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Harvey Keitel Could Be Running THE OFFICE??

Published at:  Sep 01, 2010 10:15:12 PM CDT

I am – Hercules!!

Senior “The Office” writer-producer Paul Lieberstein just told E! he wants Harvey Keitel to play Michael Scott’s replacement on “The Office.”

Excerpts:

"He's probably the only guy who can do it, and he's doing TV now."


Paul is so jazzed about the idea of Harvey joining the show, he already has a bulk of the maybe-replacement's role already written.

"He's an old salesman who thought he could retire and the stock market went down, and he has to come out of retirement to work for a few years."


Lieberstein’s people have not yet approached Keitel’s people, but Keitel’s already taken a supporting role on ABC’s low-rated “Life on Mars,” so NBC’s biggest scripted hit seems likely to afford him.

I fucking love this idea. I could see Keitel in full Winston Wolfe mode, suddenly hired by Jo to clean up the chaos in the wake of Michael Scott’s departure (a departure confirmed for this coming season).

Steve Carell’s final season of “The Office” starts Sept. 23

Find all of the E!’s story on the matter here.


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    Readers Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 10:10:44 PM CDT

    I'm sure Lieberstein wasn't serious

    by throwmetheidol

  • Sep 01, 2010 10:11:08 PM CDT

    I'm a huge Harvey Keitel fan...

    by kazamasmokers

    ... but if they bring him in they should bring in Tim Conway too. You can't have one without the other.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 10:25:49 PM CDT

    I'm not sure..

    by _venkman

  • Sep 01, 2010 10:34:54 PM CDT

    The show takes an interesting route with guest stars

    by bass ackwards

    Amy Ryan, Idris Elba, Kathy Bates, isn't Olyphant supposed to show up too? Seems like Keitel (though obviously with a higher caliber resume) would be right at home alongside these guys.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 10:35:20 PM CDT

    The comedy stylings of Harvey Keitel

    by hamburgerearmuffs

    Fine actor but there must be a better choice.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 10:41:13 PM CDT

    Don't like any of these rumored replacements

    by frankenberry

    I mean, I like them in certain roles. But as the new star of The Office? Not really. I think they should try to find someone as close to Carell as possible, if they want to keep the audience.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 10:52:27 PM CDT

    i don't know

    by beyondthunderdome2girls1cupbillcosby

  • Sep 01, 2010 10:59:07 PM CDT

    it should be Packer

    by beyondthunderdome2girls1cupbillcosby

    David Koechner.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 11:03:48 PM CDT

    Love Kietel, but no

    by outsidechance

    Whomever they get needs to be able to play a clueless boss. That's not Kietel.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 11:05:20 PM CDT

    How about Jeffrey Tambor?

    by outsidechance

    Bring a little of the "arrested development" and "Larry Sanders" magic to NBC

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 11:08:54 PM CDT

    THE TWO JAKES, THE TWO JAKES!!!!

    by anything but tangerines

    never forget!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 11:09:26 PM CDT

    Americans - the longer you keep this going...

    by biggusdickus

    ...the longer Ricky Gervais keeps eating. Please, for the sake of comedy, stop encouraging him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 01, 2010 11:11:13 PM CDT

    Paul Lieberstein is a fool

    by talbotnoooooooo

  • Sep 01, 2010 11:15:26 PM CDT

    I hope he comes in and does a Paul Brennan from SALESMAN.

    by justinsane

  • Sep 01, 2010 11:55:23 PM CDT

    I second Jeffrey Tambor...

    by burnhollywood

    Love Keitel, but I worry he'll just be stuck in the straight man role...Tambor's a seasoned comedy vet, and was hilarious as the patriarch on ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. Small move sideways to make him the OFFICE "dad".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 12:23:27 AM CDT

    I agree - Jeffrey Tambor would be great but Keitel

    by slayme

    is one of my favorites. Tough call - Winston Wolfe vs Hank Kingsley/George Bluth.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 12:26:26 AM CDT

    Keitel, yes, BUT...only if he plays

    by somerichs

    the same character he did in Bad Lieutenant... ;)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 12:33:30 AM CDT

    Why not Stephen Root?

    by pvjoker

    Hell, he could even play Jimmy James from NewsRadio. Dunder Mifflin could even start selling red staplers.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 12:50:40 AM CDT

    no subject

    by krowninja

    The only hope for the office after Carell is to totally change the dynamic. I like the idea of a character that is completely different from Michael Scott. If the replacement character is similar in any way, it will constantly be a comparison, and that can't work. They need a character that is funny for totally different reasons.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 1:18:19 AM CDT

    Somerichs

    by thrillhouse77

    Imagine the "Jim-face" we'd get if he walked in on the new boss jerking off by the window of his office!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 1:33:15 AM CDT

    Colonel Potter in MASH...

    by ccchhhrrriiisssm

    ...was a perfect replacement to the other guy. The show did change the dynamic...somewhat...but it was probably better for it!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 1:36:54 AM CDT

    I think...

    by ccchhhrrriiisssm

    ...that the replacement for Michael Scott will need to be young in order to have some sort of romantic tension. It hasn't been the same since Jim began openly dating Pam.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 2:31:14 AM CDT

    The perfect replacement would be

    by donniedorko

    The perfect replacement would be: Ricky Gervais !!!

