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Season of television series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The seventh season of the American television comedy The Office premiered on September 23, 2010 and concluded on May 19, 2011 on NBC. The season consisted of 26 half-hours of material, divided into 22 half-hour episodes and two hour-long episodes. The seventh season aired on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. (ET) as part of Comedy Night Done Right.[1] It stars Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B. J. Novak, and Ed Helms, with supporting performances from Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Creed Bratton, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Ellie Kemper, Angela Kinsey, Paul Lieberstein, Oscar Nunez, Craig Robinson, Phyllis Smith, Zach Woods, and Amy Ryan. This was the last season to feature Michael Scott, played by Carell, as the lead character. The seventh season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on September 6, 2011.[2]
| The Office | |
|---|---|
| Season 7 | |
DVD cover | |
| Showrunner | Paul Lieberstein |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | September 23, 2010 – May 19, 2011 |
| Season chronology | |
The seventh season of the show is produced by Reveille Productions and Deedle-Dee Productions, both in association with Universal Media Studios. The show is based upon the British series created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, both of whom are executive producers on both the U.S. and UK versions.[3] The Office is produced by Greg Daniels,[3] who is also an executive producer. Returning writers from the previous season include Mindy Kaling, B. J. Novak, Paul Lieberstein, Brent Forrester, Justin Spitzer, Aaron Shure, Charlie Grandy, Daniel Chun, Warren Lieberstein, and Halsted Sullivan. New writers in the seventh season include Peter Ocko, Jon Vitti, Steve Hely, Carrie Kemper (sister of Ellie Kemper), Robert Padnick, and Amelie Gillette. Paul Lieberstein serves as executive producer and showrunner, and Novak was promoted from co-executive producer to executive producer midseason. Kaling, Shure, Chun and Ocko are co-executive producers; Forrester and Vitti are consulting producers; Spitzer and Grandy are supervising producers; and Warren Lieberstein, Halsted Sullivan and Steve Hely are producers.
The Office was filmed on a studio set at Valley Center Studios in Van Nuys, California.[4] Only establishing shots for the opening theme of the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where the show is set, were made on location there.[5]
Notable plots and subplots that affect the seventh season and beyond include:
Many characters portrayed by The Office cast are based on the British version of the show. While these characters usually have the same attitude and perceptions as their British counterparts, the roles have been redesigned to fit the American show better. The show is known for its generally large cast size, with many actors and actresses known particularly for their improvisational work.
On June 28, 2010, it was confirmed that the seventh season would be Steve Carell's last on the show, as his contract was expiring.[6] NBC confirmed that the series would continue after his departure, and would welcome any return appearances by Carell.[7] Actor and writer/co-executive producer B. J. Novak renewed his contract with Universal Media Studios through an eighth season and was promoted to full executive producer halfway through the seventh season.[8] As of this season, Zach Woods, who plays Gabe Lewis on the show, has been promoted to a series regular.[9] Executive producer/writer/actor Paul Lieberstein confirmed that Amy Ryan, who portrays Holly Flax, would appear in eight episodes of the season. He also confirmed Kathy Bates would return as Jo Bennett in the season premiere.[10] Melora Hardin returns as Jan Levinson. Timothy Olyphant guest starred in two episodes as rival salesman, Danny Cordray, who previously went on two dates with Pam.[11] Jack Coleman appears in a new recurring role as Senator Robert Lipton, who is dating Angela. Amy Ryan made her first return appearance as Holly in a voice-only role in "Sex Ed", and finally returned to Dunder Mifflin in the hour-long Christmas episode; and she is now billed among the rest of the starring cast.[12]
