Exclusive: 'The Office' Showrunner Greg Daniels Sheds Light on Highly Anticipated Reboot!
The Office showrunner Greg Daniels addresses rumors of a highly-anticipated reboot of the beloved NBC series, sparking excitement among fans and speculation about the potential return of the iconic characters
The Office showrunner Greg Daniels isn’t opposed to the idea of putting Dunder Mifflin back in business.
Daniels, 60, expressed skepticism about the potential revival of the hit NBC comedy during an interview with Collider on Tuesday, October 17. He found it intriguing that the speculation gained momentum based on a single line in a Puck article, highlighting the continued dedication of the fans.
Earlier this month, Puck News reported that plans were underway for a reboot of the comedy series, which originally aired from 2005 to 2013. The announcement was expected to be made once the Writers Guild of America concluded its three-month-long strike. However, no official confirmation has been made since the guild reached a new agreement with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) earlier this month.
Although Daniels couldn't confirm the existence of a new version of the popular sitcom, he didn't outright reject the idea either. He suggested that there may be something in the works for the future. "I will definitely make an announcement when there is something to announce," he assured fans.
During its nine-season run, The Office received critical acclaim and garnered five Emmy wins as well as numerous nominations. The show was inspired by the U.K. series of the same name and revolved around Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, who served as the manager of a struggling paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling, and B.J. Novak completed the main cast, portraying the disgruntled employees who often shared their frustrations about their absurd working conditions in mockumentary-style confessionals.
According to Daniels, the potential of how a show like The Office would operate in the present day is a compelling challenge due to the numerous advancements in technology that have occurred over the past decade. When reflecting on old movies, Daniels highlights the intriguing aspect of identifying what would no longer be feasible in a world where everyone possesses a cell phone. He illustrates how various plot developments, such as characters narrowly missing encounters or experiencing frustrations due to the lack of communication, would be resolved effortlessly with the use of cell phones. Daniels concludes that this question poses an interesting and thought-provoking scenario to consider.
Reboots and revivals have gained significant momentum in recent years. However, Daniels expressed reservations about revisiting the show. In a 2019 interview with Entertainment Weekly, he stated that he would hesitate to reopen such a perfect thing.
The cast of 'The Office' had the opportunity to conclude the show according to their desired ending. Unlike being abruptly halted, they were able to complete it in a cohesive and artistic manner. However, there have been occasional discussions among the cast about reuniting in some way. Although, it is unlikely to be a reboot similar to that of 'Will & Grace'.
Kaling, who played Kelly Kapoor and was also a writer on the series, is uncertain if The Office would be successful today in any form. Over the years, the show has received backlash for its controversial storylines and offensive jokes regarding race, sex, religion, and other sensitive topics.
"Many of the characters from that show would likely face cancellation in today's climate. The show's content wouldn't be considered appropriate anymore," Kaling revealed during an interview with Good Morning America in December 2022. "The writers I still keep in touch with often discuss how a significant portion of the show may not be permissible in current times."
The actress, who has since directed shows like The Mindy Project, Never Have I Ever, and The Sex Live of College Girls, expressed that there has been a significant shift in what offends people in recent times. She attributed part of The Office's enduring popularity to its fearlessness and willingness to touch on taboo subjects in the show. When asked about when she intends to show the series to her children, Kaling, who is a mother to five-year-old daughter Katherine Swati and three-year-old son Spencer Avu, replied that she is considering never showing it to them.
In this article
Angela Kinsey
B.J. Novak
Jenna Fischer
John Krasinski
Mindy Kaling
Rainn Wilson
