We are out of Original ideas


NBC is developing a spin-off of The Office.

new characters will be introduced on a special episode of The Office, however, none of the original Office stars are expected to transition over to the new show.


Exclusive: NBC Planning Major Office Expansion!


The Office by Justin Lubin/NBC Universal PhotoIf imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, NBC may be about to pay a major compliment to Grey's Anatomy. Multiple sources confirm to me exclusively that the Peacock is developing an episode of The Office that would introduce several new characters who would then be spun off into a new series à la Private Practice.

However, unlike Practice, which stole Grey's regular Kate Walsh to anchor the new series, the proposed Office 2 is not expected to include any of the mother ship's core cast. In fact, producers are already casting about for a "name" to headline the potential show.

So, your thoughts on whom the star should be? A downsized Jim Carrey? The underrated Ed "Al Bundy" O'Neill, past due for a comeback? Mike Myers, set loose weekly in a blue-collar playground? And should NBC really go through with this plan, or is one Office a week enough? Sound off below! And then vote in our poll!


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I saw the casting call for this in variety. "Actors must be prepared to drive into a lake for no apparent reason whatsoever".

I can't see how this will be successful. Yeah, The Office gets OK ratings for NBC (especially the 18-49 demo), but I don't think this thing will get past one season (if it ever actually happens).

I just think that they’re looking for a replacement for Scrubs once it goes off the air at the end of this season.

I know that technically The Office (US) isn’t a remake but an “Americanized” version of The Office (UK) but face it, it’s a remake.

I’ve been seeing some posts about how the 1 hour episodes of The Office (US) dragged and 20 minutes (30 w/commercials) is better. NBC wanted to turn The Office into a 1 hour show for the 08-09 PTTV season, didn’t they?

Only thing I have to say, That 80's Show, Officinized.

He's not a "name" but if they could ever get Ron Livingston to create a clone of the Peter Gibbons character 10 years later, and stick him in Dunder Mifflin then spin it off... my head would simply explode with joy.

I could get behind that idea

How about "Craptacular".

They should be hiring YOU to come up with new shows. "He's not a 'name'"? As I recall he was the star of Standoff last season - granted it got cancelled, but just about 85% of what FOX airs gets canned in under 12 episodes.

This is a terrible, terrible idea if only because it will reak of bad scripts. How is the WGA going to get their demands met when they can't crank out anything worth a crap? A cruddy concept like this could be gold if the writing is there (see oddball concepts My Name Is Earl and Arrested Development).

you cant just let this go, can you?

NBC this year has done every possible thing wrong it can as a network, so this kind of terrible decision should now come to be expected.

i remember when a lot of successful shows started out as spin-offs and some non-successful ones as well. i am glad they are trying it, whether they fail or succeed. this was just about the norm in the late 70s and 80s.

The best guy for the job is already on 30 Rock.

Really? I can't see Tracy Morgan in that role

But NBC has already proven they can't do spin-offs well either (see Joey which dragged on for almost 2 seasons). And technically this wouldn't be a spin-off but more of a paste-in crossover. New characters show up in an existing show so they can be introduced to an existing audience who might not normally watch the new show. Stupid idea. Even if it works and the show kept 100% of the audience, the numbers The Office is pulling right now still wouldn't make it a hit.

I realize that a lot of shows have had spin-offs, but doesn't that usually happen due to the popularity of the characters that are spun-off? I.e., I wouldn't think they normally introduce characters solely for the purpose of spinning them off. Are am I wrong?

*Edit* I see RFDuncan has mentioned pretty much what I'm saying here.

I honestly don't consider shows like this a spin-off. When you use a very successful series to just spring-board another totally unrelated show it just seems wrong. Like "Melrose Place" and "90210" have NOTHING to do with one another except, Jake was on "90210" for two episodes the May before "Melrose Place" premiered. Same with "Young Americans" and "Dawson's Creek."

They should make a version that takes place at a Staples.

How about "The Orifice" a show that takes place at the proctologist office?

Was there a British spin-off?

I could see it working if it is a similar comedy/mockumentary style but a *completely* different work setting. Maybe they could do a restaurant show set in a Chili's or something? Maybe that's too close to the movie Waiting, but I think it could be done. It would also be really easy to tie in to The Office.

No. At least not that I've ever heard of...

Sounds kind of lame, but to be honest - I'd probably watch it.

They could do a spin-off w/ Jan, but I am enjoying her travails w/ Michael too much to see her go off on her own.

I would watch the Ryan show, as long as they didn't try to make him more likable.

Call me crazy but I think that the characters of Stanley, Kevin & Creed could carry a show as long as it was well written and not sit-com-y and laugh-track-y.

They already introduced a whole new cast of characters and Andy's the only one left (thankfully - he's one of my favorites). Seems like they should have done it then.

Could this be why is coming back this week?