I was just thinking about a couple of scenarios and thought I'd throw them out for group discussion. (I'm feeling a little Linda Richman today!)

First scenario - the film crew gets around to editing and broadcasting the documentary they've been filming about the DM Scranton branch. What would happen? How would that change things?

Second scenario - Jenna Fischer gets pregnant in real life (no I've not heard any rumors to this effect, but given her age and happily married status, it's not an impossibility). Do they write it into the show, or do they hide it like with Elaine on Seinfeld (and many others)?

OK. I'm getting verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves!

I had thought about that second scenario before. I guess it would depend on what's happening in the show at the time. If she isn't with anyone, then they probably wouldn't write it in since Pam probably wouldn't go sleep with someone and get pregnant. But, if she was with, say Jim, and they had been together for a bit, then they could possibly write it in.

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Denise

Ok first scenario could be dangerous b/c when the BBC Office merged branches, that was the last season of our dear show. To avoid cancellation of this masterpiece, let's keep the other branch out of the picture for a while, just for superstition's sake.

Second scenario, if Jenna does get pregnant, it'd be pretty easy to hide since she works behind a huge desk. Otherwise, if they want to write around it, it better be Jim's!

One of the most abhorred office events I can think of is the office baby shower. However, the story line that comes to mind first is Dwight and Angela...after all we (and Dwight) just learned Angela's not on birth control (in Drug Testing). Angela's such a stickler - I can just see them getting all kinds of disdained-by-Angela gifts! Meanwhile Kelly can't stop talking about how she and Ryan will be next.

Oh, JenniferJuniper7 - my scenario 1 had to do with The American Office documentary that they've been filming in the Scranton office being aired on TV - not the merger of the two branches. I hope they don't merge the branches either.

If they were to televise the documentary, then everybody in the office would get to hear what's said in those private off side interviews and things could get sticky!

^Yeah and that's the paradox of the show. There'd be pretty much no secrets. But I think that we're not supposed to think about that. I think I'll just assume that they can't see the show, like it's only broadcasted in another country and there's no way they could get a clip.

If the show lasts a while I think the cameras will become less involved, for instance, if something big happens between the main characters we'll assume that the cameras will be there, no matter where it is. We're probably not supposed to think of it like we'd think of a real reality show...

If someone got pregnant, right now they'd probably hide it. If we're a few years down the line, and we know more about fathers and such, they could work it in. That's another example for a story with Jim and Pam in a real relationship, learning to be parents, getting ready for the baby.

If the show goes for 10 years (rare but possible) then it will almost definately broaden to non-office related situations. As long as the characters are involved it will be whatever...

I can just see it...Pam comes into work and there are half a million letters from viewers telling her to dump Roy for Jim, but they're in Mandarin or something and so she still doesn't figure it out. Nice.

Here's another one: What if one of the cast members dies? Knock on wood right?

If they were to know about it ahead of time, they may be able to send them off, whether that be through their actual death or just them leaving the office.
If it's sudden they'd almost have to go with a death in the show. It would be weird because for at least a little while, they wouldn't be able to do comedy, it would be like a serious show.

Let's hope not. It was so hard to watch 8 Simple Rules after John Ritter passed. So, I hope all the Dunder Mifflinites are taking their vitamins and wearing their seatbelts.