The upcoming ninth season of hit comedy The Office will be its last.

The Emmy Award-winning series, based on comedian Ricky Gervais' hit British incarnation of the same name, premiered in 2005, essentially launching the careers of several little-known actors, including Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Mindy Kaling and Jenna Fischer.

The program has gained a large following ever since, thanks to lead characters Ed Helms and Steve Carell, who quit the series last year, but on Tuesday, executive producer Greg Daniels shocked fans by announcing they are calling it quits.

He tells The Hollywood ...

With so many actors leaving the show, how long can it last before it is unrecognizable?

Many said Steve Carell’s departure from The Office was the beginning of the end, and they may have been right.

The TV show has kept some momentum since Carell left, but some actors have already jumped ship. The newest of the actors to make this announcement is B.J. Novak, who plays Ryan Howard on the show.

Novak is also a writer on the show, and no mention was made of his writing capacity. While he is leaving as a series regular, he said he will return on a recurring basis in Season 9.

Novak is not t...

Public functions don’t seem to go well with ‘The Office’ folk. Numerous embarrassing situations typically emerge, and ‘The Fundraiser’ is no exception.

Robert California announces that he’s bought two tables at a fundraiser for an animal welfare society, an event hosted by Angela’s (state) senator husband. Let’s see, where should we start with all the awkwardness?

Andy shows up uninvited. He ends up heckling Robert and announces his exciting plans for the rock opera he’s been writing in his spare time. In an effort to show everyone that he’s okay after being fired, he aims to impress. He ...

These two-sided episodes are getting a little old. The stuff going on in Florida is kind of interesting, but that makes everything else back in Scranton seem deadly dull. Let’s start there and get it over with.

A little gang of kids on bikes randomly attack Pam (really?) and when Andy intervenes, a 12-year-old girl punches him straight in the eye. Of course he doesn’t want to own up to it, so he and Pam tell the Office folk that they were attacked by a gang brandishing weapons.

After convincing the gang not to call the police, Andy has Toby conduct a self-defense course, the highlight of ...

“After Hours” takes us back to Tallahassee, where Dwight and Packer are both vying hard for Sabre’s VP job. They key to getting it, they think, is taking Nellie to bed. At first, Packer appears to be on the road to doing that, but Dwight enlists the help of Gabe, of all people. He slips something into Packer’s drink, and before you know it, Packer is blowing chunks (appropriately enough, onto Gabe’s beloved boot-cut pants).

Eventually Dwight manages to get Nellie to invite herself to his room, which is what he wants – sort of. As it turns out, he doesn’t want to go all the way; he just wan...

With “Tallahassee” James Spader’s Robert California is absent once again, but Catherine Tate joins the cast as Nellie Bertram, Sabre’s new president in charge of the new stores.

The Tallahassee crew, Jim, Dwight, Ryan, Kathy, Erin and Stanley, join Nellie for an introduction to the project, and Jim and Dwight are surprised to encounter Michael’s old (obnoxious) buddy Packer (David Koechner).

Nellie’s opening speech is naturally awkward (she points to her head and tells everyone to look at her penis rather than her breasts), and Tate brings almost as much awkwardness to her role as Steve C...

When you get Dwight involved in a “special project,” you know strange things will happen. When Andy announces Dwight’s “promotion” to lead a three-week project down in Florida, he probably doesn’t know what he’s in for. And neither does anyone else in the office.

Dwight’s initial plan, which includes taking Darryl and Phyllis, among others, is botched for many reasons. Andy doesn’t agree with his choices, and Jim’s got a problem of his own – he gets a text from Robert California telling him to bring his clubs to Florida. Uh oh.

Pam’s return to the office mainly revolves around coaching ...

Have you ever wanted to see Robert California naked? Or watch Gabe trip over his pants while falling into a pool naked? Or Erin ride Dwight’s shoulders? If so, then this is a twisted episode of ‘The Office’ for you!

