the original as well as new characters. One certainty is that Steve Carell, who played incompetent, yet good-hearted boss Michael Scott, will not be returning. I suspect Mindy Kaling also has better things to do (especially if Oceans Eight is a smash – which I kind of hope it is). The new series is reportedly being considered for the 2018-2019 season.
In August, during the annual TCA press tour, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt shared his “wish list” of the shows he’d like to see return, and The Office was listed along with 30 Rock and ER (nope…nope, nope, nope). At the time, Greenblatt said, “We often talk about The Office, I’ve talked to [show creator] Greg [Daniels] four times over the past few years. It’s always, ‘maybe some day but not now. There is certainly an open invitation but we don’t have anything happening right now. If he wants to do it, I would do it.” NBC has yet to comment on this latest development.
Today’s news was not only a surprise to viewers, but also was a shock to some of the show’s cast members. Angela Kinsey tweeted, “Ummm @nbc call me…. have a quick question for you. Also call @creedbratton because he is blowing up my phone. K. Thx. Byeeeeeee.”
Ummm @nbc call me…. have a quick question for you. Also call @creedbratton because he is blowing up my phone. K. Thx. Byeeeeeee. 💃
— Angela Kinsey (@AngelaKinsey) December 19, 2017
In November, Jenna Fischer was asked on Variety’s “Remote Controlled” podcast about the possibility of an Office reunion. She said “I don’t think it’ll ever happen”, adding “I would do it if there was some circumstance where everybody got back together, and could be brought back together in some amazing way, I would say yes. But I’m not sure it’s realistic. The characters, they had arcs. They had growth. Jim and Pam left Dunder-Mifflin. Michael left Dunder-Mifflin. And it would be hard to manufacture why all the people were back working together.” Exactly my point.
I loved The Office, well, at least the first seven seasons when Steve Carell was on. I think this is a horrible idea. As I mentioned, Mindy has gone on to bigger and better things, as have most of the original cast – for example Ed Helms, John Krasinski and Ellie Kemper. I think the reason that Will and Grace has done so well is because all four of the leads returned. I don’t think a watered-down Office is gong to be able to recreate the magic of the original. Also, can we stop with the reboots already? If I haven’t yet been able to effectively convey my feelings about this, I will turn it over to Michael Scott…(h/t to Pajiba for this)
Photos: NBC, WENN
No. Hell no.
Agreed. Love the American original, absolutely no need for this.
No thanks. Also it’s been 4 years. Do we really need a reboot THIS SOON?
It’s only been 4 years?!?!
Since it ended yes
My nephew forced me to watch the first season of the Office. It was horrible. The overt sexism and sexual harassment was difficult to watch. I saw so many instances of sexual harassment and even abuse (blow up doll shoved in the face of secretary) that the show would be horribly inappropriate in our world. Or maybe not considering our president.
If they used the episodes to “out” the sexual abusers in the office and have “me too” conversations then maybe.
I think that was the whole point, to “expose” how horrible some workplaces can be and how oblivious and incompetent management often is. It was a satire and I thought it was a pretty scathing commentary at times.
I agree that some of the jokes would not hold up today (thinking of the Diversity Day episode) but I truly found that show funny. The characters were fleshed out, funny and interesting. The whole point was calling MS out on his tone deafness and stupidity.
The first season was taken almost directly from the UK original, which IMO is a bit too dark for many US tastes. But the second season was much cheerier and with less overt harassment.
I thought the UK original was horrible & mean-spirited, but the US version was more palatable for some reason.
No, don’t do it. It wouldn’t be the same without Michael.
(and Jim, Pam, Kelly, Andy, Erin, etc…)
Leave it alone.
I don’t understand why they don’t want to leave it be. I mean I do understand, they’re just looking for whatever might maximize their profits, but how about they develop something new? Something that could showcase these talented actors outside that same old story, which as Jenna said had already wrapped up.
That said, one of my favorite characters was Jan.
“That one night/You made everything all right …” favorite episode of all time.
Noooo, it’s over. Just no.
Please no. Also, is it just me or does everyone who’s seen the office still think they’re the ONLY people who’ve seen the office? Like it’s some indie TV show.
Actually my teenage son and his friends are the opposite, they assume everyone’s seen it and can correctly identify any random quote, lol.
