'The Office' spinoff: Did someone forget to tell the actors about it?

It took a while before some stars of The Office could appreciate that NBC was commissioning a spinoff of their cult hit — in part because they may have been among the last to learn about the new show. EW.com caught up with two members of the Office cast at the May 28 premiere of The Promotion (an upcoming independent film comedy in which Jenna Fischer stars alongside Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly). They recalled how they first heard of NBC's spinoff plans from Office executive producer Greg Daniels. "It was like when Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy split off," Fischer explained. "Those people had no idea that Kate [Walsh] was leaving to do the other show until later in the process. I don't even know if the spinoff [of our show] is set in an office. That's how little we were told. We just aren't privy to that kind of information as actors."

Fischer recalled learning about the spinoff — which will premiere after the Super Bowl, in February 2009 — in a most unusual way. "I was sitting at Pam's desk and I read about it on OfficeTally.com," she said. "We were in the middle of a take and I was like, 'Hey you guys, did you know there is going to be an Office spinoff? What's up with that?' Nobody knew. But I'm sure if Greg Daniels is in charge of it, it will be great.... There is a lot of speculation about who is going to be in it or what it is about. I'm surprised we haven't started a pool to take bets on who might be in it. I don't think I am in it. I have not been asked so far."

One thing's for sure: Some of the cast members might not be interested in doing double-duty. "I don't think I would want a part in that, as well," Oscar Nunez admitted to EW.com. "I don't see myself running across stages, changing clothes, and popping into another sitcom like, 'Hey.' I think Greg is very careful and smart and he loves our show, so I don't think he would do anything to dilute the audience for The Office." Then again, Nunez deadpanned, "That said, should they have asked me before making a spinoff? Yes. Should I have been in the planning meetings? Absolutely." (Reporting by Carrie Bell)