Cool News
James Spader Negotiating To
Permanently Join THE OFFICE!!
James Spader, who outshined the likes of Jim Carrey, Ray Romano and even series creator Ricky Gervais in last month’s “Office” season finale, is negotiating to join the series as a regular, according to a James Hibberd exclusive at Entertainment Weekly.
Word is the “Boston Legal” vet’s character, Robert California, will at first replace Creed Bratton as Scranton branch manager, then soon after talk his way into replacing Kathy Bates’ character as CEO.
Unlike Jo, California is expected to be a weekly presence on the series.
The same story indicates that former “Doctor Who” companion Catherine Tate, who also appeared in the finale, is rumored to be a strong candidate for branch manager once California is promoted.
Find all of EW’s exclusive on the matter here.
Readers Talkback
comments powered by Disqus-
+ Expand All
-
Just looking at that still of "Jim" makes me cringe. This show should've ended a couple of seasons ago.
-
Tate? Not so much. Just promote someone from the inside I'd say.
-
Stopped watching after 6. No thanks.
-
Awesome.
-
at least their choosing the best of the bunch that they auditioned. I like the idea of Spader's character weaseling his way in to the company to surreptitiously pursue the CEO spot. And Tate showed she could do the broad comedy and the pathos over her run on DW and that contrast is a strength of the shows writers. It's what made the Michael Scott character so effective. Better news than I would have expected. I'll withhold judgement for now.
-
much more important than who is replacing who on a long past its sell-by date show
-
obit = where?
-
he was creepy, self-confident and a probable sociopath, it'll work for the time being.<P> Catherine Tate has ran out her time ripping off bad Little Britain sketches; she'll be out for anything she can, so I fully expect her to be joining the cast next season in some 'quirky' capacity before she manages to find some inroad to LA proper.
-
I think the show works better with the core, veteran actors. I think there is great comedy that could come from Andy as the boss. Although, i have a feeling his movie career is going to start taking off as well and might leave the show in a season or two.
-
Nice to see the producers acknowledging that fact. Finally!
-
June 24, 2011, 3:03 p.m. CST
I don't know what's burning worse... the Office... or Ryan Dunn
by Nick
-
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeitttttt!
-
She's gotta win. She'd be the best. She's awesome. Go Cathy!
-
It's not like the Office is going to run another five seasons or anything. Well maybe it will. I like the idea of the new managers just continually leaving for one reason or another. Since every one loved Michael as a character having another manager stay for a long period of time will never match up. Also it would keep the audience on their toes with managers just keep leaving.
-
i've really missed him from the tv landscape ever since his awesome portrayal of Alan Shore on Boston Legal. Tate would be great too though.
-
was way too weird (in true Spader fashion) to be the boss on a sitcom. I didn't think any of the guest stars were very good. If I had to choose one of them, it would be Romano.
-
He outshined all of the other candidates. This really IS Cool News.
-
June 24, 2011, 3:38 p.m. CST
The Jim Carrey cameo shouldn't even be acknowledged. He was in that ep for like three seconds.
by AzulTool
-
I'm cook with James Spader being added I thought his interview was funny. But his interaction with Dwight was hilarious! Uh Catherine Tate no so much I could do without her.
-
I'm good with him replacing Kathy Bates, but the branch mangager should come from within.
-
I can't stand Spader. If he becomes a regular, I am done with it. If the rest of the characters stage an office coup and burn him in a dumpster, I will keep watching.
-
one dimensional actor, can't stand the guy
-
The idea for Spader's character was funny. Spader in reality is creepy and terrible. Oh to live in a world where Will Arnett didn't have another show is was committed to...
-
and screw you guys .. more laughs for me! I found season 7 to be one of the funniest and most memorable of them all. nothing of course, can top season 2 (as we all know)
-
With the mighty Catherine Tate - My love for the show will be renewed. James Spader just creeped me out and I don't think I could stand watching him every week. I mean there's uncomfortable and then there's California.
-
I'm all for more of Mr. California. That character was hilarious and something different. I am not, however, pleased with the idea of Catherine Tate's character taking over later on, as I feel like she was just Lady Michael Scott and brought nothing new. Who wants to see the same thing on a show that has lots a bit of steam over the years. (Though I did like a lot of the end of this season.)
-
June 24, 2011, 5:43 p.m. CST
Herc, seriously only idiot puts "SPOILER" tag on this kind of announcement
by Proman1984
Change the title or something. Call it, "Find out who gets the Office gig". Come on!
-
A great way to build upon the momentum created after Carrell's exit! Spader was easily the high point of the finale.
-
Catherine Tate was, by far, the least funny part of that season finale. If she's anywhere near this show I'm done with it. If the producers are reading this, DO NOT HIRE TATE. I haven't talked to one person who thought she was funny.
