Our questions have finally been answered! On Thursday, September 22, 2011, we finally learned which character on “The Office,” now in its 8th Season, will be the new Regional Manger of Dunder Mifflin Paper in Scranton, Pennsylvania; a major responsibility that had been carried by Michael Scott; the unorthodox-but-well-meaning character portrayed by Steve Carell from March 2005 until this past April. Since Summer 2011, we were wondering who will be taking the job. Would it be Raiin Wilson's Dwight Schrute; the resident over-perfectionist of the workplace? Or would it be Craig Robinson's Darryl Philbin; the former-warehouse-forman-turned-office worker? Or would it be Robert California; James Spader’s powerfully-persuasive businessman? . While the later is now the newly-official CEO of the entire company; the Season Premier revealed that the replacement for Steve Carell's character would be Andy Bernard; the workplace's Former Regional Director of Sales-- played delightfully by Ed Helms. The actor, who is widely known as panicky dentist Stu Price in “The Hangover” films, is now taking on the show's role that made Steve Carell famous. And, it is obvious that the pressure is on for the character; seeing as this is a major responsiblity. And, in turn, it is a major task for Ed Helms; who first appeared as the character at the start of "The Office's" third season. Fortunately, Helms has treated us to a performance over the past few years that has been both comical and endearing. Thus, I can say without any hesitation:
I Am Very Happy With Ed Helms' Andy Bernard as the New Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton Branch!
Even though I am very satisfied with the decision, it is important to mention that Ed Helms' character has not always been the way he is now. In fact, the charming and sensitive demeanor he currently exhibits is nothing like the one he possessed when we first meet him. Upon first meeting him in the Season Three Premier, Ed Helms' Andy Bernard works at the Stamford Branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper; at which he exhibits a gung-ho attitude and a thirst for competition. He is constantly bragging to his co-workers about his job performance as well as his musical talents; to which everyone ignores-- including John Krasinki's Jim Halpert, who has transferred to Stamford for personal reasons. Eventually, the Stamford branch closes; leading to Helms' Andy Bernard, John Krasinki's Jim Halpert, and a handful of other employees re-locate to Scranton's branch. Upon arriving, Helms' character makes it clear that he wants to move up the business leader; leading to a competition withRaiin Wilson's Dwight Schrute for the approval of Steve Carell's Michael Scott. for the approval of Steve Carell's Michael Scott Eventually, Helms' character gets inside Michael Scott's head; making him think that Dwight Schrute is attempting to make a power grab; resulting in the later getting fired. Soon after, however, as a result of a prank pulled by John Krasinski's Jim Halpert and Jenna Fisher's Pam Beazley, Ed Helms' Andy Bernard, in a moment of sudden rage, punches a hole in the wall; much to everyone's shock. This leads to Steve Carell’s Michael Scott bringing Dwight Schrute back to the workplace and sending Andy Bernard to anger management. This whole scenario is completely unsettling; seeing as the character will eventually become the new Regional Manager of the Stamford Branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper. How on Earth could this be the case?
Fortunately, however, this is when everything changes. Upon returning from anger management towards the end of Season Three, there is a complete change of attitude for Ed Helms' character. Instead of a thirst for competition and power, Andy Bernard now has a desire for friendship and forgiveness. This includes trying to apologize to Raiin Wilson's Dwight Schrute; who is evidently still angry for getting him fired. As "The Office's" Fourth Season progresses, Ed Helms' Andy Bernard tries to make friends with his co-workers; which is very hard- seeing as many them don't take him seriously. This is also the season where the character falls in love with Angela Kinsey's Angela Martin; the overly-strict accountant of the workplace. It should be mentioned that Angela Martin had broken-up with Raiin Wilson's Dwight Schrute after descreetly dating for two years. Throughout the season, Ed Helms' character desperately tries to win her affections. And, even though she shows little interest in him, Andy Bernard asks her to marry him in the Season Finale. However, the end of the episode reveals that bride-to-be is having secret intimacy with Dwight Schrute. She continues to have a secret affair with her former lover into the fifth season; until he is told of the illicit activity by Steve Carell's Michael Scott; who happens to be the only one in the workplace who has the nerve to tell him. He later confronts Angela and Dwight; leading to him to call off the wedding. This eventually leads to another change in attitude for Ed Helms' character; seeing that in the following episodes he starts to display signs of losing confidence in himself and his abilities. This is major turning point for the character, seeing as the whole experience as made him a more sympathetic character
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Throughout the rest of the fifth season and into the sixth and seventh , Ed Helms' character is completely different than when we first me him in 2006. Following his break-up with Angela Kinsey's Angela Martin, Andy continues to seek the friendship of others; more persistantly than in Seasons Four and Five. While many of his fellow co-workers did not treat him with much respect in the past years, Ed Helms' character is frequently seen hanging out with his co-workers and engaging in workplace activities. In addition, in Season Seven, it's shown that the hapless employee has developed a rappot with Craig Robinson's Daryll Philbin. This is evident as they are seen confiding in each other on different occassions; as well as forming a band with Brian Baumgartner's Kevin Malone at the end of the Season Seven episode "The Sting." What's more, John Krasinki's Jim Halpert talks with Andy on a few occassions; thus treating him as an equal. These scenes are nice to see; considering that Ed Helms' character was at first an obnoxious and braggadocios individual. But, as time progressed, he matured; thus becoming more reserved and modest.