I can’t stand Jim and Pam. They were both just asshats. People always build them up as this amazing couple, and I don’t get it. There’s such a weird, mean spirit about both of them… I just can’t.
Beyond that – I liked the office. I never actually finished it. Michael was the kind of character that you adored and cringed at constantly. But that was the point. He was supposed to cause second hand embarrassment, and Steve Carell did an amazing job. I still quote “I’m not superstitious … but I’m a little stitious.” and “I declare BANKRUPTCY!” every once in a while. He has such amazing quotes. And I loved Mindy as Kellie.
I hate when they bring back shows, though. It’s never as good as everyone hopes it will be, and if the previous work can stand alone as a great show – it should be left at that. I desperately LOVED 30 Rock but I sincerely hope that it never comes back. I don’t want to see it ruined.
I’ve also heard that they’re trying (AGAIN) to make a US reboot of the IT Crowd. I hope to god it doesn’t happen.
Jim and Pam were the worst. Team Dwight.
They were the in-crowd couple who thought they were better than everyone else.
Loved the show. Very sad it ended but I agree with Jenna. The character grew and evolved. Would be hard to explain why they are back but also, how do you draw that into a great story line? Plus, social culture has changed. How would the next generation take the same kind of jokes or how would we original fans take it if the show lost what drew us into the show in the first place???
I loved The Office.
Realistically, who would come back?
John Krasinski is acting, directing and producing. Plus he has a show, Jack Ryan, that will be debuting on Amazon.
Ed Helms and Steve Carrell are focusing on films.
Jenna Fischer has a sitcom that’s getting a lot of good buzz ready to debut.
I just can’t see the cast reuniting in full-some, it wouldn’t make plot sense for them to be back (i.e. Jim and Pam) and the others have projects which would either limit their involvement or prohibit it all together.
Let it go, NBC.
No, it was several years past its sell-by date when it ended. No need for this at all.
I LOVE The Office, but it had its time and place. Second parts usually are not good.
Jim and Pam were my Luke and Laura lol. Loved the show, have most of it on dvd. I’ll just keep watching those.
I love the office- I still watch it and crack up. But they should not bring it back. This reboot wouldn’t work they couldn’t get any of the stars as they have all moved on to have huge careers. The reason they could do will and grace is the actors had no careers!
That being said reboots don’t work they hurt the show and characters, Jenna is right these characters had arcs and moved forward- will and grace is pathetic because these are middle age people in some cases approaching retirement age and they haven’t evolved. That isn’t funny or cute it’s sad and pathetic. It’s like all the sex and the city movies the women aren’t cool and fun they are sad same with will and grace. Don’t do that to the office.
I get that it was/is a fabulous show and Greg [Daniels did an amazing job but just ask him, or Mindy, mike Schur, BJ Novak or any of the other writers from the office to come up with a show for you.
Don’t ruin this for me NBC. The last season or two of the show were not good (you can tell the rest of the original cast wasn’t into it, as well as the writers imo) and it doesn’t make sense for original people to come back for a new season with how their storylines ended.
The only spin off of this I’d watch would be a Creed Bratton one. And that would be too much for NBC.
James Spacer made the last season bearable and just barely. The cast was just done.
Geez, there should be a moratorium on how long a show must be gone before it’s brought back! Four years isn’t enough time.
I think it ran its course….there’s no need to bring it back for any reason.
I guess everyone in Hollywood has run out of ideas. Pathetic!
I’ll file it away with the Gilmore Girls reunion I wish I’d never watched. Ugh.
Nope. No thanks. PLEASE, no! I’m still ticked that it didn’t end when Michael left. I had to go back and catch up 2 season worth to see how it ended. They wrote interesting characters and I was invested enough to want to see how their stories ended but it really could have ended when Steve Carrell left. Everything Jenna said. No thank you, please!
NO!
Is Hollywood out of new and exciting stories to tell us that they have to keep digging out shows from the past? I get that Fuller House was a success and studio execs want their easy money too….but at least in that case the show had been off the air for 20+ years. At least it made somewhat sense to catch up with the family and see where their life went. Some of these shows like The Office, Will & Grace and Gilmore Girls havent been off the air for that long.