Finally, it’s confirmed: an hour-long episode of The Office will air immediately after the Super Bowl on February 1.  We’ve long heard that the folks behind the award-winning comedy are at work on an hour-long episode of the series, but until now it’s only been speculated that the episode will air after the Super Bowl.  Even creator Greg Daniels wasn’t sure, joking at one point that the promos they earlier created to hype the current season’s premiere was “good practice for post-Super Bowl.”  Now, well, it is.

Both the network and Daniels are tightlipped regarding what will happen to that episode.  Well, guess what—we have the slightest of ideas.  Spoilers are after the jump, so read on if you dare.


But first—just to keep you hanging—the reason for the scheduling, at least according to the folks at NBC: “The Office is a perfect fit for after the Super Bowl,” the network’s scheduling head Mitch Metcalf said.  “It’s going to be a hilariously funny hour, and I think people will be in the mood to laugh after the big game.”  He also thinks it’s a win-win situation for the network, the show and the audiences.  “You just don't want something that’s too heavy, and some of the best performances after the Super Bowl have been comedies,” the network executive said.  “This could bring a whole new audience to the show.”

Now that it's over with, the spoiler details: people familiar with the storyline told trade publication Television Week that the post-Super Bowl episode will revolve around the Dunder Mifflin employees roasting Michael Scott (Steve Carell).  I don’t exactly understand what it means, but sources say the roast won’t be celebrity-driven, although the producers are thinking of throwing in some guest stars in a way that it won’t interfere with the way the series is set up.  Of course, in the tradition of everything The Office, Michael himself will request that his employees roast him.

That’s just the second half of the episode.  The first half will involve some sort of a disaster, connected to Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) and his training as a fire marshal.  Do I smell burning paper in the Scranton office?  Of course, the network won’t be saying anything yet.  The only thing their press release says is this: “Noteworthy announcements regarding this special episode are forthcoming.”  In other words, wait for it.

A new episode of The Office airs tonight, after a Thanksgiving holiday break-ish (since there were reruns of the season premiere over two days).  Oscar (Oscar Nunez) tells Michael that they must spent a $4300 surplus in the current budget, or lose it in next year’s plans—in other words, everyone battling to get things that they want for free, somehow.  Also, Schrute Farms makes a return, with wedding preparations for Angela (Angela Kinsey) and Andy (Ed Helms) in tow.  Smelling trouble?  That’s from 9pm tonight on NBC.


-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Sources: NBC, The Hollywood Reporter, TV Week
(Image courtesy of NBC)