The episode titled "Threat Level Midnight", which aired February 17, 2011, revolved around the screening of Michael's film where all the office employees portray the characters in the film. The episode featured Melora Hardin as Jan, and the return of Rashida Jones as Karen and David Denman as Roy.[13] During NBC's TCA press tour, it was confirmed that Steve Carell would depart with three episodes left to go in the season, with the remaining episodes focusing on the search for (and selection of) his replacement as office manager. Executive producer Greg Daniels, who wrote Carell's farewell, stated the top candidates are Andy, Dwight, and Darryl, or possibly a newcomer. He also stated that whoever becomes the new manager would not become the main focus of the show like Michael was, and that two new regular cast members would join the cast during the eighth season.[14][15] Ricky Gervais reprised his role as David Brent from the original British series in a cameo appearance in the episode "The Seminar" that aired January 27, 2011.[16] Will Ferrell appeared in four episodes as Deangelo Vickers, Michael Scott's temporary replacement. Ferrell's character proved to be just as inept as Michael when it came to managing a business.[17] Steve Carell finished filming his final scenes for the show on March 4, 2011.[18] Ricky Gervais returned as David Brent in the season finale, along with Will Arnett who played a new character.[19] Gervais also contributed to the script for the season finale.[20] Ray Romano, James Spader, Catherine Tate, Warren Buffett and Jim Carrey also appeared in the season finale.[21][22]
The series aired on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. as part of Comedy Night Done Right television block.[23] The season premiere, "Nepotism" received a 4.4/11 percent share in the Nielsen ratings among viewers aged 18 to 49, meaning that 4.4 percent of viewers aged 18 to 49 watched the episode, and 11 percent of viewers watching television at the time watched the episode.[24] It was viewed by 8.4 million viewers, marking a slight increase in viewers from the sixth season premiere "Gossip".[24][25] The season hit a low with the 16th episode, "Todd Packer", which was viewed by only 6.12 million viewers.[26] Conversely, the season's 22nd episode, "Goodbye, Michael", was the highest-rated episode of the season, being watched by 8.42 million viewers.[27] The finale, "Search Committee" was viewed by 7.29 million viewers, a marked increase from the sixth-season finale "Whistleblower" which garnered only 6.6 million viewers.[28][29]
For the 2010–2011 season, The Office ranked as the 53rd-most watched program, averaging a total of 7.731 million viewers.[30] In the 18- to 49-year-old demographic, the show was the 11th-most watched television program of the broadcasting year.[30]
This season received mostly positive reviews from television critics, with many claiming that it was an improvement over the sixth season. Cindy White of IGN gave the season an 8 out of 10, calling it "great." She felt that the departure of Steve Carell helped reinvigorate the series, as well to see the character of Michael evolve and mature over the course of the season naturally. She also noted that the show proved it could survive without Carell. She highlighted the episodes "Threat Level Midnight", "Garage Sale" and "Goodbye, Michael" as the best episodes of the season.[31] Randy Miller III of DVD Talk felt that the majority of the season was "better than the sixth by a country mile" and that it was a "year that's still worth watching".[32] He applauded the way the show was able to write-out Carell's character, noting that "Goodbye, Michael" combined "nostalgia, comedy and a little drama to get its point across".[32] However, he was critical of several of the episodes that follow Carell's departure, and he called Ferrell's character a "full-blown psycho".[32]
Phillip Maciak of Slant Magazine awarded the season three stars out of four, and felt that the season showcased the skills of the ensembles cast. He wrote that it "has made a convincing argument, not that Michael Scott can be replaced, but that he doesn't need to be."[33] Myles McNutt of The A.V. Club commented that, while he felt that the season was uneven, it was a "distinct improvement over season six," claiming Carell's exit gave the show a "sense of focus that was absent last year."[34] James Poniewozik of Time called the season "mixed at best" and that the best episodes of the season "played almost like a series of vignettes and set pieces that allowed the characters to just be."[35] He ended with saying it was an improvement over the sixth season and that he generally enjoyed the season overall.[35]
