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Bring Holly back to 'The Office'

Posted: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 6:56 AM by Paige Newman
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“The Office” is the funniest show on TV right now, hands down. However, I’m a bit miffed. The NBC comedy introduced one of the best new characters it has had, Amy Ryan’s Holly Flax, and then after the human resources rep found brief happiness with Michael Scott (Steve Carell), she was transferred to a new office.

And so begins my chant: Bring back Holly! Bring back Holly! I’m fully prepared to be a one-woman picket line.


NBC
Holly (Amy Ryan) fit in perfectly at "The Office"

With Michael’s Winnipeg one-night stand on last week’s episode, "The Office" returned back to the awkward, unhappy Michael Scott of years past. This is the guy who stayed with Jan way too long and who was thrown out of Phyllis’ wedding when he insisted on being the center of attention. It’s this Michael who almost makes me want to change the channel sometimes, because he can really make me squirm.

But there’s a sweeter side to Michael, too, as when he rescued Dwight from Staples after firing him, and when he was one of the few people to show up to Pam’s art show. And this is the side Holly brought out. Yes, Michael was just as clueless, as when he offered immunity to anyone who confessed to anything at the ethics seminar – and found out that Meredith was trading sexual favors for discounts on supplies – but it wasn’t that cringe-inducing awkwardness.

Michael and Holly even rivaled Jim and Pam for the title of cutest “Office” couple. Who can forget their intro to the ethics lecture set to Olivia Newton John’s “Physical?” Or how,when Jan came into the office with the new baby, Michael had to be mean to Holly all day so as not to make Jan jealous, but then finally just gave her a hug once Jan had left?  And, of course, Holly’s final road trip away from "The Office" with  Michael and Darryl.

Beyond their sweet romance, who can forget Holly’s introduction, when Dwight led her to believe that Kevin was “special”?

It’s rare that a new character really adds something fresh to a show, let alone actually makes it better. Oh, I’ll still be watching (I need to see if Andy and Oscar’s bromance continues, after all), but, like Michael, I’ll be missing Holly.

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Comments

Yes! Please bring Holly back! She was almost as goofy as Michael and they made a great pair. Darn you Management for taking her away!
Definitely agree. Holly is great. And while we're here, let's try to keep the crew IN THE OFFICE! That's when the show is at it's best. Hopefully with Pam back this will be the case.
BRING HER BACK!  "wiki-wiki-wiki-wiki-WHAT?"
Just an FYI - Amy Ryan is an Oscar nominated actress and while here role on the Office was great, she's probably going to be doing bigger and better things.  you must see her in Gone, Baby Gone. You hate her but feel sorry for her at the same time.
I could not agree more! I love her on the show and love her with Michael!  They have the corniest sense of humor and I love it!
Was Holly just filler for couple-cuteness until Pam came back to Jim?  Seems like it.  Michael's one night stand was too sad.  I enjoyed Holly as well.  Goofy, just like me.  Hooray for nerdy females!  BRING BACK HOLLY, by golly!
Yes, bring back Holly!

I disagree with "funniest show on TV", though.  It's not even the funniest on NBC.  Although hilarious at times, and somewhat true to original and the far superior British version of "The Office", our American version is not funnier than "30 Rock"!
Holly was great.  Please, please, please bring her back......
I loved Holly but I'm so excited they're bringing Toby back.  The tension between him and Michael has made some of the best moments of the series. One of my favourite lines is Michael to toby in Casino Night "I hate...so much...about the things you choose to be..."

With Pam back in the Office, having Holly there would be a little too much cuteness, I think.  I could see them bringing her back next season or something though!
Agree 100% - but unfortunately Amy Ryan is likely in too much demand to be tied down to a TV series.
no no no bring back Toby!
It was really unbelievable how well her character fit into the show.  She really nailed that nerdy but endearing vibe..plus, I still laugh everytime I think back to all of her dialogue with "special" Kevin.  PLEASE bring her back!  
For goodness sakes..BRING BACK HOLLY!!  She and Michael are perfect dorks together!  
I'd be shocked if brining her back wasn't the producer's plan all along. The fact that Michael got so upset about it in the most current episode tells us that the Holly story is not over. The show often pulls characters for a few episodes (Oscar "gaycation," Andy anger management) and then brings 'em back fresh. Just too many great characters to explore them all every episode.
I think it was Holly's time to go.  I find this season disappointing and Holly was annoying.  Dwight is the saving grace of this show.
Bring back Holly, Bring back Holly. No doubt about it, she is the best part of the new season.  
I have hope!  After this week's episode ending with Michael on the phone to the home office, saying it was "a sucky thing you did" to make Holly leave, I have hope that she will be back. Or at least she'll be in on more phone conferences.  BRING HOLLY BACK!
I really liked Holly. I'm sure they'll bring her back for some added drama. :) If things always worked out for the characters there wouldn't be much of a show!
I agree about bringing Holly back, but I have this strange feeling that the writers will bring Toby back instead, but perhaps Michael could learn how to have a real grown-up long distance relationship.  Jim could give him tips like he did when Michael and Holly first met.
Seeing Holly leave was really hard.....That's what she said!
Love Holly - but she is NOT the female Michael - she is goofy and awkward, but is not clueless.
It just wasn't in the cards for an actress like Amy Ryan to sign on as a series regular. She was perfect for this role, and the character brought out a side of Michael that we all wanted to see. Although her departure did seem a little aburpt, I think it was a temporary plot device, and we won't be seeing much more of Holly.
I think Holly might be on the spinoff show.  It would make sense to me.
Every good picket line needs a chant - Everybody all together now:

What do we want?!?   HOLLY!!!!!

