Ricky Gervais: The Office's Star-Studded Finale Jumped a 'Big' Shark!

[Brian Damage]

Ricky Gervais — who is no stranger to saying exactly what’s on his mind (See: 2011 Golden Globes) — took to his blog Friday to weigh in on The Office‘s guest star-studded finale, drudging up sternly worded (if somewhat ironic) allegations.
“If you’re going to jump a shark, jump a big one,” wrote Gervais, who himself made a cameo as his U.K. Office character, David Brent.

Of course, one could argue that The Office jumped the shark long earlier in its seven-year run (e.g. Dunder Mifflin being bought out by Sabre; Jim and Pam getting married; The Halpert baby) — but that’s beside the point.

“Still, we’ve a had a good innings,” Gervais added, employing a British idiom meaning “a long and successful period of time in a job.”

The actor/comedian’s stream of consciousness-style entry opined that the long-running NBC series’ season-ender served up cameos for cameos’ sake, rather than advancing the storyline of a Michael Scott-less Dunder Mifflin (which, in my opinion, couldn’t be more true).

“Don’t get me wrong,” he said, “I’m very proud of the US version. It was not only a very, very good network comedy, but it was also a massive success story. But you know, I did [the original U.K. version of The Office] for different reasons, ambitions and with slightly different emotional attachments to the project.

“I did my version for the art,” he said. “That’s why I stopped it after a few hours [14 episodes] of telly.”

As for anyone who genuinely thought David Brent was actually a genuine contender to replace Steve Carell’s Office boss, Gervais had this message: “Once and for all… I would never ever in a million years take a permanent role in the show as an actor.

“It really would be f–king mental,” he added. “You don’t start a company to work on reception.”

http://www.tvline.com/2011/05/ricky-...-jumped-shark/

[Yong Fang]

Personally, I think the show has gotten a lot better in the past season, with a lot of the characters with sub plots, Erin and Andy's relationship, Angela marrying the gay senator, Kelly and Ryan, Dwight being nuts.

The season finale was great. I watched it twice.

I don't think that they need a character to center everything around. I hope James Spader becomes the manager. I went "Oh cool, Alan Shore!" I did not like the character played by Ray Ramano, he was depressing and not funny.
Will Arnett was interesting, and was good that he did not play his stock Job Bluth/Running Wilde character. The British lady was sexy and interesting. I dunno who that elderly man was, probably an old pensioner and the father of an actor.

[70s show watcher]

Originally Posted by Yong Fang

Personally, I think the show has gotten a lot better in the past season, with a lot of the characters with sub plots, Erin and Andy's relationship, Angela marrying the gay senator, Kelly and Ryan, Dwight being nuts.

The season finale was great. I watched it twice.

I don't think that they need a character to center everything around. I hope James Spader becomes the manager. I went "Oh cool, Alan Shore!" I did not like the character played by Ray Ramano, he was depressing and not funny.
Will Arnett was interesting, and was good that he did not play his stock Job Bluth/Running Wilde character. The British lady was sexy and interesting. I dunno who that elderly man was, probably an old pensioner and the father of an actor.

the elderly man was billionare investor warren buffett one of americas 10 richest men