Barely past its 50-episode mark, The Office is already being eyed for lucrative syndication, though its rerun value remains to be determined.

Broadcasting & Cable reports that NBC Universal has already begun to seek bids for a 2009 syndication launch. The lofty status is typically thought to require at least 100 original episodes, which The Office would achieve by early fall ‘09.

The bids have been underwhelming from traditional outlets and one failed to even make an offer, according to B&C. But Comedy Central might be poised to seemingly overpay to land Dunder-Mifflin’s rights.

Factors such as star Steve Carell’s long-term tenure with the show and its performance up against powerhouse Grey’s Anatomy this fall could affect the bidding.

The show’s appeal to young male viewers and the presence of Carell should make The Office’s transition to syndication the kind of no-brainer deal even Michael Scott couldn’t screw up.

Newsflash: Jim rushes to Pam’s bedside…finally…sort of

There’s been a lots of online chatter about last week’s USA Today interview with Office star Jenna Fischer, in which she says co-stars Steve Carell sent flowers, Rainn Wilson called and John Krasinski wrote “a lovely e-mail” after she fell and injured her back at a party last month.

“Just an e-mail?!?” Fischer’s collective fandom exclaimed. The hiatus leaves lots of space for microanalysis, but many fans could not believe their lovable Jim Halpert couldn’t come up with a more resounding show of support and affection for his Office-mate.

Even Zach Braff sent cupcakes, after all.

Well, perhaps sensing a need to make things right – or more likely, giving a friend time to recover before barging in – Kraskinski did indeed stop by Fischer’s New York hotel room on Friday, with License to Wed co-star Mandy Moore in tow, to offer well-wishes in person, USA Today now reports.

“I brought her good cheer, and she is feeling better,” Kraskinski told the paper.

Phew!

(photo: USA Today)

Silverman dishes with Kristin

Fresh off his ascension to NBC’s entertainment helm, Ben Silverman faced a grilling from E!’s Kristin Veitch, whose favorite show just happens to come from Silverman’s old production company, Reveille.

A couple of key quotes for any Office fans who got nervous at the ouster of Office champion Kevin Reilly:

• “No, obviously I love The Office, and it’s my favorite television show too. It’s an extraordinary piece of TV, and I am so psyched that I am going to be associated with it still, on this side of the desk.”


• “So, I want to have a consciousness as we develop shows, to make sure that we know we are impacting people and influencing people. You can do that through comedy like Norman Lear does, like The Office does, and you can do it through drama as well.”


• “I think I look to Heroes and The Office as exactly the kind of programming that I’d like to continue with and build off of. I think both of those shows are unbelievably high-end quality, but they also have vibrant online lives and unbelievably passionate audiences who know, identify and love the characters. I’m really hopeful that I can continue that and find more shows like that. (photo: E!online)

Heading to Scranton, Pa., for October’s Office Convention? Or maybe you’ll just be in town to check out the anthracite museum and coal mine free fall/laser tag ride. Either way, you’ll need to know your way around The Electric City.

Happenings Magazine has published Seeing Scranton” “The Office” Style, a two-page graphical map that features the attractions and Office connections the city has to offer, from the oft-referenced Cooper’s to the Mall at Steamtown, where Michael took the ladies for lingerie and bonding. (photo: Happenings Magazine)

The temp turns prankster

Writer B.J. Novak, who plays former temp Ryan Howard on the show, detailed a prank last fall for Jay Leno that he and some friends pulled on Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Basically they replaced the museum’s self-guided tour tapes with a recording of their own making.

Well, that recording is now available for public consumption here (iTunes required), though I recommend you read about it at Novak’s blog first.

I haven’t had a chance to give it a listen since I downloaded it the other day, but apparently it is labeled NSFW (not safe for work). So listen at your own risk, preferably on your own time and computer.

(photo: myspace.com/bjnovak)