NBC Just Can’t Let Go of The Office

Have you noticed the recent trend in the world of TV in which a network or other outlet revives an old show “for a new generation?” If you haven’t, it’s only a matter of time before you do—practically every show that was ever a big thing is getting the revival treatment, for better (Samurai Jack! Twin Peaks!) or worse (most everything else, really!) And with a fair amount of these revivals doing decent to big numbers, it’s a trend that likely won’t be ending anytime soon.

One network that’s definitely getting the most out of the revival trend is NBC, who just this year brought back Will & Grace to fantastic numbers (it’s their number one comedy at this point, which is as sad as it was inevitable.) And since Will & Grace seemed to work just fine for them, thank you, it should stand as no surprise that NBC is scanning through their entire extended catalog, searching for what could end up being their next big new-old hit. And it also shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of their first shows they are looking to bring back is their grand old comedy addiction, The Office.

The show, undeniably one of the most influential (and I would argue best) comedies ever created, has been something of a favorite for NBC. Hell, they kept it on far past its expiration date, shuffling the series into a miserable nine years and nearly 200 episodes on air. And if it was up to them, they probably would have kept it on forever – it was a flagship for them, and when it was at its height, one of their biggest all-time hits.

So would a potential revival do nearly as well? I would argue no, as it hasn’t been at all long enough for people to be asking for the show again – it barely ended in 2013, for christ sake. And the way it ended was so bland and forgettable, I can’t imagine people would be itching for much more of the same. But that doesn’t seem like it’s stopping NBC, who TVLine reports are moving forward on a revival of The Office.

But this revival would of course have some caveats. It will 100% not include the involvement of Steve Carrell (obviously), and it’s unlikely the rest of the main cast (John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling, Ed Helms, Craig Robinson, etc.) would be involved either. Instead, the show would mostly be comprised of new characters now working at Dunder Mifflin, mixed with some of the supporting cast who would still remain there. So if your dream is a new version of The Office starring a bunch of nobodies, plus Meredith, this is the news for you!

But, seriously: I have no desire for this, and it’s sad that NBC is turning to the reboot wheel so soon when it comes to this particular show. And without any of the original cast (or the ones that really matter, I guess), what would even make this concept interesting? It would basically just be a rehash of the original, and unless they got a bunch of really compelling people both behind and in front of the camera, it seems doomed to fail. But, hey, at least it’s not The Farm *shudder.*

The Office revival is being aimed for the 2018-2019 time frame, if NBC decides to take the script to full development. And if all the successful revivals are any indication, they almost certainly will. Just call me when you do the 30 Rock revival, NBC.