Remember about a month ago when all anyone could talk about was who was going to replace Kathy Bates on The Office? No? Well, we’ve got your answer anyway. Inside TV is reporting that multiple Emmy winner James Spader, who cameoed in the season finale as one of the candidates vying for Michael Scott’s old job, is in talks to join the show this fall as Sabre’s new CEO — and unlike Bates, he’ll have more a regular gig as opposed to showing up every few episodes.
According to their source, his character “Robert California” displays “a manipulative power and a somewhat creepy sexual vibe” and “will have a strong impact on the rest of the office staff,” particularly Dwight. (You might remember this gem from California’s interview: “There is no such thing as a ‘product,’ there is only sex. Everything is sex. You understand what I’m telling you is a universal truth.”) We think Spader sounds like just the shake up the series was looking for (see: Boston Legal) — and even better, this still leaves open the door for the hilarious Catherine Tate to join its cast as the manager of the Scranton branch. What are your thoughts?