Community

[Andre Jurieu]

Looks like you'll have to wait a while for the show's return.

The network's official statement sounds like something straight out of 30 Rock.

It's an odd decision considering that NBC apparently set-up a bunch of interviews for Guarascio and Port to promote the new season, but now the events of the episodes will likely be months out-of-sync. Then again, it seems par-for-the-course when it comes to NBC.

[Matt]

NBC is basically waiting to plug Whitney and Community into the 8:00 and 8:30 slots on Wednesday, but they haven't yet canceled the shows currently in those slots (don't worry, they will) and they can't really just come out and say that.

Even though we have to wait, it's better in the long run because the show will do better on Wednesday than on Friday.

[Andre Jurieu]

NBC is basically waiting to plug Whitney and Community into the 8:00 and 8:30 slots on Wednesday, but they haven't yet canceled the shows currently in those slots (don't worry, they will) and they can't really just come out and say that.

Even though we have to wait, it's better in the long run because the show will do better on Wednesday than on Friday.

Yeah, that seems to be the speculation on a few sites, though the problem with that theory is that they need to pull the plug on something other than Animal Practice (what a heinous use of Mrs. Swisher's talents). The other issue for Community is that it doesn't easily fit alongside NBC's other dreadful comedies on very many other nights. The only really good spot (in terms of similar styles and easy marketing) is the "critically-acclaimed-but-criminally-underrated" Thursday night comedy line-up. I think their best-bet is that the sitcom Jimmy Fallon is producing gets punted and Whitney and Up All Night get paired off again on Wednesdays, allowing Community to slip back into the Thursday-night line-up.

[Jeff]

Troy and Abed explain why Community isn't on tonight.

[domino harvey]

Nice dig at Animal Practice. Good to see our fears may be baseless

[swo17]

Community returning to Thursdays in February, after the end of 30 Rock

[flyonthewall2983]

What was the "7 seasons and a movie" line about?

[domino harvey]

Six, and it was in reference to the quickly canceled and forgotten NBC superhero show the Cape

[Mr Sausage]

Six, and it was in reference to the quickly canceled and forgotten NBC superhero show the Cape

That's a real show? I thought Community invented it to make fun of shitty network programs.

[knives]

It was very real.

[Andre Jurieu]

Six, and it was in reference to the quickly canceled and forgotten NBC superhero show the Cape

That's a real show? I thought Community invented it to make fun of shitty network programs.

It was an actual show, which was heavily promoted as a mid-season replacement, which is what made it even more hilarious.

[swo17]

Chevy Chase is out, though he'll still be in most of the Season 4 episodes.

[Andre Jurieu]

Chevy Chase is out, though he'll still be in most of the Season 4 episodes.

... which makes their decision to fire Harmon (and essentially back Chase) even more frustrating. Of course, Harmon had his own issues, but considering he was the fundamental creative force behind the show, this situation seems even more sad now. Hopefully those Happy Endings vets can sustain the show's creative spark.

[Cold Bishop]

If this show can miraculously survive the certain signs of death-throe that are all over it, I hope they replace him with their original choices: Patrick Stewart or John Cleese (the latter can certainly use the money).

[Murdoch]

I hope they leave his spot unfilled, can't say I'm up for another incarnation of old white man.

[Cold Bishop]

Oh, it'd be completely shameless... but that's pretty much what keeping this show on the air at this point is (not to mention that both would have been better sports/brought more to the table).

[The Narrator Returns]

A Christmas present from Community to you

The clip may make little sense out of context (Why is Chang there? Why is Abed rocking a dirty undershirt?), but KITTENS!!!

[Mr Sausage]

Why is Abed rocking a dirty undershirt?

Die Hard reference.

[The Narrator Returns]

Megan Ganz is leaving, and to add more salt to your wounds, her new job is at Modern Family.

[Andre Jurieu]

Megan Ganz is leaving, and to add more salt to your wounds, her new job is at Modern Family.

Well, as much as that's disappointing, I have a feeling this decision is mostly about job security and career progression rather than having an opportunity to be creative without many constraints. Besides, it really does feel like Community will be done after this abbreviated season.

[The Narrator Returns]

Robert Greenblatt Optimistic About Fifth Season of Community, Says Comedy Will Have More Heart

In other words,
R.I.P. Community
2009-2013

[mfunk9786]

In an interview on The Howard Stern Show yesterday, Joel McHale said that Chang is essentially taking over Pierce's role in the show if it's renewed for another season.

[mfunk9786]

New York Times blasts Season 4 in its review

The show has been dumbed down, its humor broadened past recognition, and the two episodes provided for review — Thursday’s season premiere, “History 101,” and the Feb. 21 entry, “Conventions of Space and Time” — have fewer laughs between them than a single good scene from the old “Community.”

So pretty much exactly what we expected when Harmon was fired.

[zedz]

Stand by for wild ratings success and extension for four or five excruciating seasons!

[albucat]

Only the first and third episode screeners have gone out to critics, and I've only had time to watch the first. It's fine (neither great nor an embarrassment), but doesn't bode well for the show's growth. The direction it points to is essentially going down the road of eventual self-parody.