The pilot of Community, which aired Thursday on NBC, opens with an introduction very fitting for the show. The dean of Greendale Community College describes its students as the camera falls on the show's cast of characters. A "high school dropout." "Old people." This brief moment in the show reveals to us the very thing on which Community's success will depend: its ensemble cast.
Community is similar to 30 Rock, another successful NBC comedy, in that it depends on its unique characters and spot-on casting to create tone and plot. The characters, mostly students at Greendale, are varied and exciting, though many of them share a volitable trait that will allow for drama to develop naturally as the show progresses.
Community's Success Depends on Its Cast
The cast of Community includes comedy veterans and relative newcomers. Joel McHale stars in the pilot as Jeff Winger, a manipulating ex-attorney who faked his law school credentials and found himself in community college. McHale does not seem entirely comfortable in the role yet, but his prominence in the show as a charismatic, albeit obnoxious, leader could provide him with the perfect breakout role if he is able to liven up his performance.
McHale plays opposite Gillian Jacobs as Britta, a high school dropout and love interest of sorts for Winger. Jacobs' character needs more time to develop; but considering she has one of the flatter roles in the script so far, she was able to deliver a somewhat fresh performance for the pilot.
Chevy Chase stands out as a true comedic expert playing Pierce, a ditzy older student studying at Greendale. Though in the pilot his role is very limited, he made the most of every moment on screen. Fortunately Chase will be making more sizable appearances in future episodes. A possible problem with the casting decision might be Chase's ability to upstage the rest of the ensemble; but Chase's experience will more likely challenge the rest of the cast to become better at their craft than cause them to blend into the woodwork.
Danny Pudi's character Abed is particularly endearing and reminiscent of 30 Rock's Kenneth. He plays a lovable nerd who probably has Asperger's Syndrome. The pilot does well in teasing him for his quirks while also expressing the seriousness of his condition; but that plot line could bring up tension for the writers later on.
Allison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, John Oliver, Donald Glover and Ken Jeong help to round out the cast. Brown and Oliver particularly shine, providing rich characters for the show to develop and grow.
Community Pilot a Good Start for NBC
As NBC strives for more innovative development and programming, including Jay Leno's new primetime show and a planned change of schedule on Thursday nights starting in October, the network's new shows have a lot of weight. NBC has given up jobs in all areas of the industry by adding Leno every night, which made the development process for the other new shows even more competitive. Thus each new venture on NBC this season can and should be high quality and successful. Developing so few shows is certainly a gamble on the network's part. Community has started strong, but only ratings can tell if NBC made the right decision.
Community airs Thursdays 9:30/8:30c on NBC.
(On October 15, 30 Rock will return with its season premiere. It will air Thursdays 9:30/8:30c. Community will then replace SNL Weekend Update Thursday at 8/7c.)
 |
