• New York/Vulture, Tuesday, January 18, 2011 12:31 AM

You know that tear-filled May season finale of "The Office" featuring Steve Carell's swan song as Michael Scott we've all been expecting? Turns out Carell won't be in it. That's because Michael will actually leave Scranton (or at least Dunder-Mifflin) about a month before the season ends, according to Office show-runner Paul Lieberstein, who plays HR rep Toby.

"Steve will have a number of episodes that dramatize and lead up to Steve leaving," the producer tells Vulture. "Then we'll continue on for about four more episodes, and the spring will prove to be not about an actor leaving, but what happens in an office when a manager leaves and the chaos ensues and people vie for the job and are uncertain about their future." The show will explore both internal and external candidates as replacements for Michael. And the latter scenario means guest stars coming in to interview for the gig.

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