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    James Spader quits "The Office"

    LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - James Spader is taking early retirement from "The Office."

    The former "Boston Legal" star is leaving the NBC sitcom after he completes the current eighth season of the series, which was his first with the show, the network confirms to TheWrap.

    Spader played new Dunder Mifflin/Sabre CEO Robert California. He replaced outgoing manager Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, after appearing at the end of the series' seventh season. He then quickly earned a promotion to CEO.

    According to "The Office" executive producer Paul Lieberstein, the departure is in keeping with Spader's plans for the show.

    "James always wanted this to be a one-year arc, and he now leaves us having created one of the most enigmatic and dynamic characters in television," Lieberstein said. "He's been a great friend to me and the show, helping us successfully transition into the post-Michael Scott years, and I'm grateful for that."

    Lieberstein's statement notwithstanding, the current season of "The Office" has been marked by dwindling ratings, with the show hitting a series low of a 2.2 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic with its February 17 episode. (The show's ratings improved slightly for its most recent episode Thursday, climbing 13 percent in the demo.)

    The network does not yet have specific plans for Spader's replacement.

    The "Office" turnover was first reported by Variety.

    (Editing By Zorianna Kit)

     
    • Bob H  •  2 mths ago
      Mitt Romney would be the perfect replacement for Michael Scott!
      • TC 2 mths ago
        ROTFL!
    • Jake Ryan  •  Phoenix, Arizona  •  2 mths ago
      a bad hire. spader was totally out of place. andy is no better. time to rethink the 'boss' role. after seeing John Krasinski and Emily Blunt doing schtick in a videon on Kimmel's Monday night show, maybe its time for Jim to be the boss, and to ham it up.
      • what what 2 mths ago
        I agree, James is a nightmare to watch. The show has bright spots when jim and dwight screw with each other, other than that is has sucked this year.
    • Carol S.  •  Indianapolis, Indiana  •  2 mths ago
      Make Mose the boss...he's not on nearly enough! LOL
      • JasonM 2 mths ago
        I was hoping Michael Gary Scott, would've made some guest appearances. They don't even say his name on the show now. I do like the Mose idea.
    • Groucho Marxist  •  Guangzhou, China  •  2 mths ago
      Michael Scott could never be replaced, in my mind. Just syndicate the show and move on.
      • Bob H 2 mths ago
        Mitt Romney would make a great Michael Scott!
      • Groucho Marxist 2 mths ago
        Haha! Perhaps Newt would be a great Schrute?
    • CLS  •  2 mths ago
      If they end the show, it should be something with Dwight blowing up the office.
      • Teri Lathrop 2 mths ago
        Excellent idea!!!
      • Sean 2 mths ago
        Only if Dwight blows himself up in the process
    • Jane D  •  Los Angeles, California  •  2 mths ago
      "'he now leaves us having created one of the most enigmatic and dynamic characters in television,' Lieberstein said."
      Well, that's a bit over the top.
    • Brandon  •  2 mths ago
      Once Steve Carell left they should have stopped.
    • ARTISE57  •  Cleveland, Ohio  •  2 mths ago
      Is there a job opening at the office? A lot of Americans out of work these days!
    • Stephanie  •  Colorado Springs, Colorado  •  2 mths ago
      I dont know why they ever put him on the show. His character was borring and pointless. The office will not be affected with him leaving. Maybe they can replace him with an actor that is actually funny.
    • Frank  •  2 mths ago
      get ricky gervais and i will watch it every week
    • ga1999  •  2 mths ago
      As much as I love this show, I think it has run it's course like all of the rest of the great sitcoms. Let's have one last season and leave it on a happy note. Knowing when to say goodbye is always a good thing!
    • A Yahoo! User  •  2 mths ago
      "and he now leaves us having created one of the most enigmatic and dynamic characters in television"

      Talk about an overstatement. Wow.

      "He's been a great friend to me and the show, helping us successfully transition into the post-Michael Scott years."

      You'll be lucky if it is "years". Your show sucks now.
    • May Pang Ping Pong  •  2 mths ago
      He was only hired on as a temp
    • X  •  2 mths ago
      Spader never quick "clicked" to me.
    • Marvelous  •  Pulaski, Tennessee  •  2 mths ago
      How about replacing him with a muppet?
    • Spice  •  2 mths ago
      It's time for the sun to set!! Its been fun for real!!
    • May Pang Ping Pong  •  2 mths ago
      He only hired on as a temp
    • Tony M  •  2 mths ago
      I couldn't stand the character. He wasn't funny, he was creepy, and the staff's reactions to him were creepy too. The show finally has redeemed itself a little with the Dwight and Jim go to Florida arc.
    • Johnson  •  New York, New York  •  2 mths ago
      Allow the current cast develop as is, bring in good guest character actors, add some real comic tension, NEW WRITERS!. Spader needs his own gig, too big an actor to be a complementary player. If they do more episodes like last Thursday the show will come back with a vengeance.
    • HANK HILL  •  2 mths ago
      bring michael back!
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