In Community, not fitting in has never been so cool, or in a way accepted, erm tolerated…..forced together out of necessity? Jeff (Joel McHale), an ex-lawyer who desperately wants to make out behind the bleachers with Britta (Gillian Jacobs), a self-empowered and morally superior snob, forms a study group to win her heart. But it quickly backfires on him as he finds himself the “cool” one in a unique cast of characters who decide to label themselves as a ‘Community’. And who are studying…prepare for the linkage…at Community College – a type of college looked down upon for not being in the elite group of universities. A fact the show faces head on its stereotyping, making the jokes punch faster and harder; knowing how to laugh at itself, and so to do the characters – each one being more nonsensical than the person next to them.
It’s possibly because I can relate to the personal awkwardness and well, unusualness of Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi), that his character stands out the most in this comedic series. His scenes being too few, as are his lines, but despite this his moments are the most memorable; his directness and ability to relate everything to a movie/TV really hitting home. Pudi is hilarious in portraying Abed’s total honesty, sincerity and oddities, whilst giving a degree of vulnerability. The writers have also done a wonderful job in their research of Abed’s implied, but unverified Asperger’s, from the difficulties, to the positives, while also having him read his thoughts out aloud; helping him as he tries to digest them. In particular, he shines in his scenes with Troy Barnes (Donald Glover), the two’s characters finding common ground and a unique friendship that seems more real than many in life.
You also know that Community has to be a comedy success when it stars the famous comedian Chevy Chase. Chase plays Pierce Hawthorne, a man who thinks he knows everything and scarily knows so little that you’re often left wondering how he made it this far. Then there’s Annie (Alison Brie) whose 18 going on 80 and embodies the goody-two-shoes who’s going to crack and take the whole school down, to Shirley (played by Yvette Nicole Brown) a middle-aged and recently separated business lady, who, in reverse, has the experience of maturity, but acts like an all-knowing 14yr old; being instantly defensive of friends, and a superb gossip queen that no social media app could touch. Brown is a brilliant actor, conveying her judgement with just the simple raising of one eyebrow, while two means…run. But she’s the bestie that everyone wants, playing a character who’s both mature and very immature.
The idea for such a quirky collection of friends came from the show’s creator Dan Harmon and his experiences at community college; having attended Spanish classes with his then-girlfriend and forming friendships with those in the study group. It’s often said that the best writers draw from their own experiences and this seems no different for Harmon; the characters comedically-real and with their relationships oddly-matched, and yet, they work great together.
Community is hopeful, and layered with such engrossing students and teachers that you’ll be pulled into knowing more about them, whether you want to or not. The range of characters (and many a guest appearance) making the show broad in its appeal, no matter your comedy style; witty, quirky, sarcastic, slapstick, to just the simple pulling of faces. Each episode is pure entertainment, whilst conveying not just a sense of college life and the many offshoots of comedy it provides, but also the morals of friendship (without it being clichéd). Mainly however it’s a visually-aided-bible on how to have the most fun out of college, surviving it next, and last; maybe learn something? Or at least doing enough not to fail, after all it’s community college.
Creator: Dan Harmon
Other notable works:
- Rick and Morty 2013 –
