<P> Jim (John Krasinski) deduces over the course of the day that Michael is leaving early and confronts him about it . Michael admits his plans, and begins a personal goodbye, but breaks down after a few words . Jim, trying to hold back tears, in turn says how much he respects Michael, and that Michael was the best boss he ever had and they jokingly promise to have a proper goodbye over lunch the next day . Michael's cab to the airport then arrives, and Michael departs the office after one last look at the employees, exiting silently . His cab pulls out of the parking lot just as Pam is pulling in . At the airport, Michael asks the camera crew to inform him if the documentary ever airs, then turns over his microphone, quipping one last "That's what she said" about how good it will feel to "get this thing (the mic) off (his) chest". He begins to walk off when Pam makes it past security and runs up to him . They hug twice and say goodbyes that are not heard by the camera . Pam says in an interview that Michael was not sad, that he was hopeful and excited to start his new life with Holly . Pam stands at the gate and watches Michael's plane take off . </P> <P> In the epilogue, several of the staff share thoughts about Michael in private interviews . The episode finishes with a scene that takes place the next morning, with the entire staff waiting in the conference room for Michael to arrive for his farewell party, unaware he has already left, with the exception of Jim and Pam . When DeAngelo deduces Michael is not coming, he begins tearing pieces off Michael's farewell cake (a major subplot point of the episode) and throwing them in the trash, in a bizarre public internal struggle over his dieting . The rest of the staff, particularly Jim and Dwight, watch their new boss's outburst with concern . </P> <P> "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 . He had previously announced this while being interviewed on BBC Radio . "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 . In January 2011, it was announced that Carell would exit the show early, four episodes before the end of the season . 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 . To help ease the transition, Ferrell appeared in Carell's final episodes as well as one additional episode after he departs . </P> <P> The writers had gone through different scenarios on how Michael would leave with one suggestion being that he was fired due to a business mistake . They ultimately decided that ending would not be "as much fun for the viewers". According to Daniels, filming on set actors being "very emotional" and would often be "sadder than their characters were supposed to be". Andy Buckley confirmed filming a scene saying goodbye to Michael as David Wallace; however, these scenes were deleted from the network airing . When the episode re-aired three weeks later, it was split into two parts, and Wallace's scene was inserted into the first part . Steve Carell finished filming his final scenes for "Goodbye, Michael" on March 4, 2011 . As a goodbye gift, Carell was given a hockey jersey with the #1--his number on the call sheet . After Carell's departure the number was no longer used . The episode ran for an extended 50 minutes instead of the usual 30 minutes . The episode marks the first extended episode since the third season penultimate episode, "Beach Games". Greg Daniels stated in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that due to Ferrell's performance and Michael's goodbyes, the episode "ended up being real long". NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt allowed Daniels to "do whatever is best (...) to give Steve (Carell) the proper goodbye . </P>

Why did michael leave the office season 7
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