‘The Office’ Star Jenna Fischer Plays Down Cast Exit Rumors

If you've ever worked in an office that was on the verge of imploding, you know just how tense the mood in the air can be.  So imagine what the actual stars and crew of NBC's 'The Office' might feel, given all the swirling rumors of cast and creative departures, amidst critical decline!  Thankfully, 'Office' star Jenna Fischer is on hand to quell some of the panic.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in promotion of her and her husband Lee Kirk's new film "The Giant Mechanical Man,' Jenna Fischer fielded questions, and dispelled some of the panic currently surrounding NBC's eighth season of 'The Office,' given all the recent commotion.  Not only does executive producer, writer and star Mindy Kaling have a FOX pilot on the verge of pickup, but fellow star, writer and producer Paul Lieberstein recently stepped down from his position as show-runner, while main leads Fischer, John Krasinski, and Ed Helms have yet to re-up their contracts.

Even Rainn Wilson has his eyes on that Dwight-centric spin-off no one wanted to make its debut sometime in the future, so with seemingly all ready to jump ship as a renewal and rumors of a re-boot hang in the balance, why does Fischer feel our panic is unfounded?  Says the actress:

I don't know, it's not up to me, because I'm just the actor, but the actors are all prepared and wanting to come back. The whole cast, I'm talking about everybody: Ed [Helms], John [Krasinski], me, everyone is wanting to come back. So it's really just a matter of NBC pulling the trigger. They have to announce it by May 15 when the Upfronts happen, right? So we're all just waiting. We're really excited to come back, everybody wants to come back.

Optimistic words, yes, but what of Rainn Wilson's deal in place to move into his own spin-off, or Kaling's seemingly inevitable exit to focus on her new FOX series?  Acknowledging Rainn's show, Fischer still insisted that Wilson would return to 'The Office' were it to be renewed for another season, however temporarily, though Kaling remains in something of a different situation.

I don't know how all that works out. That doesn't mean she's gone forever. Listen, Mindy writes on our show, so we actually only get her for a couple of shooting days every week anyway, so I don't know if that's something can be worked out. Like I said, I don't make all those schedules or anything, but yeah, I mean a lot of things are misreported and exaggerated and it's hard to read."

Presumably NBC will in fact decide the fate of 'The Office' before May 15, which despite its critical and ratings downturn following Steve Carell's departure last season still remains one of NBC's most profitable comedies on the slate.

What do you think?  Has Pam Beesly allayed your fears of 'The Office' closing down, or will a shake-up be good for the halls of Dunder-Mifflin?  Fax us your take in the comments below!