Steve Carell on The Office finale

Steve Carell induced somewhere between 4.5 and 5.5 million viewers to tears last night, when he returned for a surprise appearance on the final episode of NBC’s The Office. The star left the show two years ago and there was plenty of talk in recent months that Carell’s schedule would not allow for an appearance on the final episode of the nine-season comedy series.  There were a drumbeat of rumors in the past week, especially as it was revealed that Rainn Wilson’s character Dwight Schrute would be getting married in the finale. It seemed impossible that Carell’s Michael Scott would skip Dwight’s wedding.

Indeed Michael Scott did appear, causing an outpouring of emotion from the show’s famously loyal fans (including yours truly). The appearance set up Scott’s signature catch-phrase for one last time.

Dwight: “I can’t believe you came!”

Michael: “That’s what she said”

Carell was little seen in the episode as a whole, however, limiting his appearance to mere cameo. Aside from a few talking heads and some reaction shots at Dwight’s wedding, Michael Scott departed as mysteriously as he appeared.

As for the finale, I wrote the following for The Two Cents Blog:

Thoughts on Finale: The producers of The Office are smart people and they understood how The Office affected it’s fans. The retrospective followed by an original episode that itself was similar in theme might have been “too much” for the cynics, but for the fans the tone was honestly perfect. Sure, there was some stunt casting with Erin’s parents, or the “we never saw it coming” Ryan/Kelly plotline. But there were a number of new threads that I really liked and which honestly surprised me. A final “comment on culture” with Andy’s viral fame, finally some personnel changes at Dunder Mifflin, and resolution for JAM. And a short but oh so sweet appearance by Steve Carell as Michael Scott for one more time (that’s what she said).

As TV series finales go, this one won’t be remember for the big reveals or the seminal scene or a bizarre plotline. Instead, the show gave us what the series has always given us, a sequence of funny and touching moments with characters we care about. And, yes, plenty of callbacks for loyal fans of the show. But mostly, a mix of hilarious, outrageous, sentimental, and emotionally satisfying moments. Classic Office.

Thoughts on the 9 years of The Office: I’m going to really miss the show. It’s amazing how much the look of the show has evolved; it seems so polished now. The fact that every show on TV now looks like The Office is a testament to the pioneering place this show will have in TV history. And it’s such a springboard for a number of funny and talented entertainers.

The photos and descriptions of another epic news battle are contining to leak from filming locations in Atlanta. Last week we saw photos of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler mixing it up with Sacha Baron Cohen, and now there’s word that John C. Reilly, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Carrey, and Vince Vaughn have been spotted as well. Considering that the “Anchorman Rumble” in the first film is basically the best single scene in cinematic history it’s easy to understand why something similar is being included in the sequel.

Paul Rudd, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Steve Carell on set of Anchorman 2

James Franco and Danny McBride in As I Lay Dying

First up is a nice behind-the-scenes featurette for the upcoming all-star ensemble comedy This is The End. There’s not a ton of spoilers here, and you’ll see quite a bit of special effects shooting and some interviews with the stars including Franco, McBride, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, and Craig Robinson. The film opens in June.

This Is the End - BTS Clip No. 1

If the end of the world wasn’t depressing enough for you be sure to check out the bleak but very un-funny trailer for James Franco’s adaptation of Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying. In addition to starring, Franco also wrote and directed the film. Also starring is Danny McBride and Tim Blake Nelson (Meet the Fockers). The film will be premiering at Cannes and certainly looks powerful. Yes, it sure seems to be James Franco’s year.

San Diego's Team 4

San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

Vince Vaughn as Wes Mantooth

Vince Vaughn will be costarring with Will Ferrell in the domestic comedy Daddy’s Home, according to Variety. The film will be produced by Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Productions and Etan Cohen (screenwriter for Idiocracy and Tropic Thunder) directing. Cohen, McKay, Brian Burns, and Chris Henchy are writing the script and the film appears to be a on a fast-track for filming this year.

According to Variety, “The story follows a mild mannered radio exec, played by Ferrell, whose life gets chaotic when his wife’s ex-husband, played by Vaughn, re-enters the picture and he must compete to vie for his step-children’s affections.”  This storyline would appear to set up Vaughn as the outrageous counterpart for Ferrell’s understated character (in typical Frat Pack quiet/loud pairing).  The role of the wife has yet to be cast.

If the project continues and the film is released, it will continue Vaughn’s recent trend of reteaming with Frat Pack stars after nearly a decade on his own. Last year he reteamed with Ben Stiller for The Watch, which some of liked but was a box office disappointment. This summer, Vaughn is starring again opposite Owen Wilson in The Internship, with cameo by Ferrell. There are also rumors that Vaughn will appear as Wes Mantooth in the Anchorman sequel, currently shooting.

Ron Burgundy is all wet

Thanks to the anonymous tipster who forwarded this casting call email from SeaWorld. Anchorman: The Legend Continues will be filming at the theme park on May 24 and the email indicates “This scene is sure to become SeaWorld Legend!” Additional details about the extras casting are shown below.

