Season 8

The eighth season of The Office premiered on September 11, 2011 on NBC, It concluded on May 10, 2012 and consisted of 24 episodes.

It is the only season in which Steve Carell doesn't appear, and is the only one to not feature the character of Michael Scott.

The previous season was Season 7 and the next season was Season 9.

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.

Episodes

	Episode Title	Season Episode Number	Production Code	Original Airdate
	The List	1	801	September 22, 2011
	Directed and written by B.J. Novak. New Dunder Mifflin CEO Robert California leaves a piece of paper with a line down the middle that has names of the Scranton staff on either side of it, leading everyone to try and figure out what it means.
	The Incentive	2	802	September 29, 2011
	Directed by Charles McDougall, written by Paul Lieberstein. Under pressure from Robert to increase branch sales, Andy offers an incentive program to the sales staff, which backfires on him when he offers a very personal grand prize.
	Lotto	3	803	October 6, 2011
	Directed and written by John Krasinski, written by B.J. Novak. After the entire warehouse staff wins the lottery and quits their job, Darryl becomes depressed and demands to be fired. Meanwhile, the office staff is forced to load the truck for their orders themselves.
	Garden Party	4	804	October 13, 2011
	Directed by David Rogers, written by Justin Spitzer. Andy claims to be throwing a garden party at Dwight's farm to impress Robert California, but he's really doing it to win the approval of his parents, who appear to favor his younger brother.
	Spooked	5	805	October 27, 2011
	Directed by Randall Einhorn, written by Carrie Kemper. Erin is worried that she is about to get fired after she organizes a disastrous office Halloween party for Robert and his son. Meanwhile, Robert probes the minds of the employees to come up with the perfect spooky story.
	Doomsday	6	806	November 3, 2011
	Directed by Troy Miller, written by Daniel Chun. Dwight installs a "Doomsday Device" on the office computers that could get everyone fired if they make too many mistakes, while Gabe tries to hit on one of Darryl's warehouse employees.
	Pam's Replacement	7	807	November 10, 2011
	Directed by Matt Sohn, written by Allison Silverman A pregnant and insecure Pam tries to prove that Jim is attracted to her temporary replacement. Meanwhile, Robert and his musician friends take over a jam session with Andy, Kevin and Darryl.
	Gettysburg	8	808	November 17, 2011
	Directed by Jeffrey Blitz, written by Robert Padnick. Andy decides to motivate and inspire everyone by taking them on a field trip to Gettysburg. Some people in the office stay behind and Robert California asks them to come up with Dunder Mifflin/Sabre's next big idea.
	Mrs. California	9	809	November 17, 2011
	Directed by Charlie Grandy, written by Dan Greaney. Robert brings his wife to the office so that she can find a job, but he gives Andy conflicting messages about whether to hire her. Meanwhile, Dwight opens a gym in the building and tries to persuade Darryl to join.
	Christmas Wishes	10	810	December 8, 2011
	Directed by Ed Helms, written by Mindy Kaling. Andy tries to make this year's Christmas the best ever by granting each person's holiday wishes. Meanwhile, Robert California tries to drown his sorrows at the office party.
	Trivia	11	811	January 12, 2012
	Directed by B.J. Novak, written by Steve Hely. Oscar joins a trivia contest, Andy gets the whole office involved. Meanwhile, Dwight explores job opportunities at Sabre.
	Pool Party	12	812	January 19, 2012
	Directed by Charles McDougall, written by Owen Ellickson. Robert throws a pool party at his house, and Erin tries to make Andy jealous by flirting with Dwight.
	Jury Duty	13	813	February 2, 2012
	Directed by Eric Appel, written by Aaron Shure. Jim is found to be skipping while he said he was at jury duty. Meanwhile, Angela gives birth to her baby.
	Special Project	14	814	February 9, 2012
	Directed by David Rogers, written by Amelie Gillette. Dwight and Andy must select a group of workers for a special project in Tallahassee.
	Tallahassee	15	815	February 16, 2012
	Directed by Matt Sohn, written by Daniel Chun Dwight brings his team to Tallahassee and meets Nellie Bertram. Meanwhile, Andy fills in for Erin.
	After Hours	16	816	February 23, 2012
	Directed by Brian Baumgartner, written by Halsted Sullivan & Warren Lieberstein Dwight and Todd Packer compete for a job. Meanwhile, Andy has the Scranton employees cover for their co-workers.
	Test the Store	17	817	March 1, 2012
	Directed by Brent Forrester, written by Mindy Kaling Dwight tries to impress Nellie at the Sabre store opening. Andy is embarrassed by an injury he received.
	Last Day in Florida	18	818	March 8, 2012
	Directed by Matt Sohn and written by Robert Padnick. Jim tries to keep Dwight from getting fired. Andy finds out the Erin is staying in Florida.
	Get the Girl	19	819	March 15, 2012
	Directed by Rainn Wilson, written by Charlie Grandy Andy goes to Tallahassee to win back Erin. Nellie comes to Scranton for the manager position.
	Welcome Party	20	820	April 12, 2012
	Directed by Ed Helms, written by Steve Hely Robert tells the Scranton branch to throw a welcome party for Nellie, while the employees want to sabotage it. Erin helps Andy break up with Jessica.
	Angry Andy	21	821	April 19, 2012
	Directed and written by Mindy Kaling Andy finds out Nellie stole his job. Meanwhile, Kelly chooses between Ryan or a new guy named Ravi.
	Fundraiser	22	822	April 26, 2012
	Directed by David Rogers, written by Owen Ellickson Andy goes to a fundraiser held by Angela's husband. Nellie tries to befriend Darryl.
	Turf War	23	823	May 3, 2012
	Directed by Daniel Chun, written by Warren Lieberstein & Halsted Sullivan Robert shuts down Dunder Mifflin's Binghamton branch, meanwhile Jim and Dwight try to defeat a rival salesman.
	Free Family Portrait Studio	24	824	May 10, 2012
	Directed and written by B.J. Novak Dwight offers free family portraits, Andy tries to win his job back.

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