Ricky Gervais may be an executive producer of the American version of The Office, but the man who ended the original British Office after two seasons and a special knows that when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. Writing on his blog about Steve Carell’s departure from the series, he says, “[Carell] is quite possibly the nicest, hardest working man in America and it has been a joy working with him over the last six years … but the truth is, I believe he is doing the right thing. He’s fulfilled his contract and more, and is a huge film star now. (I knocked it on the head after 12 episodes and a Christmas special.) I’d be lying if I said he should do more. He shouldn’t. He should move on, continue to do great work, and buy a new house every time The Office is repeated somewhere.†It should be noted that every time an episode of The Office is repeated somewhere, Ricky Gervais can also buy a house, so him supporting this kind of blow to the longevity of the American Office is both very generous and a sign he already has too many houses. [Ricky Gervais via ArtsBeat/NYT]