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SALT LAKE CITY -- After months of searching Dunder Mifflin finally has a new CEO. James Spader has been chosen to step in as the new boss on the hit NBC show "The Office."Kathy Bates joined the cast of "The Office" as the fictional company's CEO, but left to focus on her own series on the same network, "Harry's Law." Office executive producer Ricky Gervais confirmed Wednesday that James Spader will step in as the head of the Dunder Mifflin parent company Sabre.
Spader appeared in last season's finale as Robert California, and Paul Liberstien, an executive producer and series regular thinks he's a great fit according to Entertainment Weekly.
"James will reprise his role as Robert California, this uber-salesman that has a power to convince and manipulate, like a high-class weirdo Jedi warrior. He'll have been hired over the summer as the new manager, but within hours, got himself promoted. Within days, he took over the company. James has an energy that is completely his own, and The Office has no tools for dealing with this guy. We're thrilled he's joining our cast."
Collider.com writer Ethan Anderton thinks this may be exactly what the show needs to get back on track. "Seriously, with my interest waning as The Office seems to be winding down, this is one way to get my attention back. Looking forward to seeing how Spader shakes things up. Of course, the question is who will take the manager job once Spader leaves?"
The Wall Street Journal agrees the show needs a shot in the arm and thinks Spader may be what it needs, but it's going to take a fair amount of work. "What's clear is Spader has rejuvenated the show after only a few minutes of screen time, which should help the transition into what some consider an unnecessary season. For "The Office" to stay relevant, it will need to more rigorously blend the absurdities of cubicle life with an awareness of the ongoing troubled financial climate for its industry. Spader/California's delusions of self-grandeur, devil-may-care attitude and "Anchorman" sex panther-ness should lend the show a much-needed energy. "
How Spader gels with the rest of the cast and the fan-base still isn't known, but we will find out on September 22 when season 8 of "The Office" is scheduled to return.
Until then tell us what you think of the new "hire" to "The Office." Is it a smart move or one more unnecessary move to try and save a dying show? Let us know on the comment boards and Facebook.
E-mail: jclyde@ksl.com
