I love Arnett on Arrested, but in everything since he's just seemed too over-the-top smug/buffoonish (and when you're too OTT for 30 Rock...). Feels like American Office should have more heart than he usually portrays. Oddly Rob Huebel is better at being a relatable douchebag, to me.
I'm not feeling it. His 30 Rock episodes were some of the worst that show has done. I think I'm with snm on the over-the-top thing. (But, Carrell did learn to dial it down after a bit, so maybe he could also.)
Yeah, it's too early to judge whether this would be a huge mistake, but agreed that Arnett's always a little too over the top for his own good, which was fine on AD, but doesn't always work. The best "Office" episodes have kept the characters firmly grounded in reality, and the worst ones send the characters teetering into cartoon crazy-land (this has particularly been the case with Michael and Dwight). Also, Arnett can be a great ensemble player and backup, but as "Running Wilde" demonstrated, putting him as a lead is a much dicier proposition.
I loved Arnett on Arrested Development, but I sorta think this would be a disaster. I think it's a mistake to replace Michael Scott with anybody Michael Scott-ish. They need to find a new way to go, something to revitalize the show and make it feel fresh again. I think putting Arnett in there would be like turning the very worst, buffoonish qualities of Michael up to 11. And as well all know, that's one higher.
I think they should promote from within, and it shouldn't be anybody who's been in charge (however briefly) or pretended to be in charge. That rules out both Jim and Dwight, which I think is for the best. I couldn't watch with Dwight in charge, and Jim's proved to be pretty boring as a manager. I like the idea of someone who was at the low end of the power structure ending up in charge, so someone like Daryl or Pam would be a good choice. Imagine if Pam were Jim's boss?
Did I ever mention here that my sister, who lives in L.A., was out and about a few months ago -- around the time of the first wave of speculation about outside replacements for Carell -- and saw Paul Lieberstein (who plays Toby and is one of the show's executive producers) lunching with James Spader?
Actually, I'd rather like to see a female character in that position. I think that it would create a completely different dynamic, particularly with characters like Dwight.
Related to this: How sad are we supposed to be about Michael's departure? I get the sense that NBC is hyping this as a Big. Sad. Moment. But, while I really like The Office, I'm just not feeling it. I'm not sure whether it's because this is a half-hour sitcom rather than a more serious drama, or because Micahel himself is such a hard character to pin down and really identify with. Anyone have thoughts? Do you feel sad? If so, why? If not, why not?
I feel like natural selection is going to catch up with Michael Scott. The Foreman grill, the GPS system, the koi pond -- eventually things will get fatal.
Will Arnett is one of those guys who I always wonder what their voice sounds like, like when you watch Gilbert Gottfried on SNL, he doesn't sound anything like that -- so is that, like, his ACTING voice? In any case, this sounds awful, but I don't know that I could deal with that gravel for the amount of time per episode that Carrell gets.
I'm all about Daryl running that show. That dude has always known more, both about management and managing, than anyone at the company, and Craig Robinson has done his best character work in that role. Daryl in '11-'12!
spacewoman, me too! Gah... the only thing worse, in my opinion, would be if they brought in Charlie Sheen or that dickhead salesguy who pooped in Michael's office -- what's his name? Todd Packer? All dealbreakers for me.
Yeah, I'm not sure about Will Arnett as Carell's replacement. It would give NBC a nice Arnett/Poehler family block on Thursday nights, But, while Arnett's very funny, and very good a what he does, he doesn't always disappear into his characters. And they're usually some version of GOB and over the top, which in a small office that includes Dwight Shrute might be a little too much off kilter.
Trying to think of actors who might fill the Steve Carell void better than Arnett? What about Maura Tierney? She can play authoritarian with a side of off-kilter, and can bring the heart that's needed to anchor the show. I'd love to see her back in a comedy, and working with co-stars who aren't Rob Morrow.
This part of we is.
ReplyDeleteI love Arnett on Arrested, but in everything since he's just seemed too over-the-top smug/buffoonish (and when you're too OTT for 30 Rock...). Feels like American Office should have more heart than he usually portrays. Oddly Rob Huebel is better at being a relatable douchebag, to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm not feeling it. His 30 Rock episodes were some of the worst that show has done. I think I'm with snm on the over-the-top thing. (But, Carrell did learn to dial it down after a bit, so maybe he could also.)
