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Finally, the hit US comedy Community has reached the UK. Yes, it may be on a decidedly odd channel (VIVA - a Freeview channel usually filled with reality shows and music videos) and it may be airing a full year after it began in the States, but at least it made it here. After the first two episodes, all the buzz around Community is starting to make a lot of sense. It’s a clever, sharp and undeniably fun show that is a real stand-out amongst the current set of comedies on TV.
Plot-wise, Community is about a Spanish study group (read: “Unlikely Group of Misfits”) at Greendale Community College. Don’t worry if you’re not 100% clear on what a Community College is... I know I’m not and I really doubt many of us on this side of the pond are! Anyway, the aforementioned study group begins as the result of a failed attempt by former lawyer Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) to hit on the hottest girl in his class (Britta Perry - played by Gillian Jacobs). Despite learning this, the group decide to stick together out of their collective need to help each other actually pass the class.
One of the reasons the show works so well is that the study group have got instant chemistry. Each of the characters provides just enough of a twist on some sort of stereotype to make them interesting. In addition to Jeff and Britta, there’s Annie (a “know-it-all”, played by Alison Brie), Abed (a film student/pop-culture obsessive, played by Danny Pudi), Shirley (a divorced mother with two kids, played by Yvette Nicole-Brown), Troy (an ex-high school football star, played by Donald Glover) and Pierce (a moist-towelette tycoon desperate for popularity, played by Chevy Chase). The dynamic between the central group is simply fantastic. Even after just the first two episodes it’s evident that these characters are the best aspect of the show. Furthermore, the second episode sees the hilarious introduction of Ken Jeong (best known for his role in The Hangover) as their crazed Spanish teacher, Señor Chang.
Creator Dan Harmon has very astutely realised that, nowadays, “sitcommy” events would just not be able to occur in real life without those involved being aware of the cliches that they’re experiencing. For that reason, Community is both incredibly self-aware and full of pop-culture references (usually from Abed). It’s the kind of trait that could either become an irritating gimmick fairly quickly, or it could grow to truly define the series. If the first two episodes are anything to go by, it looks like the producers will balance this (occasionally wacky) element of the show with just enough charm to make it succeed.
The atmosphere and feel of Community is really exceptionally fun - and I particularly enjoy that it doesn’t feel any need to comfort its viewers with a laugh track. If, like me, you’d define yourself as a bit of a slacker, there’s no doubt that you’ll find something to relate to amongst a group who are looking to get through their studies with as little exertion as is possible. The second episode provides a big leap forward from the first, and if that kind of improvement continues, the quick-paced and clever Community (which is already highly critically praised) will be picking up awards in no time at all.
Catch Community on Tuesdays at 10pm on VIVA
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