Put 'Community' out of its misery
There are cult favorites, and then there are tiresome ratings disasters
By Kenny Herzog Feb 15, 2013 12:14PM
I've never cared for "Community." I certainly cared less when everyone started telling me I had to love it. Once its life-support melodrama became cause célèbre across social media and in talkative corners of the blogosphere, my ambivalence transformed into antsy resentment. So, when Thursday night's Valentine's Day episode -- the second of its much-delayed and fretted-over fourth season -- bombed in the ratings, I couldn't help but think, "Thank God. Maybe now it will go away, and with it, the suffocating rally cries for it to remain not only forever on-air, but unwaveringly recognizable from what endeared so many hundreds of viewers to this quirky sitcom-that-almost-could."
I never root for anyone to be out of work, but "Soup" host and budding movie star Joel McHale should survive to eat another day, "Mad Men" regular and all-around pretty face Alison Brie will do just fine, Donald Glover seems to be juggling sporadic parts in buzzy shows like "Girls" with his bizarrely reputed hip-hop career with aplomb, and Chevy Chase ... well, Chevy will manage (and was already, voluntarily out the door anyhow).
So, to paraphrase Madonna as Evita Peron, don't cry for the stars of "Community," America. And don't waste too many tears on the series' inevitable fate. A moderately successful, culturally enveloping online campaign to reboot it exclusively via Netflix is sure to launch any day now.
"Community" airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
22Comments
Feb 20, 2013 10:24AM
Feb 15, 2013 6:47PM
What was this? This is like a ranty facebook status. Community is a great show but the people who watch it tend to watch online or days later on their DVR. The competition is The Big Bang Theory which is more mainstream and has viewers who still watch TV when it actually airs. I'm glad it got a 4th season and I wish them all well.
Feb 15, 2013 6:41PM
Look, anyone is entitled to their opinion, but you have some serious bitterness toward this show that clouds your judgment. I've loved the show from the start and can't understand why it doesn't at least do better. I'd still put it ahead of Parks & Rec (a very good show) and way better than the Office ever was. I just think it's an NBC thing. Sort of the curse of Leno. Since the whole Conan thing, it seems that NBC shows just die. Even Law & Order SVU, which is still as good as, if not better that the CSI's, NCIS's, etc. tanks in the ratings. My gut feeling is that if the Thursday night comedies were on CBS, their ratings would be much better. Seriously, that anybody can still watch Two and a Half Men is mind boggling. Look, there are shows that I can't stand such as Glee, but I don't want it to get cancelled because I know people that really like it. It's just not my taste, but there is so much garbage on TV (reality shows), that hating a show with a cult following seems unnecessary and biased.
Feb 15, 2013 6:36PM
As one of the many fans of Community, I hate this article. What kind of journalism is this and why is there a link to it on msn.com? "I don't like Community so it should be canceled." I hate this guy.
Also, that last line. You spoke about a Netflix reboot, as if that's all this show was worth. I feel like you were hinting towards Arrested Development. If so, I hate you even more.
Feb 15, 2013 6:21PM
NBC (Nothing But Crap) was riding high in the Neilsen ratings wars this past fall, primarily because of "The Voice," but fell mightily when that talent show took a break until spring. Nothing seems to work on the Peacock network anymore, least of all comedies. "Must-See TV," which was NBC's moniker through much the 1980s and 1990s is now "Must I Watch NBC?" And actually, while "Community" is doing well in the ratings, it probably should be retired.
Feb 15, 2013 6:19PM
Feb 15, 2013 5:41PM
It seems to me you are letting outside factors contribute to your opinion instead of being OBJECTIVE, the key to proper journalism, about the quality of the show. So sorry that the ingenious meta-humor is above your intelligence level as well as the rest of this Idiocracy we call a country. Every since this fancy thing called the internet came about, rating systems have become completely flawed and outdated. I watch all my favorite shows religiously but i refuse to pay for full cable and support anything but intelligent television as do most Community fans. Why else would they have 1.4 million likes on facebook when Parks and Rec only has 900k?...
Feb 15, 2013 5:37PM
Almost all American television is written on a third grade reading level, then along comes a show like Community. Of course this writer does not like it, becuase every joke isnt about sex and body noises( I'm looking at you, Two and a half men). This probably the best written show on television and becuase of that has had to fight for it's existence since it started. It's a shame becuase I have loved this show since episode 1. I watch it, and I say keep it coming!
Feb 15, 2013 5:02PM
Feb 15, 2013 4:34PM
Feb 15, 2013 4:14PM
Ok, so let me get this straight….you think a show should be canceled simply because you don't like it and don't watch t? Is someone forcing you to watch it every week? Is someone holding your grandmother hostage until the show is cancelled? "According to Jim' was, by many people's opinions, one of the worst shows every produced. But someone one was watching it, and it was no skin off the rest of our backs. As a writer and blogger myself, I have to say this is probably the laziest and most ignorant blog I've ever read. "That show is dumb and I don't watch it, so it should be cancelled" does not constitute an opinion based blog with any kind of merit. The fact that msn employees and encourages this kind of blog is staggering.
Feb 15, 2013 4:10PM
Feb 15, 2013 4:09PM
this is one of the most underrated shows on television. I did miss the valentines halloween episode, but I will watch it online soon. I think it sucks that they got pushed back to midseason, but I applaud them for keeping their already filmed holiday episodes. This is one man`s opinion`s about a show and why it should be canceled. My opinion is that it should stay and more people should watch it.
Feb 15, 2013 3:46PM
why was this written - and once more - posted? this is one dork's opinion. some twit who likes to keep his dictionary and theseus handy so he will sound soooo much better than the rest of the great unwashed. i know people who aren't into community. i also know people who are - like me. no, it's not my favorite show, but i try not to miss it and i have grown fond of it. but hold everything! kenny feels antsy resentment! for god's sake, pull the plug before he becomes morose!
if you don't like the show, kenny. don't watch it. don't just make a public plea for it to be cancelled. get a life.
Feb 15, 2013 3:32PM
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