    But seriously, it could actually work.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 5:07:40 AM CDT

    I vote for

    by kobain

    John Lithgow!!!!!!!!!!

    Only Lithgow's quirkiness could cap the whole left by carell

    I say bring Lithgow and have him catch a little senile maddness... or make it a druggie... something like that

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 5:09:12 AM CDT

    Why not David Wallace?

    by pongo

    The character would be perfect to take over.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 5:50:43 AM CDT

    Who cares?

    by kingralphuk

    The American version of the Office is about as funny as a fire in an orphanage.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 5:54:37 AM CDT

    why , a fire at an orphanage can be funny

    by kobain

    they could have Michael Scott go to an orphanage as community service time or something... and he could start a fire while trying to do a magic tric with DM paper... he could cause a HUGE firethat would destroy everything, and when confronted he could play dumb... that would be funny

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 6:11:54 AM CDT

    harvey kietel

    by mynamesdan

    not funny

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 6:21:59 AM CDT

    So, watching Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedian" very recently...

    by theseeker7

    makes me suddenly realize, ya know Colin Quinn and Harvey Keitel don't sound entirely UNalike.

    Anyone... ?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 6:45:07 AM CDT

    Harvey Keitel and Dwight

    by doctor_strangepork

    There could be something here. They could spend hours debating the theoretical pain of a gunshot wound to the elbow.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 6:53:11 AM CDT

    Jimmie James buys a paper company

    by the mcpoyle clan

    That _might_ work. To echo a sentiment -- love Keitel, but no. My first choice would be to take the show out back and put a bullet in its head, like an old, beaten horse.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 6:58:00 AM CDT

    The Simplest Answer is the Best, However.

    by doctor_strangepork

    Jim as boss. That's been his story arc from the beginning, going from apathetic funny guy to a married man with adult concerns.
    That would allow you to restructure Sales and Accounting depending on who leaves when Steve Carell leaves (Ed Helms and Craig Robinson are transitioning to movies), setting up what is essentially a second series of The Office, retooling a second seven year series, perhaps? Strange to think that the greatest commonality between The Office and a previous tv example is probably M*A*S*H. The workplace as war zone.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 7:20:27 AM CDT

    Aint It Cool Ideas

    by nice marmot

    Good idea, but post an article when its a done deal.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 7:48:01 AM CDT

    Or maybe

    by donniedorko

    A black gay native indian dwarf with rabies making growling noises and chasing Dwight around the office? No?

    Or Lady Gaga making Gaga noises and chasing Dwight around the office?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 8:12:52 AM CDT

    David Brent! David Brent! David Brent!

    by fiester

    Give Rick 50 million to do it for one season. It's not my money, so what do I care, I just wanna see David Brent back in the paper business!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 9:54:24 AM CDT

    One Problem Strangepork

    by crow3711

    They already proved that having Jim in charge results in the opposite of funny. He loses all his character, is just a stiff, and everyone else has less fun. Jim in charge were by far the worst episodes this series has ever done. I'm down with Keitel to be honest. Keitel or let Craig Robinson take over. I honestly think letting Darryl be boss would both make the most sense (have someone in corporate realize hes the only responsible person there) and be the funniest (Darryl loves messing with all those office workers) I really can't picture anything funnier than Darryl being made manager. Aside from that, Keitel would probably be quite enjoyable. Make it so he doesnt even know what a computer is

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 11:10:15 AM CDT

    no subject

    by mikethespike

    Just have more of Creed and the redhead.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 11:10:22 AM CDT

    JAN! JAN! JAN!

    by lou c.

    Bring back Jan and make her the boss. Melora Hardin is hilarious, and she would be weird in an entirely different way than Carell. Outside of that, I'm all for Darryl being the boss. Making Jim or Dwight the boss hampers the characters too much.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 12:26:55 PM CDT

    Many options would keep me watching...

    by spectrebeeyatch

    Jim as boss makes sense to me. Ricky Gervais would be BRILLIANT! Seriously that would be amazing. My choice would be Jason Bateman, he won't do it but he is perfect in the comedy style of just being awkward. Or Will Arnett but more of a dick who tries to make everyone love him. Any of these would work for me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 12:42:53 PM CDT

    Let's Pick...

    by rebeck2

    The UN-funniest man who ever lived to be in our sitcom. A true Jumping Of Shark, if they haven't already done that in the last year.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 12:55:50 PM CDT

    Ricky Gervais as David Brent

    by sithmenace

    is by far the best idea. Let the British Office cross over with the American Office.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 1:23:44 PM CDT

    Haven't they kinda already done the "

    by nalapou

  • with Charles Miner?

