James leaving The Office

[Amy]

"NEW YORK — Actor James Spader's stay at "The Office" will be short.

NBC said Monday that Spader, who appeared in last season's finale and more this year as the oddball boss Robert California, won't be back next year. NBC sought his star power to help make up for the absence of Steve Carell, who left the Thursday night comedy last spring.

Paul Lieberstein, the show's executive producer, said NBC's initial commitment to Spader was only for last year's finale. But he said Spader's scenes proved so compelling "that those two scenes became a season."

Lieberstein said Spader never wanted to stay beyond this year."


Source: online.wsj.com/article/AP0298812b423e45cd8f279c1b686c99d7.html

[Amy]

Thoughts? I personally am not surprised, and kind of happy he's not in for the long haul. The more I watch the Office these days, the more I think it just doesn't have the right stuff to make it anymore. James was a great addition, but his character was not enough to save the show. Not the way they used him, anyway. James is far more brilliant than the show could ever let him be.

[justbecause]

Amy, I agree with you totally! There were three shows that I really liked what they gave James to do (Mrs. California, Christmas Wishes, and Pool Party), but otherwise they just didn't seem to know what to do with the character. Like you, I am ready for James to move on, and I hope that something more interesting comes his way in the near future.