The Office’s post-Super Bowl episode just scored the equivalent of a touchdown with a two-point conversion: Jack Black has signed on to guest star in the hour-long episode, sources confirm to me exclusively.
The hitcom’s producers are keeping the specifics of Black’s stint under lock and key, but a just-released NBC press release says this of his role: “Some of the office workers try to secretly watch a bootlegged Hollywood
movie during the workday. The movie stars Jack Black and other notable
Hollywood actors.” (I initially reported that he would not be playing himself in the episode. Sorry about that. My Office mole has since been reprimanded.)
As previously scooped by TV Week, the Feb. 1 episode, which will air immediately following NBC’s Super Bowl telecast, will revolve around the staff of Dunder Mifflin roasting Michael (Steve Carell).
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That is really exciting. Awesome.
Nice! Can’t wait for this ep. Will be great to see The Office getting such huge exposure.
He’s part of the Shrute clan!! Maybe he’s Mos’s brother!
I’m not sure if Jack Black really fits in the Office universe & milieu all that well, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of a doubt.
Maybe he’s the blue jean bandit!?!
I’ll be shocked if he’s actually funny…
They decide to go with a name. Okay. But…Jack Black?! Ugh.
may be he’ll be that always heard, never seen friend of michael’s – the “that’s what she said” guy
Maybe Jan’s baby daddy?!
I can’t wait to see how they work this out!
Can anyone remember the last time Jack Black was funny?
I say he should get hired on in the warehouse, have kooky adventures, then get his butt canned.
An hour long episode? Those are usually the most unfunny. Jack Black is not my cup of tea but the football crowd will probably love him.
This could potentially be the greatest episode. I chuckled a tiny bit thinking of Jack Black in an episode….then I laughed out loud when it said it was a roast!! I can not bleeping wait!!!!
The “that’s what she said” friend is Todd Packer, already played by David Koechner (who we haven’t seen in a while, hmmm).
Anyway, seeing as how Office has such a specific style and that Black is a pretty solid actor, I’m not worried about him fitting in (look how well Amy Adams did in her appearances).
Yet another sign this show has jumped the shark: bringing in wacky B-list actors to make a “special” appearance. I need a time machine to take me back to S2 when the show was actually good.
I have to say this could be good!! Oh, and the Christmas Party episode just killed me! Poor Meredith. Brings the lols!
I don’t have a problem with Jack Black, but didn’t Greg Daniels turn down Carol Burnette to play Michael’s mom because she was too recognizable? I would think Jack is in the same boat (?).
Oh well, I hope the episode does well and pulls in more viewers.
Jack is at his best when he is not the lead role, so as long as the episode doesn’t put to much focus on him it should go well.
the BBC version is a much better show. A bit darker but much funnier.
When Will and Grace used to pull these celebrity stunts it was neither cute nor funny (with the exception of Minnie Driver’s character) and I am sad to see The Office go down this route. You are smarter than that Dunder Miflin – shame on you!
Quit blaming the show-stunt casting with big stars usually comes from the network. Sean Hayes even said in an article after W&G ended that the pressure to put big name stars on the show came from NBC, even said to quote him on it.
SWEET! i love jack black, i love the office. let the post-super bowl hilarity ensue.
he seems PERFECT to play Dwight’s crazy brother…can’t wait!!
“mvb Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 02:21 PM EST
the BBC version is a much better show. A bit darker but much funnier.”
Eh, British humor is a lot different than American. I personally like our version better.
Perhaps he can inject some life back into The Office. It has been pretty lame this season…I don’t find any of the characters likeable, or the least bit realistic anymore!
Oscar’s new boyfriend!
OMG!!! can´t wait!!
Okay, I don’t usually do this, but everyone hating on JB is an IDIOT!!! The man is a comic genius. You don’t have to agree with me, but he is an A list actor for a reason.
I can see JB as Andy’s brother– he’s got that clever, annoyingly playful way with words down.