Community

[Matt]

Strip syndication is a worthy goal for any series and the financial reward for getting to four full seasons or 100 episodes to enable it can be significant. But lots of shows get picked up for off-network syndication without reaching that number. For example, The Middle just got sold to ABC Family, the Hallmark Channel, and a bunch of broadcast stations and it's just winding up its 3rd season. 30 Rock got sold to Comedy Central and WGN after its 3rd season. But Community is such a quirky show that depends a lot on its seriality, and I just don't see it getting picked up for wide syndication. Maybe on E! or USA.

[domino harvey]

But they're sold with the understanding that more episodes are in production or about to be. No doubt Sony's syndication dreamz helped Community along (and 88 is the magic number now)

[Matt]

True.

[Mr Sausage]

That was a cute episode. Not quite as funny as the previous three weeks, and a bit too sappy at the end, but I liked it. Shirley going into damage control mode was hysterical, as was Abed's palace.

[domino harvey]

I thought it was horrible. My friend and I sat there stone-faced the entire time. Is there anything more boring than watching someone else play video games?

[Mr Sausage]

I thought it was horrible. My friend and I sat there stone-faced the entire time. Is there anything more boring than watching someone else play video games?

I was prepared to hate it, too, when the premise was introduced, but it grew on me. I liked the way it played off of little character quirks and developed certain themes (like the change from Brita being 'the worst' to 'the best' getting a demonstration when her pompous failure with the potion ends up helping everybody). Maybe I was in a generous mood, but it worked for me. Better than the almost laugh-less civil war episode.

[Jeff]

First one that was completely unwatchable for me. Had to shut it off mid-episode.

[knives]

Well there's still two more episodes tonight for you guys to see if they succeed for you.

[domino harvey]

The Ocean's Eleven ep was really great, season finale was pretty good and felt like an old school Community ep in a non-derogatory way

[Mr Sausage]

Oh for fuck's sake, they're not showing the last two episodes until tomorrow, at least on the channel I get. Also, I suddenly feel like some eccentric since I liked the video game episode but didn't take to the musical one. Apparently I am the only person in the world to hold this opinion (probably).

[domino harvey]

Retribution for Canada getting the Parks and Rec finale two days early

[Mr Sausage]

Retribution for Canada getting the Parks and Rec finale two days early

That was actually to make up for the fact that we got half the Parks and Rec episodes four days later than the American air date. So, yeah, what the hell is going on with the television broadcasting in my country?

[knives]

They hate importers?

[Jeff]

The Ocean's Eleven ep was really great, season finale was pretty good and felt like an old school Community ep in a non-derogatory way

Agreed on both counts. The finale felt like an intentional return to the slightly more grounded feeling of the early episodes.

Spoiler

Die, dreamatorium. Die.

[knives]

Though it really didn't fit with the story of the season, I respect Community enough to treat it like a grand serialized novel, I thought outside of that the video game episode was very funny (the murder sequence), plus its also good to see Esposito even if they didn't utilize him as well as they could have. That said the other two blew it out of the water and show just how personal a project this has been for Harmon and how it is his own personal statement on the medium. Those last two episodes even with (maybe because of) their creeping sense of finality really is what makes television as an art worth investing in.

[Andre Jurieu]

Oh for fuck's sake, they're not showing the last two episodes until tomorrow, at least on the channel I get.

Are you watching this on the CityTV feed? Oddly, they aired these episodes at the same time as NBC in my province.

Also, I suddenly feel like some eccentric since I liked the video game episode but didn't take to the musical one. Apparently I am the only person in the world to hold this opinion (probably).

You're not alone in your enjoyment of the video-game episode (I liked the musical one as well). I thought that episode was actually really fun, but I'm pretty sure I would have wasted months of my life playing that game.

[Mr Sausage]

Have to echo everyone else's sentiments, the last two episodes were really good. Reminded me of why I love this show: it can be sarcastic and knowing while still pulling off its sincere, emotional moments.

[Murdoch]

I guess I'm in the minority. I thought the video game episode was one of the best since the midseason return, although I was glad when the battle with Pierce's dad was over. I thought the little sidebars the writers threw in - like Troy jumping around during the long dialogue - were nice touches, and Troy's "what kind of game is this!" was hilarious . This show is really racking up the TV badasses: first Sawyer, then Omar, now Gus, maybe James Marsters will show up next Halloween (wishful thinking).

[AlexHansen]

The Harmon ouster gets a hearty Boo-urns from me. Also the 8-bit ep was fantastic. Looking forward to the last two.

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

The video game episode was lots of fun and consistently amusing -

Spoiler

"Troy and Abed Shooting Lava!"

- but the last two episodes were a great end to the season.

Spoiler

Getting the Dean back was fun, but my favorite moments were Chang's solo and Britta Goth.

The last episode was especially good with all the arcs it closed. I look forward to the new season, but this will be a tough episode to follow up.

[Cold Bishop]

First Harmon's replaced, now Chris McKenna is out according to his twitter. This timeline's about 80% darker now, with still no word about Megan Ganz.

[Mr Sausage]

This doesn't fill me with much hope for next season.

[knives]

I probably won't watch next season with all of this news. The show ended right if you ask me.

[Cold Bishop]

An official statement from Dan Harmon

[domino harvey]

I probably won't watch next season with all of this news. The show ended right if you ask me.

I'll probably watch the first ep out of curiosity, but this is just the West Wing all over again and that certainly proved that a great cast means shit without the man with a plan guiding them