1821

I think high-concept genre parodies can be easier to write (vs. a generic episode) because you have the source material/structure there as a starting point. There are certainly ways to do them badly–and well-executed riffs can be truly great–but I think it’s a little easier when you already have a blueprint/style to work from (e.g. Ken Burns documentary).

1822

Also, writing funny is hard. Even the best don’t hit it 100% of the time.

I remember once reading a Greenspeak column in CGW that only made me… chuckle.

1823

My take on the episode is that the Abed show within a show within a show idea just didn’t work, but it seemed to consume the lion’s share of the writing effort.

For smaller problems:

The Troy and Brita scenes felt forced, as if the writers thought they needed to include that plot line but had no idea what they wanted to do with it.

Shirley and Annie never really felt in character; their scenes were completely generic and could have involved anyone.

I’m not going to write the show off from one poor episode though, and it’s not as if season 3 didn’t have its own problems (way too much Chang, way too crazy Chang, and the whole Chevy Chase feud leading to writing seemingly aimed at letting Chevy know he was a dickbag)

1824

Dan Harmon re-wrote all those scripts. He didn’t put his name on the scripts where another staff member wrote the first pass. Some were more re-written than others, but all of them had Harmon’s fingerprints all over them.

That’s not really Dan Harmon’s fault or genius or anything; it’s how TV writing works. Mike Shur rewrites all the Parks and Rec scripts, for instance.

1825

It felt as if the script had a handle on what the characters were, but not who they were.

1826

From the interview

We had one day where we shot all that multi-camera stuff with Fred Willard and no Chevy on set. It was a really delightful day [LAUGHS], not only because the actors enjoyed hamming it up and getting into that style, but because Fred was such a pro. It gave all the actors a glimpse into [how] life could be this way if we had someone who didn’t waste our time on set between takes or flub every single line. Fred came to play, and it was really delightful. It was great.

Harsh.

1827

Aside from his inability to grasp the concept of using a computer for porn or renting his adult films for viewing at home, Willard has always seemed like one of those low maintenance character actors who can do almost anything other actors his age can do And oftentimes better (see his work in almost any Christopher Guest film). I’d actually be fine if they replaced Chase with him…either as a new character or as Pierce himself if they wrote the transition well.

1828

Just watched the episode… it was… not the worst. Jeff seemed alright. Dean felt forced (except the end - that was spot on). Heart was in the right place, even if the jokes weren’t quite there (I did chuckle a few times, so… not a complete waste of time).

I’ll give it more time to find its legs. I mean… you gotta figure the writing staff after four years (still there, right?) can figure this out without Harmon.

1829

Sorry if this is common knowledge by now, but I assume those scenes were filmed after Chevy left the show and thus they needed a stand in, or was there some other reason for Fred Willard to appear as Pierce?

1830

I’m kind of hoping it was intended as a cheap shot at Chase.

1831

Seemed like another mediocre episode last night, but it’s still good, at least.

1832

For me, the episode suffered from being a Halloween episode in February, when other shows are running their Valentine’s episodes. I suspect there will be a Christmas episode coming up that feels just as oddly out of place thanks to the delayed premiere.

1833

The best episodes of Community were absolutely brilliant, surpassing even Arrested Development and Larry Sanders. It was just plain astonishing that content like the My Dinner with Andre episode was on network television. I couldn’t believe it, at the time. Of course the network execs agreed, so now it’s not.

Community is still a fine show, they have a great ensemble of actors who understand their characters and can play it out, but that brilliance is lost.

1834

It was odd watching a Halloween episode in February, but otherwise I thought that was a fun episode that felt very classic Community. As someone who wasn’t completely unhappy at Harmon’s departure, I’ll keep hoping that Community keeps holding its own.

1835

I was pleasantly surprised as last night’s episode. It wasn’t fantastic, but it was certainly much better than the previous week. There’s still hope.

1836

I think it was both a shot at Chase and in the story, the fake sit-com was meant to be Abed’s ‘Happy Place’; so obviously he wouldn’t allow a complete dick like Pierce to be in there.

1837

I thought chevy left at the last third of the season?

1838

Given that there have been plenty of “OK” episodes in the past, I don’t see how a couple more proves anything.

1839

I didn’t think this was one of the best, but I don’t think it was a bad episode. Certainly better than the last episode, I think.

1840

Indoor swing!