Catherine Tate back to 'The Office'

Here's some interesting "Office" news -- Catherine Tate is coming back to "The Office" for an extended cameo. Tate, you'll recall, is an esteemed British comic actress (I'd call her an esteemed "comedienne" except I don't know how to spell "comedienne") who was on last season's "Search Committee."

There were some confident reports at that time that said the Tate was a very good possibility to take over for Steve Carell ... of course, the new boss is Ed Helms. What will Tate do? I deferr to the news release:

Joining the second half of the current season, Tate’s Bertram is hired by friend and Chairman of the Board Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates, not seen) as a misguided special projects manager working directly for the corporate office and who very much enjoys the favoritism received from Bennett. Tate was introduced to “The Office” audience in last season’s finale episode as one of the candidates interviewing for the regional manager position left vacant by Michael Scott. "Catherine is hysterical. We introduced her briefly in last season's finale and knew she had to be a part of the show somehow. We'll meet her again as corporate's special projects manager, and her relationship with Robert California (James Spader) will be far from professional. We're thrilled that she's joining the cast," said executive producer Paul Lieberstein.