Perhaps continuing his strange genius from last week, Kevin suggests to Robert that he have a “last hurrah” pool party at his home before it goes on the market. Somehow, Robert thinks this is a good idea, and an intimate get-together ensues… which involves several characters drinking entire bottles of wine, skinny-dipping, near proposals and pool violence. This sounds like Mich...

Who is the office’s secret weapon? Is it: a) Oscar, b) Kevin, c) Stanley, or d) None of the above? Shockingly, the answer is Kevin. At least, that’s what happens in the newest episode, called ‘Trivia.’

Let’s back up a little. Andy is downright obsessed with hitting the 8 percent increase in sales he’d promised Robert California. So obsessed, in fact, that he’s bought over $2,000 in paper himself and tries to convince his officemates to do the same.

It seems they are $830 short of hitting their goal. Oscar (silly Oscar) lets it slip that he’s going to a trivia night at a Philadelphia bar w...

Is it just me, or is ‘The Office’ losing steam this season? The shake-up with the addition of James Spader kept things interesting for a little while, but I fear the show is already sinking back into staleness, and I’m wondering how it can recover. More on that in a minute.

It doesn’t take much to sum up this episode: Gettysburg. For some reason, Andy thinks it would be a fun idea to take the staff to Gettysburg for a field trip (umm, because selling paper is like war?). About half go with him, including Jim, Darryl, Dwight, Phyllis, Erin, Gabe and Oscar.

Everyone else, meanwhile, stays b...

Are we used to Robert California yet? Didn’t think so. It’s interesting that he does unexpected things (playing harmonica in a blues band?) yet how he goes about it is the same. He manipulates people into letting him have his way. In the course of this episode’s 22 minutes, he goes from expressing admiration for “Kevin and the Zits” to taking over their band with entirely new members.

Parts of it are funny, including Andy playing the drums on his own body to feel like he is participating. But it is sweet to see him, Darryl and Kevin reunite in the parking lot for a good, old-fashioned jam,...

After a summer off and the news that James Spader would join the cast of ‘The Office,’ there wasn’t a whole lotta suspense about what would happen. But kudos to the writers for not being completely predictable.

Yes, Spader’s Robert California is the new boss, but he’s not the new Office boss. Exactly. After being hired to replace Jo, he took one look at the lame antics and walked out. He somehow convinced Jo to give him her job as CEO. (Perhaps that has to do with Kathy Bates being busy with ‘Harry’s Law.’ Just sayin’.)

So, while California is a looming presence by occupying the con...

Sacha Baron Cohen, one of the most talented and controversial actors in Hollywood, is currently filming his next movie, The Dictator, which will likely spark as much public discussion as his first two films. In the comedy, which is scheduled to be released May 11, 2012, Baron Cohen plays two different characters: one is an oppressive dictator of a Middle Eastern country who is overthrown, and the second is the poor goat herder lookalike that replaces him. The film’s log line describes it as “the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the ...

‘The Inner Circle’ was the first episode without Michael. I don’t know about you, but I felt that loss. More on that later.

The episode centers around Deangelo’s Man's Club (or so it could be called) in which he acts like a dopey, chauvinistic weirdo and all the other guys suck up. People like Kevin are thrilled to be in it, while Dwight insults Deangelo’s every move.

Jim gets himself in an awkward spot when he points out Deangelo appears sexist to some people in the office. As if to prove a point, Deangelo hires a young, female administrative assistant. (Is it just me, or does she l...

Sorry for my absence last week – vacation down south beckoned me. Here, then, is a double recap.

In ‘Michael’s Last Dundies,’ we get a warm-up to his goodbye. It starts with Michael and Deangelo making early morning house calls to present lucky Dundie nominees with their certificates. Reactions range from a drunken offer of Vienna sausages (Meredith) to outrage (Stanley: “Have you lost your mind? Get off my property before I call the police!”)

Michael finds it fitting to have Deangelo as his co-host, but Deangelo is pretty nervous about the whole thing. In fact, the guy is shaping up...