When do we want her?     NOW!!!!!
I thought I was the only one.  YES!  Bring Holly back!  It was great fun to see Michael find a little happiness with someone every bit as goofy as he is.  Even if she doesn't come back to the Scranton branch, she could still appear from time to time.  Anything is better than nothing at all.  It was the first story line from the office that I've been invested in this season!
yes!!!! i completely agree!! bring holly back!!! she and michael make an awesome couple!!!
I love Holly...please bring her back...Michael is still goofy buy the kind of goofy that I like not squirm with.
I agree wholeheartedly...BRING HOLLY BACK!
As Jim said "Holly is kind of a major dork" so she is Michael's perfect match!  Bring her Back!  Yes!!
The picket line is swelling. Bring back Holly! BRING BACK HOLLY!

Holly is not a female Michael.  While she matched his enthusiasm and cornball ways, she did have a real perspective which Michael lacks.  It played nicely into the Meredith's ethical failings/corporate viewpoint and would serve well in future storylines.
Well, duh.  Moving Holly away keeps you interested in watching to see if she comes back.  Geez, don't you realize you're being manipulated?

Since the actress wasn't fired, and her short stint on the show was announced as being such, you *know* she'll be back again. Patience, people, patience.
"She made him likable"
"She brought out the softer side of Michael"

Are you people just now tuning in? I couldn't help but notice the majority of those comments were by women...The Office is not a love story!!!

I am woman who has been watching The Office since it came out. And I have to say this season is the worst. Quit with the 'developing of off characters.' Quit with the stupid Andy, Angela, Dwight circle. Quit trying to make us feel bad for Michael!!

Go back to the roots of The Office!! Dwight was odd and not mysterious & deep. Jim was witty and not dull. Angela was bitter and not stuck up. Michael was in his own little world and not depressing.

If it's not broke-don't fix it!!!
Bring back Holly, Bring back Holly!!!

As much as we cringe when Michael does or says stupid stuff we always want the guy to get the girl and be happpy.  Holly seemed to make him happy!  Holly is so opposite Jan which is why I think Michael and Holly are perfect together!  It would add DOUBLE CRINGE moments and so much more to Michael as a character!
I think Holly was too much like Michael. I like the idea of him having a girlfriend but the two of them together was a little too much...for me. I was over her by the time she left. Sorry Holly.
How I Met Your Mother is one step up from Yes,Dear, the all-time worst show on television.  How this crap stays on tv and shows like Alien in America do not is beyond me.  And yes, 30 Rock (and Big Bang Theory, and The New Adventures of Old Christine) are the funniest shows on television.  The Office is up there, but they are on top.
Maybe the problem is Amy Ryan didn't want to do any more episodes for now.  She's a very accomplished stage and screen actress.  Found an interview with her on line and, obviously, she is nothing like the Holly character.

I do hope she returns, because she is really funny and does not overplay her role.
Agreed.  Not the same without her.  Love Toby too, though.  Can we have them both??
I totally disagree.  Last week's show was the best in a LONG time.  Michael being Michael!  No silly love story to distract from the awful greatness that is him.  I wasn't opposed to Holly being on the show, but the goofy love story between her and Michael was TOO much for me to take.
I'll join this picket line.  Holly and Michael were perfect together, and I want to see more of their goofiness.  
The Holly-Michael romance was like a car wreck:  you don't want to look because you  might see carnage, but you just have to look because you might see carnage!  Bring her back!!
I was also upset when Holly left..she brought some spark to the show.
It seems alot of effort was made in writing her in and giving her alot of face time on the show. She does seem the perfect muse for Michael...bring 'er back!
If you can't stand the cringe-inducing awkwardness, get out of The Office.  That's what the show is all about: not a workplace comedy full of characters you know and love, but a place to recognize the worst of the workplace.
I fully agree - I was looking forward to seeing Michael interact with Holly - plus she was just hilarious - surprisingly hilarious. BRING HOLLY BACK!
Holly is terrific match for Michael.  Hard to believe the writer's came up with such a great combination.  Two for the price of one.  Bring Holly back and let the relationship LIVE and LET LIVE>
I will join the "Bring Back Holly" force!  She is Michael's soulmate.  I don't care that Amy Ryan is a Oscar Nominee, and is probably considered more movie star.  If you can't bring her back, then do a Bewitched/Rosanne and get a similiar actress to play her.  Let's get Michael some love!
Just when The Office got interesting again...  They need to bring Holly back pronto! That picket line is getting mighty long.
Bring back Holly and Toby!  Michael is at his funniest whren Toby is their to "torment" him!
I'm joining the picket line too, holding a big sign: Bring back Holly!!!!!!

I might be one of the strange few who quit watching the show when Holly came into the picture.  She was funny last year when she thought Kevin was special but the story line with the romance between Michael and her was annoying.  As a poster previously stated, the funny part of the show was Michael not being happy. It's one of the many reasons that I watched the show and once she left, I came back and realized that why I loved the show in the first place...the awkwardness that is Michael.  Also, I love Toby and some of the greatest lines and scenes deal with the antagonism and alienation of Toby at the hands of Michael.


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