My dissenting bubble may have finally burst for NBC's consistent bubble show "Community," as I find myself perusing the Greendale course catalog for the first time since 2009...
On 3/5, the cast and creative team were celebrated for the fourth year in a row at the annual PaleyFest where some of the most devoted fans in television packed the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills to share their laughter and support.
I was there, but I can't count myself among the loyal on this one. When the show premiered, I watched a handful of episodes and could not get into it. Sitting in the audience, I felt a bit like I didn't belong, like I was a fraud among these intensely passionate 'shippers, and they'd smoke me out somehow. Now in its fourth season, "Community" is a show that I've been told eventually found its stride and is worth revisiting.
I took to PaleyFest to see what the fuss is about, and from the start, the night promised entertainment with one major format change. The cast, sans Donald Glover (Troy)/plus special guest Fred Williard (!), performed a live table read of the Season 4 premiere episode (which aired on Feb. 7) in lieu of a pre-panel screening. This immediately struck me as exactly what these interactive programs should aspire to include. We're there to see our favorite casts and go "inside" our favorite shows, so what better way than to do just that and take viewers behind-the-scenes of the inner-workings to which we're rarely privy?
Maybe it's not a groundbreaking idea in the grand scheme of things, maybe it's been done before, but considering the (not-so-advanced) screenings tend to feel like more of a time-suck than a rewarding perk, I welcomed this breath of fresh air.
On 3/5, the cast and creative team were celebrated for the fourth year in a row at the annual PaleyFest where some of the most devoted fans in television packed the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills to share their laughter and support.
I was there, but I can't count myself among the loyal on this one. When the show premiered, I watched a handful of episodes and could not get into it. Sitting in the audience, I felt a bit like I didn't belong, like I was a fraud among these intensely passionate 'shippers, and they'd smoke me out somehow. Now in its fourth season, "Community" is a show that I've been told eventually found its stride and is worth revisiting.
I took to PaleyFest to see what the fuss is about, and from the start, the night promised entertainment with one major format change. The cast, sans Donald Glover (Troy)/plus special guest Fred Williard (!), performed a live table read of the Season 4 premiere episode (which aired on Feb. 7) in lieu of a pre-panel screening. This immediately struck me as exactly what these interactive programs should aspire to include. We're there to see our favorite casts and go "inside" our favorite shows, so what better way than to do just that and take viewers behind-the-scenes of the inner-workings to which we're rarely privy?
Maybe it's not a groundbreaking idea in the grand scheme of things, maybe it's been done before, but considering the (not-so-advanced) screenings tend to feel like more of a time-suck than a rewarding perk, I welcomed this breath of fresh air.
From left: Director Tristram Shapeero, Fred Willard, Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Jim Rash, Writer Andy Bobrow, and Richard Erdman
The cast dances and sings the theme song
Here's what I observed - every member of this cast is equally and uniquely hilarious: improv-ing, impersonating, and one-lining their way through one hell of a good time. Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley) was even cracking herself up thinking of an unrelated, previously filmed scene - in particular, an amusing expression of Donald's. It's clear these people are more than fake classmates - they're friends, family, and overjoyed that they're doing this for a living.
Alison Brie (Annie) pretty much stole the panel, killing at impressions which she adopted throughout the night, including mimicking Jim Rash as Dean Pelton and pretending to be a chain-smoking cigarette girl out of the '20s complete with an Amelia Earhart-esque vocal affectation. Another big hit was a reenactment of (the seriously awesome) Joel McHale's and Jim's "tango" scene. See for yourself:
Alison Brie (Annie) pretty much stole the panel, killing at impressions which she adopted throughout the night, including mimicking Jim Rash as Dean Pelton and pretending to be a chain-smoking cigarette girl out of the '20s complete with an Amelia Earhart-esque vocal affectation. Another big hit was a reenactment of (the seriously awesome) Joel McHale's and Jim's "tango" scene. See for yourself:
Alison Brie getting into character
Choreography 101: Jim Rash & Joel McHale | See the full hilarious tango photo series in the gallery (link below)!
For a show that's been threatened with cancellation season-to-season, Yvette gracefully reminded everyone that no matter what, this show is an undeniable success story.
