THE OFFICE: John Krasinski, Brian Baumgartner and Creed Bratton Tease the New Season
August 2, 2011 by Marisa Roffman
With so many changes going on at THE OFFICE — and in honor of the cast shooting their first episode of season eight — I chatted with John Krasinski (Jim), Brian Baumgartner (Kevin) and Creed Bratton (Creed) at NBC’s TCA party Monday night about what fans can expect in the new year…
“The new CEO is [James Spader’s] Robert California,” Krasinki explained. “[He’s] very intimidating and very direct and very hypnotic and [an] enticing man.”
“He’s like a cobra,” Bratton interjected.
And while Baumgartner didn’t exactly echo the animal comparisons, he did note that Robert California does bring some terror to the office.
“I can tell you that [Robert California] is terrifying,” he admitted. “He scares me. I mean, personally, [James is] so sweet. And the energy that he brings is so different than anything we’ve had on the show before and I think that that is going to be really exciting for people to see the characters that they’ve grown to know and hopefully love, that we see them interact with this totally different energy that will bring. It’s exciting and I feel like we all feel younger. Like new kids again launching a new show and it’s really exciting.”
Fans won’t have to wait long for the new dynamic to kick in, as Baumgartner told me that Robert “works quite a bit to keep a close eye on them in or around the office.”
Given that Robert will be closely observing Dunder-Mifflin, his antics in the season premiere are even more suspect.
“[Robert] made a list [of names] and nobody knows what the list is,” Krasinski previewed of the first episode back. “And we’re all trying to not freak out because we think that we’re being fired. It’s pretty awesome.”
Hm. Not going to lie, a little worried about what kind of mind tricks Robert is pulling on our office folks.
But what about the million dollar question? Who is replacing Michael Scott? Obviously the cast wasn’t spilling the identity of the new branch manager — aside from the fact the mystery person would be revealed in the first episode — and Baumgartner said he wasn’t surprised by the person who received the promotion.
“I’m really excited for who it is,” Krasinski added. “I’ve always been excited for this person.”
“I never though they’d give [the job] to me [last season]!” Bratton said. Going forward, he added, “I thought that I’d kill whoever came in but apparently they just elbowed me out of the way.”
Any guesses on who the new branch manager will be? Theories as to what games Robert is playing with the names on a list?
Check back later this week for more from the cast of THE OFFICE!
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Well i have heard some rumors that Will Ferell will be shown on the office. Is that true?
Will Ferrel was in the last season of the Office for a couple of episodes.
will ferell was in the last season and, if i remember right, he ended up in a coma by the end of the season. i have also heard rumors that he was going to be in the show more frequently as a regular guest, though.
That was last season.
Already happened. He was Branch Manager in training during Micheal’s last few episodes. It was terrible. Dwight and Creed were hilarious branch managers though.
This might sound silly but what about Ricky Gervais? Because in one episode in Season 7 (I think) Steve and Ricky have a conversation near the elevator, where it goes a little something like this:
R: Where do you work?
S: Dunder Mifflin
R: Any jobs going there at the moment?
Or something like that! I think Ricky might be the new Michael! OMG!
It’s not RIcky Gervais. They said that the new manager will come from within. The main “front runners” are Jim, Dwight, and Andy.
Based on the dynamics near the end of last season, with the selection committee, and Jim kind-of stepping up and taking charge over them, I feel like it could be him. I know he told Jo he didnt want it, but I feel like it could happen.
However, based on Krasinski’s comment that “I’ve always been excited for this person” it makes it seem like it’s not an outside hire…
I think if Ricky Gervais becomes a part of the show… I’ll DEFINITELY stop watching it! Ben Stiller on the other hand… now there’s a perfect fit!
I really want the new manger to be Jim Carrey! I really hope it’s him, cuz I think he’s the only one, at least out of all the others they interveiwed, that could properly replace Steve Carell on the show.
Plus, Carrey was the last one to be shown in the finale of season 7. And his story kept on being mentioned throughout, I really think he could be the new manager!
Other than Carrey, it’d also be really cool if Ricky Gervais was the new manager, only because he’s the orginal Micheal Scott. But, from what I recall, he wasn’t a good canidate when interveiwed.
Jim Carrey FTW!!!!
It’s Pam.
AHHHHHHH JOHN KRASKINSKI<3333333333333333333333333333333333
It’s Daryl….I’ve noticed for the last two seasons they’ve been bringing him ever closer to regional manager. Bank on it
Its definitely Pam… She made her self to be the office administrator… Which is fictional position in the office, only a half step down from manager. Plus that fits with Krasinski’s comments.
What about Kevin as Branch Mgr?
