TVSquad

There are reportedly two versions of The Office season finale-- one where Karen leaves and one where she stays. The reason isn't so much about storytelling as it is about the uncertain future of Rashida Jones, who plays Karen. She starred in a pilot called The Rules for Starting Over for Fox and now is waiting to see whether it's being picked up. Kristen over at E! Online says it's a good chance Fox will pick up the comedy. We'll know what happens on May 17th when Fox reveals its fall schedule.

Soapbox time: I'd like to see Karen go. I like Rashida Jones, but it feels like her character is doing nothing but treading water these days. With Karen gone, there's even more of a reason for tension between Jim and Pam because they will have to decide whether to act on the opportunity to hook up. If Karen stays, I'm fine with that too, but I hope something juicy happens in the season finale to spice up her relationship with Jim and her coworkers.

Do you want Karen back next season on The Office?

[Thanks, Chris W.!]

Welcome to TV Squad Lists (formerly 'The Five'), a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad.

I'm bored with The Office right now. Now, don't interpret that as "I hate the show"... because I don't. I think it is one of the best shows on television, but it has hit a plateau and needs to be stirred up a bit to get interesting again. Last Thursday, I found it to be the second-to-least funny of NBC's comedy line-up (Scrubs was the least funny with the random, meaningless killing of a cast member).

I think the main problem is that The Office is a little too close to real life right now. And let's face it: real life is boring. Office life in particular isn't interesting, and The Office has to walk a fine line between realism and entertainment. Lately, I think, The Office hasn't so much walked that line as it has stepped on both sides of it.