With September rapidly approaching, the second best time of the year, besides Christmas, is almost here! I’m talkin’ Fall line up, people!

And despite one of my favorite shows, The Office, practically going through a face lift after the departure of Steve Carell as Michael Scott, I have high hopes for what is about to come to Scranton and Dunder Mifflin.

James Spader, to be exact. After his unforgettable appearance on the season finale as Robert California, one of the candidates as a replacement for Scott’s position,  Spader’s character has jumped from manager to CEO!

Actor, writer and executive producer, Paul Lieberstein (aka HR manager Toby Flenderson), recently gushed to The Hollywood Insider on how Spader is fitting in just perfectly with the cast.

“He has a way of taking on his character so fully, even in rehearsal, that it’s changing the mood in the set. Everyone is discovering who they are with this new energy. It’s like the first day of school — you have your old friends, but there are some new classes and new teachers.”

Some other major scoop news that I’m super excited about is 7^th Heaven’s Stephen Collins making an appearance as Andy Bernard’s father and E.T. matriarch Dee Wallace, as his mother. I wonder what the visit will entail?

What has made me really start to count down the days is the news of my favorite office couple, Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fisher) Halpert, having a second child! After Fisher became pregnant with her first child in real life, the writers decided to carry it into the new season that will bring some crazy hormones along with her new baby bump.

Mindy Kaling, who plays Kelly Kapoor and a frequent writer/direct of the show, told E! Online that even though Michael Scott is gone, fans should have nothing to fear with season 8.

“We miss Steve so much, but it’s also kind of energizing the show in a way. All of these other characters get to have bigger parts and so that’s been kind of nice. Because if anything, I hear all of the time how much people like the side characters in the office.”

I second that, Mindy!  A supporting cast is what makes up a great cast, and I think it will develop new and interesting angles for the comedy. As for who I think should be the new manager of the Scranton Branch, I honestly don’t know. Out of the possible candidates, I believe that Dwight (Rainn Wilson) would bring complete madness to the office, including his famous nun-chucks and all, allowing Jim to pull some majorly hilarious pranks that seem to never get old.

Can’t wait until the season premiere on Thursday, September 22 at 9 pm to see all my dreams come true!