‘This is why I don’t watch past Michael leaving the show’: Let’s Be Honest, Steve Carell Leaving ‘The Office’ Wasn’t the Only Thing That Killed the Series
Let’s face it: After Michael Scott left, The Office didn’t just trip; it face-planted, rolled downhill, and hit every comedic rock on the way. Sure, Steve Carell’s exit was a massive blow, but the show’s decline was more of a group effort.
While the post-Michael seasons had a few shining moments, the show’s spark dimmed, leaving us wondering where it all went so wrong.
Steve Carell’s exit hurt, but Ed Helms’ Andy’s downfall sealed The Office’s fate
Steve Carell’s exit from The Office was the TV equivalent of pulling the plug on life support. We mourned the loss of Michael Scott’s charm and (questionable) leadership skills, but the series’ downfall wasn’t all on his departure. Characters like Andy Bernard, who once blossomed into a fan-fave, took a sharp nosedive into unlikeability by the end.
Andy’s arc was particularly jarring. Ed Helms brought charisma to the role, transforming Andy from the insufferable Cornell guy in season 3 into someone you weirdly rooted for by season 8.
But by season 9? Ouch. His character was rewritten into a nasty, self-absorbed mess, making his scenes painful to watch. Even the finale couldn’t redeem him, leaving a bitter aftertaste. One fan summed it up perfectly on Reddit:
Helms’ on-screen absences didn’t help either. Andy’s extended boat trip storyline felt disjointed and disconnected, fueling speculation about Helms’ commitments to other projects. While the writers might’ve been scrambling, the character’s trajectory became irreparable.
Plus, Michael Scott’s departure was a monumental turning point. Without him, the cracks in the show’s foundation grew impossible to ignore.
By the final season, The Office struggled to recapture its spark. The forced humor, uneven character arcs, and lackluster storytelling left many viewers nostalgic for the golden days of Michael, Dwight, and Jim’s antics.
Steve Carell’s exit: Making room for others to shine
Steve Carell’s departure from The Office in season 7 left us all with a Scott-shaped hole in our hearts. But why did he really leave?
During the Office Ladies podcast, Carell got candid. He explained that stepping away wasn’t just emotional; it was necessary. Reflecting on the farewell arc that allowed Michael and the cast to say goodbye both on-screen and off, he said,
It was time for other characters to step to the forefront and other storylines to be pursued. I think it was the right… the timing was right, I think for everybody but simultaneously there’s just a sense of joy for me that we had experienced all of this and we were getting…
I was getting a chance to take a lap with everybody. And the way those last two episodes were structured, it felt very rich to me to simultaneously be saying goodbye as Michael and us as friends in this moment of work together. But, yeah, it was a lot, it was a very emotional thing.
Carell believed his exit gave the show’s quirky ensemble room to shine. Characters like Dwight, Jim, and Pam could take center stage. While the idea had potential, the results were hit or miss, proving Michael Scott’s absence was as impactful as his presence.
The Office is available to watch on Peacock & Apple TV.
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