News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Home » Blogs » stuntdouble's blog » Amy Ryan returns to "The Office"

Amy Ryan returns to "The Office"

by
StuntDouble

If you love the funny, have we got some good news for you: Amy Ryan has signed on for at least five episodes of The Office for next season.

While The Wire star is most famous for her dramatic roles, her portrayal of HR representative Holly Flax in The Office's season finale made her look like a comedy veteran — not an easy task among the seasoned Jenna Fischer, Steve Carell, and Rainn Wilson.

Ryan's chemistry with Steve Carell, and the charm and sweetness Holly Flax displayed with the other Dunder-Mifflin employees (especially Kevin) opens up a world of questions for season 5: Is there a Michael-Jan-Holly love triangle in the works? Will Holly catch on that Kevin is not really "slow"? And perhaps, the most pressing: What in the world will Michael put on that mix CD he promised Holly? (I mean besides REO Speedwagon.)

Ryan told Variety: "I don't know what they're going to do with the character, but as it was written, there's certainly a lot of potential. It's a funny thing to enter a show that you're a great fan of — and it's nice to tell lighter stories. I love the dark, grittier side of life, but it's nice to take a break from that, put a skirt on and brush your hair."

Added writer/producer (and former Toby) Paul Lieberstein: "Amy gave the character of Holly an openness and matured innocence that exposed a new side of Michael. She placed her character right on his level."

One more fun piece of Office-related news: a new round of summer webisodes starts tomorrow at NBC.com (Last summer's webisodes won an Emmy.) NBC has already begun teasing the audience with a behind-the-scenes glimpse at this summer's filming, as well as an outtake from the first webisode, in which Kevin and Darryl apparently join forces in a dodgy business venture.


What do you think about Amy Ryan's return to The Office? And why didn't the rest of you vote for Jenna Fischer for AfterEllen.com's Hot 100 like I did?

  • stuntdouble's blog
  • Login or register to post comments
    • Submitted by
    StuntDouble
    on July 9, 2008 - 11:00am.
    TAGS :: 
    luxury_bus's picture

    She's cute, too.

    Submitted by
    Em (101 posts)
    on July 9, 2008 - 11:57am.

    Yes! I loved her when she first appeared, and I'm so excited she'll be back.

    Her scenes with Michael and with Kevin were hysterical! And I love, love, love that she did a Yoda voice.

    I'm crushing all over again...

    You can't shake hands with a clenched fist.
    [Indira Ghandi]

    ClassicChic's picture

    I was surprised...

    Submitted by
    ClassicChic (21 posts)
    on July 9, 2008 - 12:19pm.

    at how well Ryan fit in to the cast. Holly is hilarious and just bounces off Michael (that's what she said) perfectly. I wish she would become a series regular because Holly has so much potential. I can only imagine the type of friction she might cause when Jan finds out about the mixed tape Michael's making for Holly. And I can't wait to see how the Holly thinking Kevin's slow story line is gonna pan out. I'm SO ready for season 5!!!

    PS, Amy Ryan cleans up real well. I can see why Kevin wants to "totally bang her!" ;)

    Through_the_Rye's picture

    I loved her episode on The

    Submitted by
    Through_the_Rye (103 posts)
    on July 9, 2008 - 1:03pm.

    I loved her episode on The Office! I think she'll be way better than gloomy Toby.

    I don't get all the hype regarding Jenna Fisher. I don't think she's pretty at all.

    MorganCB's picture

    How I love The Office...

    Submitted by
    Morgan (142 posts)
    on July 9, 2008 - 2:05pm.

    I was really impressed with Amy Ryan and surprised at how easy she is to like. Most new characters are hard to get used to, but I loved her almost immediately.

    And I love Jenna Fischer. She seems like a very sweet and laidback person. Pam is hilarious.

    activistlifeforme's picture

    I love Jenna Fischer - I

    Submitted by
    Jess (54 posts)
    on July 9, 2008 - 3:28pm.

    I love Jenna Fischer - I totally voted for her! Cuz she's lovely... and hilarious! :)

    I'm excited to see what happens this next season... and, personally, I'm still really really angry at Andy, but Dwight and Angela made me laugh hysterically at the end *grin*

    Interviewer: "Why do you write these strong female characters?"
    Joss Whedon: "Because you're still asking me that question." - Equality Now speech
    If I'm borrowing your icon, I'd be happy to give you credit, just let me know! :)

    reddirtgirl's picture

    Thanks for the REO

    Submitted by
    reddirtgirl (11 posts)
    on July 9, 2008 - 4:16pm.
    I can't think about Amy Ryan's return to the Office, what with all the REO Speedwagon now running through my head. 
    crayolarabbit's picture

    Jenna Fischer was the first

    Submitted by
    crayolarabbit (34 posts)
    on July 9, 2008 - 4:17pm.
    Jenna Fischer was the first person I thought of for the hot 100. I say we take her and Cobie Smulders and start a sitcom wing of the list!
    heartless romantic's picture

    I didn't know who Amy Ryan

    Submitted by
    heartless romantic (53 posts)
    on July 9, 2008 - 5:58pm.

    I didn't know who Amy Ryan was until Gone Baby Gone [her performance is the only reason to even watch that crappy movie, by the way], but she has definitely been added to my radar. I thought she did a good job on "The Office" [her Yoda impression was swoon-worthy; I'm a big nerd, okay?], and I can't wait to see what they do with her character.

    Eh, I like Mindy Kaling way more than Jenna Fischer.


    Home » Blogs » stuntdouble's blog » Amy Ryan returns to "The Office"

    User login

    Recent comments
    After Ellen home page on logo online