During the seventh season, The Office received two award nominations at the 2011 Writers Guild of America Awards. Aaron Shure was nominated in Episodic Comedy category for writing the episode, "WUPHF.com", and the series was nominated for Best Comedy Series.[36] The series was also nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for the 17th Screen Actors Guild Awards.[37] Steve Carell was nominated for four comedic acting awards, at the 17th Screen Actors Guild Awards, 68th Golden Globe Awards, 37th People's Choice Awards and the 2010 Satellite Awards.[38][39][40] At the 1st Critics' Choice Television Awards, the series was nominated for Best Comedy Series, while Steve Carell was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.[41] For the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, the series received four nominations—for Outstanding Comedy series, Steve Carell for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, Greg Daniels for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for "Goodbye, Michael", and for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation for "Andy's Play".[42][43]
In the following table, "U.S. viewers (million)" refers to the number of Americans who viewed the episode on the night of broadcast. Episodes are listed by the order in which they aired, and may not necessarily correspond to their production codes.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [44] | Prod. code [44] | U.S. viewers (millions) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 127 | 1 | "Nepotism" | Jeffrey Blitz | Daniel Chun | September 23, 2010 | 7001 | 8.48[24] | |||||||
|
Michael upsets the office when he ignores their pleas to fire office assistant Luke, Michael's immature nephew. Pam's attempt to prank Dwight backfires when Kevin's faulty rewiring of an elevator strands the two together. Andy grows even more upset with Gabe and Erin's relationship. Michael spanks his nephew in front of the entire office which results in him having to take 6 counselling sessions with Toby. | ||||||||||||||
| 128 | 2 | "Counseling" | Jeffrey Blitz | B. J. Novak | September 30, 2010 | 7002 | 7.36[45] | |||||||
|
Michael is frustrated to find out that his six hours of counseling with Toby cannot be counted unless he talks. Toby attempts to use different methods to get Michael to open up but Michael refuses to make Toby's job easy. Pam attempts to finagle a promotion to office administrator. Dwight seeks revenge (in the Pretty Woman style) with the help of his colleagues, after a shop owner at the Steamtown Mall refuses to serve him. | ||||||||||||||
| 129 | 3 | "Andy's Play" | John Stuart Scott | Charlie Grandy | October 7, 2010 | 7003 | 6.95[46] | |||||||
|
Andy lands a role in a local production of Sweeney Todd and invites the entire office to the performance, hoping to impress Erin. However, she offers to babysit for Jim and Pam instead, hoping to get a start in the babysitter career. While Michael struggles to put his jealousy aside in regard to not being cast in the play, Jim and Pam have trouble with their less-than-stellar babysitter. Angela and Dwight continue to have a contract to uphold. | ||||||||||||||
| 130 | 4 | "Sex Ed" | Paul Lieberstein | Paul Lieberstein | October 14, 2010 | 7004 | 7.36[47] | |||||||
|
Michael comes to work thinking he has a pimple, but it turns out to actually be a cold sore. When he is told that it is a form of herpes, Michael contacts all his ex-girlfriends—Jan (Melora Hardin), Holly (Amy Ryan), Helene (Linda Purl), Donna (Amy Pietz), and Carol (Nancy Carell)—and during all that, he discovers that Holly thinks he over-romanticized their relationship. Andy holds a sex education meeting in the office hoping to appeal to Erin's passionate side. Michael concludes that he did not exaggerate his relationship with Holly and what they had was in fact something special. | ||||||||||||||
| 131 | 5 | "The Sting" | Randall Einhorn | Mindy Kaling | October 21, 2010 | 7005 | 6.87[48] | |||||||
|
When a Dunder Mifflin client is stolen by rival salesman Danny Cordray (Timothy Olyphant), Michael, Dwight and Jim decide to set up a sting in order to uncover his sales secret. Meredith, who pretends to be the manager of the fake company, tanks the plan due her attraction to Danny, resulting in Michael hiring him to appear victorious. Andy starts a band with Darryl when he learns that one of his old college friends has a successful music career. | ||||||||||||||
