Steve Carell’s exit from The Office felt like the perfect farewell for Michael Scott. After years of awkward moments and desperate attempts for approval he had finally grown. He found love, earned the respect of his colleagues, and left Dunder Mifflin on his own terms. His goodbye was heartfelt and emotional, making it seem like his journey had reached a natural and well-deserved ending. But what if it didn’t have to end?
Many fans assumed Carell wanted to leave, but that wasn’t entirely true. He was open to staying, yet NBC never made an effort to keep him. The network simply let him walk away, not because he insisted on leaving but because they didn’t even try to make him stay.
Could Steve Carell have stayed on The Office longer?
Michael Scott had spent years desperately seeking validation, and by the time he left, he had finally earned the respect and love he always wanted. His send-off in Goodbye was a masterclass in emotional storytelling and showcased how much he had grown. But while his exit felt perfect on-screen, the reality behind it was much messier. As it turns out, Steve Carell didn’t have to leave at all, its just that NBC never made an effort to keep him.
According to An Oral History of The Office, a podcast hosted by Brian Baumgartner (who played Kevin Malone), Carell was open to staying beyond his contract. However, the network didn’t even attempt to negotiate with him. Claire Scanlon, who worked as an editor on the show, was particularly frustrated by this. She added:
Steve said he would have come back, they didn’t even try! I feel like NBC dropped the ball, because I knew the story behind it, which was they just never even bothered, which was just like so dumb. I don’t know what was wrong with them.
Carell’s initial contract covered seven seasons, and as the end of that period approached, most of the cast renegotiated for two more years—except for him. Many assumed this meant he was set on leaving, but according to those involved, that wasn’t the case. In 2010, while promoting Date Night in the UK, he casually mentioned via Office Telly that season seven would likely be his last. Normally, a public statement like that would have triggered urgent discussions with the network, but NBC never followed up.
Part of the problem was that around this time, Comcast had taken over NBCUniversal, bringing in new leadership that reportedly didn’t understand The Office’s value. With original showrunner Greg Daniels having left after season four and key supporters like Silverman no longer at NBC, there was no one fighting to keep Carell. The new executives simply let one of television’s most beloved leads walk away without a second thought.
Despite the disappointing handling of his contract, Carell remained professional until the very end. Daniels, who returned to oversee his farewell, later said:
You couldn’t be mad. [Carell] was so graceful and full of integrity that you could never be mad.
His final episode was deeply emotional for both cast and crew. It was Carell’s idea for Michael Scott to quietly slip away a day early, skipping his big farewell party. A perfect conclusion for a character who had always craved attention but no longer needed it.
Steve Carell to deliver commencement Speech at Northwestern University
Northwestern University has announced that Steve Carell will be the keynote speaker for its 167th commencement ceremony. The event will take place on June 15 at the United Center in Chicago, where he will address the graduating Class of 2025. In recognition of his impact on the entertainment industry, Carell will also receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree.
Carell, known for his ability to bring both humor and depth to his performances, has been a beloved figure in comedy and drama for decades. University President Michael Schill expressed his excitement via North Western News about the announcement, saying:
Steve Carell is an absolute treasure, and I am thrilled he will be our commencement speaker. Steve is such a versatile actor, who brings humor and humanity to every role, from ‘The Office’ to ‘The Morning Show’ and his recent work on Broadway. I cannot wait to hear him address our Class of 2025.
In his signature comedic style, Carell responded with a playful remark about his speech, saying, “My speech’s theme will be ‘The Importance of Lowering Expectations,’ which for these graduates should start with my speech.”Carell’s career began in improvisational comedy at Chicago’s legendary Second City, where he performed alongside Stephen Colbert.
He later became a household name as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, but his breakthrough came in 2005 with his role as Michael Scott in NBC’s The Office. His portrayal of the clueless yet well-meaning boss became one of television’s most iconic performances.
You can watch all the seasons of The Office on Peacock.
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