Hollywood buzz: Gervais to join 'Office'?

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Comedian Ricky Gervais may be in the mix to replace Steve Carell on NBC's "The Office," Showbiz411.com said Saturday.

Carell reportedly plans to leave the hit comedy this year, which leaves an opening for the top spot at the fictional branch office of Dunder Mifflin.

Gervais played a similar role in the short-lived but acclaimed British version of "The Office."

Showbiz411.com said the speculation orbits around Gervais' offhand remarks during the "Golden Globes" and the seeming lack of availability of potential Carell replacements such as Kathy Bates and Will Arnett.