Lauren Graham for Office spin-off?
So, while we've been speculating here on our own about The Office spinoff, others are doing the same. TV Guide's Michael Ausiello, one of my favorite TV chatters, was asked in his column about said Office spinoff and whether it may be the perfect spot for Lauren Graham. Hmm...very interesting. Ausiello agreed with the writer, that especially in light of the big deal Lauren inked with NBC, it makes sense. He wrote, "It would be insane not to at least consider Graham for the gig. Are you with me?"
Yes, I am, Mike! Frankly, I think Lauren Graham would be terrific given the quality writing the folks at The Office have been able to consistently produce. She's a wonderful comic actress. Her award-worthy stretch on Gilmore Girls proved that. She was in the classic mold of a screwball comedy queens like Rosiland Russell, Jean Arthur, Barbara Stanwyck and Carole Lombard. And in TV terms, that's Mary Tyler Moore territory.
But like any other actor, Lauren needs good writing -- really. She was lovely in Because I Said So with Diane Keaton, but the movie was dreadfully bad. And in Evan Almighty, opposite Steve Carell, she barely registered because she was given nothing to do! Therefore, if The Office spinoff stars Lauren Graham, make sure she's challenged and write something funny. With the right words -- like Amy Sherman-Palladino's for Lorelai Gilmore -- Lauren will shine again. And Steve Carell, put in a good word for Lauren -- you owe her!
Speaking of Amy, she has to be smarting from the swift -- and deserved -- demise of The Return of Jezebel James. Here's an idea: if Amy's looking for a new gig, hire her for The Office spinoff. She knows funny -- pre-Jezebel, that is. Jezebel was so ill-conceived that even Lauren Graham wouldn't have saved it.

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