Let's be honest, it was never going to last without Steve Carrell. James Spader didn't quite have the same impact... and not even the odd appearance by Catherine Tate could save it.
Speaking of the show's final season, executive producer Greg Daniels said: "All questions will be answered this year. We're going to see who's behind the documentary... If we didn't let it end this year, I don't think we would have been able to tell the ending stories of so many characters."
In the absence of Michael Scott, we can expect things to focus on the more dramatic side of Pam and Jim's relationship, with Daniels adding: "We will be doing more arcs, and more drama in the Jim and Pam storyline. We are planning some big surprises. I'm guessing the show will feel more like Dunder-Mifflin from before the Sabre merger."
As expected, The Office will live on thanks to a spin off. According to the LA times, it will involve Dwight documenting the joys of life on Schrute Farm.
The ninth season is set to premiere stateside on NBC on September 20th.