Season 8

The eighth season of The Office premiered on September 22, 2011 on NBC, It concluded on May 10, 2012 and consisted of 24 episodes.

Production
The series was renewed for an eighth season on March 17, 2011. Executive producer and writer/actor B.J. Novak previously renewed his contract with Universal Media Studios through the eighth season. The season followed the lives of the office in its post-Michael Scott era. Applicant Robert California (James Spader) was hired only for him to quit and manipulate CEO Jo Bennett to give him her job. Andy Bernard becomes the new Regional Manager of the Scranton Branch and much of the early episodes focus on him dealing with office crises such as encouraging the sales team to boost their sales to meet Robert's ridicoulous expectations and forcing Darryl to step up despite his apathy after not getting the manager's position and push himself to achieve after the warehouse staff quit. The new foreman, Val, becomes Darryl's love interest throughout the season but is unable to be with her due to her boyfriend and her just believing they are friends- a similar Jim and Pam situation at the beginning of the series. Angela becomes married to her boyfriend, Senator Robert Lipton (Jack Coleman) who everyone knows is gay except for her. She eventually becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, however Dwight realizes to his shock that the baby is without a doubt his own. Jim and Pam also have a second child however when Pam goes on maternity leave her replacement, Cathy Simms (Lindsey Broad) shows interest in Jim and tries to woo him. The season's climax involves Andy sending a delegate of the branches workers down to Tallahassee where Special Projects Manager Nellie Bertram (Catherine Tate) plans to open a chain of Sabre retail stores. Dwight and Todd Packer spar for the VP position while Jim tries to fend off Cathy's advances. Erin meanwhile, upset at Andy having a girlfriend, realizes she has no future in Scranton and decides to not return with the others. An elderely lady Irene (Georgia Engel) takes her in as her maid. Dwight manages to score the VP position however when Jim learns that Robert plans to veto the store idea and fire the VP rather than Nellie due to his liking for her, Jim displays his true caring for Dwight and saves him, letting Packer take the fall. The staff return to Scranton while Andy realizes that he wants to be with Erin and goes to Florida to get her back. Nellie Bertram suddenly appears and takes Andy's spot. Jim and Pam try to save Andy and persuade the rest of the staff to do the same but Nellie quickly proves to be a strong and charismatic leader. Andy succeeds in getting Erin back and they go to his girlfriend's house to break up with her. Andy returns and realizes that Nellie has stolen his job. Robert is unable to put Andy back in charge due to Nellie using his sexual desire for her to her advantage. Andy become impotent around Erin and becomes weak causing his anger problems to resurface. Andy eventually gets fired when he refuses to take the demotion back to sales. Andy plots his way to get back in the company and watches as Robert's horrible judgement leads to the crumbling of Dunder-Miflin Sabre. He seeks out an old friend, David Wallace, now a rich and successful multi-millionaire due to his "Suck It!" invention really getting off the ground and convinces him to buy the company. Andy uses him to plot a coup and upon David Wallace buying back the company, Robert leaves and Jo Bennett decides to liquidate the company. Andy becomes manager again however shows mercy to Nellie and puts her back as Special Projects Manager. The season has two cliffhangers. One is Dwight stealing Angela's baby's DNA and taking it to a lab to have his paternity tested. The other was Senator wishing to start a relationship with Oscar.

The season began filming on July 25, 2011.