I am – Hercules!!

The four hour-long “Office” installments got a mixed reaction in talkback, but they were a giant hit in the ratings. From tvweek.com :

In a season where most returning shows drained ratings, particularly due to increased DVR use, “The Office” made gains. The hourlong episodes were up 19 percent compared to their half-hour versions from last fall and boosted the 9 p.m. hour average by a steep 59 percent. And it’s not as if “Office” fans are using DVRs any less than fans of competing shows: “The Office” is one of the largest beneficiaries when DVR playback is factored in.

On whether the network will repeat the stunt, NBC scheduling chief Vince Manze says the decision is up to showrunner Greg Daniels and the rest of the “Office” team.

“[The show’s producers] have an open invitation to do as many [hourlongs] as they like,” Manze says. “It’s totally up to them if they want to do more. But there is a price. It’s tough physically and creatively to keep these going. I’m hoping the experience wasn’t so bad that they would dismiss the idea of more hours.”

59 percent!

Which would explain why the network is said to be so keen on the idea of “The Office II.”

The big “Office” convention was held last weekend in Scranton, Pa. Series mastermind Greg Daniels turned up, as did cast members Ed Helms (Andy Bernard), Mindy Kaling (Kelly Kapoor), Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin), Leslie David Baker (Stanley Hudson), Mike Schur (Mose Shrute) and Kate Flannery (Meredith Palmer). Attendees got to see a little of tonight’s episode, written by Kaling and directed by Joss Whedon (who directed last season’s business school episode). Read more of the convention here.

Ahead:

Nov. 1
“BRANCH WARS”
BATTLE OF THE BRANCHES — RASHIDA JONES (”Boston Public”) GUEST STARS — When Karen (guest star Rashida Jones) tries to woo Stanley (Leslie David Baker) away from Scranton, Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) fights back, dragging her ex, Jim (John Krasinski), into his war. Meanwhile, the existence of a “Finer Things Club” further disturbs Dunder Mifflin’s calm.

Nov. 8
“SURVIVOR MAN”
INTO THE WOODS-SPECIAL GREEN WEEK EPISODE — After Ryan (B.J. Novak) excludes Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) from a corporate wilderness retreat, Michael heads into the woods for his own survival adventure with nothing but the suit on his back. Back at work, Jim (John Krasinski) tries to revolutionize the office birthday party. Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Ed Helms, Angela Kinsey, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Creed Bratton and Craig Robinson also star.

Nov. 15
“THE DEPOSITION”
SUE CRAZY IN THE OFFICE — Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) finds himself between a rock and a hard place when Jan (Melora Hardin) sues Dunder Mifflin and Michael is deposed as a witness. Meanwhile, Kelly (Mindy Kaling) trash-talks Pam (Jenna Fischer) after Darryl (Craig Robinson) beats Jim (John Krasinski) at ping-pong. Rainn Wilson, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Ed Helms, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Paul Lieberstein, and Creed Bratton also star.

9 p.m. Thursday. NBC.

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