Yesterday, EW reported that Will Ferrell revealed he was planning, or at least hoping, to join The Office full-time after his upcoming four-episode guest arc this season. Here’s what he told them when they ran into him on the Comedy Awards red carpet:
“Yes, I’m taking over. […] My character’s name is Deangelo Vickers, he loves the American Southwest, and he’s just kind of in his own way going to step into Michael Scott’s shoes and try to fill them.”
When asked if the multiple episodes could become a regular gig, Ferrell replied, “Yeah. A regular, full-time gig.”
Even EW was skeptical when they reported this “news,” including two anonymous “insider” naysayers and Rainn Wilson as saying Ferrell was probably kidding, because as a star who pulls $20 million a film, “he’s got other fish to fry.” And it turns out Ferrell was totally kidding, as Vulture caught up with Office producer Paul Lieberstein (aka Toby Flenderson!) to clear up the rumor once and for all:
“Will was joking — but he commits to his jokes so fully that we’re hoping he’s with us long term, just as a bit that won’t end.”
So there you have it. Will Ferrell WILL be coming to The Office later this season, his character MAY or MAY NOT be named Deangelo Vickers (if he made that name up off the top of his head, I applaud him), but he will NOT be Michael Scott’s permanent replacement.
But you knew that. Deep in your Office-loving heart, you knew.
All this new manager speculation is starting to get a little tired, if you ask me. Not that I don’t enjoy imagining all these comedy giants filling Michael’s shoes … but the search has been going on for so long, and we’re nowhere closer to knowing who it will be! Bravo to The Office staff for keeping us guessing, and I’m in no hurry to see Steve Carell go, but I will still feel a bit of relief when his position has officially been filled.
(Image courtesy of NBC)
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
Meghan hails from Walla Walla, WA, the proud home of the world’s best sweet onions and Adam West, the original Batman. An avid grammarian and over-analyzer, you can usually find her thinking too hard about plot devices in favorites like The Office, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and How I Met Your Mother. In her spare time, Meghan enjoys drawing, shopping, trying to be funny (and often failing), and not understanding the whole Twilight thing. She’s got a BA in English and Studio Art from Whitman College, which makes her a professional arguer, daydreamer, and doodler.
