Exclusive: NBC Planning Major Office Expansion!

The Office by Justin Lubin/NBC Universal Photo

If 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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Posted by

Michael Ausiello

Oct 30, 2007 12:19 PM

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Boooo! Although Private Practice is not the worst show ever, it is definitely subpar. Don't taint the good name of The Office by doing the same thing there!
Posted by emily052 Oct 30, 2007 12:24 PM Report Abuse

AND....on top of just being a crappy spinoff, this also means that they are going to commandeer a couple of actual Office episodes trying to set up this new series which means that The Office itself will turn into a crappy spinoff for a bit. DON'T DO THIS TO A FABULOUS SHOW THAT HAS NOT HAD A BAD EPISODE YET!!
Posted by emily052 Oct 30, 2007 12:25 PM Report Abuse

bad idea...one office is enough...the show works because of its unique chemistry and perfect casting, it would be extremely difficult to replicate that...plus, i dont want it stealing ideas from the office we already know and love
Posted by maclapp Oct 30, 2007 12:31 PM Report Abuse

If they HAVE to do this, how about a spinoff of Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration?
Posted by LisaMBri Oct 30, 2007 12:39 PM Report Abuse

Huh... I guess Silverman is imposing his stamp on NBC. I will reserve full judgment until a premise is announced, but if NBC keeps it's comedies bunched on one night, this little offspring better be different enough from The Office to justify a new show and a new name.

I am skeptical, but mildly intrigued. If it's funny and fresh, then why not? If it's just "The Office: Utica Branch" then I don't see the point (at least creatively speaking).

Posted by angelus45

Oct 30, 2007 12:42 PM

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I thought that NBC was going to have a mid-season show called "the IT crowd", or something like that, that was done in a similar way to the Office. I love Joel McHale on the Soup and figured that this show would be done with a similar hand as the Office. Don't overdo it NBC.
Posted by TVchiq Oct 30, 2007 12:49 PM Report Abuse

I actually think this is a good idea! I'm skeptical, but confident that the writers will make it different from The Office. They haven't steered me wrong yet. As for casting, I can totally see a woman leading the pack - what about Kristin Wiig if she could get out of SNL? If not her, why not Kathy Griffin?
Posted by TVBlonde Oct 30, 2007 12:54 PM Report Abuse

NBC, I know you couldn't care less about your actual viewers but please don't do this. It would play like the knockoff that it is.
Posted by typerk Oct 30, 2007 12:54 PM Report Abuse

sounds like nbc is desperate, why not resurrect arrested development instead
Posted by mick jagger Oct 30, 2007 12:57 PM Report Abuse

Why don't they just sink this show completely and have a Pam and Jim spin-off? I'm Old Greg!
Posted by luluspencer Oct 30, 2007 12:59 PM Report Abuse

NBC's Americanized version of The IT Crowd could easily be done as a spinoff of The Office with the IT department of Dunder-Mifflin Corporate. The Scranton branch could have some sort of total system failure, forcing corporate to send IT techs to do some on-site work. It writes itself. I would kill to see a Moss/Dwight encounter!
Posted by GDorshimer Oct 30, 2007 12:59 PM Report Abuse

Yeesh, the folks at The Office had enough trouble sustaining good hourlong episodes. Do they really need the distraction of trying to launch a spinoff too? That being said, I agree with the poster above who suggested a Vance Refrigeration spinoff. That might be different enough to be interesting.
Posted by texasannie Oct 30, 2007 1:01 PM Report Abuse

No need to write seven paragraphs on this subject--I think this says it all: *This is a really, REALLY BAD idea, period.*
Posted by scooterndc Oct 30, 2007 1:10 PM Report Abuse

NOOOOOOOOO! Seriously? Spinoffs are the kiss of death. I don't care about Frasier. This is a terrible, terrible idea. Terrible.
Posted by heymardie Oct 30, 2007 1:23 PM Report Abuse

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