Community (TV series)

Community (TV series) is a popular American television series created by Dan Harmon that premiered on NBC in 2009, starring Joel McHale, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Ken Jeong, and Chevy Chase. The show is set at the fictional Greendale Community College and follows the lives of a diverse group of community college students, including Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale), a former lawyer who forms a study group with his classmates, including Britta Perry (played by Gillian Jacobs), Abed Nadir (played by Danny Pudi), and Troy Barnes (played by Donald Glover), under the guidance of Professor Hickey (played by Jonathan Banks). The show features a unique blend of comedy and drama, often incorporating elements of metafiction and pop culture references, similar to shows like Arrested Development and Parks and Recreation.

Overview

The show's premise is centered around the lives of a group of misfit students at Greendale Community College, a fictional institution inspired by Glendale Community College and Los Angeles City College. The characters, including Annie Edison (played by Alison Brie), Shirley Bennett (played by Yvette Nicole Brown), and Pierce Hawthorne (played by Chevy Chase), navigate their personal struggles and relationships while attending classes taught by professors like Professor Duncan (played by John Oliver) and Dean Pelton (played by Jim Rash). Throughout its six-season run, the show tackled a range of topics, from social justice and identity politics to mental health and personal growth, often incorporating elements of satire and absurdism, similar to shows like The Simpsons and South Park. The show's unique tone and style have drawn comparisons to other NBC comedies, such as The Office (US) and Parks and Recreation, as well as FX shows like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Archer (2009 TV series).

Production

The show was created by Dan Harmon, who is also known for his work on Rick and Morty and Channel 101, and was produced by Universal Media Studios and Sony Pictures Television. The show's production team included Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, who directed several episodes, as well as Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan, who served as executive producers. The show was filmed at Paramount Studios and CBS Studio Center, and featured a range of guest stars, including LeVar Burton, Katie Leclerc, and Matt Lucas. The show's pilot episode was written by Dan Harmon and directed by Anthony Russo, and premiered on NBC in 2009, following the success of other NBC comedies like 30 Rock and The Office (US). The show's production was also influenced by other TV shows, such as Lost and The X-Files, and featured a range of crossover episodes with other NBC shows, including Parks and Recreation and The Office (US).

Characters

The show features a diverse and complex cast of characters, including Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale), a former lawyer who becomes the leader of the study group, and Britta Perry (played by Gillian Jacobs), a social activist and anarchist who often clashes with Jeff Winger. Other main characters include Abed Nadir (played by Danny Pudi), a pop culture enthusiast and metafiction expert, and Troy Barnes (played by Donald Glover), a former high school jock who becomes Abed Nadir's best friend. The show also features a range of recurring and guest characters, including Leonard Briggs (played by Richard Erdman), Garrett McNeill (played by Erik Charles Nielsen), and Elroy Patashnik (played by Keith David), who add to the show's humor and complexity, similar to characters from other TV shows, such as The Simpsons and Family Guy. The characters' relationships and interactions are often influenced by other TV shows, such as Friends and Seinfeld, and feature a range of romantic relationships, including Jeff Winger and Annie Edison, and Troy Barnes and Abed Nadir.

Episodes

The show consists of 110 episodes, spread across six seasons, each featuring a unique blend of comedy and drama. Some notable episodes include "Modern Warfare", a paintball-themed episode directed by Justin Lin, and "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas", a stop-motion animation episode directed by Duke Johnson. The show's episodes often feature homages to other TV shows and movies, such as The Matrix and Pulp Fiction, and include a range of crossover episodes with other NBC shows, including Parks and Recreation and The Office (US). The show's season finale episodes, such as "For a Few Paintballs More", often feature complex and emotional storylines, similar to those found in other TV shows, such as Lost and The X-Files. The show's episodes have been widely praised by critics, including Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker and Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club, and have been recognized with several awards, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

Reception

The show received widespread critical acclaim during its run, with many praising its unique blend of comedy and drama, as well as its complex and well-developed characters. The show was praised by critics such as Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker and Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club, and was recognized with several awards, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. The show's fan base is dedicated and active, with many fans creating their own fan art and fan fiction inspired by the show. The show's influence can be seen in other TV shows, such as Rick and Morty and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and its unique tone and style have been widely praised by critics and fans alike, including Dan Harmon and Joel McHale. The show's legacy continues to be felt, with many regarding it as one of the best TV shows of the 2010s, alongside other NBC comedies like Parks and Recreation and The Office (US). Category:American television series