I want to be able to say that Community is getting better—but it isn’t. The only thing keeping me tuning in is the hope that, hey, we’re only four episodes in. There’s plenty of time to turn the season around. That and the fact that show is clearly fighting with everything they have to survive. While the actors and writers are still trying their best, it’s just not working. Usually Danny Pudi or Donald Glover will have lines or a scene that will stand out and save the show for me, but even this week their efforts (and there were a few hilarious moments! – “It’s like a Darren Aronofsky film…”) couldn’t revive this episode.
If you didn’t catch it, here are the five things that happened this week:
1. They’re baaaaack. The Germans, that is.
Remember way back to season two when Jeff and Shirley battle royal-ed for the rights to the foosball table? Yeah. Those guys. The lackluster antagonists return this week to attempt to steal the study room. The best part about this? All the German puns at the writers’ disposal. The bad? They didn’t even bring back Nick Kroll! He was the best one! Although well done to his replacement for the manic evil laughter during history class.
2. Oktoberfest.
In a Hogan’s Hero-style ruse attempt, the group foils the German’s by planning a fake Oktoberfest on campus. It was entertaining for multiple reasons as it referenced a number of German stereotypes. The best part of the scene, though, is when one of the Germans blatantly motorboats a couple of the 99 red balloons in the background. Oh yeah, that happened. It’s right after Jeff says “Ruse? No Ruse!” at 13:08 minutes in. Check it.
3. “It turns out, we’re the Germans.” Read more…
If Community’s blooper reels are any indication, Alison Brie loves to freestyle every now and then. The set seems to be musical hot bed as Brie’s co-stars, Donald Glover (or as you may know him by his alter ego, Childish Gambino) and Danny Pudi, made up the Spanish rap from season one.
Brie showed off her amateur skills last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon where she rapped about Community. She also dished that the first time she dropped a rhyme in public, she got a little assistance from The Roots’ Questlove. Not bad, Brie. Not bad.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I proudly remind you that asides from being February 7th, it is also October 19th, a.k.a. the return of Community.
Contrary to my own beliefs, Community is not the most popular sitcom on television ratings-wise but neither was Tina Fey’s brain child 30 Rock and 30 Rock went on to win multiple awards before it ended its run in January.
While Community did not get the accolades it deserves, it does have a small and loyal fan base that revels in the show’s absurdity, meta-ness and sharp writing. I’d even like to argue that the balance between the weird, intelligence and heart is what makes the show so great. Case in point: using a campus-wide pillow war to illustrate a low point between two friends.
The show’s creator, Dan Harmon, might’ve been ousted unceremoniously last summer but us hardcore Community fans hope that the show’s longtime writers can stay true to the show’s roots. Just judging from the teasers they’ve thrown out so far, it seems like it has.
But just in case you’re still not convinced to tune in, here are just some exceptional reasons as to start watching Community:
1. The cast
Everyone in this cast is funny in their own right but they’re also very good at playing off at each other. The chemistry that exists between all the characters has resulted in the show’s family-like dynamic. I should also mention that Dean Pelton, a.k.a. Jim Rash, is an Oscar winner and the first to jump on the Angelina Jolie leg-bomb phenomena, and Troy Barnes is indeed Donald Glover a.k.a. Childish Gambino.
2. Pop culture references
While it’s definitely possible to watch the show without having to understand all the references, it does help to enhance the experience. In fact, some of the best episodes have stemmed from these pop cultural references. I mean, what other TV show would use Dungeons and Dragons to drive the whole plot? Or have a Quentin Tarantino-esque paint ball episode in the first season? The answer: no one.
And if that doesn’t compel you, tonight’s episode is called “The Hunger Dean.” Interested now? Go watch.
3. Classes we wished were real Read more…
Alison Brie is my new role model in life. She has a fantastic career and is absolutely hilarious, but doesn’t take anything too seriously. Remember that time she got high with Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally? Or when she did the Charleston for Nylon?
Then last week, she and her Community costar Danny Pudi freestyle rapped at Hollywood’s Viper Room.
“I want everyone to know this was thrown on me and you’re welcome,” Brie said before riling up some spontaneous lyrics. While Pudi handled the backbeat, Brie rapped about everything from her immediate surroundings (“It’s a Friday and I’m like hey! I’m singing tonight at the Viper Room”) to being a homebody (“We watch TV we don’t even know what to do”).
We salute you Alison Brie and Danny Pudi, for all your quirky but highly entertaining habits.
Watch it here
