Hello, geniuscasting idea! You’ll never guess what Office executive producer Paul Lieberstein just told us about who he now wants to replace Steve Carell: ”He’s probably the only guy who can do it, and he’s doing TV now,” Paul tells us of the Oscar nominee, who recently starred on ABC’s Life on Mars. That’s what a very smart eager man once called a “win-win-win.” The only glitch? Paul needs to, um, talk to Harvey about it and stuff. Minor detail. “I haven’t started any talks with his people, but Harvey would do a great job—a very different energy,” Paul says. “And we don’t want to bring in another Michael, having someone play a very similar character because we have such a high regard for Steve.” So why Harvey, who’s been a dramatic film player for most of his esteemed career, and more importantly, is he seriously being considered for the part? “Yes, absolutely,” confirms Paul. “He’s a real tough guy, but I saw him in Life on Mars and I saw a lot more comedy in his work, just little slivers of it, little things he would do that made me think he’s capable of a lot more than what [he’s done].” Paul is so jazzed about the idea of Harvey joining the show, he already has a bulk of the maybe-replacement’s role already written. “He’s an old salesman who thought he could retire and the stock market went down, and he has to come out of retirement to work for a few years.” Harvey, what say you? We diehard Office fans here love this idea and wholly support you or your agent giving Paul a call. Are guys digging the idea of Harvey Keitel, or do you still have someone better in mind? Sound off in the comments. ________
Trae Patton/NBC; Chris Haston/NBC
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