"Search Committee" is the two-part finale of the seventh season of the American television comedy series The Office. It comprises the 151st and 152nd episodes of the series overall and the 25th and 26th episodes of the seventh season. It originally aired on NBC on May 19, 2011 in the United States. In the episode, Deangelo's replacement is sought out through a search committee process led by Jim (John Krasinski). Meanwhile, Angela (Angela Kinsey) becomes engaged to her state senator boyfriend, Robert (Jack Coleman), while the rest of the office believes he is gay.
The episode was written by show runner and executive producer Paul Lieberstein and was directed by Jeffrey Blitz. The episode featured several guest appearances including one from The Office co-creator Ricky Gervais, his second appearance on the series. The episode also marks the first appearances of Robert California and Nellie Bertram, the former of whom was a series regular in the eighth season while the latter had a recurring appearance in the eighth season and was a series regular in the ninth and final season.
"Search Committee" received mixed reviews from critics with multiple critics commenting on the multiple guest stars. According to Nielsen Media Research, "Search Committee" was viewed by an estimated 7.29 million viewers and earned a 3.9 rating/10% share in the 18–49 demographic, marking a rise in the ratings from the previous episode and the previous season finale.
Synopsis
With Deangelo Vickers still in a coma, Dunder Mifflin–Sabre Scranton is left with Creed Bratton (Creed Bratton) as interim regional manager, who does many poor managerial activities, such as having numerous meetings without actually calling anyone, repeatedly misnaming employees, and creating meaningless acronyms. Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates) puts Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein) and Gabe Lewis (Zach Woods) into a committee to interview candidates for the manager position, including Andy Bernard (Ed Helms), Darryl Philbin (Craig Robinson), Kelly Kapoor (Mindy Kaling), and a number of outsiders, including a personal friend of hers, Nellie Bertram (Catherine Tate), who suggests various strange methods for running an office, including a "zen garden" theme and removal of all official titles for Dunder Mifflin Scranton.
Several applicants exhibit odd behavior: one (Will Arnett) refuses to explains his three-step plan, another (Warren Buffett) is concerned about gas price and long distance phone calls, another (Jim Carrey) is adamant on having a vacation to the Finger Lakes, and one named Robert California (James Spader) talks in confusing riddles that both baffle and impress the committee. David Brent (Ricky Gervais) also applies, making an appearance via webcam. To stop Creed from calling major clients and telling them the office is about to go out of business, Pam Halpert (Jenna Fischer) distracts him with activities such as having him try to find the differences between two copies of the same picture, and poses as various clients when Creed has Jordan Garfield (Cody Horn) contact them.
Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), still upset over being demoted by Jo, stops taking care of himself and openly looks through want ads in the office. His attitude changes when Robert disparages the position and the office to a sketchy, uncommitted interviewee (Ray Romano). Dwight becomes incensed that the position might go to someone who does not take it seriously. He demands to be interviewed, and while Jim balks, after Dwight's persistent efforts to acquire an interview (particularly by disguising himself as a French burn victim named Jacques Souvenier), Jo instructs Jim to grant him one, as she likes "a little bit of crazy." Jim had earlier firmly shot down Dwight's extensive bribe list for Jim's support, and quickly ends his formal interview.