Interesting piece of news on Ricky Gervais' web site ("RickyGervais.com: The website of Ricky Gervais... obviously."). We already knew that the American version of The Office has been picked up for a fourth season, but the "News" section of Ricky's site claims that the show has been picked up for a fourth and fifth season. Here's the quote:"Ricky has scored further success in America, with NBC deciding to make two more series of the US version of his comedy The Office. Network boss Kevin Reilly said that The Office represented 'the best of what we consider quality shows'. This will bring the total number of episodes to 94."
I wonder why this is the only place that has this information? NBC doesn't have any information beyond the fact that the show has been renewed for next year. But the source is pretty reliable -- Gervais, not a fan site or some other speculative site. Networks don't usually renew shows that far ahead. The last one that did (ABC with Drew Carey) paid dearly when the show's ratings tanked in the first of those two seasons. I guess we'll find out more in the next few weeks.
[thanks to Jennie and Bryce for the tip.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-26-2007 @ 2:11PM
_spike said...
this is great news!
i hope 30 Rock gets it, too.
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1-26-2007 @ 2:13PM
George said...
Presumably this is just cash-strapped NBC gearing up to pre-sell the syndication rights, no?
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1-26-2007 @ 3:41PM
Will said...
I think this is definitely for syndication purposes which is great. I think this show will take off in syndication where more people will get a chance to watch it.
A year or two ago I heard about the great drought in syndicated comedies, and how that is causing Seinfeld and Friends to command extraordinary rates. My understanding is that Scrubs is doing great in syndication, causing a ratings uptick to the new episodes and making cash available for a seventh season despite earlier statements to the contrary. I think the same effect will be seen with the Office. Heck add in the BBC series and you have a whopping 106 episodes!! (Ok, 110 if you count the last two specials)
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