And Ed Helms' Andy Bernard was further able to develop as a character; thanks in large part to his relationship with Ellie Kemper's Erin Hannon; the new recptionist of Dunder Mifflin Paper Scranton who's hired towards the end of Season Five. As Season Six unfolds, Erin Hannon eventually becomes Andy Bernard's official love interest. Unfortunately, even though he has strong feelings for her, Ed Helms' character is very nervous about approaching her. We observe him desperately try to approach her; but he frequently shows signs of nervousnessness. He wants everything to be perfect, seeing as he wants to win her love, but things often go wrong. Fortunately, it is revealed that Ellie Kemper's character has feelings for Andy Bernard; and we are able to be happy for Ed Helms' protagonist; thus seeing that he has finally formed a romantic relationship. In addition, both Ed Helms and Ellie Kemper have great chemistry; thus making the affections their characters have for each other appearvery believable.
Unfortunately, their union doesn't last long; and at the start of Season Seven, it is revealed that she is dating Zach Woods' Gabe Lewis, the liason between the corporate office and the Dunder Mifflin Paper's Scranton, during the Summer of 2010. Throughout the season, Ed Helms' character tries to impress Ellie Kemper's Erin Hannon in attempts to win her feelings back. There are also several instances in which Andy Bernard displays many acts of consideration towards Ellie Kemper's Erin Hannon, such as lending her a movie in Season Eight's "The Seminar" and helping her solve a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt, which was actually designed by Zach Woods' Gabe Lewis in the Season Eight episode "PDA"; thus making her happy; and in the episode "Michael's Last Dundies," she publically breaks-up with Zach Woods' character. Unfortunately, while we assume that Ed Helms' character has finally had a lucky break, he is eventually confronted by Gabe Lewis; who tells him to stay away from Ellie Kemper's character. In addition, during the Season Eight Finale "Search Committee," in an overly-infuriated state of mind, tries to sabotage Andy Bernard's interview for the position of Regional Manager. Fortunately for Ed Helms' characters, the unprofessional actions of Zach Woods’ character cause him to be removed from the committee. Towards the end of the episode, Andy Bernard couragously stands up in front of everyone in workplace and states that he wants to be the new Regional Manager; utimately earning an honest look of approval from Erin . leading him to outline reasons why he believes so-- and to his and our surprise, there is some agreement. And, at the beginning of "The Office's" eighth season, it is revealed that James Spader's Robert California ( who is now the CEO of the entire company after persuading former CEO Jo Bennett, portrayed by Kathy Bates during Seasons Six and Seven, to give up her job) has appointed Ed Helms' Andy Bernard to be the new Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin Paper's Scranton Branch; leading me to be very happy.
