Description
Dan Harmon’s cult comedy series Community has been providing fans with laughter for 15 years. Throughout its turbulent six-season run – a journey that saw core cast-members Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Alison Brie, Danny Pudi, Gillian Jacobs, Yvette Nicole Brown, Chevy Chase, Jim Rash and Ken Jeong endure ratings battles, firings, re-hirings, cast clashes and cancellations – the show following a gang of study group misfits swiftly acquired a die-hard fanbase thanks to its ability to dish up a heady dose of escapism. Packed with superior movie send-ups, meta-storytelling, plenty of fast-thinking flights of fancy and a whole load of heart, Community birthed its own thriving off-screen community that not only saved the show during its darkest hour but still exists to this day.
We invited Harmon and some key cast members to escape into the Dreamatorium and reflect on the rollercoaster creation and continued legacy of this masterclass in comfort viewing.
This article was originally published in April 2020. A movie continuation was announced in September 2022.
17 Sep 2009: ‘Community’ debuts on NBC. Loosely based on series creator/producer Dan Harmon’s own community college experience, it introduces us to the Greendale study group.
Dan Harmon (creator):I knew it was a different idea for a pilot even before I wrote it. The thing I learned at community college is that I had my head up my ass and I think that was related to the fact I considered myself this unappreciated TV writer. I ended up in this cramped study room with these total strangers. It was halfway through this study session that I was like, “Oh my God, I really care if these people pass their biology test.” I had this warm feeling come over me. The two thoughts I had were: I’ve been really distorted in my view of the universe and this is the kind of pilot networks are always wishing I would write.
Joel McHale (Jeff Winger): The pilot was really funny. The structure and the way the characters were introduced were so well painted – that alone lets you know the person writing it knows what they’re doing. The joke rate per page was similar to The Simpsons. I knew I could play an A-hole because I leaned into that on The Soup [the satirical talk show McHale hosted between 2004-2015] – it didn’t mean I was an asshole – just more than happy to speak my mind in every situation. I thought that part of Jeff was similar to me.
Gillian Jacobs (Britta Perry): I went to the table read and one of the producers introduced everyone – they said “this is our newest cast member, Gillian Jacobs”. I had gotten the offer on my drive down and they didn’t tell me. They announced it in front of everyone and I started crying. I guess they wanted to surprise me. It was a dramatic way to find out.
Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley Bennett): I had a really tough pilot season the year I booked Community. The day before I was supposed to audition, I passed. I decided I was done with pilot season. That morning, I woke up and thought I should probably read the script and it was hilarious. I was like, “Oh no!” I had maybe five or six hours to learn everything I needed to learn about Shirley Bennett and prepare for this audition I had no intention of going to.