During NBC’s pre-upfront conference call this afternoon, NBC brass were asked to comment on The Office star Steve Carell’s recent remarks in a BBC radio interview that he intends to exit NBC’s top comedy series at the end of next season when his contract is up. NBC’s primetime entertainment president Angela Bromstad said: “We hope we can keep him around for a long time.” (That could happen even if Carell leaves The Office as he has a producing deal with sister studio UMS).

But NBC Uni TV Entertainment chairman Jeff Gaspin added:”The Office is a great ensemble show, and the producers are preparing in the event he chooses to move on.” Who do you think should take over the leading man role on the show if Carell leaves?