The Office - "Tallahassee"

Season 8, Episode 15

Much like with last week's post, I'm going to keep this one brief, as I'm really only interested in if and how splitting the denizens of the office into two separate groups helps to inject any sort of creative energy into the show, and whether that makes for a better episode overall. The short answer is yes, but only when the show is truly able to leave old dynamics behind.

The Office - "Special Project"

Season 8, Episode 14 

As you may recall, I always said that my coverage of The Office's eighth season was going to be sporadic, and I would drop in and out of the show as my interest warated, based on whether there was anything interesting new and different for me to discuss. And so it was that not long into this season, I simply stopped writing about it, even as I watched every episode (and tried on some occasion to produce even the slightest post), so formulaic had the show becomes. However, thanks to having the next few weeks from class off, I'll have the opportunity to talk about the next few episode, which based on this latest offering will really peak my interest.

The Office - "Spooked"

Season 8, Episode 5

I feel like I’ve seen this before…

The Office - "Lotto"

Season 8, Episode 3

When the focus moves away from Andy, he somehow becomes stronger

The Office - "The Incentive"

Season 8, Episode 2

Same old, same old

The Office - "The List"

Season 8, Episode 1

A premiers that's too afraid to mix things up

The Office: "Search Committee"

Season 7, Episodes 25 & 26

A new set of potential bosses, the same old problems

The Office: "Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager"

Season 7, Episode 24

The first true post-Carrell episode

TV Newsline: No Carrell = No 'Office' ?

It what is most assuredly a ominous sign for the show, ratings for last night's episode of The Office were down 17% from Steve Carrell's departure last week. Maybe it was because last week's episode more than likely got a boost in numbers from viewers tuning in to say goodbye to a man they hadn't watched in a few seasons, or maybe it was because last night's episode sucked. (I like to pretend it's the latter). Now, this could all level out by the finale, which, lest you forget, is packed with way too many guest stars, or maybe even by next week, now that Ferrell's gone. (Additional ammo to this theory: Last night's number were still up from those of the episode two weeks ago.) But let's not forget that The Office is still NBC's highest-rated comedy, so even if the numbers do eventually get low enough to warrant cancellation, it's going to be a slow, tedious road to get there.

[Via The AV Club and HitFix]

The Office: "The Inner Circle"

Season 7, Episode 23

I sure hope that door hits Ferrell’s ass on his way out

The Office: "Goodbye, Michael"

Season 7, Episode 22

Try as he might, even Ferrell can’t stop this emotional gravy train

The Office: "Michael's Last Dundies"

Season 7, Episode 21

Another unfortunate case of Willferrellitis

The Office: "Training Day"

Season 7, Episode 20

A look at the first Will Ferrell-iffic episode

TV Newsline: Steve Carrell's exit from The Office with be extra-long

Fans of extend Office episodes rejoice! (As for the detractors of such episodes, I don't know, hang your heads in exasperation or something.)