Even though the episode centers around a garage sale, this is probably the most plot significant – and emotionally satisfying – episode of ‘The Office’ in years. A lot happens amidst the selling of cheap things in the warehouse. That’s what she said.

Let’s start with the garage sale stuff: obviously, it’s not the series’ most exciting venture, but it has amusing points: Kevin, Andy and Darryl playing the Dallas board game; Angela selling cat figurines; Ryan appropriating pictures of Office staffers for his mother’s homemade canned goods; Michael’s refusal to sell much of anything; Oscar’...

Todd Packer is possibly one of the most inappropriate characters on TV, and he’s played to perfection by David Koechner. No one in the office – except maybe a young Michael Scott – could get away with dry humping employees or making fat jokes.

When Packer decides to stop traveling and settle down, Michael convinces Holly that Packer would be a perfect addition to the team. She takes Michael at his word, not realizing just how crude the guy is. (She soon realizes it when he refers to his own daughter as a bitch.)

Everyone else in the office, meanwhile, is horrified at Packer’s return. ...

We know Michael loves to imagine himself as a movie star. But are we prepared to see a movie written by, directed by and starring him?

The episode, ‘Threat Level Midnight’ (great title, Michael) is all about the office folk watching Michael’s movie. Of course the movie is pathetically bad; I just wish it was a little more… hilariously bad. It does have its moments: Jan the Lounge Singer (Jasmine Windsong) taking an arrow to the throat was unexpected. And Karen’s stilted line reading (“Ever banged an entire bachelorette party, baby?) is a hoot.

Jim’s performance as Goldenface is somewh...

If I had to choose, I’d say this is one of ‘The Office’s' weakest episodes of the season – at least until the end, when Michael & Holly save the world again.

The opening is nothing to speak of – Kelly & Ryan highlighting their “divorce” after getting married the previous week when they were “wasted.” Ummm, okay. I’m sorry, but isn’t their storyline played to death? And isn’t it a little ridiculous that B.J. Novak is considered a series regular when he gets less screen time then Ellie Kemper or Zach Woods?

Back to the heart of the episode – Jim and Michael go on a sales trip together, b...

In ‘The Seminar’ we are treated to glorious one-liners and even memorable soliloquies, as well as the much-hyped Ricky Gervais cameo and a hilarious, if not gratuitous, Kevin barfing scene.

Let’s start with the opening tag: Michael runs into David Brendt near the elevator. What the hell David Brent is doing in Scranton we don’t find out, but he’s clearly the same old guy, making politically incorrect impressions and all. I’m intrigued by his query of job openings. Obviously, this is a wink to Steve Carell’s departure, but could Gervais be more involved than we think? (Probably not, but...

After the holiday break, everyone’s wondering whatever came of Holly’s ultimatum with A.J. Michael has a “happy box” and a “sad box” ready (thanks to Erin), both of which contain various items, from scotch to gummy bears. “Jan. 3, 2011,” Michael declares, “A day that will live in-famously.”

Holly waltzes into the office, probably aware of the pressure on her, with thick gloves to cover her ring finger. It is soon revealed, however, that she just didn’t think it was fair to give A.J. an ultimatum – so things are just status quo. Michael is deliriously happy until he realizes Holly and A...

Now this is the holiday episode we’ve been waiting for. Party planning committee axed? Check. Holly back in Michael’s life? Check. A snowball fight of epic proportions? Check. Creed presented with deodorant? Check.

‘Classic Christmas’ is notable for the return of Holly Flax (the indispensable Amy Ryan) after Toby is called for jury duty on the Scranton Strangler case. (Isn’t he so proud to be part of such a morbid matter?) Michael is pleasantly shocked to hear the news, and abruptly cancels the office Christmas party so that Holly can have an appropriate holiday greeting – complet...

There are two main elements of this episode, titled ‘China.’ One, clearly, is Michael’s fear that China is going to take over the world. The other is Pam and Dwight’s battle regarding his cost (and toilet paper) cutting methods.

