Originally posted by Big BadThis might get its own thread, but what the hell, I was a bit let down by the Office's finale. I kind of thought the producers *had* a new boss chosen by now, but they're just dragging things out at this point.
It seemed like Catherine Tate's character was hinted at being the favourite from the guest star pool, since she was given the extra story point of being a friend of Jo's. It obviously won't be Gervais, Carrey, Arnett (who's in another show this fall), Romano (who's on Men Of A Certain Age) and Warren Buffett is probably too old to transition into acting. So that leaves Tate and Spader, and I'd prefer Catherine Tate.
I guess I don't really understand how network TV works. I mean I've seen all the satire shows and movies where them execs be crazy and everything is a mess made up on the fly, but I never thought a decision like this was the kind of thing they'd just figure out over the summer. For a staff that's been very gung-ho about how Carell leaving doesn't change anything and everyone is crazy pumped over how good this will be, this is all very awkward "can I have an extension on my paper" wheelspinning while you fill up your oral presentation by having Will Ferrell et al show up and kill time. The Office is not really about any kind of real story about Dunder-Mifflin anymore as it is a meta/internet/pop culture curiosity about who some producers will hire to replace Steve Carell.
I guess they went in with the idea it'd be Tate or Spader since they were the two given actual backstories. I thought Catherine Tate's interview was funny but I suppose my preference would be that they fill the job internally with Darryl/Andy/Dwight and continue to play off all the existing dynamics and histories of these characters rather than go with a third variation on "this boss is a crazy and incompetent boss!"
I was surprised and then retroactively disappointed that Will Arnett was a genuine candidate after all. He deserves to be a big TV star and this would've been a cushy gig to slide into.
It was great to hear Brent's management philosophy again. I've grown so accustomed to Michael's earnest ineptitude that you kind of forget just how odiously vacuous David was in charge.
Spader was incredible. Who wasn't mesmerized watching him? Should he be the boss? No, but goddamn he was fun to watch as he creeped everyone [Jim] out with his slick-haired, bug-eyed, mega-confidence. He was like Brent Spiner without an emotion chip.
I thought they found a lot of amusingly uncomfortable variations on the theme of horrendous job interviews. Ray Romano eating during the interview struck me as particularly offensive, right above Gabe's hostility towards Andy.
But I am kind of upset at the cliffhanger. I like a good cliffhanger, mind you, but I think we should have had a new boss by the end of the episode/season. What I dread is that we'll find out who the new boss of Dunder Mifflin is via the Internet/media news reports over the summer, when we should find out who it is within the context of the show.
Ryan: "How do I know [the senator] is gay? He Liked my Facebook photos at 3am."
(edited by John Orquiola on 20.5.11 0752) @BackoftheHead
Originally posted by John OrquiolaSpader was incredible.
He was like the evil version of Chris Traeger.
right above Gabe's hostility towards Andy.
So Gabe is out but they're keeping Jordan? Is Jordan a real character? I guess Gabe can still be recurring like Jan and the like were.
Ryan: "How do I know [the senator] is gay? He Liked my Facebook photos at 3am."
Ryan was tremendous as always. Ramping up his sudden ideological feud with Pam. "No Stanley you'll live forever." I know he's a recovering drug addict and he doesn't do a job anymore but they should make him the boss again since he got shortchanged by the writers' strike.
Originally posted by John OrquiolaWhat I dread is that we'll find out who the new boss of Dunder Mifflin is via the Internet/media news reports over the summer, when we should find out who it is within the context of the show.
Yeah, that's probably what will happen. I think I would have liked this show a lot better had I been surprised by any of the interviewees, instead of having them all revealed in press releases, NBC ads, or internet entertainment news stories.
So did Michael Scott go to WCW? I get that they don't want to keep drawing attention to the fact that Steve Carell isn't on the show anymore, but they haven't mentioned his name ONCE in the three episodes since he left and with the shows revolving around his replacement, that seems a bit forced. Hell, the one time they needed to vaguely allude to him (aside from Dwight's awesome failed meeting last weeek), Stanley just called him "the last boss".
James Spader really is that great. Boston Legal was more of a sledgehammery left-wing screed than an actual TV show (and this is coming from ME - check out the Politics forum in The-7 if you don't remember that era) but him and Shatner were pretty terrific on it.
James Spader just felt like a natural on screen with the group, and with him getting the most screen time of any of the candidates, I'm really hoping they go ahead with him as the new boss. I think besides him and Finger Lakes, Jim didn't seem that impressed with any of the other candidates, and seems like he's the one that'll be making the decision.
