Community

This TV show was recommended to me by a friend and at first I was hesitant: an American programme about community college students, it didn’t sound like something that interesting to me. But oh how I was wrong. Once I watched the first few episodes I was hooked, quickly getting through all three series that have been aired in America. Great stories, humour and character development I couldn’t understand why more people hadn’t been talking about this. Dan Harmon is the creator of this show, that is set at Greendale college, although he won’t be involved in series four that is due to air this autumn.

First aired in America in February 2009, Community received the award for ‘Best new TV comedy’ at the people choice award. It has also since been nominated for a number of awards for the show itself and the actors Joel McHale and Danny Pudi. Despite this, the show didn’t have very high viewing figures in America for the first series, it was only when NBC replaced it that their fan base erupted and fought for it to be brought back, causing an explosion in viewing figures for the last series. Unfortunately this hasn’t occurred in the UK, the show was on MTV’s channel Viva with low viewing figures for the first series it was dropped. Earlier this year the show was picked up by the channel Sony Entertainment Television (Sky 157, Virgin 193) which has helped boost its figures slightly, yet still most people in the UK will know nothing of this shows existence. As a show that could compete with the likes of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother’ I don’t know why it hasn’t been picked up by Channel 4. This show is full of popular culture references and has many an episode based on films such as ‘Pulp Fiction’ or even a paint ball episode relating to ‘Call of Duty Modern Warfare’. There is even a parody of the show I wrote about last week, Doctor Who, which they have called ‘Inspector Spacetime’, which you would think would appeal to the British public.

Characters

Joel McHale as Jeff Winger

Jeff is an ex lawyer who has come back to college because his law firm found out he lied about his degree. Although he comes across as uncaring and selfish, it is his motivational speeches and interference that normally solves the problems of the group. His relationship with Britta provides comedy and drama for the group, with a typical will they won’t they storyline that continues throughout all three series.

Gillian Jacobs as Britta Perry

When you first think of Britta, you think ‘strong independent woman’, but throughout the series you see just how complicated she is. Constantly trying to be a good person and do the right thing, she normally gets herself into situations where she has to admit that she doesn’t want to do the right thing. The way Jeff makes her see that although she might not always do the right thing but she is a good person, encourages their closeness.

Danny Pudi as Abed Nadir

This is personally my favourite character of the show, even though Jeff Winger is meant to be the leading man, Abed is the most important character to most storylines. Danny Pudi does an amazing job of creating a character that seems to be emotionless but actually the one that tugs on your heart strings most. His friendship with Troy, that develops instantly, has given the show something that makes it so special.

Donald Glover as Troy Barnes

Most of Troy’s screen time is with Abed, it’s their adventures and imagination that provide these wonderful episodes that keep you laughing. One episode that springs to mind is their attempt at building the biggest pillow fort in record books, which takes over Greendale. Their short sketches at the end of each episode always leave you with a smile on your face.

Yvette Nicole Brown as Shirley Bennett

A divorced mother of two, Shirley is the sensible and most grown up of all the characters, although she doesn’t have many episodes based around her she helps bring the group together and look after everyone.

Alison Brie as Annie Edison

The baby of the group, Annie is still finding herself. Her need for control and to be liked by everyone brings out her immaturity but highlights the struggles we go through when growing up.

Chevy Chase as Pierce Hawthorne

Chevy Chase does a wonderful job of portraying a sexist, racist old man and actually making his ignorance funny. The son of a successful business man, Pierce is constantly trying to make something of himself, yet tripping up at every step.

Supporting Cast

Jim Rash plays Dean Craig Pelton with his crazy outfits and lack of control in Greendale provides another great character. Ken Jeong plays Ben Chang, firstly a Spanish teacher, then a student. He’s completely mad but his constant attempts to become part of the study group provide great entertainment.

Favourite Episode

Although there have been a few paintball episodes in the three series, my favourite one is the first paintball fight, in series one episode 23 Modern Warfare. It is such an original concept that makes you wish that you could have gone to Greendale. When the Dean Craig Pelton informs everyone that the prize is priority registration, allowing the winner to schedule all their classes when they want, it turns the school crazy. This leaves the study group to fight the rest of the school and in the end, each other.

Summary

Something new and refreshing, this programme has only got better as the seasons go on. I may have been doubtful about watching this, as no one had ever mentioned it before and I had never seen it advertised. I will defiantly be watching the new series, starting again in America October 19^th. If it is shown in the UK I would say if you love The Big Bang Theory or How I met your mother, go and watch it. In fact even if you don’t, try it, it might surprise you.

Now back to the Dreamatorium!