NBC plans spin-off show from The Office

NEW YORK - NBC has unveiled a spin-off from 'The Office' as the highlight of its new programming line-up.

The US version of 'The Office', based on Ricky Gervais' UK original, has been a major hit for NBC.

However, the network offered no detail about the show, which it plans to spin out of the comedy that stars Steve Carell in the Gervais role of the thoroughly dense and offensive boss at a paper company.

NBC said it would debut the planned series back-to-back with an episode of the original following NBC's coverage of the Super Bowl, giving it the widest possible exposure.

There were no details on the premise or the casting, but it is being developed by the same creative team who have also been busy working on 28 new episodes of 'The Office'.

On the comedy front is an adaptation of another import with a US version of Australian sitcom 'Kath and Kim'.

The programming line-up will also see NBC stalwart 'ER' return for what will be its 15th and final season in the autumn. Back as well is a well regarded but not entirely successful small Texas town football drama 'Friday Night Lights'.

New shows include a remake of the 1980s hit 'Knight Rider' following the success of a TV movie; a series titled 'Merlin' and a drama inspired by the story of David and Goliath called 'Kings', which will co-star Ian McShane who has made his name in the US in the profanity heavy western 'Deadwood'.

Christian Slater is following in the footsteps of Kiefer Sutherland by moving into TV drama with 'My Worst Enemy', in which Slater, Star of 'Heathers' and 'True Romance', plays a suburban dad who finds out that his alter ego is actually a spy.

There is also 'The Philanthropist', which sounds like a reality show but is a drama in which a rebel billionaire uses his wealth to help people.

Michelle Ryan as 'Bionic Woman' is among the shows not returning while 'Scrubs' is tipped to jump networks and be picked up by ABC for a last season.

'Heroes' will also return, but said that the planned spin-off of that show 'Heroes: Origins' had been scrapped.

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