| 132 | 6 | "Costume Contest" | Dean Holland | Justin Spitzer | October 28, 2010 | 7006 | 8.07[49] | |||||||
|
Michael freaks out when Darryl goes over his head by taking an idea to corporate that Michael initially dismissed. The employees partake in a Halloween costume contest in the office for a coupon book prize, organized as Pam’s first task as the office administrator. Meanwhile, she tries to get the truth from Danny about their dating history. | ||||||||||||||
| 133 | 7 | "Christening" | Alex Hardcastle | Peter Ocko | November 4, 2010 | 7007 | 7.65[50] | |||||||
|
Pam and Jim's baby, Cece, gets christened and Michael invites the entire office to celebrate. Because of his feeling of being left, Michael joins a church group of high school graduates on a mission to Mexico, with Andy following along to impress Erin. | ||||||||||||||
| 134 | 8 | "Viewing Party" | Ken Whittingham | Jon Vitti | November 11, 2010 | 7008 | 7.15[51] | |||||||
|
In an attempt to make Michael get along with Gabe, Erin invites the office over to Gabe's house for a Glee viewing party. Michael can't handle the fact that the office workers think of Gabe as their boss instead of him and tries to sabotage the party. Growing more jealous of Gabe and Erin's relationship, Andy goes to extremes in order to impress her. Dwight helps Pam with Cece, much to Jim's chagrin. | ||||||||||||||
| 135 | 9 | "WUPHF.com" | Danny Leiner | Aaron Shure | November 18, 2010 | 7009 | 7.28[52] | |||||||
|
Michael helps Ryan by charming people to invest in his internet company, WUPHF.com. Dwight creates a hay festival in the parking lot for the Thanksgiving holiday. While waiting for Dwight, Angela meets the State Senator in the festival. Jim learns of a new Sabre capping policy that prevents him from earning too much commission. | ||||||||||||||
| 136 | 10 | "China" | Charles McDougall | Halsted Sullivan & Warren Lieberstein | December 2, 2010 | 7010 | 7.31[53] | |||||||
|
When Michael reads an article about China growing as a global power, he decides they must be stopped before they take over the United States. When Oscar contradicts him and is proven wrong, he is taunted by the entire office. Pam threatens to move Dunder Mifflin to a new building after everyone in the office complains about Dwight's building standards. Darryl is sick of Andy's annoying text messages. Dwight clandestinely helps Pam succeed as an Office Administrator. | ||||||||||||||
| 137 | 11 | "Classy Christmas"‡ | Rainn Wilson | Mindy Kaling | December 9, 2010 | 7011 | 7.18[54] | |||||||
| 138 | 12 | 7012 | ||||||||||||
|
Michael couldn't be happier when Toby takes a leave of absence, leaving corporate to send Holly Flax (Amy Ryan) to cover for him. Michael forces Pam to plan a second Christmas party on the day Holly returns to Scranton. Jim agrees to a snowball fight with Dwight, which he later regrets. | ||||||||||||||
| 139 | 13 | "Ultimatum" | David Rogers | Carrie Kemper | January 20, 2011 | 7013 | 8.26[55] | |||||||
|
Michael anticipates the news regarding the status of Holly and A.J.'s relationship. In the office, Pam puts up a New Year's resolution board so everyone can post their resolutions but things get chaotic. Darryl convinces Andy and Dwight to go with him to the library in hopes of picking up women, when in fact he wants to work on his secret resolution of reading more. | ||||||||||||||
| 140 | 14 | "The Seminar" | B. J. Novak | Steve Hely | January 27, 2011 | 7014 | 7.93[56] | |||||||
|
Andy holds a small business seminar in the office with some special guests to earn some extra cash, after he finds out that his sales are the lowest. Michael and Holly use the seminar as an improv challenge, posing as a Greek couple. Erin and Gabe have a game of Scrabble to decide who will choose their movie of the day. Oscar and Pam help Erin out when she turns out to be a very bad Scrabble player. | ||||||||||||||
| 141 | 15 | "The Search" | Michael Spiller | Brent Forrester | February 3, 2011 | 7015 | 7.29[57] | |||||||
|
Jim gets an emergency phone call from Helene (Linda Purl), forcing him to leave Michael at a gas station bathroom. This leads Holly, Erin, and Dwight on a search for Michael's whereabouts. A captioning contest starts in the office over Pam's artwork, which seems to offend Gabe. Holly eventually finds Michael because of their similar mentality and she realizes her feelings for him. | ||||||||||||||
| 142 | 16 | "PDA" | Greg Daniels | Robert Padnick | February 10, 2011 | 7017 | 6.90[58] | |||||||
|
