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When Steve Carell opted to bow out of The Office and took the irreplaceable (both in our hearts and at Dunder Mifflin) Michael Scott with him, many fans of the series, myself included, all but wrote the show off. His departure was beyond words, really. It was incalculable.
Then came the season seven finale, and with it a bevy of guest stars, all of which were vying for the Regional Manager position and, perhaps, the opportunity to be last saving grace for the struggling sitcom.
It seems none of them made a bigger impression on Dunder Mifflin, or The Office‘s still-hopeful fans for that matter, more than James Spader and his intimidating, overly confident candidate Robert California. Of course, the Spader-eqsue swagger once again worked its magic, as it was announced today that the actor would be joining the cast in the upcoming eighth season. So does this mark a revival — or first beacon of hope since Carell’s departure — for the series?
Spader certainly has an impressive television turn-around story to his credit. Not only did his addition to The Practice during its seventh season boost the courtroom drama’s ratings and earned the 51-year-old an Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama, but his character Alan Shore worked so well for ABC, he (along with The Practice guest star William Shatner’s Denny Crane) got his own successful spin-off Boston Legal. The result? Five hit seasons and two more Emmys to Spader’s name.
Still, is his track record enough to bring since-departed Office fans back? Spader’s Robert California was polarizing and a bit scary to say the least — poor Jim already had to deal with that when Idris Elba’s soccer-loving, Jim-hating Charles Miner briefly took over. And while he replaces Kathy Bates’ ultimately forgettable Jo Bennett as CEO, we’re still left with the dilemma of no one yet hired to run Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch. Or will Spader’s dry brand of comedy be exactly the change The Office so desperately needs to stay afloat?
So tell me, PopWatchers, are you excited that James Spader has joined the cast of The Office? Do you think he should have just been hired as Steve Carell’s replacement, instead of Kathy Bates’? Is he a good fit for the ensemble or are you too scared for Andy’s sake (and your eyes) that he and Erin will strike up some sort of Secretary-like relationship?
Read more:
Done deal! James Spader joins ‘The Office’
‘The Office’: Who would you hire?
Steve Carell reflects on leaving ‘The Office’: ‘I’ve made an enormous mistake’ — VIDEO
I hated his character in the episode he did. I was on the fence about whether I’d watch Season Eight. Casting Spader has put the Office in the “don’t watch” category for me. I’m glad there’s Parks & Recreation to watch.
Ditto.
Long live Ron Swanson!
I love Ron as well, and I’ll miss Michael, but Spader is so funny, I’m looking forward to it
No, I loved him! He was intense and odd and wonderful. I’m so excited about next season! And if you hate him, he’s not the manager so won’t be in every episode.
Of course you did! Spader does deplorable characters best. I can’t wait to see him on the show. I stopped watching after a few episodes last season. I tried to watch a few times, but the show had lost it’s appeal to me. I love (to hate) James Spader; he’s great. I’ll definitely give the show another try this fall. And if the rumors about Catherine Tate are true, the show will have to royally suck to get me to turn it off again.
Exact opposite for me. I was ready to dump the show for good, since it had been SO long since it had any decent laughs. Spader’s scene had me laughing at the show for the first time in at least 2 seasons. I was about to dump it, but now I’ll definitely be back.
I thought he easily stole the finale. So I’m definitely interested.
His exchange with Dwight saying something like, ‘Don’t try to figure me out,’ and Spader saying, ‘I already have.’ Funniest moment of the finale… Hopefully he likes Jim. The show works better with Jim being liked.
I LOVED the fact that Charles Miner hated Jim, thought it was hysterical. The tension between the characters is where most of the humor comes from, not their camaraderie. Spader was great in the finale and will probably be good in a show who’s ship has mostly sailed.
I also liked his exchange with Dwight, I thought it was the funniest part of the whole episode.
I agree, Spader nailed his cameo.
And the fact that the showrunners created a completely different character and cast a completely different actor than the great Steve Carell gives the show a better shot at reinvigorating itself than if they went with someone like Will Ferrell or Ricky Gervais.
I never lost interest in The Office to begin with. Sure, I liked Parks and Rec. and Community better but The Office was still enjoyable enough in its own right. James Spader being added to the show though is a good thing. His character was, uh, unique to say the least and so his interaction with the rest of the cast will potentially provide some fresh chemistry and comedy. He’s certainly an upgrade from Kathy Bates, who provided little in terms of laughs.
I liked Bates, but I agree with everything else you said. Looking forward to the new season.
uh…no. this show long ago ceased being interesting and became simply uncomfortable and …. well …. let’s face it, boring. good luck to spader cuz i like him well enuf but the show sucks.
Will def. watch. Yes, I remember him in the young and hunky days. ‘Secretary’ really did it for me. His comedic timing is always spot-on perfection.
LOVE that movie!
He WAS gorgeous, but I love that he’s allowing himself to age, not hiding his weight or hairline. Who in Hollywood does that these days? Gotta respect him for it, and it makes him more attractive to me for sure. Also, love a man who can make me laugh!
Totally agree. We all get older, and I love that he doesn’t pretend that he’s magically still the same beautiful young thing that he was in Pretty in Pink (SOOO dreamy). He’s like my beloved husband, who definitely looks his age but is all the more delicious for it.
I loved James Spader on ‘Boston Legal’. I would tune in to see him read a phone book. Count me in as a new viewer of ‘The Office’.
I second Elaine’s emotion.
i third it
fourth it — never watched before — hell’s yeah i will now!
This makes me SO happy!! I never stopped watching The Office to begin with. The supporting cast is so funny and the show was always good for a quote the next day at work. I will be glued to the TV this season for sure. I love Spader so much I could die!
Same here! I still miss Boston Legal. Watch the Office and love it for different reasons. Bringing Spader to the Office is happiness doubled.
James Spader’s casting is most definitely enough to get me to give this show another chance. As a previous post stated, I would watch him read a phone book. He is comic genius.
I’m not so sure about this “make you interested in the show again?” talk.
Yes, the show’s been hit and miss for years but, for me, it has yet to scrape the bottom of the barrel like other once good/decent shows like House, Desperate Housewives, Weeds, Dexter, HIMYM, etc.
He could hire William Shatner to be the new manager!
It will be interesting with Spader. As for the branch, I can see Andy installed as the puppet manager.
Don’t watch it. Won’t watch it. Rainn Wilson is insufferable.
disagree.. Dwight Shroot is a HOOT! He makes the show, in my opinion.
Shrute.
Really looking forward to him taking over the company. He was the best thing about “Boston Legal” but…..is he losing his hair? As a man I totally sympathize.
Now I cannot wait for the new season to start….Spader . Yes, he is losing his hair; gone are those gorgeous locks of his youth, but the talent is as good as ever!
I’m intrigued by Spader’s addition to the cast. Still wondering about the Scranton branch manager…
He is not aging gracefully ala Rob Lowe
well, then it’s a good thing he can act him under the table
Rob Lowe is a genetic marvel, no one’s going to age as well as him. I remember a movie years ago when Jim Belushi’s character said to RL’s “The problem is you’re too good looking. The best thing that could happen to you is an industrial accident.” Ha!