Exclusive: 'Mad Men' Star Poached by 'The Office'

Nicole Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 12:42 AM EST

Thank God you guys were talking about this before hand and were there for me when I was WRACKING my brain trying to figure out who that guys was. It was totally bugging me.

I love the "temp" guess! Very funny. I am glad that it isn't too much of a 'caricature" roll on the office or it might ruin his demure approach for me on Mad Men.

Amber Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 09:13 AM EST

He's going to be pam's new replacement for receptionist....

Jimmy Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 06:55 PM EST

Ok how bout this (it may have been said already, I didn't read all the comments) he is Jan's nerdy-simpsons-writer-sperm donor. The twist: his sperm didn't make it, and the baby is actually Michael's

Clark Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 10:15 AM EST

He looks like he could be Roy's twin or brother on the show, given the right makeup. I love both of these shows so much and can't wait to see this "surprise twist."

Hannah Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 02:11 AM EST

Go Cobbers.

Ben Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 10:46 PM EST

My guess is that he is going to have something to do with the angela/andy/dwight love triangle... or perhaps a former lover of pam? Possable CIA agent investigating ryans crimes? I can't wait for the office's triumpant return!

Lisa Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 10:08 PM EST

Michael - this is long overdue, but congratulations on the EW gig! I've followed you over from your TVG days ;-) Anywho, I LOVE, LOVE MM and The Office, so this makes me giggly and giddy! I wonder if he will play a roll in a Dwight/Angela/Andy quadrangle?? or he could be Andy's brother...?

Nicole Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 04:57 PM EST

First, just for the record, if everybody watches every show then everything would have excellent ratings and there would be no need for cancelations. And since noone here watches every show on TV there are going to be scoops on shows that some of us don't watch.

I personally love the TV news (and some of the casting decisions have got me interested in shows I don't watch) so keep the information flowing.

And I love the Office and am psyched for the premire. I liked everyone's theories on who Rich might be playing. I'm curious as to what the "surprise twist" could be. There was so much going on when we left the Scranton crew this spring it will be interesting to see what happens.

LA Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 02:36 PM EST

Rich Sommer is terrific in Mad Men. I am thrilled for his temp work over at Dunder Mifflin, but I hope he'll still be at Sterling Cooper, too.

Caroline Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 01:22 PM EST

Lynne - A little harsh, but you're right. It's TV news, he's reporting on TV. No need for people to be disrespectful because he's covering a show they don't watch.

By the way, the posters on the bottom, despite their sarcasm obviously remember this guy from previous work. Reason would indicate that others remember him too, and this would make it noteworthy.

Lynne Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 01:14 PM EST

Ah, yes...It wouldn't be an effective Ausiello post without some miserable trolls starting off the festivities. Why not go to any other number of entertainment sites who essentially repeat everyone else's scoops by using the words "as reported on..." and then dumb it down for the mainstream crowd? Really. No actual updates to offend your delicate sensibilities.

Court Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 12:44 PM EST

If you are a fan of The Office, yes this is big news because he isn't merely a day player...HE IS INVOLVED IN A TWIST. God, if you are going to start acting like an idiot about the content, at least READ THE CONTENT.

"I suspect he's going to be Jim's roommate Mark, who I don't think we've seen before, right?"

We have seen Mark in Email Surveillance in Season 2. He's the one who jokes with Dwight about loving Birkenstocks.

Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 12:35 PM EST

Bears, Beets, BattleStar Gallatica

Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 12:35 PM EST

Bears, Beets, BattleStar Gallatica

Sarah Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 11:38 AM EST

I think he looks a little like Pam's ex, Roy. Ausiello said he's part of a twist right? Maybe it has something to do with Pam and Roy? I hope not though. I think we're all over Pam and Roy. I would like to see Pam and Jim stay together. I think the writers are good enough that they don't have to create conflict to keep their story interesting. And I don't care how big or small the news is. Keep it all coming!

Mr. C. Nashawarmaty Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 11:27 AM EST

Is it possible his character will be named "Pete Olson"--all grown up?

Jason Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 11:04 AM EST

So Sommer is playing the frozen pop to Jan's baby?

Christa Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 08:36 AM EST

I love Harry Crane. I love the Office. I love Michael Ausiello. That is all.

Melissa Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 06:00 AM EST

I'm gonna bet a case of Snapple that this guy is going to be delivering Jan's baby. So no OB role for Ausiello this time around I guess. ;-)

nic Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 05:12 AM EST

Sommer's work in the season one finale of Mad Men ('The Wheel') was just heartbreaking. Great to see he's exercising his comedy chops. And i concur with recent comments - the morons who aren't interested in news like this should try the drudge report. Keep it up, Mike! Love ya work, all the way down from Sydney, Australia.

