‘The Office’ to close its doors May 16

It’s only fitting that fans of “The Office” should write the following date on paper: May 16 — that’s when the NBC comedy will wrap its run with a one-hour finale.

In a bittersweet moment, the finale will also mark the comedy’s 200th episode. It was no secret that the Thursday comedy was closing its doors or that it would wrap its run in May, but a confirmed air date had not been announced until Thursday.

In its ninth season, the veteran mockumentary comedy (based on the British series created by Ricky Gervais)has been working in plot lines as it nears its end — including marital bumps for Jim and Pam and, most notably, introducing viewers to the people behind the documentary.

The veteran series is one of two Thursday comedies that NBC loses — “30 Rock” aired its series finale last week. Though it isn’t a ratings juggernaught, “The Office” is a strong performer in the scripted arena for NBC.

The loss of both shows call into question how the network, experiencing ratings dips as of late without the boost from “The Voice” and “Sunday Night Football,” will rebuild its Thursday comedy block. Thursday marks the much-delayed return of constantly-on-the-bubble comedy “Community,” which the network had intended to run Friday nights last fall, in “30 Rock’s” former time slot.

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