A Spin-off Almost Guarantees A Renewal For 'The Office'

[Brian Damage]

Though it might seem counterintuitive, the spin-off idea makes it more likely that The Office will get a ninth season. The original show would be needed to help launch and promote the new series.

“I don’t believe it’s the last season of The Office,” BJ Novak told EW. “I think there are more stories to tell and to wrap up before we go, but I haven’t gotten the word.”

“I think probably we’ve got one more,” agreed Creed Bratton, who plays, of course, Creed Bratton. “Don’t buy the Maserati, but I think so.”

Plus, The Office remains NBC’s highest-rated scripted series, and the network’s whole Thursday comedy block is built around it. Shows get significantly more expensive as they age, but right now NBC can’t afford to lose the comedy.

The actors also teased how there is a multiepisode story line coming up where the cast goes on a road trip to Florida — with Dwight in charge.

“They are supposed to be opening a chain of stores where they are going to sell their own tablet computer that is in the shape of a triangle and it’s called ‘the Pyramid,’” Novak said. “It’s like a cheap iPad shaped like a triangle. It’s really the worst piece of technology that you’ve ever seen.”

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/01/30/of...ff/#more-73168