NBC has given the green light to a spin-off of ‘The Office’. The only problem – is that they don’t appear to know what or how they’re going to do it just yet.

There are dozens of possibilities, of course, for a spin-off show, but I think I have it figured out…tell me what you think in the comments below.

This spin-off has been rumored to be done CSI or Law and Order style, basically just taking the same concept and moving it to a new location. I think that idea works fine, but I’d like to see at least one of the characters from the slightly over crowded Scranton branch make their way over to the new show.

That character would be Andy Bernard. Ed Helms is great in the role, and with just a little tweaking of his character he’d be a great #2 to the manager of the new branch. Just who would that be?

None other than John Hodgman, of course.

This new series is going to depend on its lead even more than the original US show does now…at least at first. It’s also going to be very important that branch manager of this show is distinctly different from Michael Scott, otherwise the show will never fly.

So, it seems that someone like John Hodgman would be a perfect choice.

Now, with Hodgman and Helms on board, the real question is – who would the other regulars be, and what would they be like?

Well first and foremost I think everyone involved should avoid trying to recreate the “Pam and Jim” relationship in this spin-off. I know its entirely possible that they try to do just that, but I really think that’s a terrible idea.

I would create a male lead who had aspirations beyond working at Dunder Mifflin. Perhaps as a writer. Dunder Mifflin would serve simply as a place of employment until his writing career took off. Something to give him direction, which Jim sorely lacks on the main show.

I’d go for something completely different with the receptionist. Either an Angela type, or maybe even doing the old “Murphy Brown” gag of having the receptionist constantly being replaced. This opens up great opportunities for guest stars (just like it did on “Murphy” all those years ago). Either way, I would not want the receptionist to be a major character on the show.

The female lead would be the corporate office HR person. She’d be strong willed and opinionated, but more of a “Lois Lane” type than the slightly off-her-rocker Jan. She’d fill the same role that Tobey fills in the main series, and would be a constant thorn in the side of Hodgman.

If there was a way to logically bring him into the series, I wouldn’t mind seeing Roy return as a worker in the warehouse of this new branch. Perhaps an angle could be worked where he got a second chance at a new branch because of a potential lawsuit from an accident that Michael caused during his previous employment.

Rounding out the supporting cast, and connecting the two shows, would be Ryan, who would serve as Hodgman’s boss as well, and could keep the things stirred up. He would also serve as the single enemy that would bring Michael Scott and Hodgman’s characters together in the inevitable cross-over episode and/or special.

Obviously there is more to creating the show than the summary that I’ve just written – but I think it’s a decent start, and would make for a great ‘Office’ spin-off.

Right now we have no idea what to expect from the show coming from NBC in the fall – but I can’t wait to see where they go with it…even if I have mixed feelings about its existence.

So – what do you think? Did I hit it on the money or am I an idiot? It’s your call.

Any NBC executives that would like to contact me to discuss contracts can do so at michael(at)applegazette(dot)com.