Michael and Holly's public displays of affection start to make everyone in the office uncomfortable. Jim and Pam have too much champagne during a Valentines Day lunch, causing complications when they have to return to work. Andy tags along on a romantic treasure hunt Gabe has made for Erin. | ||||||||||||||
| 143 | 17 | "Threat Level Midnight" | Tucker Gates | B. J. Novak | February 17, 2011 | 7016 | 6.41[59] | |||||||
|
Michael screens his action film Threat Level Midnight to the office after eleven years of writing, shooting, re-shooting, and editing. The film features Michael as Agent Michael Scarn, Dwight as Scarn's butler and sidekick, and Jim as archnemesis "Goldenface," as well as several people from Michael's past including Jan (Melora Hardin), Karen (Rashida Jones), Roy (David Denman), Helene (Linda Purl), Todd Packer (David Koechner), Tony Gardner (Mike Bruner), and Troy Underbridge (Noel Petok). Complications arise when Michael doesn’t get an expected response about the film from Holly. | ||||||||||||||
| 144 | 18 | "Todd Packer" | Randall Einhorn | Amelie Gillette | February 24, 2011 | 7018 | 6.12[26] | |||||||
|
Traveling salesman Todd Packer (David Koechner) comes to Dunder Mifflin looking for a desk job in the office. However, the office is unsure if they want him to work there due to his previous behavior. When Erin gets a new computer, Andy, who is also dealing with computer problems, confronts office administrator Pam to get him a new one too. Jim and Dwight team up to get rid of Packer. Michael who has previously idealized Packer, changes his mind about him when he insults Holly. | ||||||||||||||
| 145 | 19 | "Garage Sale" | Steve Carell | Jon Vitti | March 24, 2011 | 7019 | 7.07[60] | |||||||
|
Michael decides to propose to Holly with his expensive diamond ring, thinking about outrageous ideas to carry out the proposal. When Pam notices, she makes him consult Oscar, Ryan, Jim, and herself for advice, and their opinions on his ideas. Meanwhile, Dunder Mifflin Scranton's warehouse and crew hosts a public garage sale. Jim dupes Dwight by selling him “magic beans”. The episode ends with Michael and Holly getting engaged and announcing that they will be moving to Colorado. | ||||||||||||||
| 146 | 20 | "Training Day" | Paul Lieberstein | Daniel Chun | April 14, 2011 | 7020 | 7.87[61] | |||||||
|
Michael's replacement appears in the office, to start receiving training from Michael. The new manager, Deangelo Vickers (Will Ferrell), has everyone hoping to make good first impressions. Andy finds himself awkwardly type cast as the funny guy, while Jim and Pam worry that they've come on too strong. Only Dwight is apathetic about the new leader. Michael tries to deal with his jealousy, and establish himself as the boss. | ||||||||||||||
| 147 | 21 | "Michael's Last Dundies" | Mindy Kaling | Mindy Kaling | April 21, 2011 | 7021 | 6.85[62] | |||||||
|
Michael trains his office replacement, Deangelo (Will Ferrell), for hosting the Dundie Awards. Meanwhile, Erin deals with her dislike of her boyfriend, Gabe. Michael gets treated to a special song as a farewell present from the entire office. | ||||||||||||||
| 148 | 22 | "Goodbye, Michael"† | Paul Feig | Greg Daniels | April 28, 2011 | 7022 | 8.42[27] | |||||||
|
Michael prepares to leave for Colorado with Holly, and spends his last day in the office saying goodbye to everyone individually, wanting no drama to ensue. Meanwhile, new manager Deangelo and Andy try to keep Michael's biggest clients. | ||||||||||||||
| 149 | 23 | "The Inner Circle" | Matt Sohn | Charlie Grandy | May 5, 2011 | 7023 | 6.90[63] | |||||||
|
New office manager Deangelo picks favorites among the staff, revealing his true management style. | ||||||||||||||
| 150 | 24 | "Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager" | Troy Miller | Justin Spitzer | May 12, 2011 | 7024 | 6.45[64] | |||||||
|
Dwight becomes the interim manager, instituting a typically heavy-handed management style. Meanwhile, Gabe tries to win back Erin. | ||||||||||||||
| 151 | 25 | "Search Committee"‡ | Jeffrey Blitz | Paul Lieberstein | May 19, 2011 | 7025 | 7.29[28] | |||||||
| 152 | 26 | 7026 | ||||||||||||
|
Deangelo's new replacement is sought out through a search committee process led by Jim. | ||||||||||||||
^† denotes a "super-sized" 40-minute episode (with advertisements; actual runtime around 28 minutes).
^‡ denotes an hour-long episode (with advertisements; actual runtime around 42 minutes).
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