Community: The Unconventional College Experience
Do you think your school is crazy? That nothing worse could possibly exist, not even in the world of television? Then it’s time for you to take a look at the second-rate Greendale College, the setting of the American sitcom Community.
Community, despite being set in a college, is by no means just another teen comedy as we know them. The only thing it has in common with this genre is the setting. Otherwise, it is a truly original creation from NBC, not something we see a lot of these days. Especially film buffs will surely find it appealing.
The motto of our school: Lower your standards
We are introduced to seven main characters of different age groups who come together in a study group at the beginning of the first semester. Here, their friendships and conflicts begin, and maybe even something more. The selection of main characters turned out to be surprisingly good. However, the biggest strength lies in the plot and the script itself. With it, the creators sometimes literally do whatever they want, and yet it is incredibly entertaining.
The show is particularly popular for its parodies of various genres. They enjoy poking fun at film clichés, along with a plethora of pop culture references and other nods… Community, thanks to this, gives off an original and fresh impression. So far, we have seen parodies of Inception, Pulp Fiction, and zombie horrors, not to mention the action-packed paintball episode that concludes the first season. But that’s not all.
The casting turned out to be surprisingly good
Moving on to the characters themselves. The first one we meet is Jeff Winger (Joel McHale). Jeff used to work as a lawyer until it was discovered that his law license was invalid. He chooses Greendale College as the easiest solution. However, he soon realizes that things won’t go entirely according to his plans. We also have Britta (Gillian Jacobs), who becomes the object of Jeff’s interest on the first day, prompting the lawyer to start a study group just to have a chance to get to know her better.
The inseparable duo is made up of Abed (Danny Pudi) and Troy (Donald Glover). Both, especially Abed, are film fanatics brimming with all sorts of ideas. Their joint show also concludes each episode. In contrast, the much calmer Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown), a devout Christian mom, and the naive but adorable nerd Annie, played by Alison Brie, who we recently saw in the fourth episode of Scream, are also part of the group.
Annie actually came to Greendale to study
To conclude the introduction of the main characters, let’s talk about a big TV comeback. The role of the aging and calculating racist Pierce is played by Chevy Chase. It must be noted that the famous comedian has not lost any of his acting skills, and apart from his gray hair and a few extra pounds, he is still the same.
In addition to the main actors, the character of Señor Chang, played by the excellent Ken Jeong, also attracts a lot of attention. Most viewers will surely remember him from The Hangover, where he played a mafia boss whose central trio was kidnapped during that eventful night. Jeong has an unconventional comedic talent, and as a Spanish teacher, he shines again in Community.
Where does Glee stand
The entire Greendale College is a place where you encounter many eccentric individuals. Whether it’s the very eccentric dean, the retirees‘ club, the math club, or the Glee club, which everyone here hates! Believe me, the whole place hardly resembles a school.
But even Community, of course, does not escape its flaws or weaker points. Primarily, it involves typical American moralizing. There are also a few very average episodes that are not particularly entertaining. However, if you can overlook these shortcomings, you will definitely fall in love with Community.
Currently, the second season is nearing its end. The viewership is fluctuating and not as high as the series deserves. Nevertheless, Community has a certain standing on NBC, which has earned the series a third season. How many more we will get is unclear, but ultimately irrelevant. What matters is that this project is simply fun, and I have no choice but to recommend it.
Community
Comedy
USA, 2009, 22 min
Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Adam Davidson
Starring: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Danny Pudi, Chevy Chase, Ken Jeong
Rating: 5*****