As for the first: it abruptly strikes Michael that almost everything is made in China. Therefore, America is no longer “#1.” And, he says, “China should be, like, #8.” Uh huh. Having researched the topic with Erin on Wikipedia and on the New York Times, he stumbles upon some stats, such as that China has 56 cities with populations topping 1 million. Oscar do...

“Christening” starts with Pam touting Sabre’s “Hygiene Day,” recommending the “vampire cough” despite Dwight’s question: “Do you have any idea how expensive wool is in Transylvania? ‘Cause of the euro.” Dwight’s adverse reaction to disinfection prompts office folk to sneeze in his face (and on his toast) which he admirably accepts to build up immunity.

The main story here is Jim and Pam’s christening of Cece at their church. Without their knowledge, Michael invites virtually everyone from the office. Angela refers to the baby as a “precious bundle of God’s best everything” but privatel...

Actor B.J. Novak has his sights set on Danny McBride to takeover as "The Office's" cringe-worthy new boss when Steve Carell leaves later this year.

Speculation is rife about who will step into Carell's shoes after he resigns from his role as embarrassing office boss Michael Scott at the end of the current season.

And co-star Novak, who has also penned several episodes of the hit comedy, is eager for "Eastbound & Down" lead McBride to be his new office manager.

He tells the Associated Press, "(I've) always been a big believer (in McBride)."

But he admits there's a possibility the show wi...

You may know her as the voice of Sarah Lyons in the popular game “Fallout 3” or from one of her pop/ rock hits or perhaps from one of her many roles in Indie flicks, but on Thursday you get to see Heather Marie Marsden show off her comedic acting chops as she guest stars in an episode of NBC’s popular sitcom, “The Office.”

We were lucky enough to chat with Marsden about her experience on “The Office” as well as a few other exciting things happening in the actress’ career.

Heather couldn’t give away too many specifics on her role in “The Office”, but we do know that she plays a redhead and...

For the first time ever on Blu-ray, fans of "the most influential show since Seinfeld" (Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone) can watch the latest episodes of "The Office" without ever setting their DVR when "The Office" Season Six arrives on Blu-ray Hi-Def September 7, 2010 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. As part of this groundbreaking set, the Blu-ray release of "The Office" Season 6 will allow fans to access content like never before via BD-Live. Through their Internet-connected Blu-ray player using BD-Live, purchasers will now have an opportunity to watch the latest five episodes f...

Cinematic icon and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino helms one of the most audaciously inventive, eagerly-anticipated films of the year, "Inglourious Basterds", coming to Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD on December 15, 2009 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Starring Academy Award nominee Brad Pitt in an audacious, adrenaline-packed, high-octane World War II revenge fantasy, "Inglourious Basterds" has been hailed as one of Tarantino's most stylish and entertaining films to date.

From its deceptively bucolic opening scenes to its incendiary final moments, "Inglourious Basterds" delivers a h...

Dwight decides to bring in authentic New York bagels. If you're thinking this is an unusually nice thing for Dwight to do then you'd be right. He's trying to get everyone in The Office to "owe him one" so that he can cash in the favor later in order to get Jim fired. But Dwight wants to know why everyone thinks he might be up to something. As he says to camera, "Can't a guy buy some bagels for his co-workers so they'll owe him, so he can cash in on it later and get someone fired who stole the co-manager position he didn't deserve anymore? Geez, when did everyone get so cynical?"

Michael...

Michael has decided to turn the warehouse into a "scare house." Jim points out that the scariest thing that's happened on site was that there used to be a productive paper company located where a "scare house" now resides. Darryl pushes children through the "scare house" on a paper pallet forklift.

After a tedious and sad haunted house experience Darryl rewards the children with a promise of candy but is interrupted by Michael who is faking suicide. Michael kicks a chair out from under him and pretends to be choking to death while hanging from a noose wrapped around his neck. The childre...