I think it’ll be Andy or Pam.
They are two of the worst salesmen.
It couldn’t be Dwight because they didn’t keep him the first time.
Either way, just as long as it’s a member in the Office, I’ll continue to watch it.
I almost stopped after I seen Will Ferrel try to be mean to Pam & Jim. They’re my favorite 🙂
I hope it’s Pam she always been the mom of the office…but she is about to have another baby so what about her maternity leave. And Spader might not like women in charge being the new CEO.
I just read an interview and it’s not Jim and from what I read not Darryl either. So it is pointing to Andy or Dwight, because Katy Bates is gone James was not there with the gun firing off happen. Can’t wait til Sept 22!
Dwight’s too spastic. I like it when he’s aggravated, as opposed to in charge. John saying he’s always been “excited” for this person: could be Kelly, Pam, Darrell, or even Dwight. He could be excited for this person (Dwight) to fall flat on his face. I tend to think, because James spader will be overseeing the branch from a short distance, that it could be a woman. It has to be someone pretty outstanding (weird), female and single, and in much contrast to him…like Angela! or Kelly. Tough call!!
In my mind its Andy. Thats why they showed him fix the sale in one of the last episodes with Ferrel. Hes one of the worst sales man, he wouldn’t be expected and Jim likes Andy.
zach galifianakis would be perfect..just saying
Toby will be the new manager. Imagine how lame/boring his meetings will be resulting in great pranks, etc. No one respects Toby, which is exactly why he will be the next manager.
I think Bill Hader would be a nice Add-in To The Office.
definitely either andy or darryl.
TODD PACKER FOR MANAGER
I say it’s Andy. If it’s Jim or Dwight, it would ruin their dynamic.
It’s obviously going to be Dwight. If it’s from within it’s Dwight. With the new CEO they can make it Dwight again. Anyone else wouldn’t be even a little bit funny. Has to be Dwight.
it’s Jim Carrey’s character. I would bet a paycheck.
“Baumgartner said he wasn’t surprised by the person who received the promotion.”
That means it must be a preexisting cast member, and probably Jim, Dwight or Andy, with a slim chance of Darrel.
Personally, I could see it being Jim, then he could make Dwight “Assistant to the Regional Manager” to rub it in. That is probably one of the more comical outcomes, but they again… They could keep Creed…
It will be Andy. He has great qualifications for the job. Joe saw his resume and was curious why he didnt get the position. Gabe didnt want him to get the position because he hates him. So im pretty sure its Andy. If Dwight becomes manager then the show wont be as interesting anymore. All he ever wanted was to be superior, once he achieves that its over. Besides he already had his chance.
Also, Jim doesnt want to be manager since he already tried last time. Darryl isnt good for the position, he tried too hard in the last episode and they wont give him the job for pitty. AND YES DAMIAN! THEY SHOULD ADD BILL HADRE atleast in one episode!
I believe that Ricky Gervais will replace michael, even though it has been said that this is false, when he met michael that one time in the elevator, they had the exact same character. It would be great to see him as the replacement to michael.
It’s Pam.
I think it’s narrowed down to Andy or Kelly, both actors who are rising ‘stars’. Dwight and Creed had their turns. Daryl would be a leap b/c he’s so new to the upstairs offices. JK indicates it’s not him, and he’s got such a big story line already with Pam and a second child on the way, and BB hints that it’s someone in the office, which I’m glad for. Bringing in another outsider like Carrey would be too much change all at once. Plus, he annoys me. A long shot would be Angela or even Oscar–either one would be a surprise, but would also make for some funny story lines. If I had to bet, I’d guess Kelly.
Someone no one mentions is Ryan, how funny would that be! After all he’s gone through in the company. Would be kinda ironic if he made his way back up the company ladder. But it’s probably not since I can’t see any CEO picking him after what he’s done. Funny but not realistic unfortunately 🙁
andy or pam.
i’d put money on both…
THE MANGER OF THE COMPANY SHOULD BE DALLAS JACKSON BECAUSE HE IS FUNNY ,SEXY AND SMART
My bets are on Daryl. Jim doesn’t want the job, Dwight screwed the pooch, and Andy, as I have heard him being referred to as, is Michael-lite, which would not go over well with fans.
What about Creed ? He is senior and self serving and would be a funny surprise.
Not Kelly, get rid of her or give her speech lessons. I can’t understand even half of what she says because of her accent and she talks too fast.
John krasinski <3 you´re the best !! from Norway
I think it could quite possibly be Andy. They’re supposed to be bringing in new characters to play members of his family… I figure he may be promoted to manager and perhaps his family comes in the picture to congratulate him? It sounds silly, but just a thought.
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