"The Office": Game(s) on; Amy Ryan's back

Officemindykaling1 Summer in Scranton? Why not. NBC has set "The Office" star/scribe Mindy Kaling is set to host the "Office Games" in the show's hometown of Scranton, Penn. on July 19. It's a promotional stunt to mark the launch of two games based on the show -- one a vidgame-style DVD, the other an old-fashioned board game based on "Office" trivia. She must be getting her own line of Kelly Kapoor nail polish and lip gloss down the road, because Kaling has committed to spending the day in and around the Mall at Steamtown officiating a "day full of Dunder Mifflin fun," including a 2K "fun run," a beet-eating contest, a trivia challenge and an autograph sesh. Events will raise money for the Scranton-based charitable org United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

"We'll be rolling out the beet red carpet for Ms. Kaling, assured Scranton Mayor Christoper Doherty. (More info on "Office Games" after the jump.) ...

Meanwhile NBC has confirmed what "Office" fans already knew: Amy Ryan will back for multiple episodes in the upcoming season in her role as the new HR person, Holly Flax, who takes over for the (Costa Rica-bound?) Toby Flenderson. Ryan had a swell debut on "Office" in last season's "Goodbye, Toby" finale. And it's not like she needs the work, coming off of an Oscar nod for last year's "Gone Baby Gone" and heaps of praise for her perf in the final season of "The Wire." She'll also be seen in one of this year's prestige, likely-to-be-Oscar-bait pics, Clint Eastwood's "Changeling." Wonder how long it will take Holly to figure out that Kevin isn't really slow, by the standards of the Scranton branch.

"The Office Games" July 19th line-up includes:

9:00 a.m. – 2K Fun Run
Wear your favorite office attire! Prizes for best dressed, best character look-a-likes and fastest.

10:30 a.m. – "The Office" Trivia Challenge
Are you an "Assistant to the Regional Manager" or the "Regional Manager" when it comes to "The Office" trivia? The Challenge will feature questions from "The Office" Trivia Game.

12:00 p.m. – Beet Eating Contest
Straight from Dwight's farm…well, after being canned.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Autograph Session
The first 125 customers who purchase "The Office" DVD Board Game or "The Office" Trivia Game at Boscov's at The Mall at Steamtown in Scranton, PA, on July 19 will be able meet Mindy Kaling and have her autograph their game.

To register for "The Office Games," please visit: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1603902.