When looking back on the background of Ed Helms’ Andy Bernard, it could be difficult to see why, in all honesty, I am glad to see him become the Regional Manager of the Scranton Branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper. Well, even though he performed some more-than-questionable actions, such as getting Raiin Wilson's Dwight Schrute temporarily fired as well as punching a hole in the workplace's wall in a moment of intense rage, I believe the character has evolved in a great manner. Keep in mind, these actions were performed in the third season. Ed Helms' Andy Bernardhas gone from being completely over-competitive to being more reserved and responsible; thus establishing him to be an amiable protagonist. The emotional journey the character has traveled throughout his tenure on the show has enabled us to root for him. This is a guy who's soon-to-be-bride barely shown affection for; even going as far as to cheat on him with her former lover. In adition, Raiin Wilson's Dwight Schrute has given him a difficult time as well; seeing as he has expressed discontent towards Andy Bernard on various occassions. Furthermore, Zach Woods' Gabe Lewis ultimately proved to be a true rival for the affection of Ellie Kempler’s character. In other words, Ed Helms' character has faced antagonism throughout the past seasons; thus leading him to display signs of immense-trepidation aand lack of faith in himself. Henceforth, seeing him earn the title of Regional Manager is wonderful; seeing as he has truly emerged victorious.
And what’s also truly great is that, while Ed Helms' Andy Bernard has frequently shown signs of self-doubt and self-conciousnes, there are times when he is able to brush his fears aside, stand tall, and take significant action; which, in turn, leads to approval from his co-workers. leading to . As mentioned before, towards the end of last season’s finale, Ed Helms' character puts aside his fears and officially declares his desire to be Regional Manager; surpringly leading to statements of agreement. In addition, throughout the Season Eight Premier episode "The List," Ed Helms' character is greatly intimidated by James Spader's Robert California. However, towards the end of the episode, Andy approaches his supervisor and strongly defends the employees James Spader's character finds unsatisfactory ( as evident by the fact that he considers some employees to be "winners" and the rest to be "losers.) The stand that Helms' character takes towards his supervisor is very grand; and the result is that he earns the respect of his fo-workers-turned-employees. Lastly, in this week's episode "The Incentive", Helms' character motivates his works to increase productivity by saying that if they reach a specific level of points, he would get a permanent tattoo imprinted on his backside. Andy is successful in motivating his employees; even though he is fearful of going through the painful process. Shortly after arriving at the tattoo parlor, he confides to John Krasinki's Jim Halpert that he is very worried that he doesn't know what's doing as manager. Krasinski's character tells him that he succeeded in inspiring everybody in the workplace; thus leading them to work harder. Ultimately, Ed Helms' protagonist gets the tattoo; and is happy to see that the finalized imprint symbolizes the favor they hold for their new boss. Thus, Ed Helms' protagonist was successfully able to encourage his workers; and, in turn, he has their support. Thus, we can be very happy for Andy Bernard; seeing as he realy is a true leader!
And, just as we can be joyful for the character of Andy Bernard, we can be very happy for Ed Helms as an actor. Throughout his stay on “The Office,” Helms has managed to completely portray his character in a flawless manner. We have seen the actor first depict Andy Bernard as a strongly-competitive employee. And, as the seasons progressed, the actor has enabled his protagonist to become a truly affable and well-meaning Regional Manager who has the support of his workers. But, no matter the state of mind his character is in, Ed Helms manages to give a completely believable performance. In 2006, he enabled us to dislike the character due to his obnoxious behavior. And, as his tenure unfolded, he enabled us to feel for him as he frequently displalyed raw human emotion. In other words, Ed Helms has established a grounded performance as his character; thus leading us to actually root for him. While we weren't when we first met, I am happy to say that, just as his characters' peers have, Ed helms as won our respect!
Thus, I am more-than-satisfied to see Ed Helms’ Andy Bernard as the new Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. And, who knows what pleasant surprises are in store for us. For one thing, there are sure to be new dynamics formed between him and his co-workers-turned-employees. For instance, I can’t wait to see what form of association is developed between Ed Helms’ Andy Bernard and Paul Lieberstein’s Toby Flenderson; the miserable Human resources representative that works in the annex at the workplace. That possible storyline would be great to see; as well as the probable plotlines involving other employees; such as Kate Flannery’s Meredith Palmer and B.J. Novak’s Ryan Howard. With Ed Helms' Andy Bernard as the new Captain of the Scranton Branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper, I'm sure he'll steer us in the direction of plenty of laughter, good stories, and lots of memories. And I'm sure that Steve Carell's Michael Scott would wholeheartedly agree!
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