I pretty much have given up on watching network television. Between the unwatchable reality trash, the stale sitcoms, and the rare quality shows that get prematurely axed, there is little reason for anyone to dedicate their time to network programming anymore. However, there was something about "Community" that made it hard not to tune in for the premiere episode. Whether it was the casting of Joel McHale in the lead role or the vaguely original premise, the previews made the series look enticing. Luckily, the pilot itself did not disappoint. It is fairly common for pilots to have a sloppy feel, be it from last minute re-shoots or from rushed pacing that introduces too many characters and story points in too little time. The first episode of "Community" suffers from none of these problems. In fact, the only real problem with "Community" so far is that it should be longer. Although the characters were introduced in satisfactory ways, there could have been more time devoted to getting a sense of what the college itself is like in terms of the campus and its surroundings. Since the students themselves, the community of the title, are at least partially developed, the lack of attention to the overall college is at least somewhat forgivable. In terms of acting, the entire cast playing these students of various ages is terrific. Joel McHale is obviously the standout, but every other cast member manages to be memorable as well. Chevy Chase has finally found a character that is somewhat clueless yet lovable that isn't Clark Griswold and has fun chemistry with Donald Glover as a cocky jock. Gillian Jacobs plays an interesting woman who is able to see through lies, instead of a love interest who easily puts up with male egotism. Danny Pudi pulls off playing a quirky character on a network comedy that doesn't come off as annoying or too overly written. Alison Brie and Yvette Nicole Brown's characters need future episodes to grow, but the scenes with the two of them fighting are hysterical. Together, "Community" has a terrific ensemble without a single person miscast.
What makes "Community" work is that there doesn't seem to be a formula that the show will have to fall back on every week. The characters, while not completely defined yet, aren't the live-action cartoons that are often seen on network comedies. Hopefully the writers will continue to make the show about the characters and not about a formulaic pattern. With any luck, "Community" won't be pulled off the air before its time. It's easily the most promising new show of the season. 9/10
What makes "Community" work is that there doesn't seem to be a formula that the show will have to fall back on every week. The characters, while not completely defined yet, aren't the live-action cartoons that are often seen on network comedies. Hopefully the writers will continue to make the show about the characters and not about a formulaic pattern. With any luck, "Community" won't be pulled off the air before its time. It's easily the most promising new show of the season. 9/10