With Steve Carrell Gone, "The Office" Should Call It Quits

Last Thursday Michael Scott said goodbye to Dunder-Mifflin. More importantly, Steve Carrell said goodbye to the The Office.

For several years now, The Office has been my favorite show on television. I have never missed an episode, and I own every season on DVD... It's actually the only series I own. I've had more laugh-out-loud moments watching The Office than maybe all other TV shows combined during it's seven-year run. It will go down as one of my Top 3 favorite shows of all time.

However, despite all this, I believe The Office should air it's last three episodes of the season and then call it quits...

Thanks for the memories, Steve Carrell.

This obviously will not happen, as NBC has already renewed it for an eighth season. That means a full season without the World's Best Boss. I just don't like the sound of that at all. Here are some concerns I have:

• Michael Scott is not my favorite character on the show, but he made that show. Ask yourself this question, "Would The Office have survived if it wasn't for Steve Carrell's portrayal of Michael Scott?"

• I used to be a huge Nick-At-Nite fan. You know what one of my favorite shows was? Happy Days. You know what one of my least favorite shows was? Happy Days. Once it's main character (Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham) left the show, it got bad in a hurry. I don't want a poor Season 8 to tarnish the legacy of The Office.

• The Office's heyday came in Seasons 2 and 3. Probably seven or eight of my top ten episodes came during that time. Then, although still fun to watch, the show took a step backwards in Seasons 4, 5, and 6. However, Season 7 delivered some of the best episodes/moments since that memorable third season. It would have been an excellent year to go out on top. I'm afraid Season 8 will go backwards again and leave a bad taste in its viewers' mouths.

• And my final point... I really hope the show ends on its own terms. I would absolutely hate to see NBC pull the plug. But if the ratings take a plunge, then you know it's just a matter of time...

Let the record show that I will continue sitting down every week to watch The Office until the series finale, whenever that may be. But these are my concerns. Ultimately, I hope The Office can not only survive, but also thrive without having the World's Best Boss at the helm. It's just going to be very hard.