First Look: Will Ferrell on 'The Office'

[Brian Damage]

Following Thursday’s hilarious and swoon-worthy proposal-themed episode of The Office, viewers were treated to a first look at Will Ferrell’s April 14 debut as the new Big Cheese in Scranton.

That promo is now embedded below for your viewing pleasure. One important disclaimer: Although the voiceover introduces Ferrell as Michael Scott’s successor, keep in mind that the funny guy is only slated to stick around for four episodes — presumably to ease the transition between Colorado-bound Michael and his real (and still top-secret) heir apparent.

http://www.tvline.com/2011/03/the-of...o/#more-202920

[Dr. Thong]

Well, there's talk about Ferrell becoming Carell's permanent replacement and there's apparently some truth to it. Even Ferrell has confirmed that they're talking about it.

While it would probably be good for the show, I can't see why Ferrell would want to do a series full-time at this juncture. It would be a backwards step. He's a successful movie actor, so why would he want to go back into TV full-time?

I could see it if his movie career had cooled off like Charlie Sheen's did ten years ago, but Ferrell seems to be grinding out hit movies, so him even considering this baffles me.

[LittleRickyII]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Well, there's talk about Ferrell becoming Carell's permanent replacement and there's apparently some truth to it. Even Ferrell has confirmed that they're talking about it.

While it would probably be good for the show, I can't see why Ferrell would want to do a series full-time at this juncture. It would be a backwards step. He's a successful movie actor, so why would he want to go back into TV full-time?

I could see it if his movie career had cooled off like Charlie Sheen's did ten years ago, but Ferrell seems to be grinding out hit movies, so him even considering this baffles me.

Actually, these days he's been doing more TV work than movies. He's only averaging one movie a year for the last few years. And with an average of 25 weeks of work a year on a series, that still leaves plenty of time to do his single movie and still have a nice, very long vacation.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by LittleRickyII

Actually, these days he's been doing more TV work than movies. He's only averaging one movie a year for the last few years. And with an average of 25 weeks of work a year on a series, that still leaves plenty of time to do his single movie and still have a nice, very long vacation.

I guess I'm looking at it more from the angle of status. People who have healthy movie careers don't step back and do a regular series. Maybe some guest shots like Ferrell, but unless your movie career is pretty much over, you don't go back to television. Just my take on it.

[LittleRickyII]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I guess I'm looking at it more from the angle of status. People who have healthy movie careers don't step back and do a regular series. Maybe some guest shots like Ferrell, but unless your movie career is pretty much over, you don't go back to television. Just my take on it.

I think that was true more in the past than it is now. Look at James Franco. He's been a successful movie actor for years, yet he's still performing regularly in an afternoon TV soap opera of all things. I don't know Will Ferrell's personality, but it could be that he'd prefer to work more than a movie career would allow. I can imagine it could be hard trying to find enough promising new film roles to keep busy, and never knowing how it's really going to turn out in the end. If you can get into a successful TV series, there's more stability there.

Jerry Seinfeld achieved his super-celebrity status on TV, rather than in feature films. People used to assume he would leave Seinfeld to launch a film career, but he has always maintained that comedy works better in a shorter format, like episodic TV or standup, and has stayed away from doing feature films. And I don't think anyone can deny he's a comedy superstar. Perhaps Will Ferrell has come to the same conclusion as Jerry Seinfeld. I have no idea, I'm just speculating.