Community: Season 5

My favorite Season.

Season five saw a lot more turnover, both behind the scenes and on camera for the show. Behind the scenes, series creator Dan Harmon returned after being fired, and the resulting mess of a fourth season. The show also saw the departure of Chevy Chase (who appeared as a hologram in the first episode and then was written out from there) and Donald Glover, who appeared on just a handful of episodes. The show was a blend of what it was in the first couple of seasons and what it had become. The zany, offbeat, episodes still occurred, including one where the cast were turned into animated characters and brought into a 1980s G.I. Joe episode (that included many of the original voice actors from the cartoon), a hot lava episode that was another school-wide competition, and another Dungeons and Dragons themed episode. But, it also did return somewhat to a focus on the school aspect and had people actually taking classes, and Jeff, who had graduated the year before, taking up teaching. It also brought back John Oliver as Professor Duncan for a few episodes (who was great in seasons one and two when he appeared) and brought in Jonathan Banks (from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul) as a criminology professor.For those who get the DVD set, the extras include commentary tracks on every episode, a forty-minute feature on the writing process, a seventeen-minute feature on the G.I. Joe episode, and a short gag reel. So, a lot of good content for those who like the bonus material.Overall, the show returns to its quality form over the dud that was season four. While I would have liked it to go even more in the direction of being in actual classes and then the study group, the show does balance the wackiness that has become a hallmark with things that do not require a ton of suspension of disbelief. Losing Glover, and even to some extent Chase, was a blow, but there are a lot of good guest stars this season that helped make up for that including LeVar Burton, Padget Brewster, David Cross, Ben Folds, Gina Gershon, Vince Gilligan, Walton Goggins, B.J. Novak, and Robert Patrick, among others. So, if you have hung with the show, even if you did not like the fourth season as much, this is a good rebound season, even if it is a bit short.

Very funny series.

Dan Harmon, creator and showrunner is back. And so is Community. People complained about season 4 not being as good as previous seasons because Dan Harmon was no longer in creative control (some idiot at NBC or Sony fired him due to "late scripts" and problems with Chevy Chase) and while I agree season 4 was not on par with the previous three seasons, it was still pretty solid. But after seeing the first two episodes of season 5 so far, I can say with confidence that Community is back to form. Dan Harmon has a real talent for shaping perfect stories into 22 minutes of brilliantly crafted arcs that tell a solid story full of great comedic moments.The cast is in full effect with the great addition of Jonathan Banks of Breaking Bad fame, as well as the crew with veteran Community director Tristram Shapeero and veteran Community writer Chris McKenna (who left the show when Dan Harmon was fired) at the top of their game. Any fan of this show should be pleased with how season 5 is unfolding so far. I'm excited for Thursday nights at 8:00pm again, and like many have said before me, here's to "six seasons and a movie". Though I'm sure a movie is off the table, I'd settle for a 2 hour made for tv movie, or even a straight to DVD movie, maybe a combo 2 pack with Kickpuncher III: The Final Kickening? I'd buy it.Special Features:*Cast and Crew commentary on every episode*Advanced television Production: 5 days, 2 scripts, no sleep*Re-animating the '80s*OuttakesP.S. Hey NBC/Sony, how about putting Community out on Blu-Ray already!? I'd double dip and get the Blu-Ray sets even though I already have the first 4 seasons on DVD, I love this show and I want it at it's best a.v. quality. Pop Pop!

Ever since Community debuted, I've been fascinated by it. I love group ensemble shows that form, well, a community, in which each individual has a strong personality and brings something to the show. Gotta love this crowd of misfits who have all washed up in Greendale, a small community college where the madman is running the asylum in the form of Dean Pelton, who loves nothing more than dragging himself out. His nemisis is the study group, lead by disbarred and disgraced lawyer sleazy Jeff Winger ably asisted by reformed revoluntionary Brita, sweet naive Annie, the very religious Shirley, Troy and Abed, film experts and fantasy players ably assisted by a newcomer grouchy old guy who's a delight and the ever elusive Chang, a disgraced Spanish teacher who's joined the group. The situations they get into may be cliches in real life, but in the hands of Dan Harmon, the show runner, the plot always takes an hilarious and unexpected twist against the machine. I love this show and I hope it stays on the air for years to come.