by Tracy Phillips | February 27, 2012 at 6:58 PM | The Office

James Spader on The Office (NBC)

James Spader won’t be sticking around “The Office” anymore.

According to Variety, Spader is leaving the show early and has asked to be released from his contract.

Spader joined the NBC sitcom this year for Season 8 as quirky Dunder Mifflin CEO Robert California to help fill the void left by the departing Michael Scott (Steve Carell), but he will not return next year.

“James always wanted this to be a one-year arc, and he now leaves us having created one of the most enigmatic and dynamic characters in television,” said “Office” executive producer Paul Lieberstein. “He’s been a great friend to me and the show, helping us successfully transition into the post-Michael Scott years, and I’m grateful for that.”

I won't miss him. He was good but the character was too one-dimensional.

RodeoSchro said:

I won't miss him. He was good but the character was too one-dimensional.

To be honest they can take the whole show off. This season has been one bore fest. Last season wasn't that much better either. It's long lost it's magic IMO.

missfee said:

RodeoSchro said:

I won't miss him. He was good but the character was too one-dimensional.

To be honest they can take the whole show off. This season has been one bore fest. Last season wasn't that much better either. It's long lost it's magic IMO.

Yeah, they've seem to have lost the fact that they're a comedy. What's with this chick trying to bed Jim?

One reason why I think "Cheers" was perhaps the best comedy ever is that they NEVER had an epidsode that EVER was ANYTHING but comedy. No "A very special Cheers" episode. No preaching. No trying to broadcast a cast member's pet charity or whatever.

On another note, "Community" comes back next month. Hopefully, they fired all this year's writers and re-hired everyone who wrote during its first two awesome years!

Speaking of "Community" I just saw the guy that plays the Dean on Good Morning America. His name is Jim Rash. Apparently, he won an Oscar! He was one of the screenplay authors for "The Descendants".

And I didn't recognize him, but he was one of my favorite recurring characters on the brilliant "Reno 911". He played Andrew the Whore House Guy.

"Don't judge me! You don't know me!" LOL, he was great!

C'mon, "Community"! Regain your lost greatness!

He was so hot in Pretty in Pink

tinaz said:

He was so hot in Pretty in Pink

I loved him in that movie.

he's probably my all time favorite actor...from the early days (Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero) 'til now...thought he was excellent in Sex, Lies and Videotape...his best work was on Boston Legal, imo...the Alan Shore & Denny Crane dynamic was pure television gold...I hope to see him on tv again soon

RodeoSchro said:

I won't miss him. He was good but the character was too one-dimensional.

That's what happens when you try to turn a "one-year arc" into a run-of-series deal. The character just never develops.

It's a really frustrating thing for an actor. Not surprised he wants to bail.

I loved him in Boston Legal!!!

orger said:

he's probably my all time favorite actor...from the early days (Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero) 'til now...thought he was excellent in Sex, Lies and Videotape...his best work was on Boston Legal, imo...the Alan Shore & Denny Crane dynamic was pure television gold...I hope to see him on tv again soon

Yes he's an extremely talented actor, I've loved him in other projects, especially Boston Legal but his role in The Office just didn't work. I couldn't even see the connection of his character to the other characters. Unless that was supposed to had been the actual punchline. Apparently he must have felt the same way which is why he decided to leave.

I never got into The Office, but Spader has been one of my favorites, I'd usually give a show a watch if he's on it. Maybe he has something else lined up.

I actually think this season has been good. The best in three years. I miss Steve Carell but I get why he left. But these last few episodes with Dwight's quest for power have been hilarious.

I won't miss Robert California, he was good for some laughs but as a die hard fan of this show he won't be missed. Michael on the other hand is missed, it's not the same show without him.

Abdul said:

I won't miss Robert California, he was good for some laughs but as a die hard fan of this show he won't be missed. Michael on the other hand is missed, it's not the same show without him.

It sure isn't.

He looks shockingly old. I rarely watch Boston Legal but when I do, I quite enjoy it and I thought that that´s his current look. Wow. Time is merciless.

missfee said:

Abdul said:

I won't miss Robert California, he was good for some laughs but as a die hard fan of this show he won't be missed. Michael on the other hand is missed, it's not the same show without him.

It sure isn't.

It seems so dry now don't it? All the characters are a little off for some reason.

I'll be suprised if it goes past next season if things continue as they are