-
June 24, 2011, 7:19 p.m. CST
How is the spoiler in the title? What a fucking idiot
by Jonathhan Kana
Obviously the powers that be just dont give a shit anymore. Or they just truly get off on being dicks. What other explanation could be there?
-
June 24, 2011, 7:19 p.m. CST
please. no tate. that would mean i would have to edit her out of episodes, just so i can enjoy it.
by therootstheroots
-
June 24, 2011, 7:23 p.m. CST
There was nothing about Tate as an actress that bugged me. Her lines just weren't funny.
by SilentP
If they make her funnier, then that's fine with me.
-
June 24, 2011, 7:24 p.m. CST
Have to agree with Pongo: Spader = good. Tate = horrible.
by American Mythos
Spader was surprisingly funny as hell in the finale. Afterward my cousin (who isn't even familiar with Spader) and I were both in agreement -- he should be the new boss. But Tate would be a horrible midseason replacement.
-
Andy doesn't have to become as important a character as Michael Scott - he just have to move into the Manager's office, and the rest of the cast can have expanded duties helping him adjust to the promotion. I don't like any of the new characters they have added to the original cast EXCEPT Andy.
-
June 24, 2011, 7:50 p.m. CST
Spader was great, Tate was not funny, but none of the guest stars seemed like lasting characters though
by George Newman
the proposed character arc above seems enjoyable, but the boss should probably come from within.
-
I would start tuning in if he ended up on the show.
-
Do you think T.V. is ready to show someone jizzing on a girl's back?
-
After the headline is the F*cking spoiler is sort of an added kick in the groin, wouldn't you think?
-
He was the best of the bunch. Now, about Erin...
-
he visibly unsettled the other characters as much as he unsettled the viewers lol. replacing Michael Scott with a creepy sociopath is a refreshingly original idea.
-
He was good. I thought he was the best fit. Him and Ray Romano just got the tone and pace of the show in a heartbeat. Either of those would have been great. I hope this is true. I will enjoy seeing Spader and Shrute facing off with each other.
-
If Spader joins the cast of the show, it's pretty unlikely that you would make it to the season premiere without finding out anyway. Besides, it's not even a done deal yet.
-
June 24, 2011, 10:33 p.m. CST
Spader and Tate were the only two guests who were actually funny
by CCon99
Tate in particular was hilarious. I hope they didn't waste a lot of money on Jim Carrey's appearance.
-
All of out of office candidates sucked ass. None of them were Office material. The most exciting bit of last season was Toby on the mic saying he thinks they convicted the wrong guy. That's the only arc I want to see played out. Even Pam and Jim have gotten tiring.
-
Very creepy.
-
June 25, 2011, 6:36 a.m. CST
Glad Spader is in talks! I loved Tate on DrW, but her Office character was no good
by Rebel Scumb
I'm sure the actress if in a better part could be a good fit for the show, but as she was I would not want more. I wish Tate and Arnett actually hadn't been interviewing for the manager, but were just added as salesmen, and get rid of Ryan or Jim or one of the other characters that has played out.
-
Sort of a dick move AICN...not giving us any option. Should have read "Guess who's in..."
-
...I think the character he portrayed was possibly THE WORST POSSIBLE FIT for the show....I mean, we learned to love Michael Scott because he was bumbling-but-well-meaning fool...Spader's character is a socipathic prick. I don't see the dynamic working if you can't empathize with the character. Will Ferrell's character was closer to the mark...
-
She's in "Much Ado" with the 10th Doctor in the West End until Sept, so this makes sense.
-
Probably don't even watch the show or care. They just feel like complaining about AICN and feeling butt hurt
-
Spader has a hit series under his belt. Tate is an unknown (to anyone but Dr Who fans) British actress. Expecting audiences to accept her anchoring the show as Carrell's replacement is kind of like when they tried replacing Tattoo on Fantasy Island with a British butler.
-
Spader's not replacing Michael's character though. Initially he's taking over for acting manager Creed, who isn't very sympathetic last I checked. And then ultimately he'll be replacing Katy Bates and her character was more of a bitch if anything.
-
June 25, 2011, 3 p.m. CST
One of the funniest episodes of THe Office EVER. Not sure how some people are bitching about a dip in quality.
by RobertoInfiniteTHEMoonLander
Take care of this will ya?
-
would become ridiculously boring after a couple of episodes. Save him for a traveling manager of some sort, get someone with out that "creepy" factor.
-
June 25, 2011, 4:43 p.m. CST
I saw an episode on how they make paper on Sesame Street.
by RobertoInfiniteTHEMoonLander
GET OUT.
-
Another vote against Tate. However, Spader deserves something better than a long crashed and burnt away show. I'd actually love to see him reunite with William Shatner in a classy show. What The Office needs is a complete restyle, new set, new company, new characters, make it sillier by giving one of the Muppets a big role for all I care but change is pivotal.
