Thursday Night

"The Office"
Network: NBC

Michael Scott is leaving! Steve Carell’s announcement this summer was the massive blast of publicity the show needed after an ultimately poor season six of “The Office” and the uneventful season finale that only hinted about Holly’s return.

Well, Amy Ryan is set to appear in eight of season seven’s episodes, and the writers will have to be mighty creative to broach the subject of Michael’s departure and romantic endeavors. Michael is still too young to retire, and anything like Michael winning the lottery or simply being laid off for monetary purposes might be a bit too contrived.

Going for the shock factor and a firing might bring some laughs, but for anyone who’s even a bit queasy at the lengths Michael has gone to recently will understand why that could be a bad idea.

The smart direction is to combine Michael’s departure with his love for Holly and the conflict between him and the now returning Jan Levinson.

“The Office”  is begging for a boost in that sentimental factor now that Jim and Pam are long settled and even Andy and Erin’s relationship is petering out in terms of drama.

The show may yet return without Carell, but he has the talent, and the writers have the knack to end his legacy the right way.

"Fringe"
Network: FOX

Although it was almost completely ignored by the Emmy’s, “Fringe” is coming off a more critically acclaimed second season and some overwhelming praise from its fan base after winning Entertainment Weekly’s poll of the best shows snubbed this awards season.

No more Leonard Nimoy, but season three will feature guest appearances by Oscar-nominated actress Amy Madigan as Olivia’s mother and two returning parts including the very talented Kevin Corrigan as Sam Weiss and Sebastian Roche as Thomas Jerome Newton. Madigan is a good casting choice, straight from her “Grey’s Anatomy” stint as Dr. Wyatt, and there will likely be some good moments to come when mother and daughter reunite in the alternate universe.

In the past, J.J. Abrams has said that unlike “Lost,” “Fringe” is much more accessible to new or casual viewers but still has the staying power of a show with an arc and a set end goal in mind. Although looking at this season, that mantra might get thrown out the window. Episodes will alternate in locations each week between our world and “their side,”  or the alternate universe in what sounds like a highly unnecessary and cryptic form of storytelling.

Although, weirder things have happened on “Fringe.”