The Office

:

Season 8
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 24, 2005
Season #: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 173 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 173
  2. Mixed: 60 out of 173
  3. Negative: 18 out of 173
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. Knicksfan7
    Oct 20, 2011
    7
    I am a huge fan of the office, i have watched the first 4 seasons over and over, but while it is still a funny show, it seems to be dying a bit. Its very funny at times but then at others its a little dull. I don't like Andy as the manager at all. I was hoping for somebody new to come in. Its just not as funny without Steve Carrel. I still find it a funny and enjoyable show, its just notI am a huge fan of the office, i have watched the first 4 seasons over and over, but while it is still a funny show, it seems to be dying a bit. Its very funny at times but then at others its a little dull. I don't like Andy as the manager at all. I was hoping for somebody new to come in. Its just not as funny without Steve Carrel. I still find it a funny and enjoyable show, its just not as good as it used to be. I find myself watching reruns of the good ol' days of the office after every new episode just to remind me how good it was.… Expand
  2. Jackk
    Nov 18, 2011
    6
    Up until 7th season, I adored the show. But as for 8th, I barely stand for the end of episodes.
    This season (unrelated to Carell's disappearance) does not reflect the show's primary cult.
  3. ShoCh
    Nov 9, 2011
    9
    Loving the new season of The Office. I was concerned that it would suffer without Steve Carell but because the whole cast is so good, they have managed it without him. Andy has a completely different management style - he is a bit goofy but in a different way. He is somehow more lovable than Michael was but there is a touch of the tragic clown with him as well. James Spader's CEO is anLoving the new season of The Office. I was concerned that it would suffer without Steve Carell but because the whole cast is so good, they have managed it without him. Andy has a completely different management style - he is a bit goofy but in a different way. He is somehow more lovable than Michael was but there is a touch of the tragic clown with him as well. James Spader's CEO is an excellent addition and he doesn't over-shadow the rest of the cast. Still adore Dwight - in fact, you can't actually fault any of the cast. The writing is still strong, it is still edgy and it's still got me tuning in without fail. Steve who now?… Expand
  4. psbrown1989
    Sep 29, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm glad Andy became manager he brought to the table some of what Micheal Scott had, and mainly that is the care and support that Andy and Micheal give their employees and I think this is going to be a good season. Please no more planking!… Expand
  5. Seriosity
    Sep 21, 2013
    7
    Turning Andy into the new Michael was a questionable decision. It's hard to fight for him when he's going for Erin, knowing fully-well how bad it would be for her. This is without question the weakest season of The Office. The Tallahassee arc is particularly disappointing and after that there are a string of underwhelming episodes culminating in the weakest season finale the show has everTurning Andy into the new Michael was a questionable decision. It's hard to fight for him when he's going for Erin, knowing fully-well how bad it would be for her. This is without question the weakest season of The Office. The Tallahassee arc is particularly disappointing and after that there are a string of underwhelming episodes culminating in the weakest season finale the show has ever seen. The cast is still charming and elevate much of the material, so it is much watch TV for fans of the show. 6.5/10… Expand
  6. lbfink232
    Oct 13, 2011
    10
    Itâ
  7. Paulee71
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    The office has been a bit of a disappoint this season. Carrel certainly provided the glue to hold the show together but I am surprised that the cast of strong characters has not kept up the comic delights from other seasons. Has there been a change in the writer's stable? This seems to be an obvious answer. The show just is not funny this year, often resorting to the overly bawdy andThe office has been a bit of a disappoint this season. Carrel certainly provided the glue to hold the show together but I am surprised that the cast of strong characters has not kept up the comic delights from other seasons. Has there been a change in the writer's stable? This seems to be an obvious answer. The show just is not funny this year, often resorting to the overly bawdy and slapstick for laughs. Looks like it may be the last season.… Expand
  8. overkill94
    Dec 5, 2011
    4
    A once classic show has slowly gone downhill since season 3 and has reached new depths of unfunniness this season. Funny writing has been replaced by increasingly absurd characterizations (what happened to monotone Kevin? where did Jim's dry wit go?) and equally absurd situations. The episode where Andy gets a tattoo was actually good, but every other episode of this season has beenA once classic show has slowly gone downhill since season 3 and has reached new depths of unfunniness this season. Funny writing has been replaced by increasingly absurd characterizations (what happened to monotone Kevin? where did Jim's dry wit go?) and equally absurd situations. The episode where Andy gets a tattoo was actually good, but every other episode of this season has been extremely difficult to watch. Robert California had a certain amount of charm at the beginning but just now is just an extremely frustrating character. Definitely time to put this turd out to pasture.… Expand
  9. JawsPapi87
    Oct 25, 2011
    10
    Writers always step it up. Cast is always stellar. And the new lead Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) works like a charm. The Office can still stand up to any comedy on TV and say " f u c k you"
  10. TheQuietGamer
    Jul 16, 2014
    7
    As I continue to get closer to the end of this sitcom I find it is increasingly losing steam in it's 8th season. Whether or not it is directly related to the absence of Carell's Michael I cannot say, but I found this to be the weakest of all the seasons I've watched so far. It's still enjoyable and watchable but there aren't as many laughs.

