Will Ferrell drops in on “The Office”

Still wondering who will take over for Steve Carell as the next branch manager of Dunder-Mifflin/Sabre?  While his replacement has not yet been revealed, it’s mighty suspicious that Will Ferrell, known for his outlandish comedic style, will be guest-starring in a four-episode arc this season.

Ferrell will play a visiting branch manager expected to create quite a stir in “The Office.”  Just when you thought the inappropriateness had reached its peak, Scranton surprises us all over again.  Ferrell is a first-rate class clown, challenged only by Carell in his unwieldy, awkward and tactless behavior.  This is not Ferrell and Carell’s first stint together—the long-time friends were also co-stars in the 2004 comedy “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.”

“We found Steve Carell when he was nothing but a movie star, and we turned him into a television star,” executive producer Paul Lieberstein (who plays Toby) says. “We are proud to continue The Office‘s tradition of discovering famous talent, and we hope that once America gets a good look at Will, they’ll see what we see: tremendous raw sexuality.” (As reported on People.com)

Carell will leave four episodes shy of the seventh season finale of this hit NBC sitcom.  “I think it would be in their best interest just to sort of go in a different direction and not try to do the same type of character,” he said in an interview on the “Ellen De Generes Show.” When asked about his replacement he replied, “You know what,” he says, “I’m leaving that to the producers.”

In honor of Carell’s impending exit, other high-profile guests will be paying a visit to “The Office.” This includes Ricky Gervais—the original “Michael Scott” on the British version of the show.  Gervais’ cameo will appear in tonight’s episode, which airs at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.

Photo via Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr