Steve Carell’s Hopeful Dream for The Office Backfired Badly That Still Haunts Us Today: ‘It was time for other characters to step up’

The Office ran for nine seasons but for many, it ended with Steve Carell’s walk-off. The World’s Best Boss resigned from his job and moved to Colorado with Holly Flax, leaving a question mark on Dunder Mifflin’s fate. Unfortunately, not only did the seat in his office suffer after his exit, but so did the sitcom. While there were some good moments here and there, seasons eight and nine were above average at best.

The Office (2005-13) | Credits: NBC

Last year, Steve Carell visited the Office Ladies, Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer, where their reunion resulted in a ton of ‘Office Talk.’ As they reminisced about their time on America’s beloved sitcom, Steve Carell opened up about his decision to walk away from Michael Scott. While his heart was in the right place, we aren’t sure if it worked well in The Office’s favor.

Steve Carell Wanted to Give Others A Chance to Shine

Steve Carell as Michael Scott | Credits: NBC

Last year, Steve Carell joined Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey on their Office Ladies podcast where he talked about quitting the show and letting other characters shine.

Every character in The Office was unique and lovable in their own way, and no we are not going to count Toby on this list. However, despite their individual charm, none of them came close to the force that was Michael Scott. The World’s Best Boss managed to steal the spotlight whenever he was on screen, and his unusual leadership made us all both cringe and double over with laughter.

Thus, it makes sense that Carell would want to give the spotlight to others for a change. After all, that’s what makes a good boss.

On the podcast, he stated,

Well, of course, it was very emotional for us, who had gotten so attached to Michael that the line between real and fiction started to blur. Even today, Carell will always be remembered as Michael, no matter how many projects he takes part in. For us, he will always be the lovable regional manager of Dunder Mifflin who you want to hug and strangle at the same time.

What Steve Carell’s Exit Did to The Office

A still from The Office season 9 | Credits: NBC

Michael Scott’s exit from Dunder Mifflin may have given other characters the chance to truly shine, but it made the viewers miss the show’s original spirit. Seasons 8 and 9 weren’t the worst things to have happened in sitcom history, but they certainly didn’t live up to their predecessors.

The remaining characters tried their best to fill the void left behind, but while some succeeded, others did not. The two seasons introduced us to some storylines that were basically insufferable, including the time Nellie filled Michael’s shoes.

Andy’s character went through a downfall we never would have seen coming. A once likable character was put through such storylines, making him impossible to bear. Everything from his relationship with Erin to the boat trip story just felt like the writers were hell-bent on butchering his earlier character development.

Thus, while some things worked for the last two seasons, many others did not. These 2 will always be a slight stain on the show’s well-crafted legacy, but we aren’t complaining. We are glad we got what we did, and honestly, there’s no stopping us from rewatching it again and again.

Of course, The Office made up for everything in the last two episodes, showcasing Angela and Dwight’s wedding. Michael returned, Jim played his final pranks before quitting with Pam, Erin found her lost family, and Andy his lost reputation. All in all, it is a good end to a good show.

The Office is available to watch on Peacock Premium.