    Outside of the fantastic Florida episodes the    As I continue to get closer to the end of this sitcom I find it is increasingly losing steam in it's 8th season. Whether or not it is directly related to the absence of Carell's Michael I cannot say, but I found this to be the weakest of all the seasons I've watched so far. It's still enjoyable and watchable but there aren't as many laughs.

    Outside of the fantastic Florida episodes the show seems to just soldier on showing viewers exactly what they expect from the show. Even the inclusion of new characters doesn't add anything really different to the mix. In a sense it is like working in an actual office. Eventually everything just sort of falls into a pattern. It's still a good sitcom, but it fails to really wow like the previous seasons have.    … Expand
  11. drlowdon
    Nov 3, 2019
    7
    The Office has been past its absolute peak for a couple of years now, but the departure of Michael Scott (Steve Carell) really hits the show hard. The rest of the cast, and Dwight in particularly, ensure that it always remains watchable and continues to provide some laughs but without its central character there is just something missing.
  12. Spielberg00
    Oct 4, 2011
    8
    Based on the much-shorter BBC-2 British sitcom of the same name, THE OFFICE is one hilarious TV show. Steve Carrell left the series after the seventh season had ended, and now we have James Spader who, though looking somewhat like Carrell, portrays a completely different character.

    Note that season eight, episode two ("Incentives") was the first episode I saw of THE OFFICE, so I cannot    Based on the much-shorter BBC-2 British sitcom of the same name, THE OFFICE is one hilarious TV show. Steve Carrell left the series after the seventh season had ended, and now we have James Spader who, though looking somewhat like Carrell, portrays a completely different character.

    Note that season eight, episode two ("Incentives") was the first episode I saw of THE OFFICE, so I cannot make a then-and-now comparison, but for my first time watching this NBC comedy, I really, really enjoyed it. I can bet it was better with Carrell, but I have no argument.

    THE OFFICE is really funny; a great, ridiculous parody of how an office runs (possibly implied). 'Nuff said.    … Expand
  13. LetzTalkMoveez
    Nov 21, 2012
    3
    Carrying on without Michael Scott would seem to be impossible, and season 8 - even if a later season may show otherwise- proves this statement is true.
  14. Natedog8421
    Nov 22, 2011
    9
    This season has a lot to live up to without their main protagonist Michael Scott. The new CEO Robert California (James Spader) seems to be a good fit, with his interesting personality. The loss of Steve Carell hit the show pretty hard, but I believe James Spader gives the show some potential. This season may not be the best, but these tweaks should make the show just as entertaining overThis season has a lot to live up to without their main protagonist Michael Scott. The new CEO Robert California (James Spader) seems to be a good fit, with his interesting personality. The loss of Steve Carell hit the show pretty hard, but I believe James Spader gives the show some potential. This season may not be the best, but these tweaks should make the show just as entertaining over time. Overall, not that bad of a season, and James Spader gives the show some potential down the road. One thing stands clear, Steve Carell and his character Michael, will be missed.… Expand
  15. sonjo18
    Jan 28, 2012
    4
    This show began to collapse even before Steve Carell left. Now that he is gone, however, the show is simply spinning in circles until it can think of a funny situations. The problem is that every character in the office had a relationship and worked off Michael Scott. Now they are all lost and we get stuck watching writers and actors try to create something out of nothing. It still gets aThis show began to collapse even before Steve Carell left. Now that he is gone, however, the show is simply spinning in circles until it can think of a funny situations. The problem is that every character in the office had a relationship and worked off Michael Scott. Now they are all lost and we get stuck watching writers and actors try to create something out of nothing. It still gets a 4 because some episodes seemed to hit a stride, but overall it's not looking good for Scranton's employees.… Expand
  16. lolawonderly
    Jan 22, 2012
    8
    It's taken me a really long time to jump on The Office bandwagon. In previous years, once in a while I'd find myself watching an episode with a friend, or on an airplane, but in the past, I never would have gone out of my way to watch. I've always found The Office cute and funny, but as a self proclaimed TV addict, it just wasn't good enough to make space for in my line up. I'm a hugeIt's taken me a really long time to jump on The Office bandwagon. In previous years, once in a while I'd find myself watching an episode with a friend, or on an airplane, but in the past, I never would have gone out of my way to watch. I've always found The Office cute and funny, but as a self proclaimed TV addict, it just wasn't good enough to make space for in my line up. I'm a huge Mindy Kaling fan (writer/Kelly Kapoor) and after reading her book, I decided to give it another shot, only to find, that I enjoy the show immensely. I watched all of the previous seasons on Netflix, and have found that there are often "lulls" and "jumps" in the series. In other words, occasionally, I find the story will fall flat and then pick back up. Season 8 has been wonderful thus far, after (in my opinion) a mid-late season 7 "lull". The show was fabulous with Michael Scott, but I'm beginning to favor an office in which Michael Scott is not present. This season gives the smaller characters a chance to further develop, and the "ensemble" feel is very endearing. Season 8 is definitely worth watching.… Expand
  17. imthenoob
    Oct 7, 2012
    8
    10 episodes in and I still enjoy watching this season. It's not the best season of the show but it's certainly the best season the show has had in the past few years. It may not be as funny either but the show hasn't been really funny since the earlier seasons because it's been far more story line oriented then joke oriented like it was in the earlier seasons.

    I really enjoy the    10 episodes in and I still enjoy watching this season. It's not the best season of the show but it's certainly the best season the show has had in the past few years. It may not be as funny either but the show hasn't been really funny since the earlier seasons because it's been far more story line oriented then joke oriented like it was in the earlier seasons.

    I really enjoy the character Robert California. He adds a fearful yet competent boss and despite that he is still rather funny to watch because he knows how to screw with his workers as well as motivate them. James Spader (the actor who plays California) gives a good performance and it's a shame he leaves after this season.

    As for Michael Scott, I cared less and less about him as each season went on. He became less funny and more annoying so I was rather glad to see him go. I prefer the office without him.    … Expand
  18. StreetsBehind
    Feb 11, 2012
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Office minus Steve Carrel is not The Office. The past few seasons have been just ok, nothing compared to the magnificence of seasons 2 and 3. Once Carrell announced he would be leaving after season 7, I was hoping the series would end, and it would have been a perfect ending with Michael Scott leaving.

    The introduction of James Spader has given the show a little life, but he is only present in about half of the season's shows so far, and he is not making a big enough impact to revive the show.

    Most of the existing characters are watered down or almost unwatchable, with the only laughs coming from some of the auxiliary characters. Jim and Pam, once TV's most adorable couple, are boring and annoying now with no story lines of interest.

    Andy Bernard stepped into the manager role, and try as he does, cannot match Michael Scott's hilariousness. Ed Helms is doing a pretty good job given the situation, but he nor James Spader nor anyone could replace Steve Carrell.

