By Starting April 3rd, Jeff Goldblum will replace Ed Helms on NBC’s long-running sitcom The Office. Helms’s character, Andy Bernard, became manager this season after the departure of Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Goldblum will play William Gaddis, a failed Sabre executive and former personal assistant to Robert California, played by James Spader. Spader is also leaving the show.
“There’s no ill will or anything,” Helms told Flixist. “I just think it’s time to move on.” Helms will be pursuing film roles and is also up for a lead in the new pilot by Office co-star and writer Mindy Kaling. This comes days after news that Paul Lieberstein (Toby, and also a writer for the show) is stepping down as showrunner, and that Kate Flannery (Meredith) has been hired to host Standup In Stilettos, a showcase for lady comedians. Goldblum’s presence should breathe new life into the show’s ninth season.
“It’s a sad-sad-sad loss, I think, losing Ed Helms,” Goldblum said. “But, ah, um, Ed is off — zoom — to things bigger, and things brighter. So, ah, um, I hope to add something — some vim, some oomph, some mmhph — by collaboration, reinvigoration, and artistic sublimation with this cast. And, fact is, I love the number nine! It’s another, ah, ah, number when it’s turned upside down.”
There is speculation that Helms, Carrell, and other Daily Show alumni are collaborating with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert on a feature film. A source at Comedy Central tells us that the movie would be a mockumentary about making The Daily Show and The Colbert Report in the style of This is Spinal Tap, with Craig Kilborn playing himself as the villain.
[Via Zap2it]