"Community" Season 4 isn't just bad, it's historically bad - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 02-07-2013, 09:22 PM

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture...eview-15071533

"'Season four of Community' is about to become part of entertainment history," says Stephen Marche. "The phrase 'jumping the shark' was famously based on an episode of 'Happy Days,' which was the greatest example of a television show that was fun and then lost it. At the moment, I'm not sure how the new phrase will work out. Possibly 'Season-fouring' or 'Communitying.' I like 'Harmonfiring' myself, but whatever term eventually rises to the top of the pop-culture lexicon, its meaning will be clear: A television show that falls off a cliff due to poor judgment from executives."

"Community" has been dumbed down, its humor broadened past recognition
There's a Stepford quality to it all // It's like they read "Community's" IMDB page
New "Community" is still amusing, but flatter and less surreal
New producers try to channel Dan Harmon, but they're in a no-win situation
They should speak with their own voices, not imitate Harmon's
Let's face it: "Community" is dead — "Pretend it's a wake"
"Community" fans face a moral crisis: Should they keep watching?

robyrob · 02-08-2013, 07:38 PM

i'm not going to click thru all those links, but I get the gist of it - they are trying to get people to NOT watch Community.

I saw the premiere and it was awesome, I didn't notice whole lot of difference in the writing so i think those reviews are probably full of crap.

EmoJoe · 02-13-2013, 01:46 AM

There was a slight change in the premiere, I think, but it was still a pretty good episode. Understandably it'd be a little shaky since it was a major transition episode. But historically bad? Not even close. Sorry, guys.

TMC · 03-26-2013, 02:57 AM

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/t...ew_tricks.html

That's been another problem since Dan Harmon was let go.

EmoJoe · 03-26-2013, 03:11 AM

My biggest problem with Season 4 is that the emotional depth the show had at its best isn't quite as prevalent anymore. There's been glimpses of it (the episode where Jeff met his dad had it, and it was fantastic) but the idea that this is a show about tragically flawed characters trying to figure things out doesn't ring quite as strong as it did in the past. As much as I love the genre-bending, experimental stuff, the kind of dark, gut-wrenching undertones the show had was always what appealed to me the most. I don't feel like the show is still capable of producing a half-hour as genuinely moving as Mixology Certification, which is honestly probably my favorite sitcom episode of all-time.

But I still enjoy the show quite a bit, and I think it's still really funny. I do agree that this season is probably its weakest, but it's not tragically bad at all.

robyrob · 03-26-2013, 07:49 AM

those critics like to sensationalize things just to sell their story and trick people into reading their historically bad blogs

Community may have mis-stepped a little, but it is still a great show.

TMC · 02-07-2015, 03:25 AM

With Community season 6 around the corner & all 5 seasons on Hulu, should you skip or watch the Dan Harmon-less "gas leak year"?

02-07-2013, 09:22 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,010	"Community" Season 4 isn't just bad, it's historically bad http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture...eview-15071533 "'Season four of Community' is about to become part of entertainment history," says Stephen Marche. "The phrase 'jumping the shark' was famously based on an episode of 'Happy Days,' which was the greatest example of a television show that was fun and then lost it. At the moment, I'm not sure how the new phrase will work out. Possibly 'Season-fouring' or 'Communitying.' I like 'Harmonfiring' myself, but whatever term eventually rises to the top of the pop-culture lexicon, its meaning will be clear: A television show that falls off a cliff due to poor judgment from executives." "Community" has been dumbed down, its humor broadened past recognition There's a Stepford quality to it all // It's like they read "Community's" IMDB page New "Community" is still amusing, but flatter and less surreal New producers try to channel Dan Harmon, but they're in a no-win situation They should speak with their own voices, not imitate Harmon's Let's face it: "Community" is dead — "Pretend it's a wake" "Community" fans face a moral crisis: Should they keep watching?

02-08-2013, 07:38 PM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,189	i'm not going to click thru all those links, but I get the gist of it - they are trying to get people to NOT watch Community. I saw the premiere and it was awesome, I didn't notice whole lot of difference in the writing so i think those reviews are probably full of crap.
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02-13-2013, 01:46 AM	#3
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	There was a slight change in the premiere, I think, but it was still a pretty good episode. Understandably it'd be a little shaky since it was a major transition episode. But historically bad? Not even close. Sorry, guys.
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

03-26-2013, 02:57 AM	#4
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,010	"Community" isn't creating any memorable moments this season http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/t...ew_tricks.html That's been another problem since Dan Harmon was let go.

03-26-2013, 03:11 AM	#5
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	My biggest problem with Season 4 is that the emotional depth the show had at its best isn't quite as prevalent anymore. There's been glimpses of it (the episode where Jeff met his dad had it, and it was fantastic) but the idea that this is a show about tragically flawed characters trying to figure things out doesn't ring quite as strong as it did in the past. As much as I love the genre-bending, experimental stuff, the kind of dark, gut-wrenching undertones the show had was always what appealed to me the most. I don't feel like the show is still capable of producing a half-hour as genuinely moving as Mixology Certification, which is honestly probably my favorite sitcom episode of all-time. But I still enjoy the show quite a bit, and I think it's still really funny. I do agree that this season is probably its weakest, but it's not tragically bad at all.

03-26-2013, 07:49 AM	#6
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,189	those critics like to sensationalize things just to sell their story and trick people into reading their historically bad blogs Community may have mis-stepped a little, but it is still a great show.

02-07-2015, 03:25 AM	#7
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,010	With Community season 6 around the corner & all 5 seasons on Hulu, should you skip or watch the Dan Harmon-less "gas leak year"?