A new manager is named as 'The Office' premieres

[September 23, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- NBC and Dunder Mifflin have announced the new manager of the Scranton office of the make-believe paper company portrayed in "The Office." It's dim-witted salesman Andy Bernard, played by cast member Ed Helms.

The reveal was made on Thursday's season premiere of the NBC comedy, completing a transition process that began with last season's departure by longtime series star Steve Carell.

In July, NBC announced it had signed James Spader as a full-time cast member. He reprises his guest role as manipulative Robert California, who over the summer was hired as the office's new regional manager. But quickly on the eighth-season premiere, he wangled a promotion to CEO of Sabre, the parent corporation of Dunder Mifflin.

This left the manager's position vacant again. Andy Bernard was California's surprise choice.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.