    I will continue to watch, and patiently wait, for the finale this show should have gotten last season.    … Expand
  19. haydensimpkins9
    Feb 12, 2012
    8
    Refreshing change up for the office, a higher focus on having a bigger focus with an ensemble cast was a great idea. Not focusing on only one character (not a bash on Steve). focusing sets up for several great possibilities for this 8th season.
  20. rategirl
    Mar 18, 2012
    10
    the office is a hilarious comedy for adults. it is a funny show to watch every Thursday @9:00 pm. i think it is one of the funniest shows and you will two
  21. Stanford
    Jan 14, 2013
    6
    Comparing to seasons 1-7, this just isnt The Office of old, alot of the comedy, almost most of it left with Steve Carrell, the absence of Michael Scott is very evident, as an overall series this season is good but being The Office this is a very sub-par season
  22. joef123
    Nov 20, 2012
    2
    When getting into the 5th episode of season 8, I knew they should have ended the show after Carrel left. But know watching the ninth season, the series has improved read my review on their page.
  23. TheApplegnome
    Jan 15, 2017
    8
    'The Office' continues its journey of humor and randomness. The lack of our beloved character named Michael have on the other hand become an aspect to miss more end more. The show is still trying to fill the hole that emerged when he left; but still hasn’t succeeded on that point. The show is also becoming more and more self-aware -- it knows that it's funny and therefor tries a bit to'The Office' continues its journey of humor and randomness. The lack of our beloved character named Michael have on the other hand become an aspect to miss more end more. The show is still trying to fill the hole that emerged when he left; but still hasn’t succeeded on that point. The show is also becoming more and more self-aware -- it knows that it's funny and therefor tries a bit to hard sometimes. But other than that is 'The Office' still a great inventor of hilarious comedy.

    Average personal episode rating: 74.17/100 (- 0.33 since S07).

    Personal rating: 80/100
    Critical rating: 76/100    … Expand
  24. homer4president
    Nov 1, 2016
    9
    I didn't expect to like this show without Steve Carrell but I have to say, he was a strong character, and tended - through character and performance - to make every scene in every episode all about him. It was a bit oppressive by season 7. I actually found that the ensemble cast started to really come into their own without Michael Scott's constant mugging. James Spader as RobertI didn't expect to like this show without Steve Carrell but I have to say, he was a strong character, and tended - through character and performance - to make every scene in every episode all about him. It was a bit oppressive by season 7. I actually found that the ensemble cast started to really come into their own without Michael Scott's constant mugging. James Spader as Robert California added a quirky intrigue. I wish Creed and Meredith had been more developed. Overall, this entire show is a great binge-watch.… Expand
  25. Dzimas
    Nov 20, 2021
    3
    I thought it couldn't get any worse but it did. Spader could have very well injected new life into the series with his smarmy presence, but instead most of the heavy lifting is left to Ed Helms who folds under the weight. We all knew he wasn't cut out to be manager so no surprise he utterly fails in the role. It might have been funny if he didn't present himself as just a dumbed-downI thought it couldn't get any worse but it did. Spader could have very well injected new life into the series with his smarmy presence, but instead most of the heavy lifting is left to Ed Helms who folds under the weight. We all knew he wasn't cut out to be manager so no surprise he utterly fails in the role. It might have been funny if he didn't present himself as just a dumbed-down version of Michael. Apparently, Spader as Robert California was fine with that, as the office pretty much ran on its own anyway, but what wasn't expected was the ugly degree of revenge Andy ultimately enacts on his office workmates after the tumultuous season has him thrown to the curb.

    Ed Helms is simply not strong enough to play a lead role. He is best as a third wheel, as in The Hangover. For whatever reason, the showrunner for this season, Paul Lieberstein, aka Toby Flenderson, has decided to run with Ed, supposedly because of his great improv skills. Sure, Ed can play a pretty mean banjo and carry a tune, but his skills are generally relegated to the most awkward gestures and utterly strange facial expressions that make you wonder if he is actually going through some kind of nervous breakdown.

    I suppose it is this edginess that Lieberstein found appealing, but we already have Dwight. Do we need someone else like that? Andy was never meant as anything other than a Dwight clone in the Stamford office, there to annoy Jim while he quietly built a relationship with Karen, having decided to leave Pam to Roy. You might remember Jim was actually being groomed at one point for a top job at Dunder-Mifflin, only to be unceremoniously sent back to Scranton when the merger took a weird turn. Andy and Karen came along too. Karen saw where Jim's true affinities lay, and moved on. Andy unfortunately stayed.

    Thanks to an auspicious turn of fate, The Hangover was a huge cinematic hit and made Ed Helms a star, even if only third on the billing. That meant he had an audience that NBC hoped would follow him to The Office. His role was greatly beefed up. He essentially became Dwight's nemesis, each trying to curry Michael's favor and compete for Angela's attention. It became a nauseating game of who would grovel the lowest. Admittedly, there were some funny moments, but there clearly wasn't room for both of these clowns at Dunder Mifflin.

