I'm going to file this piece of news -- along with any upcoming J.J. Abram's-attached projects -- under the category of: "Shows That Will Probably Suck, Yet I Will Still Probably Watch."
According to Deadline, NBC is considering a spin-off of The Office (say that 10 times fast!), focusing on Dwight Schrute and his infamous beet farm. The show is being described as a "family comedy" and will be set at Schrute Farms.
"The potential spinoff will be introduced in an Office episode later this season set at Schrute Farms," Deadline said. The story went on to say that the show "will include multiple generations [presumably of Schrutes], many cousins and neighbors."
While on the surface, this Dwight-centric spin-off seems like an awful idea (and it very well might turn out to be just that), NBC has had success with sitcom spin-offs in the past. Fraiser is a prime example of this. Of course, NBC (being NBC, and all) has more than it's fair share of spin-off mediocrity (read: Joey).
Business-wise, a spin-off of The Office makes sense for NBC. Their ratings are plummeting and The Office (despite its own dwindling ratings) is still the network's flagship comedy. Creating a spin-off around a familiar character from a beloved show is kind of a no-brainer for a network that is basically grasping at straws, especially after the failure of new shows like Whitney.
