By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 9, 2024
The only way Dan Harmon could have created a comedy TV series about a study group for a Spanish class attending Greendale Community College is if he at least experienced this in his own life. Well, he did, when he attended Glendale Community College in Los Angeles. “Community” quickly became more than a comedy series about a group of strangers and became a glimpse into the lives of Jeff, Troy, Annie, Abed, Pierce, Britta, and Shirley as they handled real life while going to school.
After “Community” became one of the biggest NBC series, Dan Harmon was able to write every episode as if he were writing a short movie. He took thematic styles and applied them to each episode while also progressing the story of each character.
Most Community fans are dedicated to the series and considered themselves the best fans in television. But do you know as much about the show as you think? Are you streets ahead, or streets behind?
Community TV Show
NBC's Community TV show is a comedy series about a study group at Greendale Community College. The crew all get together after joining a Spanish class taught by Ben Chang (Ken Jeong), which none of them know anything about. Every episode of the show follows the group through a series of comedic mishaps that also follow a different theme each episode of the season.
The show has an amazing cast, featuring Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, and many more hilarious comedians. Throughout the show's airtime, each episode included a wacky and exciting adventure. After the third season, the show's creator, Dan Harmon, was fired and the show would go on to film season four without him. But that was a failure and Dan returned for season four and stayed with it until the end.
There are very few shows that could have the impact Community did while getting canceled multiple times.
Streets Ahead: How Good Is Your Community TV Show Knowledge?
If you've ever found yourself laughing at a clever meta-joke or quoting “six seasons and a movie,” chances are you've spent some quality time in Greendale Community College — metaphorically speaking. But just how well-versed are we in the world of "Community"? With a show so packed with pop culture references, quick-witted dialogue, and characters more colorful than a bag of Skittles, it's a true test of our TV trivia mettle.
For communities of "Community" aficionados, it's not just about being a fan; it's about knowing if you're "Streets Ahead" or if you need a map just to keep up. Whether we've dreamt of playing a real-life game of paintball assassin or participating in a debate against Starburns, our knowledge of the show says a lot about our pop culture prowess.
Let’s put our collective Greendale spirit to the test and find out who among us truly deserves the title of Human Being... not just the mascot, but the epitome of a "Community" savant. It's time to roll the dice and jump into the chaotic, charming world of "Community" trivia. So grab your favorite study group, because we've got some schooling to do!
Dissecting the Humor and Intelligence of 'Community'
Before we step into the grand halls of Greendale Community College, let's remember why we're here: to marvel at the cleverness of Dan Harmon's brainchild and to chuckle at the very meta humor lacing every episode.
The Art of Meta and Classic Comedy
Community is not just a sitcom; it's a work of meta-comedy genius. The show often operates on a level that not only acknowledges its existence as a TV show but also comments on the very tropes and conventions it embodies. We're looking at you, "Paradigms of Human Memory" and your deliciously self-aware parody of clip shows that never happened.
It’s not all meta, though. Community also masters classic comedy. Think of Abed's deadpan delivery, casting off quips and pop culture references as casually as Britta botches social issues.
Memorable Moments and Iconic Phrases
Every episode is a goldmine of gags and catchphrases. From Dean Pelton's flamboyant entrances to Jeff Winger's speeches, the show leaves us with endless zingers. "Six seasons and a movie" is not just a rallying cry; it's a testament to the dedication of the show's fans and the enduring legacy of Harmon's vision.
Then there's "streets ahead," coined by Pierce—and if you have to ask what it means, you're streets behind. Laughter is the common thread that binds us to these characters and their study group shenanigans.
Community may have taught us that being part of something special makes you special, but it’s our knowledge of the show that makes us streets ahead in trivia nights and, of course, the ultimate BrainFall quiz. Ready to prove you're the coolest Human Being this side of campus? Let's go!
The Inhabitants of Greendale Community College
If you think you're streets ahead when it comes to Community trivia, hold onto your Human Being mascot, because we're diving into the wild, wacky, and whimsical world of Greendale Community College. With a roster of characters as diverse as the study group's community college curriculum, Greendale isn't just a place; it's a wondrous microcosm of peculiar charm and chaos.
Notable Characters and Performances
- Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale): The sardonic, smooth-talking ex-lawyer turned unlikely community college hero. He starts off as a reluctant leader but grows a soft spot for his quirky study group.
- Abed Nadir (portrayed by Danny Pudi): Pop culture savant with a heart of gold and a penchant for breaking the fourth wall. Abed's unique perspective often steers the group into meta-adventures.
- Troy Barnes (brought to life by Donald Glover): Former high school football star finding his way through hilarious existential crises, besties with Abed, and one-half of the iconic "Troy and Abed in the Morning."
- Britta Perry (depicted by Gillian Jacobs): The group's outspoken, often-contrarian activist, whose heart is as big as her ability to accidentally Britta things up.
- Shirley Bennett (enacted by Yvette Nicole Brown): Single mother and moral compass with an entrepreneurial spirit and a fierce protective streak for her fellow students.
- Pierce Hawthorne (captured by Chevy Chase): The out-of-touch millionaire with eyebrow-raising viewpoints, craving acceptance and a family within the study group.
- Annie Edison (embodied by Alison Brie): The overachieving young student, whose organizational ferocity is as formidable as her innocent exterior.
- Ben Chang (played with unhinged glee by Ken Jeong): The Spanish teacher with questionable credentials and even more questionable sanity.
- Dean Pelton (immortalized by Jim Rash): The eccentric, costume-loving dean whose love for Greendale and Jeff knows no bounds, often blurring the lines between professional and personal.
Character Dynamics and Relationships
The magic of Greendale truly ignites through the interactions between these larger-than-life personalities. Jeff and Britta tiptoe around a will-they-won't-they romance sprinkled with insults and affection. Troy and Abed are the dynamic duo we all wish we were a part of, transforming mundane moments into skits that make us snort-laugh. She may try to mother hen everyone, but Shirley's unexpected friendships, especially with the rebellious Britta, show us all that opposites attract. And then there's Pierce, the sometimes grating yet unexpectedly poignant part of the group, often delivering backhanded wisdom. The bond between these misfits is what makes us root for them, whether they're navigating a heated paintball match or teaming up to save Greendale from Chang's despotic impulses.
And, oh, the pageantry!** Dean Pelton**'s entrances are as flamboyant as they are heartfelt, especially when trying to get a rise, or just about anything, out of Jeff. It's a whirlwind of alliances, friendships, rivalries, and the kind of character interplay that could only flourish in the halls of Greendale.