Fatima Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 01:50 AM EST

Oh my god, people don't get the Ausiello Files at all do they. He covers so much TV it's amazing. Maybe the way EW's presents the stories makes them look bigger than they are, but if you look at it as a continuous blog throughout the day, it's just wonderful how much is payed attention to. God I can't stand some people

AggieGirl Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 12:31 AM EST

Before Michael Ausiello began writing this blog, this site was a waste of time. He writes interesting, up-to-date information about TV shows, not all of which anyone watches (hopefully b/c we have jobs and lives at some point).

But he does a good job of covering a boat-load of shows and information, and his posts are spot-on, funny and well written.

I appreciate that he's taken time to write about shows like Mad Men, which I went back and watched during the dull writer's strike. It's turned out to be a gem, and has given me something great to watch this summer. As for The Office, it's a classic.

Michael -- keep up the good work, and keep telling us about all of the shows and news that's out there. I, for one, would love to hear more about shows you think are under- (or over-) rated. And I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new shows that are coming up for the Fall.

Alaina Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 08:30 PM EST

I say bring it on with all the news you have, someone is bound to appreciate it! Thanks for feeding my Office/Mad Men addiction!

emma Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 08:16 PM EST

yes! i love him and mad men and the office! i think he'll fit in nicely

Melanie Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 08:02 PM EST

As someone who watches both of these shows, thanks for the scoop!

Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 07:58 PM EST

I suspect he's going to be Jim's roommate Mark, who I don't think we've seen before, right?

Alex Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 06:27 PM EST

Yeah--thanks for the news! He's great in Mad Men. Can't wait to see him on The Office

Steven Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 06:27 PM EST

He looks like he could play Kevin's younger brother!

Daniel Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 06:24 PM EST

Ucch, love him. Can't wait for the premiere!

Matt Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 06:11 PM EST

People need to stop complaining. You'll get your news on "Two and a Half Men" and "Boston Legal" later.

I think he looks vaguely like John Krasinski and/or Ed Helms. Jim or Andy's brother? I could see him involved in Pam's story at New York or involved in Jan's life somehow.

Josh Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 06:08 PM EST

How is Mad Men A Cult show, it got 16 Emmy Nominations. It Also won the Golden Globe For best Drama and Best Actor.

Rachel Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 05:59 PM EST

LOL, you people are a-holes. FYI, both The Office and Mad Men are not cult shows, they are very popular and critically acclaimed. The Office has won many emmy's, and Mad Men was recently nominated for several Emmy's, and will probably win one when the award show airs.

If you all don't like Ausiello or his news, WTF are you doing here reading it & commenting on it? PATHETIC = you mofos. Get a life.

WE LOVE YOU MICHAEL, KEEP IT COMING!!

Adam Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 05:33 PM EST

Christ, why is everyone here so bitter all the time? There's not going to be ground-breaking, earth-shattering news every single day of the week. Not every story will appeal to everyone, but that doesn't mean it's not worth posting. For Office fans and maybe Mad Men fans, this is definitely news worthy of posting. I know it's fun to complain about things, but it's a little ridiculous sometimes.

Rob Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 05:16 PM EST

How much do you want to bet he ends up being Jan's sperm donor?

Aaron Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 05:15 PM EST

He looks a little like Steve Carrell. I'm guessing he's unveiled as Jan's sperm donor and he'll be so similar to Michael that she'll realize she may as well have just had a baby with Michael.

Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 05:15 PM EST

I think he may end up playing a new love interest for Jan or for Amy Ryan's new character, but either way I think he will be in conflict with Michael Scott.

Steve Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 05:12 PM EST

And let not any one forget the earth shattering intensity that Sommer brought to his role as Anne Hathaway's gay-but-straight friend in 'The Devil Wears Prada.'

That performance alone shows that Ausiello is DEFINITELY earning his, what I hope is miniscule, paycheck.

John Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 05:00 PM EST

I'm sorry, but it must be a REALLY slow news day if your big stories are some guy with a minor role on a show no one watches guest-starring on The Office and a couple of actors from a show that no one watched 10 years ago reuniting on SVU.

Skeptical Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 04:35 PM EST

So it's news now when a minor supporting character on one show with a cult following cashes a check as a character actor in a walk-on on another show with a cult following? Let's discuss his seminal work as that dude in that one Cingular commercial too.