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Will Ferrell Takes Over “The Office”

By Daniel Nasserian Apr 19, 2011, 2:39 GMT

Will Ferrell - New York City, NY, USA © Sylvain Gaboury / PR Photos

Last Thursday, Will Ferrell starred in his first of four episodes of “The Office”.

When news struck that Steve Carell would no longer be portraying branch manager Michael Scott, fans quickly began to worry about the future of the show.

Carell’s seven year contract expires this year and citing that he wants to spend more time with his family, he has decided not to return after this season. The writers have Carell’s character moving to Colorado in order to be closer to his new found fiancé, Holly.

With many celebrity cameos being announced recently, including Ricky Gervais who created the series and portrayed David Brent in the original British version of the show, people began to wonder who would, or could, successfully take over as the manager at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch.

The writers wasted no time in introducing Will Ferrell’s character in last week’s episode and opened the show with a skit that included both Carell and Ferrell tossing their idiocy back and forth. It wasn’t long before Ferrell’s character, Deangelo Vickers, projected his personality onto the storyline.

"[Deangelo Vickers] loves the American Southwest, and he's just kind of in his own way going to step into Michael Scott's shoes and try to fill them," Ferrell said of his character.

Ferrell brings his classic style of comedy to the show and his interaction with Carell took me back to the classic comedy, Anchorman. Though the show may have to go through some changes and growing pains without the lead of Steve Carell, the depth in characters and talent from the rest of the cast should ease things in nicely.
"The show is great, and the ensemble is so strong, and the writers are great, so it's just one part of the ensemble drifting off. They've incorporated so many new characters and so many new, great storylines that I have no doubt it'll continue as strong if not stronger than ever," Carell said.

Will Ferrell is set to be in three more episodes and an insider on the show said talks are in place to lock him up as Carell’s replacement for good. Ferrell may be just what the show needs to change things up and add a strong lead character with new issues and problems to move the show forward.

Guest contributor Daniel Nasserian is a blogger, writer, graphic designer, geek, musician, private pilot, social media whore, gamer.
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