    I don't think dead pan seriousness will be funny on this show again... Hope I'm wrong though.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 1:39:22 PM CDT

    The only person that makes absolute sense

    by hairlesspet

    is Gary Busey. He doesn't so much run the office, he just goes around giving people noogies and screaming at various office supplies.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 1:46:41 PM CDT

    Harvey Keitel could work, but...

    by rhaemye

    ...the show's run its course. They should've cancelled it after season 5. Season 7 was terrible, apart from 2 or 3 great episodes.
    Maybe the 8th season will be something special, with Steve leaving, the introduction of Harvey and guest star (rumoured) Ricky.
    I guess next year there should be a whole new Scranton branch. New office, new actors, new everything.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 2:12:51 PM CDT

    I love the show but think it should end with

    by chewyou812

    Michael's departure.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 2:32:50 PM CDT

    Jan or David Wallace

    by imperialmarchface

    would be perfect! The company has already hired Ryan back after his fraud thing, so hiring back Jan or David to run the company can make sense. They're both pathetic now, like Michael, but in different ways.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 3:01:11 PM CDT

    Yes-I LOVED Keitel on LIFE ON MARS,

    by idrinkyourmilkshake

    But as the new OFFICE manager? sounds terrible.I say go with the manager from FLIGHT OF THE CONCORDS.That guy was BORN for this role(or some kind of comedic epsiodic t.v.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 3:06:23 PM CDT

    Gary Cole would be awesome...

    by warrensmooth

    or would that be too obvious?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 3:28:44 PM CDT

    why bother, just cancel this shit.

    by redhorsevector

    no need to pollute a fine actor's legacy even further.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 3:34:35 PM CDT

    Harvey Korman was AWESOME in Bad Lieutenant!

    by kazamasmokers

    But he's too serious for The office.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 4:05:01 PM CDT

    How about Sid Haig?

    by screwbini

    Talk about changing the dynamic!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 4:32:12 PM CDT

    Given How Creed Gets Short Shrifted...

    by _maltheus_

    ...a 70+ year old office manager doesn't really fit in with the show. Not that it matters, cause who's gonna watch it once Carell leaves?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 6:06:26 PM CDT

    I would rather have Christopher Walken

    by buffywrestling

    or have a gimmick of rotating special guests that will please mine & NBC's penchant for that sort of thing.

    And of course, squirrels.

    These are the demands and sayings of buffywrestling.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 7:26:06 PM CDT

    That Rhys Conchords Guy....

    by arzbest

    You know - their office manager? Perfection!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 8:18:21 PM CDT

    How about Tim Stack....

    by mjgtexas

    He can play a former Los Angeles late night trash talk show host named Dick Dietrick who moves into middle management. Hilarity and dick jokes ensue.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 9:47:53 PM CDT

    LET THE SHOW DIE WITH SOME DIGNITY

    by snowpuff

    Idea 1: The show limps on for one or two more seasons without Carell.

    Idea 2: The show goes out with Carell with some dignity and class.

    CHOOSE IDEA TWO YOU TALENTLESS NBC EXECUTIVES.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 10:24:52 PM CDT

    If you don't know Night Stand...

    by kazamasmokers

    ... you don't know Dick.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 02, 2010 11:23:05 PM CDT

    Hell, just get Ted McGinley

    by outsidechance

    ...and be self aware about it

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2010 12:56:41 AM CDT

    Ron Jeremy as the boss

    by joesixpack

    and rename it "The Orifice"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2010 2:04:24 AM CDT

    Of course

    by donniedorko


    Conan O'brien! Then fire him and take back Carell, that would be genius!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2010 3:39:22 AM CDT

    "No. I did not have Conan O Brien fall

    by buffywrestling

    through the ceiling"

    http://www.snotr.com/video/1935

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2010 2:49:41 PM CDT

    Adrian Pasdar as Jim Profit for boss.

    by statelywaynemanor

    Because Natalie Maines gotta...y'know.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2010 4:12:30 PM CDT

    David Cross should replace Carell

    by john_locke

    He was great in arrested development & could fill carell's shoes easily.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2010 9:02:16 PM CDT

    Creed should be the boss!

    by hollywoodhellraiser

    Creed is one strange, but funny bastard! Imagine him as the boss of The Office and the interaction he would share with corporate.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 03, 2010 10:59:00 PM CDT

    Nope, can't see it

    by ennio

    Too serious an actor to play comedy week in and week out. Rhys Darby from Conchords is THE MAN for this part after Michael Scott goes. I hope it wasn't just speculation about him... I want teeth on this story!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2010 12:44:45 PM CDT

    Conan O'Brien...

    by no 6

  • Sep 04, 2010 12:45:54 PM CDT

    Conan O'Brien...

    by no 6

    ... For 2 episodes, then replaced by David Brent.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 04, 2010 5:25:48 PM CDT

    RE: Harvey Korman was AWESOME in Bad Lieutenant!

    by dahveed1972

    Ahahahahahah! OMFG, until I read your Subject line, I was saying to myself, "Isn't he dead? Or like 100 years old? Really, Hedley Lamar from Blazing Saddles? Say wha?!?" Then I realized I was thinking of Korman. Weird. Maybe cuz a younger Korman wouldve killed in this kind of deal. Anyhoo...

    Reply to Talkback

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