    Rainn was never in danger, as he is a consummate actor, able to fully inhabit his role. He has so much range that as annoying as Dwight gets, he is a three-dimensional character, and you come to like him despite all his nasty turns. Ed is a one-dimensional actor, a marginal comic and a semi-talented musician. He never rose above cardboard cutout, and should have never been given so much air time. He's no match for Brian Baumgartner, let alone Rainn Wilson.

    Yet, he became the new regional manager after Robert talked Jo out of her own job and took over operations of Sabre, although apparently running it out of the conference room at Scranton. Not that the show made a whole lot of sense before, now it made none. Everyone was left to try to figure out what went on in Robert's smarmy mind, while Andy stumbled, fell and ultimately failed as branch manager. It's like Lieberstein and the writers were exacting some kind of revenge against Helms, as they made him debase himself time and again, to the point you no longer had any feeling toward Andy whatsoever.

    I suppose in that way, The Office was a little closer to the darkness of the original UK version, but with none of the wit. Andy Bernard was an utterly witless character that made Michael seem like a corporate giant by comparison. It was just painful to watch.

    It got even worse when he tried to win back Erin's affection. It was an awkward relationship to begin with. So many embarrassing moments, but for whatever reason Erin still had feelings toward him so this should have been a relatively easy deal. No such luck, which further made me think that Lieberstein really had it out for Helms.

    Maybe I'm just imagining this tension on the set, but you could feel it at every turn. Here was an accomplished set of actors having to deal with a wild man, who liked to take scenes and run with them, probably forcing the writers to constantly re-imagine his character. They finally said, okay Ed run with this. You just got yourself fired and you plot your return as an office janitor, only you have a big surprise. David Wallace just bought out Dunder Mifflin and made you regional manager again. What do you do? Well, make an ass of himself of course, which seemed to be the only thing Ed knew how to do.

    If these terribly awkward scenes amuse you, then you must have a very low threshold of comedy. Season 9 doesn't get any better.    … Expand
  26. bjepsen25
    Jan 25, 2016
    5
    My Rating: (8.8/10.0)

    I don't really know why everyone trashed this season of "The Office" to be honest. Yes, it wasn't as great as the first 7 seasons, but for what they we're up against (Losing Steve Carell), I thought they did a great job. If you have season the first 7 seasons, then I definitely think Season 8 is a no-brainer.
  27. Dragonfly44
    Oct 11, 2018
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The show is unable to function as well without Micheal Scott, but it’s good enough and funny enough to keep interest

    Rating - 68%    … Expand
  28. ajohn106
    Apr 7, 2019
    9
    Season 8 is the first season without Steve Carell and it is a hard pill to sallow. I have always found Andy to be extremely cheesy and hard to watch, which might be the intent. I still thought the remainder of the season was good. The Office is just one of those shows you could re-watch over and over.
  29. RalphcCiurczak
    Nov 27, 2021
    5
    +Still has most of the original cast
    +Some jokes are still funny
    +A few good episodes -Most episodes,while not disasters,are huge misses -Over 80% of the characters have been flanderzied(ex.Kevin Malone,Andy Bernard,etc.) -No Michael Scott,a huge part of what made the show genius -Plots get old quickly -Writing is below average -Feels like a fan fiction more than a actual series    +Still has most of the original cast
    +Some jokes are still funny
    +A few good episodes

    -Most episodes,while not disasters,are huge misses
    -Over 80% of the characters have been flanderzied(ex.Kevin Malone,Andy Bernard,etc.)
    -No Michael Scott,a huge part of what made the show genius
    -Plots get old quickly
    -Writing is below average
    -Feels like a fan fiction more than a actual series
    -Not really funny    … Expand
  30. AWESOM-0
    Jun 26, 2020
    9
    Still a great show! Kudos to the writers, dealing with such a powerfully important part of the show leaving and still doing a great job. Imagine watching Seinfeld without Jerry, pretty sure that wouldn’t work.
  31. Samih
    May 2, 2020
    2
    Introduced unnecessary and frankly annoying useless characters such as Nellie and Robert. The season had potential even though Micheal Scott left but the new castings were terrible and ruined the season for me.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Rob Humanick
    Dec 7, 2011
    38
    The show's been just barely treading water.
    Read full review
  2. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Nov 7, 2011
    63
    James Spader, as the cryptic new CEO, is better. Everything he says sounds like a parable intended for stupid children. That's how to manage Dunder Mifflin. [15 Nov 2011, p.43]