Although I agree that it hasn't been the same since Steve Carrell left, but I'm still kind of sad it is ending.  We will definitely be tuning in tonight, and I hope it has a great send off.  I agree, it is probably time for it to go, but it is always a little sad when one of your all time favorites closes shop.  Like Scott said, I thought this season was actually a little better - and probably the best of the post-Michael seasons.  Overall, one of my all time favorite shows.  It was one of those that my wife and I have an extra attachment to because we tuned in from the very first airing of the first episode - before all the hype began after it.  Also the fact that we were working in an Office (not all that different) at the time, it was just perfect.  Anyways, one of my all time favorite shows, and although it is probably time, I'm still a little sad about it.

It is also a little depressing as a sitcom fan, that we've been losing so much over the past few years, particularly favorites of mine.  Scrubs a couple years ago, now the Office and 30 Rock, things are getting sort of slim.  Big fan of Parks and Rec (which is returning), as well as Modern Family and the Big Bang Theory but it seems to drop off a bit after that.  We also watch Community, which is supposed to be back maybe mid-season next year.  We've always watched How I Met Your Mother, but that is another show that I think should have wrapped things up a couple seasons ago.  Anyways, back on topic, looking forward to tonight's big finale and retrospective.  We've been going through and watching the past seasons on DVD the past few weeks - so much funny .

I got a shipping notice for the second wave of Iron Man Legends from BBTS, which includes the Mark 42, Iron Patriot, and Ultron.  Sounds like they are starting to hit retail now as well.

Saw it this afternoon, and really, really liked it as well.  Not sure if I'd put it quite on par with the first one, at least for me, but very close.  Lots of good character stuff going on, and some great action sequences as well.  I'm sure many are/will be upset with the "twist" in the movie, and I can understand that, but it seemed to work within the context of the movie.  It really did have a sense of finality to me a bit as well, the ending seemed to be wrapping up the trilogy pretty well while still leaving the door open a crack as well.

As far as I have read/heard, Downey's Marvel contract was up with this movie.  There has been a lot of insinuation that negotiations are in process, at least for Avengers 2, and we'll see beyond that.  I know it has been said of a lot of characters, but I really have trouble seeing anyone else play Iron Man.  To me, RDJ is Iron Man/Tony Stark, and I really hope he at least comes back for Avengers 2 (and 3?).  If they decide to get the Iron Man franchise a rest right now, I guess I could see from the standpoint of him wanting to do something else for a bit.  We will see.  Sounds like this movie will be making boatloads of money, so I'm sure they'll want to make more.

As a side note, if anyone has picked up this week's Entertainment Weekly (with Tony/Pepper on the front) there is a lot of info from Kevin Feige as to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Some good info in there including Phase 2 starting with Iron Man 3, then continuing with Thor 2, Cap 2, and Guardians of the Galaxy (as well as the SHIELD TV show), and Ant Man kicking of Phase 3.  There is mention of Doctor Strange possibly being a part of that next stage, and they also note that Daredevil, Punisher, Ghost Rider, and Blade have all reverted back to Marvel as well (as far as rights go).

Yeah, $45 is really steep, but I'll admit that I do want one.  The whole package looks really nice, and I think it is cool that Han in Carbonite is included and everything.  That being said, I have a feeling these are going to be very tough to get a hold of, particularly if you can't attend the show (like most of us).  So, I hope I can order one at HTS or something, but I'm also not getting my hopes up.  I'm sure Fett will be available again later on, but I hope this isn't our only shot at Han in Carbonite.

New video of the Orthanc set, pretty darn big:

http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/main/lego-reveals-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-tower-of-orthanc

TNI has updated with images of the upcoming Hobbit figures:

http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=16&itemid=20297

They all look really nice, looking forward to getting the rest of the dwarves.  I am a little surprised we're not getting any dwarves in the six inch line this time around, with only Thorin in the last round I'm guessing it is a little unlikely we'd be able to get the entire set by the time the movies are done (if they continue this release pattern).  Happy to have them in 3 3/4" though, and really hope we get some LOTR figures in the future too.

As far as the future, with movies coming every year, I think we could see a Marvel like approach as well.  Like it was said, it is already moving that way and I think it is probably a more profitable approach for Hasbro right now.  As far as character depth, I could see a vintage like approach in a way there too (like, real vintage).  Focus on the main characters and sprinkle in interesting looking aliens, etc.  Honestly - and maybe it is the nostalgia of it - but the vintage line(s) seemed to cover what was necessarily pretty well overall.  Sure, more is always better, but aside from a few characters (Tarkin, Stormtrooper Han, Jabba's Leia, RFT, etc.) they seemed to cover the most important stuff pretty well.  I could see the same approach with new lines.  Disney in particular seems most interested in OT era/feel stuff, and would maybe push for an approach like this.

I do wonder how much prequel stuff we'll see.  As mentioned by Muftak, we may be seeing the end of that stuff eventually.  It really seems like they are glossing over that era as much as possible right now, although some of it might be coincidental.  I do think there is a pretty good chance that with all the characters we've seen done over the past few years, that our best chance for OT (or even PT) characters might be the 6" line (if that succeeds).  It is definitely going to be interesting to see how things go once the new movie(s) start ramping up.

Bumping up an older thread here, but I was just looking for some advice on Harry Potter figures.  Our daughter has really gotten into HP over the past six months or so, and of course it is a little late for the "hype" so there isn't a whole lot out there as far as merchandise (at least at retail).  Anyways, I've been looking over some of the toy lines to see if there is anything I can pick her up online or via ebay.  Obviously, the Cards Inc./Popco line from overseas is pretty nice, but looks to be quite pricey for those of us in the states (although I do have a Hermione on the way for her, since she is her favorite).  She also loves the LEGOs, and thanks to some help from efranks I was able to get the Hagrid's Hut set, but the rest of them are long gone from here and like most LEGOs quite pricey online.

I know that Mattel put out some simpler stuff for the first movie (or two?), but wasn't sure how those were as toys.  I was just starting to look at them online a bit.  NECA also has some nice stuff, but those seem more statue-like for the most part.  Also, while searching ebay I found this and was wondering what it was from:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290899759472?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I had noticed a couple other sets like this as well on ebay, and they seem to be Polly Pocket-like in size possibly.  They seem to be smaller (one shot had a comparison with a dollar bill) anyway.  Anyways, does anyone have any experience with any of the lines to give me some extra info?  Thanks in advance.

I always thought it was a shame that this movie series didn't have a really good action figure line to go along with it.  With all the movies, characters, settings, creatures, etc., it seems like it really could have been a Star Wars-like line while the movies/books were having their run.