Andy Bernard: 'The Office' New Boss Replacing Michael Scott

What long way he's come from Connecticut and anger management.

Once Steve Carrell announced last summer that he was leaving "The Office" following the now-finished season, the world wondered who would replace him as manager at Dunder Mifflin. A guest star-packed finale saw a parade of potential new hires, and after critical acclaim for his turn as the slick Robert California, James Spader netted a job -- not as boss, but CEO.

As for the regional manager? Andy Bernard, get ready for some major new responsibility. Also, good luck, and watch out for Dwight.

Ed Helms' well-educated and semi-idiotic salesman, who debuted in the show's third season, took control of Dunder Mifflin Scranton during the show's season premiere Thursday night, chosen by California after he talked Jo (Kathy Bates) out of her own job. The revelation capped a well-kept mystery, with an entire nation of fans kept entirely in the dark as to who would take over for the beloved Michael Scott.

Speaking with TV Line, Helms got into character and revealed Andy's feelings about the new position.

"Andy is a boss who is terrified of being a boss. He is making an overt attempt to step up his game. And just as me the actor, Ed Helms, is feeling pressure and excitement about stepping into a larger role like this, Andy Bernard, the character, is also feeling a hell of a lot of pressure and anxiety," he told the website. "And that is a lot of fun to watch unfold -- especially when juxtaposed with James Spader's fabulous Robert California. Andy has always struggled with a little bit of anger. And he has some real perception gaps; there's a giant chasm between how he sees himself and how others see him. In some ways, Michael Scott really believed he was a great manager. Andy's not quite there yet."

For more from Helms, click over to TV Line.

With Carell gone, Helms is the show's biggest remaining star. He featured this summer in the biggest R-rated comedy of all time in "The Hangover, Part II," and starred in his own successful film, "Cedar Rapids," earlier in the year.

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Comments

[Dinesh R Makwana]

04:47 AM on 09/29/2011

Without the irreplaceable lead superstar Steve Carell, there was a small doubt that the new Season 8 would somehow not deliver; should not deliver, why should it deliver!!…….and could not deliver.

However, such is the strength of the cast now, I really liked the first episode and it made me do what I like to do with The Office – hideously laugh.

People laugh because these actors connect and connect well. I recommend this connection to comedy yet again.

Best Wishes,

DINESH R MAKWANA (DREAMWORDS AND INORBITS)

[xjohn]

02:28 PM on 09/28/2011

This show is over for me. Steve Carell should back to the show. Otherwise i won't watch it anymore.

[TheCycad]

12:05 AM on 09/26/2011

Ed Helms is a decent (if not completely unrealistic) choice.

I was hoping it would be Will Ferrel, but that's okay... I still think this show is great.

[Meg Moore OConnor]

01:00 PM on 09/25/2011

Time for this show to call it a night. The original British "Office" ended while still on top, too bad we Americans have to beat something until it's beyond dead. Show hasn't been funny since Pam and Jim married.

[Greg 135]

11:35 PM on 09/25/2011

Agreed. They ran out of funny long ago. I haven't laughed at anything on the Office in years. It's a shame because in it's first few seasons it was hilarious.

[TheCycad]

12:07 AM on 09/26/2011

I disagree with you.

But dude, your XTC profile picture. Awesome!

Drums and Wires is one of my all time favorite albums.

[Dan Slander]

05:52 AM on 09/25/2011

Spader, Kutcher TV land where has been film actors go and repeat themselves week after week for a steady pay check. Zzzzzzz.

[DixieMelody]

12:34 PM on 09/25/2011

At least some out-of-touch producer didn't shell out $20 mil for Spader. . .

Like Lorre did for the (unwatchable) Kutcher.

[Greg 135]

11:35 PM on 09/25/2011

Kutcher is awful.

[thegreekmind]

02:21 AM on 09/25/2011

Really? Right in the headline? No spoiler warning? I mean, it doesn't matter that much, but it could have been a funny surprise. Sheeeeit.

[DixieMelody]

12:35 PM on 09/25/2011

TV Commercials for the new season have been running showing Bernard as the new boss.

[toocoolfoschool1234]

06:57 PM on 09/24/2011

I can't stand Jim and Pam. They are boring with no personality. The show needs to focus on things that are funny, not a boring relationship.

[DixieMelody]

12:38 PM on 09/25/2011

When I saw the photo of the cast in the park. . .

My immediate thought was that Jim and Pam were where they belonged. . .

On the very edge. . . almost out of frame.

Of course, it would be better, as you say, if they cropped them out completely.

[bjo]

05:17 PM on 09/24/2011

I was really looking forward to watching the first show of the season, mostly because of the addition of James Spader (losing Carell was a terrible thing!). Boo. It was sad - that show used to be so funny.

[Mary Davila]

04:49 PM on 09/24/2011

boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[guitarguy22]

03:26 PM on 09/24/2011

The Office used to be really funny, and very smart humor. It started to get a little stale after Jim & Pam's wedding. It really feels like they're grasping for straws now, bringing in new stars, revisiting worn plot lines (Jim & Pam's second pregnancy), and honestly NBC is just trying to milk a franchise name. This show cannot go forever. They should've let it die with a little dignity and waved farewell before it becomes a shell of what it once was.

[pinkyboo]

10:17 AM on 09/25/2011

The second pregnancy is because the actress is pregnant in real life.

[Kate McCloud]

01:58 PM on 09/24/2011

It took going into syndication for me to really appreciate "The Office". Seeing it once a week, I'm not much of a viewer, but seeing 6-7 episodes in a week, I can enjoy the story line better and find some bits even funnier. I see why people buy box sets

[MeghanR]

11:28 AM on 09/24/2011

I didn't even notice Michael wasn't there, it was a great episode and I love James Spade!

[wanglog]

10:51 AM on 09/24/2011

great picture of the cast as well HP! it reminds me of what they used to do with, "the sopranos" dvds.

[wanglog]

10:39 AM on 09/24/2011

kudos to NBC's thursday night season openers! i thought community, parks and rec. and the office were all tremendous! i'd love to see community doing better audience wise though. it really is well done and likable. as far as, "whitney" goes, i could only tolerate about 5 minutes of it due to the laugh track.

[J0E1]

11:14 AM on 09/24/2011

Same here. I tried to give it a chance but after the 16th laugh track in 5 minutes we changed the channel.

[catcancook]

01:24 PM on 09/24/2011

I saw that by mistake...turned it off. The laugh track was Obnoxious and they all try too hard.

But the show with Christine Applegate and Maya Rudolf looks promising and funny...don't remember the channel tho.

[wanglog]

03:02 PM on 09/24/2011

i think that one is called, "up all night". and if i remember correctly, it's on NBC.

[Jasel]

08:50 AM on 09/24/2011

Honestly wasn't impressed with a couple of the middle seasons of the office. I forget which ones. But I'm just glad this cast has proven that they can make the show work without Michael Scott. All those characters are great in their own unique way and the chemistry the cast has makes some of the scenes and dialogue you'd expect to come off as cheesy and unrealistic completely hilarious instead. For the first time in a long time I'm actually looking forward to watching The Office.