Has “The Office” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14) run out of ideas? Disturbing rumors about Dunder-Mifflin’s future drive Michael to peculiar and distracting behavior, leading Jim to doubt his sanity. Let’s put aside the question of why this is the first time Jim has wondered about Michael’s mental health. This is the second time in the young season that Michael has engaged in bizarre behavior to distract from unsettling rumors.

And last week’s episode about a double date with Jim and Pam and Michael and Pam’s mother (Linda Purl) had echoes of the disastrous dinner party thrown by Michael and Jan (Melora Hardin) some time back.

Even the best series run out of creative gas. “The Office,” based on a British comedy that ran only two stellar seasons, appears to have done just that.