The Office: Jan Better Watch Out, Because Holly's Back!
It’s going to be a good year for Michael Scott (Steve Carell).
In addition to his ex-girlfriend Jan (Melora Hardin) being pregnant with another man’s baby (who?), he’s getting some more quality time with his new human-resources director. Of course, some bosses would think that’s a small leap to a big sexual-harassment lawsuit, but most bosses aren’t the World’s Best Boss.
Bottom line: Actress Amy Ryan (Academy Award-nominated for her turn in Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone) will return to Dunder-Mifflin’s Scranton branch for at least five episodes this season as Holly Flax. This comes on the heels of the news last week that Steve Carell signed on for three more years of Office work.
Can I get a hell yes? Vote in the Michael Scott’s Best Girl Poll below and then post your take on Holly’s return in the comments.
Carell Clocks In for More Office
Michael Scott can look forward to putting in more long, hard, late nights at Dunder-Mifflin Scranton.
At least, that’s what he said.
The “he” in this case being cocreator, executive producer and star of the original British version of The Office, Ricky Gervais, who revealed in a posting on his official website that Steve Carell has renewed his contract for the NBC hit.
“Had some great news today about the American version of The Office,” Gervais wrote. “Steve Carell (now one of the most bankable film stars in the world) has just signed up for another three years with us.
“He is the hardest working man in Hollywood and the harder he works the better it is for me. I mean…well done Steve you are wonderful…He is a very nice man and deserves all his success. I am just as dedicated to my art without compromise but only between the hours of 9 and 3 p.m.”
In addition to revealing the contract coup, Gervais also confirmed another of NBC’s badly kept and somewhat fan-derided scoops: that a satellite Office is already in the works.
Earlier this month, word spread that Rashida Jones, who played Jim’s pre-Pam hookup, Karen, on the show and who currently has a talent holding deal with the network, would be heading up the new cast, though Gervais kept mum on any casting or potential story points.
“We are also working on a spinoff series of the American Office,” he wrote, “but I can’t tell you anything about that yet.”
Jam it anyway.
Dwight Won’t Rainn on McCain’s Parade
Looks like Dwight K. Schrute is just a heartbeet away from the Oval Office.
Rainn Wilson appeared on The Tonight Show Wednesday, reading a letter from his Dunder-Mifflin alter ego accepting presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain's televised offer to become his running mate.
As it is, JFK's legacy can rest easythe McCain/Schrute '08 ticket won't come to pass after the fictional car-flipper asks what he can do for his country, but only after the country asks what it can do for him.
Fortunately, he has handily provided it with an itemized list of demands. (A vote for Schrute is a vote for efficiency.)
Well, at least if the nation's already going to hell in a handbasket, we can take comfort in knowing it'll be lined with the finest 8½-by-11 card stock Scranton has to offer. The disenfranchised never had it so bad.
McCain-Schrute ’08?
Sure, it may be pandering of the highest order, but there's no campaign message we'd rather hear than one approved by Dwight K. Schrute.
During his visit to The Daily Show's guest seat Wednesday night, presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain waited until the final moments of his interview before giving Jon Stewart one heck of a political scoop, naming the Washington outsiderand Scranton insideras his would-be second banana.
"Listen, I know you've been wondering who my vice presidential candidate would be," McCain said, pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket and revealing his hard-on-crime, harder-on-Toby running mate.
"I've got it written down. Ready? You heard it hear first: Dwight Schrute. Doesn't he do a great job for Michael Scott?"
Aside from the time the power-hungry sycophant (Secret Service code name: Rainn Wilson) unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow his superior, sure. On second thought…he may be perfect.
Particularly since it would all but guarantee Mose as secretary of agriculture.