why did michael leave the office season 7
Goodbye, Michael "Goodbye, Michael" was written by series developer and executive producer Greg Daniels, his 10th writing credit of the series. The episode was directed by Paul Feig, marking his 14th credit for the series. On June 28, 2010, it was confirmed that the seventh season of The Office would be Steve Carell's last.[2] He had previously announced this while being interviewed on BBC Radio.[3] "I just think it's time... I want to fulfill my contract. When I first signed on I had a contract for seven seasons, and this coming year is my seventh. I just thought it was time for my character to go," Carell was quoted as saying.[2] In January 2011, it was announced that Carell would exit the show early, four episodes before the end of the season.[4] A few weeks after this announcement came the news that Will Ferrell, who previously starred alongside Carell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, had signed on to appear in a four-episode arc as a Dunder Mifflin branch manager who temporarily takes Michael Scott's position in Scranton.[5] To help ease the transition, Ferrell appeared in Carell's final episodes as well as one additional episode after he departs.[5]