elapses

Just jumping in to say that, unfortunately, you're right. This reminds me immediately of a moment from DD's movie, The TV Set, once he's realizing that the network execs are weasling in and bastardizing his show's entire premise; the main rep says to him: "Clippings are clippings. We've all gotten clippings. I want you to get rich. 100 episodes, syndication, the whole package." That's a very, very American approach to television (which is why the British TV exec they bring in has so many issues with how the woman runs things). Sorry to go all OT on you, but that's exactly what you were talking about! I really wish it weren't true. :(

And... as to what coast originally said, I feel the same way. I've been afraid for the future of The Office ever since I first watched Casino Night, and I've yet to feel that those fears were entirely unfounded. Sigh.