Last night at the Television Critics Association press tour, I caught up with two of the writers behind The Office, Jennifer Celotta and Paul Lieberstein – the latter of whom also does double duty with his role as Toby. This year The Office has the coveted post-Super Bowl slot, and will be airing a special one hour episode, which features appearances by Jack Black, Jessica Alba and Cloris Leachman. For fans worried about big name guest stars suddenly coming through Scranton, don't fret, the celebrities will appear within a movie some of the characters are watching.

Celotta explained that it's, "A Harold and Maude type movie where Jack Black is engaged to Jessica Alba and then meets her grandmother – her nana -- and instantly falls in love with Cloris Leachman."

It was announced yesterday that Idris Elba, best known for The Wire, will be appearing in a multi-episode arc, on the heels of the recent role of Holly, played by The Wire's Amy Ryan. I jokingly asked the writers if they watch The Wire and simply say, "We should get that person… and that person," and Celotta replied with a laugh, "Yes. That's exactly how it's happening! I'm already trying to figure out how we get Bubbles in!"

"We loved Amy," Celotta continued, adding, "She came on and I was like, 'This is just fantastic.' She and Steve just had this incredible dynamic and energy. And we also just thought Idris was fantastic, so why not? We just admire them so much as actors and it just worked out tremendously with Amy."

Both Elba and Ryan are known for drama, not comedy. Asked if it seemed like dramatic actors enjoy getting to show a different side of themselves on The Office, Lieberstein replied, "I think Amy was very happy. If you look at her reel, there's not an ounce of comedy on it. I was on a comedy with her, but it was in like 94 or 93 or something and I don't think she's done it for a very long time. I think once she found this kind of silly character that was toe to toe with Michael, I think she just started to love it."

Lieberstein said that Elba, who has not begun shooting yet, would play, "A powerful force on set in The Office. He's fairly intimidating to Michael Scott, as well as a few of the others." Explained Celotta, "He comes in as Michael's new boss basically, the Jan or the Ryan job that Michael thought maybe he was going to get."

Co-executive producer Michael Schur occasionally plays Dwight's cousin Mose, and Schur sometimes jokingly complains about being made to play the role. Said Lieberstein, "I tell you one thing, I love putting Mike on camera." Said Celotta, "Yes, it's his favorite thing." And as for Schur saying he was done playing the role, she noted, "That's not true. In fact, the more he fights against it, the more we're writing it in and forcing him to come and do it."

The conversation turned back to Holly, who made quite an impression on Michael and many viewers. Cellota said they were "definitely" looking to bring her back, with Lieberstein noting, "We're going to try and find a place for her in the spring. Michael and Holly will cross paths in some way in the spring."

Earlier in the day, I spoke to Rashida Jones, who told me she had already filmed an upcoming episode of The Office, in which her character Karen returns. Jones was wary of giving any info, joking, "I've been well trained." The writers did give some information however, with Lieberstein explaining, "Michael's been doing well at the office, and Wallace asks him to go around and talk to some other branches. And one stop is Utica… And he has Pam with him as his assistant. So it's a chance to see that." Added Cellota, "Pam is very nervous and anxious to see Karen, and that storyline does get dealt with. It's a really cool story. It's fun." Cellota then joked about her choice of words, laughing as she repeated, "'It's cool!' The Office is cool!"

As for Ryan, while B.J. Novak had to take some time off to film Inglourious Basterds, Cellota said, "He is coming back and he's coming back in a very interesting way. That's all I can say. He's part of an arc that's gonna happen at the beginning of March. He's very involved in that."