Join us on Friday, May 24 from early in the morning until mid-afternoon for a very special private event.

This is your chance to be part of a group of extras for a very fun scene in the movie. Come hang out with Ron Burgundy and see yourself up on the big screen!

Get your entries in as quickly as possible for casting consideration!

Must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Please understand that this project will be similar in humor to the original Anchorman. There is a possibility of some racy language, adult themes, and all around hilarity. The film is intended to be rated PG-13.

This is an unpaid half-day of enjoying Hollywood filmmaking.

To get booked please send (or if a minor, have your parent or legal guardian send) an email to.

In your subject line please include your first and last name and how many in your party. Please attach a recent photo of each person in your party (it can be from a camera phone). Also please include your phone number in the body of the email.

One can’t help but tie this casting call to recent set photos of Will Ferrell in the water with a shark.  In any case, it certainly seems like another outrageous animal moment for Ron Burgundy.

More interesting is the visual sighting of a filmed cameo appearance by Golden Globe hosts and frequent collaborators Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.  For Fey, this continues her involvement with previous costars Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, who are also starring in the Anchorman sequel. As for Poehler, an appearance in the sequel sort of brings her full circle with her involvement in the Anchorman franchise. Poehler was initially cast in a small role in the first film, part of The Alarm Clock subplot that was ultimately cut from the film and replaced by the panda plot. Poehler’s material was seen in the DVD “sequel” Wake Up, Ron Burgundy which featured outtakes and other material fashioned together for video release. Fey and Poehler are seen in grainy photos and after teaming together on SNL’s Weekend Update segment surely are believable as news anchors.

Updated: A better look at Fey and Poehler, and who’s the fellow on the ground? None other than Sacha Baron-Cohen (Talladega Nights).

Sacha Baron-Cohen suffers beat down from Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

The FilmStage article also has a photo a Liam Neeson looking very dapper and indicates that Will Smith is also possibile.  Meanwhile, it does appear there will be some shooting for the film in San Diego, the setting of the first film.

Ron Burgundy is all wet

The Hangover Crew

The Hollywood Reporter’s May 10 cover story features the Uncensored Oral History of The Hangover. The interview features all the principal actors as well as director Todd Phillips, and covers all three Hangover films. In addition to providing a few more details about The Hangover III, there’s all kinds of tidbits that are being brought to light for the first time.

• Ed Helms was the first actor cast
• Jack Black and Paul Rudd turned down roles in the first film
• Ken Jeong’s Mr. Chow was originally supposed to be 60 years old
• Bradley Cooper auditioned for Starsky & Hutch with Vince Vaughn, presumably in the role eventually cast by Jason Bateman
• The role of Alan was written with a “Jonah Hill-like” younger brother in mind, but eventually was changed to an older brother to cast Zach Galifianakis
• There’s room for a sequel based around Galifianakis’ character, though the principals indicate they’re not interested in doing another film

Can you imagine Jack Black and Paul Rudd in The Hangover with Ed Helms? Black certainly played innocent/quirky well in Bernie, so I think he could have done justice to the role of Alan. Rudd did a great job as the handsome straight-man in Dinner for Schmucks and certainly could have played Cooper’s role well.

The rest of the article is a great read, and only whets our appetite for the epic conclusion to the series coming to theaters this Memorial Day weekend.

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films production company have ordered development on a script for a sequel to Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The 2004 Frat Pack Classic starring Stiller and Vince Vaughn was a big hit and there has been talk for years about a sequel. Considering Vaughn’s recent re-involvement with Frat Pack stars such as Stiller and Owen Wilson, the time seems right to develop the sequel.

The original film was written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber who hasn’t directed a mainstream film since Dodgeball, but does have We’re the Millers with Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston this summer. Instead, the writing assignment is being given to Joyride scribe Clay Tarver. Tarver in recent years has been working with comedic and satirical material, so seems like a good choice. The sequel supposedly will require the former rivals played by Vaughn and Stiller to team up to fight an even bigger threat.

One can only hope that Lance Armstrong has a good sense of humor and will return for the sequel as play for redemption.

Will Ferrell and Jack Black

New Line has picked up the rights to a comedy pitch called Tag, with Will Ferrell and Jack Black attached to star. The treatment is based on a Wall Street Journal article titled “Tag Brothers” and featured ten prep school classmates who reunite in their forties to play an elaborate game of tag for one month. The Hollywood Reporter reports Mark Steilen is attached to write the script, so the film is a long ways off from being officially greenlit. One also begins to wonder who else might be in the ensemble of ten tag players…

The Hollywood Reporter article amusingly indicates that Ferrell and Black haven’t worked together since Black’s cameo in Anchorman. But the pair have appeared together in numerous places more recently (this may not be a complete list, sue me).

• 2008 - “Comedian at the Oscars” with John C. Reilly
• 2011 - Fight for Your Right - Revisited and VMA appearance
• 2011 - Ferrell appears in Kids Choice Awards promo with Black
• 2011 - Black honors Ferrell at Mark Twain Prize
• 2012 - Disney portrait with Jason Segel