I got in on the ground floor when the TV show, The Office was new. At the time, its lack of a laugh track and mockumentary style of filming was considered “fresh” (see also: the incredible tv series: Arrested Development). After the show got its feet wet with it’s insanely short first season, it hit its stride with the second. I think most fans will unanimously tell you either the second or third season was when when the show had peaked. The fourth, while still excellent had begun to slip a notch (thank you very much writer’s strike). The fifth and sixth season began a downward spiral that’s still being felt today. Zanier plots, new characters and idiotic love triangles.

Oh, but it gets worse.

Steve Carrell has just announced that he is leaving the show after the upcoming seventh season, but apparently the series will continue. We all know that replacing the main character is always a good if not better move. Remember how awesome it was when Charlie Sheen replaced Michael J. Fox on Spin City or how about after Phil Hartman died and he was replaced on News Radio by John Lovitz? It doesn’t fucking work. Why can’t other TV series take a page from Seinfeld and go out before things begin to tank? (Simpsons, I’m looking in your direction. Your already 10 years too far).

I realize I have the option to not watch the Office, which I most certainly will exercise. I just hate to see a show I once loved take a shit all over me and not leave anything for me to clean up with. Arrested Development might be my favorite show of all time, but the best thing that ever happened to it was getting canceled during it’s third season.