For fans wanting to know more about "The Office" and its new season, show runner Paul Lieberstein had some insight to offer. The show normally doesn't reveal any spoilers ahead of a new season, and Lieberstein stopped short of giving up too many details. But he did let fans know a few key things about the first season without Steve Carell. Some of the information was stuff we already knew. But he revealed other things that should help paint the landscape of the show. Here are some of the things that Lieberstein touched on regarding the new season of "The Office."
James Spader won't be in every episode
Contrary to what many people thought, Spader won't be in every episode. However, he will play a much bigger role as the CEO than Kathy Bates or any other previous recurring character played. Lieberstein said that Spader will appear in 15 episodes with the potential to do a few more. I'm actually okay with this. I love the character, but I don't want him to take too much away from the rest of the cast. 15 episodes amount to more than half the season. That is a good number of episodes to include Spader. I can't wait to see how he is used. Lieberstein did give up one angle that involves Spader's character joining a band with Andy and Darryl. That should be fun to watch.
The new manager will be revealed right away
According to Lieberstein, the cliffhanger regarding the new branch manager won't last beyond the opening segment of the first episode. This is great news for fans of the show. It is important for "The Office" to establish its new style as soon as possible. A lingering cliffhanger will only delay that. All signs point to a current actor filling the branch manager role. Jim, Dwight, Andy, and Darryl are all possibilities. I'm relieved that the dynamic of the show won't change too much.
Pam will be six months pregnant at the start of the season
Jenna Fischer is pregnant in real life and that is being written into the show. Lieberstein says that the season will start with Pam being six months pregnant. There is nothing wrong with that. "The Office" has jumped ahead in time at the start of a new season in the past and it always works. Lieberstein also added that there would not be a big baby episode like there was when Pam and Jim had their first child. That is also a smart choice.
Lieberstein didn't reveal much, but he said enough to get rid of some of the concerns I had. It looks like "The Office" will see the new era of the show begin right away. I'm relieved that another big actor isn't joining the cast and I'm relieved that the writers aren't going to rehash the whole pregnancy storyline. This all sounds good in my book.
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