The Office has new leads

     NBC's The Office has new leads.  Yes, that was the title of this week's episode.  And yes, it likely referred to the 'new leads' that Sabre, the new parent company, sent to the office for them to follow up on.  However, if you have been watching, there has been a shift lately, and it's apparent who two of the new leads in the show are
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     When the series began there were five character in the theme song, and that is how it has stayed during the show's run.  However, recently a sixth face was inserted.  Andy Bernard (Ed Helms, The Daily Show, The Hangover) started as a recurring character back 2006, gained popularity, was hired full time, and now is one of the people that the show focuses on.  Deservedly so.  The man who began an annoying guy with anger management issues has wormed his way into the hearts of fans everywhere.

         Last spring another new face showed up in The Office and stayed.  That face is Kelly "Erin" Hannon (Ellie Kemper, Upright Citizen's Brigade, The Onion).  She replaced Pam (Jenna Fischer) at the receptionist desk, and as soon as she established herself as part of the ensemble, it have Andy the boost he needed to be a leading man.


     For five years the romantic themes in the series were always about Jim (John Krasinksi) and Pam.  Now that they are married and have a baby, their connection has stabilized.  While this is primarily a workplace comedy, there needs to be romantic tension to keep things going.  Andy and Erin have become that couple.  They're a little bit goofier than Jim and Pam, and their trip to the altar shouldn't take nearly as long, but it's nice to get a new, fresh thing going on.  This week, they even shared their first kiss.  In a garbage dump.

     The Office airs on NBC Thursdays at 9pm.