World's Best Boss

It has been 8 months now and it lingers over my head as if I worked at Dunder Mifflin. I still can't believe it is true. I dont want to accept it. Where can things go from here that will make things right?

"Michael Scott," hands down, has been the most influential sitcom character of the past decade. He defines what we've come to see as an American stereotypical babbling boss. He is totally unqualified to hold any type of position, yet he holds the authority figure managerial spot. The whole joke is that he's on top with no explanation and no climbing-the-ladder backstory of how he got there, with the exception of a few 1980's pics of him as a long haired paper salesman. Not that one was influenced by the other, but Will Ferrell has played a similar successful part in a few movies if you think about it. In Talladega Nights, he played Ricky Bobby, in Semi Pro he played Jackie Moon, in Blades of Glory, he played Chazz Michael Michaels and in the Anchorman, he played Ron Burgandy. All complete goofs whose power is how in love they are with their delusions, driving them right to the top. Michael Scott left us with plenty of memories that make us shake our heads in disbelief yet wish he was still our boss, or at the very least our friend. Most viewers wouldn't ever known it was his charm and not whitlessness that kept us watching, and then came his departure.

Dwight said it best, "I've given up expecting Michael to do the right thing, or the decent thing, or even the comprehensible thing." But seeing the scene where all the cast members sing to Michael was utterly gut wrenching and touching to the core. The last 3 episodes before his departure contained some of the writers best scenes in the history of the show. It was one thing when he pulls of the best proposal in history, complete with a candle light shower from the fire sprinklers, but another when a song about his minutes spent at Dunder Mifflin ultimately humanizes him. He gave all his clients to Andy, a heartfelt recommendation letter to Dwight, a tearful moment with Jim in his office, a silent scene in the airport with Pam. He truly was the best boss in the world. (Cue the tears!)

In the old days, when a star left a still-thriving hit show, they'd celebrate by killing the character off. But The Office writers and cast decided to let Michael Scott go in a more permanently shocking and surprising way: they made him normal. Since we're talking about Michael Scott, "normal" might be stretching it, obviously. The development of Michael as a full-fledged human being was all too late. You even halfway believe he's taking a brave step into maturity by moving out to Colorado. His fiance couldn't be more perfect for him.

Where will The Office take the story from here? Carell's exit was symbolic and a typically awesome highlight from yet another perfectly great season of this incredible show.

Thank you for everything, Steve. Your performances through the years have been nothing short of extraordinary. It's been a ride of a life time! And yes, that's what she said.