Jenna Fischer, who played Pam Beesly in The Office, has shared her positive views on the show's quality following Steve Carell's departure. In a recent podcast appearance, she highlighted favorite episodes from seasons 8 and 9. Fischer argues that the series maintained its strength throughout its run.
Steve Carell's character, Michael Scott, was central to much of The Office's humor during its early years, serving as the manager of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch. His exit in season 7's episode "Goodbye, Michael" marked a significant shift, with many fans perceiving a decline in the show's quality afterward.
However, Jenna Fischer, speaking on the Fly on the Wall podcast, offered a different perspective after rewatching the series. "My biggest takeaway from having rewatched it was that it's really good the whole time," she said. She noted a common belief among the cast and creators that the show peaked in seasons 3 or 4, but she found value beyond that point.
Fischer specifically addressed the post-Carell era, countering the idea that seasons 8 and 9 were merely treading water. "But when I watched everything, some of my favorite episodes were in Seasons 8 and 9 after Steve had left. There were still these amazing storylines," she explained. During this period, various managers replaced Michael Scott, yet Fischer believes the show continued to deliver engaging plots and comedy.
This sentiment echoes in discussions around spin-offs. Creator Greg Daniels recalled advice from Carell when developing The Office spin-off The Paper: "It doesn't matter. 'The Office' is fine. Go ahead, take a whack at it." Daniels shared this with The Hollywood Reporter, emphasizing the original series' enduring appeal as a team effort that influenced new projects.