The Office: Goodbye Michael *spoilers*

[Kirby]

I didn't see a thread about this, so I apologize if one already exists.

I really haven't watched The Office much since last year's Andy's Play episode, but I had to tune in for Steve Carrell's goodbye.
For the most part the episode really seemed like the reason I quit watching the show a while back. Same old stuff with the same characters, and I really hate Will Farrell in this.; it feels like an extended SNL skit.

The end with Michael 'setting up lunch plans' with Jim and then with Pam at the airport was the best part. I especially liked him taking off the microphone.

On a side note, I live in Arvada Colorado, Michael and Holly now live about 15 miles down the road from me in Boulder. Maybe I'll see them at Flat Irons Mall sometime

 

[Mysterion]

Overall, I liked the episode although I have been paying less attention to this show than I used to.

Agree that Will Ferrell really doesn't fit here.

Thought it was a good send-off for Michael. It summed-up his character nicely in that he's a total doofus, but there are those occasional flashes of the fact that deep-down he's a nice guy and really does mean well.

I doubt this series is going to last long without Steve Carrell, though.

 

[Geck]

Thought it was a good send-off for Michael. It summed-up his character nicely in that he's a total doofus, but there are those occasional flashes of the fact that deep-down he's a nice guy and really does mean well.

Pretty much exactly how I feel too. It wasn't hilarious, but it was a nice tribute to how the character has evolved over the years.

Agree that the subplot with Will Ferrell's character was annoying and distracting...I'm very glad he won't be around long. I still have no idea what direction the show is going to go after next week though. Next season could be a big success and breathe a lot of new energy into a show that's been growing stale for a while, or it could be an unmitigated disaster. I'm hoping for the former...

 

[Too Much Fun]

I've hated all the Will Ferrell stuff. Just as I expected, he hardly plays a character, he's just doing the same 'quirky' schtick he always does. I thought this was one of the best episodes in awhile, though, because of how well Michael's departure was handled.

I think the main reason is because it was written by exec producer Greg Daniels, who is one of the smartest, funniest, and most sensitive writers on the staff going back to his days writing in classic seasons of "The Simpsons". The importance of the event inspired an improvement in writing quality over the last two seasons (albeit with exceptions like the dumb Farrell stuff) and the end was appropriately bittersweet.

I love that Michael referenced and reinforced the conceit that this is supposed to be a documentary with his question and taking off the mic at the end. I agree with some on the Internet who have said this would have been a good series finale. I will tune out next season and probably not watch again until after that until the real series finale.

 

[I Grok Spock]

It was alright. I did genuinely laugh when Michael said "let me know if this ever airs." I'm a sucker for happy endings and character redemption, but it was teetering on the edge of maudlin.

For me this is the end of The Office (US) and we're now in afterOffice or Office: Med School territory. I'm sure I'll finish out the season though, just to see who the new boss is. And 'cause I'm weak that way.

 

[Gojira]

I am curious to see how the show carries on without him..if it does at all.

 

[timothy]

michael aka steve carell wlll be missed. loved the good by him and dwieght and him pam at the end at the air port. I mean what a send off. as far as will farrell I think he needs to go and go fast. I heard one of the dr.who companions might be coming over to take his place. over all very touching. I give this show one more year till it's over. unless they find someone perfect to replace steve.

 

[bigdaddy]

I'm hoping James Spader takes over. That would be great.

 

[the G-man]

Spader can't playing anything but officious and smug (which he does really well) so he was the boss would be a real change to the show. Instead of lovable loser Michael, Spader as the boss would probably be kind of scary for the staff.

 

[ialfan]

It was a pretty good series finale of the office and I am treating it as such.

 

[jep316]

I think it's a good chance Catherine Tate will be the new Boss based on the fact that in the preview for the upcoming episode she's the only one not mention as appearing.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I thought it was a pretty mediocre goodbye episode, compared to most of the event episodes they've done in the past. There was a couple of good sentimental parts, but mostly it was just kind of bland. That's the way most of this season has been, though.

 

[J.T.B.]

I was never a big fan of Carell and the Michael character, and the show has been pretty mediocre for several years now, so it was not a big deal to me that Carell is leaving. The farewell episode seemed forced, with Michael all of a sudden thinking of other people, but it didn't get as sappy as I thought it might, like the staff singing to him in the last episode. There were a couple of laughs, but overall it was nothing special. The final "That's what she said" was a good touch.

Michael and Jim both referenced the documentary camera, which was a bit of a surprise because I thought they had given up on that aspect. Then they make a big deal of the camera barging into the ladies' room after Erin, and then in a couple of seconds they cut to a shot of Gabe from another angle. When the hell did that camera get in there? Also how did Pam get past TSA without a boarding pass? Not in any US airport I've been in the last ten years.

--Justin

 

[the G-man]

I think it's a good chance Catherine Tate will be the new Boss based on the fact that in the preview for the upcoming episode she's the only one not mention as appearing.

More likely her exclusion resulted from the fact that, except for Dr Who fans, she's completely unknown to American TV audiences.

 

[M'rk son of Mogh]

I think it's a good chance Catherine Tate will be the new Boss based on the fact that in the preview for the upcoming episode she's the only one not mention as appearing.

More likely her exclusion resulted from the fact that, except for Dr Who fans, she's completely unknown to American TV audiences.

This.

 

[David cgc]

I think it's a good chance Catherine Tate will be the new Boss based on the fact that in the preview for the upcoming episode she's the only one not mention as appearing.

More likely her exclusion resulted from the fact that, except for Dr Who fans, she's completely unknown to American TV audiences.

Exactly. Who's going to be the new regular on a TV show? Will it be movie star one, movie star two, elder statesman of comedy three, or person you've never heard of who totally doesn't go with anyone else on this list?

Tate's the obvious odd-one-out in the list of new-boss candidates.

 

[the G-man]

NBC is highly unlikely to allow their big hit Thursday show to be anchored by an unknown after Carrell's departure. Too much risk. In fact, I've read they wouldn't even put on "30 Rock," despite Tina Fey's SNL cred, until the show signed Baldwin as the boss.

They'll either get a "name" (and the more I think about it my money's on Spader) or they'll promote Andy or (more likely) Darryl to the job and then hire someone new for the vacancy created by the promotion. Both Andy (the Hangover movies) or Darryl (Hot Tub Time Machine) are roughly at the same point in their careers that Carrell was (the Daily Show, Bruce Almighty, Anchorman) when he got the Michael role.

 

[bigdaddy]

I'm thinking it will be Spader too, he fits into the show. He is well know for Boston Legal and would fit right into The Office, and if he joins I'll be watching every week.

 

[Mysterion]

SPOILERS FOR THE OFFICE SEASON FINALE

Well, after last night's season finale, I am putting my money on James Spader being the new boss next season. Of the interviewees we saw, he seemed to get the most time/attention/development. Of course, that might just be a psyche by the writers, too.

Overall, it was a pretty funny episode that actually caused me to laugh out loud a couple of times. The bit with Jim Carrey at the end was pretty good, and Ray Romano's stuff was funny. The Ricky Gervais appearance didn't do much for me. And the woman interviewee was funny, but I've not got a clue who she was (though it seemed like I should have for some reason). They ran a promo for a new series with Wil Arnett during the show, so it apparantly won't be him, although his bit was funny, too.

If they do add Spader full time, this show might still have chance to be good.

 

[Kirby]

I really liked Spader in this, he had a great Christopher Walken look going on, which cracked me up. I'm not sure if his character's attitude could sustain itself over the course of a season or two.

I still think it'll be Dwight though.