Five Guys Not Named Harvey Keitel That We'd Rather See Replace Steve Carell on The Office

List of the Day

It’s old news that this season will be Steve Carell’s last as Michael Scott on The Office. And it’s not that we don’t love his rumored replacement Harvey Keitel, it’s just that we have some ideas of our own.

Jason Lee

Admittedly, Lee’s probably too wrapped up in Memphis Beat at the moment to retire his badge and take on a desk job, the childlike innocence he so gracefully displayed back in My Name is Earl makes him an obvious candidate.

Paul Rudd

Carell recently teased Rudd on Popcorn with Peter Travers about his secret lust to replace him on The Office. And as one of the boys with bigger britches in the comedy game today, Rudd’s got the chops to shape-shift from a whiny, egotist (like Andy from Wet Hot American Summer) to musical tree-hugger (below). The only question left: Why not?

Steve Zahn

He could easily be described in most of his roles as earnest with his adorably clumsy ways. Plus his slightly whiny voice is probably capable of straining out Carell-esque shrills, capable of keeping Dwight (Rainn Wilson) in his place. His portrayal of lovable doofus Davis McAlary on Treme seals the deal.

Ricky Gervais

A perhaps-obvious choice, Carell dispelled rumors previously that Gervais, who played his British equivalent on the show that launched the American breed, would ever take over the Dunder Mifflin reigns. However, we maintain that Gervais’ toothy grin could possibly make the company (and the show) thrive once again.

Danny Trejo

Good things come in small, weather-worn packages. Trejo, star of Machete, may not seem like the most likely choice. That is, until you take into account that the office in The Office sells paper, and that stuff simply isn’t as vital as it once was. Leave it to the biggest badass around to pull Dunder Mifflin back up and out of the economic slump.