-
...do you think you would have made it to the Office season premiere without learning who's gonna be on the show? You were not going to watch any NBC, see zero promos, not watch the news, and not look at any TV websites for 3 months? Ok.
-
by far the best cameo...no one else was close. I don't know if that character can run a show, though.
-
June 26, 2011, 4:56 a.m. CST
His character is kinda creepy like some sociopath who's read too many Robert Greene books...
by thecomedian
Is he gonna manipulate his way to the top. Meh.
-
June 26, 2011, 7:08 a.m. CST
Well his character could evolve over time. All the other characters have.
by Rebel Scumb
Remember when Jan Levison was someone you felt bad for because she had to put up with Michael?
-
Well while I agree to an extent, I don't actually watch any television other than the hand full of shows that I torrent. So I actually could of quite possibly made it to the premiere without finding out. As it happens I didn't particularly mind having this spoiled.
-
June 26, 2011, 5:26 p.m. CST
Love this site , my first complaint SPOILER HEADLINE
by mygirleatsbannanas
Some of us live outside the USA and are not subjected to crappy entertainment shows who give away eveything , i would of preferred a surprise down the track.In any case the headline indicating the nature of the spoiler did not make sense..still love this site
-
Do you really fucking believe you'll turn on the Office in september and James Spader will be on there and you will have had absolutely no idea? Every fucking Office commercial all summer will promote him. It's not a fucking spoiler. When Kathy Bates joined the cast were you mad that it was spoiled? Dumbasses. Bitch about everything. Even shit that doesn't exist.
-
June 27, 2011, 5:08 a.m. CST
Catherine Tate? Well, that's a show I'll never watch again then.
by Hint_of_Smegma
Loved this show, it's weaker lately than it was for sure but still funnier than pretty much anything else on tv still. Haven't got the the Michael Scott leaving the company episodes yet but hearing Spader is joining is a cool sign. Hearing that talentless, feeble Catherine Tate is now involved (HOW THE FUCK DID THAT HAPPEN???) means though that I'll never see past Michael leaving. That woman is teeth-grindingly fucking terrible, the poster-woman for everything that's shit about the UK right now so I guess that's the show over for me.
-
June 27, 2011, 12:38 p.m. CST
you know the BANNER alone is the fucking spoiler right?
by MacReady452
shouldn't it say GUESS WHO IS NEGOTIATING...instead of prematurely ejaculating Spaders name right in the banner title. That is like wearing a t-shirt that says I AM A PREMATURE EJACULATOR.
-
James Spader, fantastic. Tate? She's a big head scratch because she sucked at her interview and would suck with the rest of the office. No one wants her...yet she keeps rising to the top with the show-runners. I swear they are the ones who keep going on these websites promoting her. Anyone...ANYONE...but her.
-
The fact that you worship a drunk guy who stuck things up his ass for a living says volumes. I'm writing down names for future reference.
-
June 27, 2011, 6:41 p.m. CST
SPADER NEEDS TO BE BACK ON TV!! BL spinoff ideally but this will do!
by Pixelsmack
YES!
-
June 28, 2011, 12:27 p.m. CST
Makes no sense that Tate would get hired given that Jo is the only reason she even got an interview
by THE_CHOPPAH
and if Spader replaces Jo then there goes Tate's connection.
-
Poor diluted childs. Why are some of you complaining over something so minor. Is it really that life altering; is your head exploding now that you read in the headline info that you won't be able to escape anyway? ... As far as the (potential) Spader news, like I said before... within the geekiverse, Spader is the new gasm!
Top Talkbacks
- That rumor about Sony selling SPIDER-MAN? Don't you believe it for a second! -- 285 total posts 109 posts
- Papa Vinyard thinks that HANGOVER: PART III was a paycheck grab for a buncha people who are already rich!! -- 88 total posts 88 posts
- Next on the Reboot assemblyline? TIMECOP!! -- 103 total posts 59 posts
- New MAN OF STEEL trailer makes me happy that Superman has severe red eye!!! -- 722 total posts 50 posts
- The METALLICA THROUGH THE NEVER Teaser! -- 115 total posts 49 posts
- We have some new details on the POLTERGEIST remake/reboot/sequel!! -- 188 total posts 38 posts
- So where is FAST AND FURIOUS 7 going to take place!?! -- 73 total posts 24 posts
-
David Fury
Returns To 24!! -- 27 total posts 19 posts - Kristin Scott Thomas Chews Up Ryan Gosling's Girlfriend In A Very Nasty Clip From ONLY GOD FORGIVES! -- 60 total posts 18 posts
-
HOMELAND Casting Reveals
Clues Regarding Season Three!! -- 19 total posts 11 posts