Building a Community, Highlights of Season 1: A Preemptive Strike

138

.

There are 137 television shows on the various cable network channels that score higher on the antiquated Neilson Ratings system than what is probably the best comedy on television, Community. That’s overall ratings. In the coveted 18-49 age range (where the show should excel), the show does a little better with only 93 shows higher rated.

All of the above information is nearly criminal in its fact. Without some expansion of the fan base (or a way to include online viewing in the ratings), it is likely that Community will struggle to make it past its third season (beginning next autumn). Other higher rated shows were canceled this year, so I give NBC credit for knowing it has a great show on its hands, even if, without an old school Must See TV block, the network is unsure what to do with it.

In an era of unscripted shows, single camera comedies, and endless forensic procedurals, NBC’s Community manages to be self aware while at the same time providing consistent laughs, highlighted by frequent breath-stealing jokes, while playing in what was once considered a classic sitcom formula.

The groove of the show is hard to explain. Much like Arrested Development, Community becomes more and more funny as the viewer watches a greater number of episodes, becomes vested in the characters, and familiar with their motivations. Like 30 Rock, many of the jokes are like Easter Eggs; tests to engage more geeky or pop aware viewers with various pop culture esoterica

The Purpose of this Article

.

is to provide a launching point for folks that have yet to catch the show by highlighting some of the best episodes from season one. Additionally, fans and converts can get a head start on the inevitable campaign that will be needed next season to keep the show on the air. First, to the wiki (with some additions of my own) for a quick primer on the show:

Community centers on Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), a disbarred lawyer going to school for the first time after his bachelor’s degree is revealed as fabricated. The series focuses on the experiences of Jeff and the study group he accidentally forms at Greendale Community College while pursuing Britta Perry (Gillian Jacobs), a liberal-minded, expressive student trying to get her life back on track. In the season one episode “Physical Education,” Abed describes Jeff as, “10% Dick Van Dyke, 20% Sam Malone, 40% Zach Braff from Scrubs, and 30% Hilary Swank from Boys Don’t Cry.” The other members of Jeff’s study group include Pierce Hawthorne (Chevy Chase), an absurdly awkward millionaire fighting a late in life voyage of self discovery; Annie Edison (Alison Brie), a young straight-laced student and former prescription drug addict; Troy Barnes (Donald Glover), a former high school star quarterback who becomes fast friends with Abed; Shirley Bennett (Yvette Nicole Brown), a single mother, unapologetic gossip, and vocal Christian going to school to ostensibly jumpstart her brownie business; and Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi), a pop-culture obsessed film student. Many episodes begin after a meta reference from Abed in the vain of, “If this was a sitcom, this would be the episode where..” The following episode is normally a clever update on a sitcom staple. Spanish teacher Ben “Señor” Chang (Ken Jeong) is exactly what you would expect from a Ken Jeong character – and is used perfectly. Greendale’s Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) is a loveable neurotic cross-dresser and a big fan of Jeff Winger.

Top 5 Community Episodes of Season One

.

Episode 2, “Spanish 101”

The first several episodes of Community struggle a bit with the ensemble cast and how to use them. “Spanish 101” introduces us to Ken Jeong’s character Señor Chang. He easily carries the episode in his brief screen time, but the episode is remarkable for what has become the traditional pre end title card scenes featuring Troy and Abed. Troy eventually drops the obnoxious jock routine and becomes BFF with Abed. The Spanish Rap is just a taste of what is to come.

Episode 3, “Introduction to Film”

This is the episode when the show begins to gel. Pierce starts to pour on his oblivious but *offensive quips; Troy is featured in a subplot about sneezing; Britta, Jeff, and Abed are the leads in the episode which is the first to show a surprising amount of heart.

Britta discovers that Abed has a domineering father who will not allow him to take film classes. Instead, Abed’s father forces him to take business-centric classes to prepare him for taking over the family’s failing falafel business. Abed comments, “9/11 was pretty much the 9/11 of the falafel market.” Bleeding-heart Britta is scandalized by Abed being kept from his dreams so pays for him to take the film course against Jeff’s protestations. The plan backfires (as many of the plans on the show are wont to do) as Britta (and Jeff) become the uncomfortable stars of Abed’s first movie in the roles of Abed’s mom and dad. When Abed’s film is complete and shown to his dad, Jeff, and Britta, the show crackles and delivers a bit of an emotional punch.

*One of the best early sequences of Community takes place during the set-up at the beginning of this episode:

Shirley: [To Britta] Isn’t Abed’s dad like a hardcore Muslim? They’re not as forgiving as Christians. He’ll cut your head off with a salami sword.
Annie Edison: Shirley! That is the most racist thing I’ve ever heard.
Jeff Winger: Pierce will top that in one minute. [Sets watch]

Seconds later…

Troy (who is black): [to Shirley, who is black] You’re not my mother.
Pierce Hawthorne: She’s not?
Jeff Winger: [Stops watch] 29 seconds

Episode 9, “Debate 109”

This is an important episode for it builds the relationship between Jeff and Annie. There is not as much sexual tension between the two as there is between Jeff and Britta, but uncomfortable moments come up throughout the series primarily due to this episode when Annie aggressively kisses Jeff to score debate points. Also, Shirley is convinced that Abed’s student films depicting the study group are prophetic. The Abed sub-plot is a nice addition here to build the character’s pop culture mastery trait which becomes so crucial in later episodes.

Jeff fills in on the debate team for the contest against cross-town rival City College and their star, wheelchair bound debater. After a lawyering-up debate style doesn’t work, Jeff get’s serious as in evidence in this clip below:

Episode 17, “Physical Education”

Joe McHale carries this episode with manic (if cool) energy. Ever searching for an easy grade, Winger enrolls in a billiards class (something he already excels at) and wears a suitable flattering outfit of leather and denim. Once in class, however, Jeff is called out by the teacher and forced to change into short shorts and a t-shirt; instead he quits the class. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang discovers that someone at Greendale has a crush on Abed and proceed to try and change him into someone more likely to score with the ladies – with surprising results. Abed’s first attempt to talk to the girl is one of the most funny scenes of the first season:

Later, Jeff is humbled by Abed’s wisdom and decides to take on the billiards teacher wearing the required short shorts and t-shirt:

Episode 23, “Modern Warfare”

This is a crucial episode for a few reasons. First, it is the prequel to the season two two-part finale. Second, it exemplifies the thematic mash-up episodes that Community does so well, especially in season two. The summary from TV.com followed by a promo for the episode:

Members of the study group discuss the sexual tension between Britta and Jeff. The campus turns into a war zone and friendships are tested when an early registration contest kicks off.

I hope this leads you to check out Community if you haven’t already. Season one  is available at most retail stops for under $30.

If you are already a fan of the show, how about letting us know your favorite season one moments in the comments?

Stay tuned for highlights of season two coming soon!