The stars of “The Office,” Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, offered an interesting revelation about Steve Carell’s return for the series finale. They explained why Carell was initially hesitant to reprise his role as Michael Scott for the final episode. Despite the clamoring for his comeback, Carell felt it was important not to overshadow the goodbyes of other characters after having had a significant send-off of his own in season 7. But it was Greg Daniels, the creator of the series, who envisioned Michael’s presence at Dwight and Angela’s wedding, which ultimately led to Carell agreeing to return, they revealed in The Office Ladies podcast, a rewatch series ‘The Office’ aforementioned ladies created.
Carell’s decision to take a step back was rooted in his respect for the storyline’s progression and the spotlight on other characters. As Fischer narrated, Carell was approached early in season 9 with the idea of returning, but he declined at first, believing Michael’s narrative had concluded gracefully with “Goodbye Michael.”
Well, it was [series creator Greg Daniels] idea to have Steve come back. He had wanted that for a very long time, and he asked him pretty early in season 9. But Steve was reluctant. He felt like Michael’s story had really ended. He didn’t want to open it back up again, and he especially did not wanna come back after two years and have this finale episode be about him. Steve really felt like, ‘My character had his ending. This is everybody else’s ending.’ And he didn’t wanna overshadow that.
However, the inclusion of Michael Scott in the finale happened thanks to Daniels’ strategic plot development. The subplot of Dwight and Angela’s nuptials served as the perfect, unobtrusive occasion for Michael’s return. Angela Kinsey shared her belief that Michael would naturally want to be there for this major event in their lives. Carell’s cameo during the finale, though brief, was impactful and delivered his iconic “That’s what she said” joke, providing a nostalgic nod to the show’s essence.
Closing Credits
“The Office” saw its heyday dwindle after Carell exited, with the subsequent seasons experiencing a decline in critical acclaim and audience sentiment. The ratings, highlighted by Rotten Tomatoes scores, showcase this downturn, especially in seasons 8 and 9. Yet, the series finale on May 2013 was well-received, largely due to Michael Scott’s unexpected appearance. This move was a crucial element, balancing a sense of closure while ensuring it didn’t draw too much attention away from the rest of the ensemble cast. This delicate dance of nostalgia and finality rounded out the series, ensuring that despite a slide in its latter years, “The Office” closed on a high note.