Spader was truly great on Boston Legal, and would love to see what he could do if chosen as Carell's replacement. n
Not sure about the love for Tate though, her appearance was funny, but I didn't really get the feeling she was a real candidate.
If by some chance, if Spader doesn't get it, why not Warren Buffet....nice little cameo they slipped in there.
As per Mindy Kaling and Paul Lieberstein, many moons ago, this was always the plan.
Michael was to leave before the season ended with someone taking his place. That person was never expected to remain the new boss and the replacement was to be announced at the start of the next season.
I can't remember if this was said on Twitter, but I distinctly remember this being exactly as the writers/producers planned.
Originally posted by OlFuzzyBastardSo did Michael Scott go to WCW? I get that they don't want to keep drawing attention to the fact that Steve Carell isn't on the show anymore, but they haven't mentioned his name ONCE in the three episodes since he left and with the shows revolving around his replacement, that seems a bit forced.
Jim said something along the lines of "Gabe, Toby, and I are in charge of finding Michael's replacement." That's about it, though.
I heard about Catherine Tate being the front runner for the job before I watched the episode. I was pretty excited with the news since I loved her so much on Doctor Who. Sadly, I didn't enjoy her actual part of the episode. Of what we saw, I'd personally go with James Spader as the new boss.
The whole episode felt weird and disjointed. The dialogue from the senator subplot was fantastic, but it felt odd to have it be such a major plot point without an appearance from Jack Coleman.
However, as a Gabe-hater, this was the BEST. EPISODE. EVER.
Originally posted by JustinShapiroSo Gabe is out but they're keeping Jordan? Is Jordan a real character?
I haven't seen it myself, but there's supposedly a deleted scene from last week that indicates Jordan is developing a crush on Jim.
Is the David Brent that's appeared twice this past season on the US Office from the same continuity as the UK Office Brent, or is it a parallel universe Earth-1/Earth-2 scenario?
I thought it was a pretty fun, but even episode. The best Jim had been portrayed in quite a while. And is it wrong that I still want Dwight to get the job, despite the gun mishap? It's his lifelong dream!
Also I was waiting for Jim Carrey's cameo, since he didn't show up until the very end...I was thinking they couldn't have actually cut him out?
Originally posted by AlbySureIs the David Brent that's appeared twice this past season on the US Office from the same continuity as the UK Office Brent, or is it a parallel universe Earth-1/Earth-2 scenario?
Only Walter Bishop knows for sure...
"You’ve got the crazy eyes." - RAW GM Laptop, 9/27/10
Tate was the worst, God I hope she doesn't become the replacement. Spader rules, and since Dr Daniel Jackson never got the chance to lead SG-1 I feels he deserves to manage a company that has sent out BILLIONS of paper materials. Darryl is pretty awesome too.
Originally posted by Spiraling_Shape And is it wrong that I still want Dwight to get the job, despite the gun mishap? It's his lifelong dream!
Nope. I am 100% on the Dwight campaign trail. Not just for the character, but I think so much could be done with the show with Dwight managing. I think my preference list looks something like:
- DAVID BRENT - Dwight - Spader - Andy - Darryl - Tate - Jim
Michigan against the SEC: 20-6-1 (7-4 in bowl games)
Catherine Tate is a British comedian who I think would be perfect for the 'new boss' role and, most importantly, be perfect in a totally different way than Steve Carell was.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." --- Bart Giamatti, on baseball
I gotta agree with Mr. Flamingo here, Tate's character was annoying and that bit fell flat. Spader's character was perfect and would be quite a foil for Dwight's own brand of blind arrogance. The interactions with Ryan would probably be great as well.
I also agree with Schippewreck on being glad that Gabe is gone. I actually really liked the character at first, with his earnest need for people to treat him as an authority figure even though he didn't get it. Then the Erin stuff hit, and he turned into a crazed psycho and good riddance. I hope they do keep Jordan; she's pretty and almost has the Jim facial ticks down.
"Put on your helmets, we'll be reaching speeds of 3!" "It was nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." "All right, look alive everybody...oh sorry Susan."- MST3K: Space Mutiny Click Here (myspace.com)
Honestly I have little to no no interest in seeing the people who auditioned who are LESS funny than the Finesse Mitchells of the world. If I think of it in those terms, it's a dealbreaker.
Thread rated: 6.25
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