(May 24, 2011) — Charisma, effortless humor, delightful wit: The Office redefines these attributes into a league of its very own, incomparable to any other show on television. This American adaptation of the British show makes viewers feel like they are witnessing an actual day of nine-to-five office work; only, this is no ordinary office and the employees are no ordinary people. Endearing personalities set this show apart from the run-of-the-mill, laugh track endorsing sitcom one would watch with a certain detachment. What could go wrong in this perfect world of television bliss? Michael Scott’s (Steve Carell’s) departure and Deangelo Vickers’ (Will Ferrell’s) temporary but unwanted presence will do the trick. The personal decision to leave was spurred by Carell’s desire to spend more time with his family, which is respectable, but saddening all the same. There is a certain energy to all good shows, and it comes from the actors who bring them to life. Carell–the man who coined the term “that’s what she said”–gave The Office a positive and contagious energy. Ferrell, on the other hand, can’t meet these expectations, maybe because he is so used to over-the-top acting in comedies and on Saturday Night Live ; The Office is anything but over-the-top, wherein its charm lays. According to The International Business Times , while nothing is official yet, Ferrell was hired for only the last few episodes of season seven, to be replaced by someone else shortly. Whoever it happens to be, he will not be on the same level of comedic genius as Carell was. Others may be great comedians, but not suited for this subtly comedic show. It is a level belonging solely to Carell, and with this critical thread so interwoven into the story pulled out, viewers are left wondering if this show will fall to pieces. Jim’s charming use of an aside, a simple shrug or inquisitive look whenever Dwight does something absurd or Michael says something silly; Dwight’s statement of “question” before each question he asks, Jim putting Dwight’s stapler in jello, Michael’s ‘World’s Best Boss’ coffee mug and toys scattered on his desk—these are some of this show’s countless elements of humor. What seems the most amazing is that unlike almost all other shows, The Office has not withered away over the seasons. In fact, this mockumentary has grown and become better as time has passed. The genuineness of this show hasn’t allowed it to lose its zeal. Now that a key part of it is gone, time will only tell if the end of an era has come.