The TV Zone

Turns out "The Office" not only turns out pretty darned brilliant finales - like Toby's exit, of last week - but manages to inspire first-rate parodies too. (I'm not sure what that means, but it means something.)

Yes, I've gotten in the habit of catching up with "Saturday Night Live" 24-48 hours later; much easier on the brain, plus no commercials, and it's left to the vigilant bloggers (not to mention NBC) to post stuff that may change the culture (or may not.) But Saturday's "Japanese Version" of "The Office" - a digital short featuring both Ricky Gervais and Steve Carell - was pretty darned brilliant too. (See if you can guess who plays Jim...Dwight...Pam...) You sorta wonder why this is funny, and leave it to Gervais to explain one of the reasons why at the clip's conclusion.

Take a look now, and after the clip, some more "Office" thoughts/questions...

OK, that was fun. But now I'm wondering: What about that "Office" spin-off? I was told by Shari Anne Brill - one of the most plugged-in programming executives on Madison Avenue (she's with Carat) - that NBC may well not have a clue about what the spin-off will be about. And if she believes this, then NBC's got a problem, because if you're an advertiser, you're kind of reluctant to put money down on something that may be non-existent.

That may explain why Toby may be off the show, at least for a while. Toby is Paul Lieberstein who - you are probably aware - is one of the show's creative forces ("Office" is one of those rare shows that actually uses actors who are also its WRITERS.) It also looks like Ryan - B.J. Novak - may also be away for a little while too; like Lieberstein, he's another one of those rare "hyphenates."

So here's my little question: Are Lieberstein and Novak off to work on the spin-off? As writers - NOT as actors. For all I know, this is common knowledge to hardcore "Office" fans, but it would be news to me.

Meanwhile, who was Holly in last week's finale? You know! That was Amy Ryan, a fine New York actress (Queens-born) who was Beadie Russell in "The Wire." What a great casting move by this show.