It's hard to imagine "The Office" without Steve Carell at the center of the program, but NBC says it's preparing to do just that, reports Nellie Andreeva in Deadline.com.

As reported earlier, Carell said in a BBC interview that he's not yet sure if he'll renew his contract with "The Office" after it ends next season.

During a conference call to discuss the network's upfront presentation, NBC Universal Television Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin said, " 'The Office' is a great ensemble show, and the producers are preparing in the event he chooses to move on."

NBC primetime entertainment president Angela Bromstad said that the network is hoping hoping it will be able to "keep him around for a long time." That may still happen even if he leaves "The Office," given that he has a producing deal with NBC's sister studio UMS.

http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/

I have a feeling that The Office is going to be like Happy Days without Ron Howard and Laverne & Shirley without Cindy Williams.

And that's not good at all.

I have a feeling that The Office is going to be like Happy Days without Ron Howard and Laverne & Shirley without Cindy Williams.

And that's not good at all.

I agree. The show should not continue without Carrell.

They should wrap things up next season before he departs.

I agree - if Steve Carell leaves, end the show.

I agree - if Steve Carell leaves, end the show.

I don't think it will last long without Carell. You can't remove a show's central character and expect it to be the same.

To many, Steve Carell IS The Office.