Semi-Essay 3

   

     If flaws had emotions and physical capabilities, would they be called human beings? The NBC TV

show, Community, certainly thinks so and I do too. This comedy explores this dynamic of faults with

the characters and how it affects their lives and close friendships. The community demonstrates how

being flawed is a universal experience for everyone and can be a good thing for them. This also shows

real life for people to relate to daily by giving them episodes that could put them into the characters’

shoes and to be able to empathize with the characters and essentially, empathize with themselves. Not

only does it demonstrate the characters with flaws, but Community also gives fans a community, like

the characters, to share with the people who created it and the fans who enjoy the show.

 On September 17th, 2009, a TV show was created and aired called Community. It was created by a man named Dan Harmon. The premise of the show is that seven characteristically different people join a study group for Spanish in a fictional community college in Colorado but end up sticking together for more than they bargained for. The show ran until April 2015 and aired 6 seasons. The main stars of the show are Jole McHale (Jeff Winger), Alison Brie (Annie Edison), Donald Glover (Troy Barnes), Danny Pudi (Abed Nadir), Gillian Jacobs (Britta Perry), Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley Bennett), and Chevy Chase (Pierce Hawthorne). There were always speculations for a movie after the show ended, but it never came to fruition. The comedy has been significantly identified by its heavy use of pop culture references and its ability to give its characters an identity and character development throughout the air. 

Throughout the running of the show, there are a lot of episodes that are memorable to fans, but there are three that stood out to me the most. The episodes, “Comparative Religion, Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps, and Geography of Global Conflict,” each show us how the characters work in the group dynamic, individually and as a group, to release their flaws to each other and show how they can help each other in differences. The relatability of the characters is also something that may not have much thought put into it but was cared for during the show. Through these relationships and experiences, we get an authentic understanding of humans and, in response, understand ourselves. After Dan Harmon was fired, people began to think that the show might lose its authenticity. Some even thought the authenticity may not last as long as people would like. Don't you think so? Hampton Stevens thinks so, especially when he warns the reader about how ‘the danger, for people, and for this remarkable TV show, is in no longer trying to connect authentically.’ (The Atlantic). 

Annie's Schoolgirl Meltdown | Community - YouTube

Who's The Sane One In The Group? | Community - YouTube

Community - The Study Group's Fight - YouTube