NBC cancels plans for "The Office" spinoff "The Farm"

[BillBrasky]

With the network's "The Office" in the middle of its ninth and final season, NBC had plans for a spinoff following Rainn Wilson's Dwight Schrute. Although a pilot was produced, Wilson has just revealed through his Twitter feed that the show will not go to series.

"NBC has passed on moving forward with The Farm TV show," Wilson writes. "Had a blast making the pilot - onwards & upwards!"

Matt Jones, Majandra Delfino, Thomas Middleditch and Blake Garrett were among those intended to become regular cast members on "The Farm" and there were plans to introduce several of them during an upcoming episode of "The Office." Whether or not that will still be the case has not been confirmed.

[BillBrasky]

Wow. This combined with the Up All Night announcement sends a definite message. And that message is "We're not interested in making good TV shows anymore". Well, that may be overstating things slightly, but it seems like NBC wants to become CBS next season.

[benjo990]

Thank god. Actually Brasky this sends the message that NBC now knows a big bonehead move when they see one

[BillBrasky]

It's not like I was really looking forward to this or anything, but an "Office" spinoff seemed like a natural fit for NBC after their highest-rated sitcom goes off the air after 9 seasons. And, truth be told, "The Office" is still an intelligently written, well acted comedy. If I had the choice of a Dwight spinoff or more shows like "Guys with Kids" and "Whitney", I would go with the Dwight spinoff. It just seems like NBC is doing a complete 180 after 6-7 years of wanting to produce quality TV shows, now they just want to do anything that's going to get them high ratings.

[Natalie Portmanteau]

Thank god. Actually Brasky this sends the message that NBC now knows a big bonehead move when they see one

Did you see the pilot? Was it not any good?

[HeyItsLiam]

If you mean NBC wants to produce shows that are successful and make them money, then yes, they probably do want to be CBS next season.

[isoS]

NBC ruled tv comedy when young people still watched network sitcoms. That time has passed. Now only old people watch network tv, so NBC has to get stodgier to compete. All the NBC shows we love here have basically fizzled ratings wise. America, or the America that move the neilsen needle, has said no thank you to the brand of comedy NBC specializes in. It's too bad, but it's time to move on.

[Trikywu]

Wow. This combined with the Up All Night announcement sends a definite message. And that message is "We're not interested in making good TV shows anymore". Well, that may be overstating things slightly, but it seems like NBC wants to become CBS next season.

Exactly. The hard reality is that networks are not trying to make quality television. They want good ratings and make more money. NBC is looking at CBS' success and killing off the single camera comedy. And they're doing it through attrition. 30 Rock is almost done. The Office is on the last season. I fear for Community's future. Up All Night is still new enough to mold it into a multicam with canned laughter. NBC doesn't know what they're doing - so they're doing what CBS does well: make canned comedy and make some moolah. If the show gets good ratings AND happens to be quality- that's just a happy accident.

(Re: The Farm. I'm sorry Rainn didn't get it passed by NBC brass, but it might be for the best. It's time to retire Dwight Schrute.)

[HST's Ghost]

Very good points all 'round. Alternative media outlets are fast become viable and surely its an exponential thang...

(Re: The Farm. I'm sorry Rainn didn't get it passed by NBC brass, but it might be for the best. It's time to retire Dwight Schrute.)

I still haven't watched Hesher but Rainn was great in Super and I'd much rather see him doing stuff that's more creative and edgy than beet and inbred cousin jokes, ya know.

[Trikywu]

Very good points all 'round. Alternative media outlets are fast become viable and surely its an exponential thang...


I still haven't watched Hesher but Rainn was great in Super and I'd much rather see him doing stuff that's more creative and edgy than beet and inbred cousin jokes, ya know.

I definitely agree. I loved Rainn in Juno, and feel his vibe would be incredible in quirky indies. Dwight was fun, but I think it's time to take his talent and start branching out. This NBC pass is a blessing in disguise, IMO.

[jonahdoan]

NBC not picking up The Farm saves whatever dignity The Office has left. I'm still a fan but I can't tell if I'm a fan or they've run their course.