Entertainment
HBO’s ‘Shrinking’ Replacement Brings Back Steve Carell’s Classic ‘Office’ Energy in New Sneak Peek [Exclusive]
Although he’s done far more on both film and television, stretching his range to new comedic and dramatic heights, Steve Carell will always be remembered by many as Michael Scott, first and foremost. His leading role on The Office helped catapult him to superstardom with endlessly quotable lines and memorable moments that cement him as one of entertainment’s greatest bosses. Now, he’s channeling that same awkward energy into one of his biggest comedy hits set beyond the walls of Dunder Mifflin. Collider can exclusively share a new sneak peek at Episode 5 of HBO‘s new series Rooster that sees Carell’s Greg Russo weighing how to reconnect with his ex-wife when he leans on a very familiar greeting.
The footage opens with Greg floating a potential family get-together with his daughter Katie (Charly Clive) and her mother, Beth (Connie Britton). For the former, it’s a welcome surprise given how badly her father has taken the split and how ugly the former couple’s previous meetings since the break-up have been. Still, Greg thinks he’s ready, and Katie is right there to support him, though he struggles to make the first move. His initial instinct is to just send a “Wassup” to Beth via text, but his daughter quickly overrules him and instead just gives her mother a call to make the arrangement. When Beth inevitably wants to talk to Greg, Katie hands over the phone, and her father, not knowing how to even start talking, delivers a gravelly “Wassup” like he’s greeting Jim Halpert. It may be painfully awkward, but by the end of the call, they have a date.
At its heart, Rooster revolves around how Greg navigates his complicated relationship with his daughter and the feelings he’s left with after a bitter divorce. It’s the whole reason his speaking event at the college Katie works at soon turns into something more as he not only embraces academia, but strives to support his daughter and her career. In that context, Episode 5 is shaping up to be an emotional one that will confront the lingering familial tension head-on, though not without a dose of good-hearted humor mixed in and a genuine effort from Greg to make things right.
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‘Rooster’ Earns More Good Grades for Bill Lawrence
Rooster is the latest effort from Scrubs, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking creator Bill Lawrence and even features a few of his regular collaborators. Phil Dunster trades his AFC Richmond uniform for a professor’s attire as Katie’s ex-husband Archie, and John C. McGinley leaves Sacred Heart behind to play Ludlow College’s president, Walter Mann. Danielle Deadwyler and Lauren Tsai round out the main cast. So far, they’ve helped create another winner for Lawrence, becoming HBO’s most-watched comedy premiere in over ten years with 2.4 million cross-platform viewers within its first three days. Critics and audiences have also given the series good grades so far, with Collider’s Tania Hussain going as far as to say “Rooster belongs at the top of your must-watch list this season” in her 9/10 review.
Rooster Episode 5 airs on Sunday, April 5, on HBO. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above.
- Release Date
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March 8, 2026
- Network
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HBO
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