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's too early to judge whether this would be a huge mistake, but agreed that Arnett's always a little too over the top for his own good, which was fine on AD, but doesn't always work. The best "Office" episodes have kept the characters firmly grounded in reality, and the worst ones send the characters teetering into cartoon crazy-land (this has particularly been the case with Michael and Dwight). Also, Arnett can be a great ensemble player and backup, but as "Running Wilde" demonstrated, putting him as a lead is a much dicier proposition.
ReplyDeleteI'm still secretly hoping that Veronica Palmer gets fired from Veridian Dynamics and has to slum it a Sabre-owned Dunder Mifflin.
ReplyDeleteI loved Arnett on Arrested Development, but I sorta think this would be a disaster. I think it's a mistake to replace Michael Scott with anybody Michael Scott-ish. They need to find a new way to go, something to revitalize the show and make it feel fresh again. I think putting Arnett in there would be like turning the very worst, buffoonish qualities of Michael up to 11. And as well all know, that's one higher.
ReplyDeleteI think they should promote from within, and it shouldn't be anybody who's been in charge (however briefly) or pretended to be in charge. That rules out both Jim and Dwight, which I think is for the best. I couldn't watch with Dwight in charge, and Jim's proved to be pretty boring as a manager. I like the idea of someone who was at the low end of the power structure ending up in charge, so someone like Daryl or Pam would be a good choice. Imagine if Pam were Jim's boss?
Did I ever mention here that my sister, who lives in L.A., was out and about a few months ago -- around the time of the first wave of speculation about outside replacements for Carell -- and saw Paul Lieberstein (who plays Toby and is one of the show's executive producers) lunching with James Spader?
ReplyDeleteI'm just sayin....
Jon Cryer is probably looking for a job.
ReplyDeleteActually, I'd rather like to see a female character in that position. I think that it would create a completely different dynamic, particularly with characters like Dwight.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who thinks it might just be best if this was the last season of The Office?
ReplyDeleteRelated to this: How sad are we supposed to be about Michael's departure? I get the sense that NBC is hyping this as a Big. Sad. Moment. But, while I really like The Office, I'm just not feeling it. I'm not sure whether it's because this is a half-hour sitcom rather than a more serious drama, or because Micahel himself is such a hard character to pin down and really identify with. Anyone have thoughts? Do you feel sad? If so, why? If not, why not?
ReplyDeleteI haven't felt sad but that's because I always assumed that Holly would come back and they'd go off into the sunset together.
ReplyDeleteI feel like natural selection is going to catch up with Michael Scott. The Foreman grill, the GPS system, the koi pond -- eventually things will get fatal.
ReplyDeleteWill Arnett is one of those guys who I always wonder what their voice sounds like, like when you watch Gilbert Gottfried on SNL, he doesn't sound anything like that -- so is that, like, his ACTING voice? In any case, this sounds awful, but I don't know that I could deal with that gravel for the amount of time per episode that Carrell gets.
I'm all about Daryl running that show. That dude has always known more, both about management and managing, than anyone at the company, and Craig Robinson has done his best character work in that role. Daryl in '11-'12!
Argh, that will be the end of the show for me. Just can't stand him.
ReplyDeletespacewoman, me too! Gah... the only thing worse, in my opinion, would be if they brought in Charlie Sheen or that dickhead salesguy who pooped in Michael's office -- what's his name? Todd Packer? All dealbreakers for me.
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ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not sure about Will Arnett as Carell's replacement. It would give NBC a nice Arnett/Poehler family block on Thursday nights, But, while Arnett's very funny, and very good a what he does, he doesn't always disappear into his characters. And they're usually some version of GOB and over the top, which in a small office that includes Dwight Shrute might be a little too much off kilter.
Trying to think of actors who might fill the Steve Carell void better than Arnett? What about Maura Tierney? She can play authoritarian with a side of off-kilter, and can bring the heart that's needed to anchor the show. I'd love to see her back in a comedy, and working with co-stars who aren't Rob Morrow.
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