Dwight Schrute -- Regional Manager, Dunder Mifflin. If star Mindy Kaling had her way, this could be a reality as soon as Steve Carell leaves 'The Office' at the end of this upcoming season. Of course, being a co-executive producer of the NBC comedy, she has some additional pull. And that's why Dwight is definitely in the running as Michael's replacement..

In fact, according to Entertainment Weekly, Rainn Wilson, who portrays the slightly manic Dwight, is at the top of the succession list. The reason, says Kaling, is she likes to promote from within rather than pull an unknown factor into the role. With enough grooming this upcoming season, Kaling thinks Dwight could become a terrific boss.

We're not too sure about that.

Dwight is a fantastic character -- solid, passionate, able to brush off constant bullying by Jim and Pam and, if treated with some dignity, truly dedicated. He's one of the stronger characters on the show. Unfortunately, that's just it: he's a character.

Yes, he certainly has grown over the last six seasons. A true sycophant at the beginning of the series, Dwight has grown enough to realize he doesn't always need to hang on Michael's coattails. And there are moments where you can relate with the character, but those are far between. For the most part, Dwight is still arrogant, manipulative and egotistical.

Some of the same things could be said about Michael Scott. However, while those traits are on Michael's surface, he has something that Dwight doesn't: deep humanity.One of the best examples of this is from the second season episode 'Booze Cruise.' Though excruciatingly embarrassing for most of the episode, Michael showed true compassion when Jim revealed his crush on Pam. Just from those few moments you could see that Michael was a caring (sometimes too caring), sad and somewhat lonely individual who just wanted to be liked -- making him, surprisingly, a fair manager.

Dwight doesn't have, or doesn't show, those types of traits. In fact, Dwight reminds me of Major Frank Burns of 'M*A*S*H.' Obnoxious and snide, Frank was one of those over-patriotic, under-thinking individuals who couldn't leave well enough alone. As soon as Colonels Blake or Potter left camp for some reason, Frank was ready to remove the Surgical Hospital out of the M.A.S.H acronym. These actions made him a very unlikeable person and a poor leader.

This, I fear, is what the Scranton, Penn. branch would become if Dwight took over as manager in season 8. Without many of the people skills Michael has (maybe inadvertently) gained over the years, Dwight would just be a joke trying to mold the office into his own image while Jim and Pam slowly tried to edge him towards the brink of insanity. Unless the writers of 'The Office' plan to totally reform the character, Dwight would be a manager both disliked and not respected by his office staff.

Do you think Dwight should take over Michael's position? We await your thoughts.