If you want proof that The Office needs to be taken out behind the woodshed and put down like a rabid dog, look no further than the latest episode, "Michael's Last Dundies." The half-hour was painfully unfunny and a sad reminder of what The Office used to be.

I'll admit that the big musical number at the end, the employees' version of Rent's "Seasons of Love," was a sweet moment that brought a smile to my face, but it wasn't enough to wash away the horribleness of what came before it.



When you think of the Dundies, you think of the season 2 premiere, the episode that single-handedly turned The Office from a not-that-great remake into a brilliant show of its own. The first Dundies was as perfect an episode of The Office as the show ever created, with great jokes, great relationships and just the right balance of screw-up and genius for Michael Scott.

The newest Dundies episode, however, was tired and unfunny. Usually Michael gives out clever awards, like when he tried to give Phyllis the Busiest Beaver award, but it was misspelled as Bushiest Beaver. Now we get things like "Cutest Redhead." I couldn't decide if Michael Scott had given up or if the Office writers had.

However, there was a bigger problem with the episode: Will Ferrell. I've never liked him as an actor, but I'll admit that I found him somewhat entertaining in his first episode last week. But this week he was a complete bore, adding nothing of any value to the show. Deangelo Vickers can't leave fast enough, because he is killing the show.

Right now I'm left wishing The Office wasn't already renewed for an eighth season, because right now the show is as bad as it's ever been. My only hope is that the season finale and the search for a new boss will add some freshness to this aging, unfunny show. They already had Ricky Gervais, Will Arnett, Catherine Tate, James Spader and Ray Romano, and now they've added Jim Carrey to the episode. I pray that adding that much star power can energize the writers and help them find the magic The Office used to have.

(Image and video courtesy of NBC)