"We're in the gravy years of this show. It's not a bad thing. We made it four years, and we did it together, and that's a great thing," she said to much applause.
Joel concurred, addressing the fans, "Without you guys, we wouldn't be here."
Consider this: As far as "college" shows go, "Felicity" only made it four years, and fans had to graduate right along with her. I mean, it's "Felicity" - a cornerstone of our generation! So given the fact that "Community" has earned the same number of DVD sets and may survive even longer, I'd say it can safely retire its underdog cape.
The only non-funny part of the evening was any mention of Chevy Chase and character Pierce, after his more-than-awkward and unfortunate departure from the series. The producers dodged the subject, even avoiding having to speak the actor's name, but when prodded about the issue of replacement, one replied, "I think we've proven we can just say it's Pierce and move on. They did it on 'Roseanne' with Becky."
Since "The History of Ice Cream" was over-enrolled, it's no surprise there wasn't much scoop to be served, besides a sneak-peek at an upcoming episode in which the characters are transformed into puppets, akin to "Avenue Q."
"We're in the gravy years of this show. It's not a bad thing. We made it four years, and we did it together, and that's a great thing," she said to much applause.
Joel concurred, addressing the fans, "Without you guys, we wouldn't be here."
Consider this: As far as "college" shows go, "Felicity" only made it four years, and fans had to graduate right along with her. I mean, it's "Felicity" - a cornerstone of our generation! So given the fact that "Community" has earned the same number of DVD sets and may survive even longer, I'd say it can safely retire its underdog cape.
The only non-funny part of the evening was any mention of Chevy Chase and character Pierce, after his more-than-awkward and unfortunate departure from the series. The producers dodged the subject, even avoiding having to speak the actor's name, but when prodded about the issue of replacement, one replied, "I think we've proven we can just say it's Pierce and move on. They did it on 'Roseanne' with Becky."
Since "The History of Ice Cream" was over-enrolled, it's no surprise there wasn't much scoop to be served, besides a sneak-peek at an upcoming episode in which the characters are transformed into puppets, akin to "Avenue Q."
Bring out the puppets!
Also, Joel offered that he'd like to see John Goodman and Malcolm McDowell return as guest stars, and Yvette spoiled that we'll soon discover Shirley's house looks like a Dorothy Gale explosion of gingham and odd wallpaper.
During a brief intermission, moderator Mike Schneider led the audience in his own lighthearted "Pledge of Allegiance," prompting us to stand at attention and pledge our devotion to the series and its opportunity for renewal. On my feet repeating Schneider's words in unison with the crowd, I couldn't help but hear Paley Center President Pat Mitchell's voice in my head. Prior to each PaleyFest event, a video package runs in which she declares, "Television, like radio, is a communal experience."
I'm only starting to go back through season 1 on DVD. I can't promise I'll become a devotee, but in the moment I pledged myself to the show "Community," I most definitely felt a part of one - and a really fun one, at that.
The evening served as a reminder that even if you don't belong to the "Community" as it exists at fictional Greendale Community College, the vital and nourishing sense of belonging is a fundamental product of television and it manifests - most definitely - at PaleyFest.
Want a Season 5? Tweet #WatchCommunityLive!
Don't miss the "Community" PaleyFest Gallery for more panel photos!
During a brief intermission, moderator Mike Schneider led the audience in his own lighthearted "Pledge of Allegiance," prompting us to stand at attention and pledge our devotion to the series and its opportunity for renewal. On my feet repeating Schneider's words in unison with the crowd, I couldn't help but hear Paley Center President Pat Mitchell's voice in my head. Prior to each PaleyFest event, a video package runs in which she declares, "Television, like radio, is a communal experience."
I'm only starting to go back through season 1 on DVD. I can't promise I'll become a devotee, but in the moment I pledged myself to the show "Community," I most definitely felt a part of one - and a really fun one, at that.
The evening served as a reminder that even if you don't belong to the "Community" as it exists at fictional Greendale Community College, the vital and nourishing sense of belonging is a fundamental product of television and it manifests - most definitely - at PaleyFest.
Want a Season 5? Tweet #WatchCommunityLive!
Don't miss the "Community" PaleyFest Gallery for more panel photos!
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