Fall TV Blog

It’s official: Jan is the worst. Girlfriend. Ever. Last night on The Office, she asked (well, forced) Michael to give a deposition in her wrongful termination suit against Dunder Mifflin. She gave Michael answers, which she forced him to rehearse. Things were going well until the questioning focused on when they started dating versus when they informed the company of the romance. (Remember their Jamaican getaway?) When things fell apart, Jan produced Michael’s diary (yes, he has a diary, and he signs every entry, “Love and kisses,” like a 15-year-old girl), which detailed key moments when Jan told him their romance would go no further. Michael was devastated, even more so when he learns Jan recommended that he be demoted. But at the end of the episode, he’s still with her, trying to figure out a place to get dinner. Poor Michael! Think you have a story to top Michael and Jan’s “love” story—tell us! —Cara Lynn Shultz

Photo: NBC

How brilliant are the writers of The Office? So brilliant that they can’t even make a video about why they’re on strike without being funny.

Several scribes from the show, including those who double as writer/actors, explain their personal reasons for picketing during the Writers Guild of America strike in this YouTube video clip that’s also available at the United Hollywood Web site.

Coincidentally, one of the biggest sticking points in the WGA negotiations for a new contract involves the fact that writers are not getting a share in the profits the networks are making from putting episodes online. “You’re watching this on the Internet, a thing that pays us zero dollars,” Office writer Mike Schurr says.

Jenna Fischer, who plays Pam on the popular NBC sitcom, breaks it down further on her MySpace page. She writes:
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Last night on The Office, Jim’s worst fears came true: left in charge of the branch for a day, Jim turned into Michael! When Jim decides to have a combined birthday party for everyone instead of one party per employee, the staff revolts. Toby begs to be included—since in classic Michael Scott fashion, Michael threw Toby’s party at 4:58 p.m. on a Friday—leaving Jim to complain about Toby in a very Michael-esque way. It only gets worse: Phyllis calls him “Michael” after Jim convenes a meeting and asks for “everyone’s attention,” just the way Michael does.

At the end of the episode, Michael counsels/consoles Jim, telling him that he, too, tried to combine the birthdays with disastrous results ten years ago. When Jim says he doubts he’ll be at Dunder Mifflin in ten years, Michael tells him, “That’s what I thought.” Ack! And it gets worse: Jim actually said, “That’s what she said!”

What does this all mean? Is Jim turning into Michael? Is Jim going to leave so he doesn’t turn into Michael? And why does everyone hate Toby? —Cara Lynn Shultz

Photo: NBC

Photo: NBC

Awkward much? That’s pretty much the only way to describe what happened on last night’s episode of The Office. Michael, Dwight and Jim go on a sales call. Only … It isn’t a sales call. Once they’re on the road, the terrible twosome tell Jim that they want to a “revenge” prank on the Utica branch, which is managed by his very bitter ex, Karen (it’s the return of Rashida Jones!). (They’re angry that she’s trying to recruit Stanley to work at the Utica branch.) Of course, Jim ends up running into Karen, who at first thinks he’s there because he wants to see her. Then things get very, very, very ugly. Is this the way you envisioned Jim and Karen would meet again?

NBC recently announced plans for a major Office expansion. That’s right, more paper pushers! The popular NBC comedy is going the way of Grey’s Anatomy and spinning off into a separate show. But don’t fret Michael Scott fans, Steve Carell isn’t quitting his Office job. The network is currently casting an entirely different show, though you may see some new characters at Dunder Mifflin later this season.

Photo: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Michael Scott’s been called a lot of things. Sexist. Racist. Homophobic. “World’s greatest boss” (according to his coffee mug). But last night on The Office, he added TV producer to his résumé, when the suits at corporate created a local commercial about Dunder Mifflin. It was to be a generic commercial, with the Scranton branch employees waving at the end. Michael, thinking this was his chance to be creative, “stakes his reputation” on creating his own commercial.

Now, here’s where you have to love Michael. Although he’s quite an a–, he does love his employees. (He asks Pam to do the computer animation, for example, which thrilled her to no end.) And although corporate inevitably rejected Michael’s version, the gang did get to watch it over cocktails at the local pub. The smiles on their faces was a surprisingly sweet touch—this was something they created. And the big shocker? 1. Michael was not the star. 2. It didn’t suck. Sure, it was full of trite catchphrases, but hey, Michael is a suit.

Tell us: What do you think of Michael’s commercial? —Cara Lynn Shultz

Her character Pam on The Office has never felt better, but in real life, Jenna Fischer admits she’s still in some pain from the back injury she suffered in May.

“Please forgive my slouchy casual pants in [the most recent] episode,” she writes on her MySpace page. “I still can’t wear clothes that are too tight because of my back.”

Fischer, 33, fractured her back in four places when she fell down some stairs. Five months later, she’s still moving gingerly—at work and at home.

“Off set, I am literally living in sweat pants and pajamas,” she writes. “I think I am technically allowed to start working out a bit. But I’m going to pretend like I’m still only allowed to lounge around and watch TV while eating Ding Dongs. (I’m not making that up by the way.)”

Fischer has received an outpouring of support from fans since her accident, and has seen some improvement in her condition—though it’s been a slow process.

“I started going on light hikes recently and I suppose that is a good thing,” she says. “Baby steps.” —Tim Nudd

Photo: John Shearer/WireImage

Darn you, Office writers, for taking this long to give us a real, solid Jim and Pam romantic moment. Sure, the clandestine kiss in the car was ok, and the chaste peck-on-the-cheek by the snack machine was cute, but last night offered what we’ve all been waiting for since the Casino Night episode: A real, true, “we’re a couple now” Jim-and-Pam liplock! After Jim consoled Dwight on his breakup with Angela—and revealed that Pam was the real reason he left Scranton in the first place—Jim practically kicked down the door to Dunder Mifflin to kiss his beloved. They then, of course, began to nonchalantly discuss that night’s dinner at a new Italian restaurant, with Jim admitting, “I’m just really passionate about Italian food … I’m in love with Italian food.” Aww!!

What do you think: Do you like seeing Jim and Pam together as a couple, or do you long for the days when they were just flirtatious friends? —Cara Lynn Shultz

Photo: NBC

Some shows are great because of the special effects. Others because of the writing. But on The Office, it’s the whole ensemble in Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch who can take credit — and each had a moment to show just why they’re pretty much unemployable by any other company. But which coworker is the biggest freak?

Thought Michael Scott was the worst boss ever? Well, you thought wrong. Self-proclaimed wunderkind Ryan Howard (well played by B.J. Novak) returned to the Scranton branch on The Office last night, sporting a crisp power suit, facial scruff and an entire bag of chips on his shoulder. He’s clearly going for that whole “slimeball” vibe—and he’s definitely succeeding. But what do you think was Ryan’s skeeziest moment last night? —Cara Shultz

Photo: Ron Tom/ NBC