Dear Fans of The Office,

It looks like, after many long months, the writers’ strike will be ending very shortly. The vote to temporarily lift the strike while we vote on the contract passed with an overwhelming majority on Tuesday, and while we still technically have to ratify the contract (in a separate vote that takes place over the next two weeks or so), that vote was a very strong signal that we’re almost back to normal.

It was a difficult struggle, and we don’t take lightly the problems it caused for our crew, our actors, and the viewers of the show. In the end, though, we believe it was worth it, because writers have managed to win a share of the future of the industry.

We just want to thank you for the incredible display of support you have given us over the last four months. We never forget how lucky we are to have a fan base that cares so much about what we do, and we are excited to be going back to work, which is the only way we can try to pay you back.

It seems like we will be making six more episodes this year, the first of which is scheduled to air April 10. Right now, that episode will be “Dinner Party,” written by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, which we had just begun to film when the strike hit. Also, although we aren’t 100% sure yet, it looks like we may have an hour-long season finale. All of this is subject to change, but seems likely. (Just stay tuned to OfficeTally — tanster will probably somehow find out all the developments before we do.)

In the meantime, we’re back at work, and would like to thank you, again, for everything.

Sincerely,

The Office Writers

Feb. 14, Associated Press

Rainn Wilson, a Writers Guild member and co-star of “The Office,” said he was hearing that everyone on the show will report back on March 10 to shoot six more episodes.

Link: Hollywood Punches Back in As Strike Ends

Feb. 13, New York Times

• ‘The Office’ returns to the air April 10th.
• The first episode that will be produced is ‘Dinner Party.’
• A Christmas script was written before the strike, but will not be produced.
• As showrunner Greg Daniels mentioned previously, a total of six new episodes will be produced for Season 4.
• Handling the time lapse: “I’m tempted to just leap ahead to where we would have been,” Mr. Daniels said.

Link: No Pause Button: TV Studios and Writers Play Catch-Up After Strike

Update: NBC now confirms that The Office will return on Thursday, April 10th, 9-9:30pm ET.

Tipster: Alison

• Article: the GW Hatchet interviews B.J. Novak.
• Article: Angela Kinsey has no worries about maternity jeans thanks to mom.
• Article: based on your votes, John Krasinski now has his own Celebrity Central page on People.com.
• Fan report: read Lindsay’s report of B.J. Novak’s show at George Washington University.
• TV commercial: from Tallyhead WiseWithWorms — “Yesterday I was watching The Price is Right and lo and behold, I looked up at an AT&T commercial and I saw STANLEY the Manly playing a train conductor, operating the speed of the train.”
• Video: Boy who opted for amputation fulfills dream. An Office star makes a surprise appearance!
• Late night appearance: Angela Kinsey is scheduled to appear on ‘The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson’ next Wednesday, Feb. 13.
• Live appearance: Paul Lieberstein speaks at Hamilton College next Wednedsay, Feb. 13. $5 for students/staff; $10 for general public.
• Merchandise: Glarkware always produces cool Office tshirt designs — check out this month’s limited edition Army of Champions!

Tipsters: Kim, Dana, jdog_spiffy, Stephanie, Christine, Rachel, Dan

‘The Office’ has won a Best Comedy Episode WGA Award for the Season 3 finale, ‘The Job,’ written by Paul Lieberstein & Michael Schur. Congratulations, Paul and Mike!

The show lost the Best Comedy Series award to ‘30 Rock.’

Link: Complete list of WGA award winners