Now, I really just don’t know how this makes me feel. On September 17, NBC is premiering a new show called ‘Community‘ that just so happens to be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the dudes who directed Arrested Development. Which is itself a show that, in terms of human achievement, I generally rank up there alongside the Moon landing and the invention of Pop Rocks. And I will monkey knife-fight anyone who says different. Especially about the Pop Rocks.
So, the dilemma. On the one hand we have a new show by two of the people that were presumably instrumental in creating the single most convincing reason that television has ever had for its own existence. But on the other hand we have a preview that looks slightly less than convincing and the lingering doubt that the directors of Arrested Development may well have just been the window dressing to Mitch Hurwitz’s giant plate glass window of genius. It’s a… confusing time.
But, on the third hand (AHHHHHH! MUTANT!) it does star an incredibly aged looking Chevy Chase. Which is cool and all, but also comes with a hint of “Woah, what happened to you man? You used to be Fletch. You got old… But that means… that means I got old. Oh GOD! Look at my withered hands! I’ll never be pretty again! I’ll never be Fletch!”
And with that I cross off another childhood dream. Sigh.
/Luke
15 responses so far ↓
1 manchux // Aug 11, 2009 at 12:42 pm
this wouldn’t be half as bad if they cut out the bullshit piano at the end of the trailer. So gross.
I’m also a little disappointed in Chevy Chase. You used to be cool.
2 Destructor // Aug 11, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I have been following the development of this show extremely closely, because it was written and created by a man named Dan Harmon, who is a personal hero of mine for, among other things, co-creating the incredible channel101.com
Now, I don’t know if the show will be bad or good. I do know that I’ve never seen anything that Dan Harmon has written that didn’t make me laugh out loud, or question his genius. That said, everything I’ve seen that he has written has generally not been interfered with by execs (with the exception of Monster House, and that was pretty watered down), which it sounds like ‘Community’ has been. That said, Dan Harmon stands behind it as a funny show, and I believe him, God damn it. I will be watching.
ps- I’ve never seen Arrested Development, and yes, I KNOW, right?
3 Rich Burke // Aug 11, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I think it might have potential, mainly because AD didn’t grab me straight away. It took about 3 or 4 episodes before I really started loving it, and I don’t think any trailers would have really done the show justice without knowing the characters. Although, I also made a similar assumption/prediction for Dollhouse based on Firefly and Buffy…. Ugh.
4 luke // Aug 11, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Yeah, I’m definitely thinking the piano outro did the preview no favours. It will definitely be intriguing. And Chevy Chase did look kind of cool in it. Old as he was.
Also @Destructor: YOU FUCKING WHAT?! DROP EVERYTHING! SERIOUSLY, EVERYTHING! WATCH IT! WATCH IT NOW!
5 Adam // Aug 11, 2009 at 4:01 pm
@Paul Off topic enitrely, but i feel i need to express insult. this morning you made a very generalised comment about the “good” and “bad” factions of World of Warcraft. Based on assumption (and the fact that your Estellegetty is a Draenei), you’re stance is the Alliance the good guys and the Horde are the bad guys. Horde are entirely misunderstood and in no way are bad, they just don’t agree with the alliance side of things. The Scourge and the Burning Legion are the only bad guys in this story. Also, King Wrynn is a tosser.
>:-p
6 luke // Aug 11, 2009 at 4:55 pm
@Adam: having been the brunt of many a lengthy digression from Paul on the topic of the general lack of good and evil in WoW I can very much assure you that he thinks no such thing. Amongst other things, he thinks humans are remorseless assholes and that trolls have a proud and vibrant culture. He is… terrifyingly well informed.
7 Paul Verhoeven // Aug 11, 2009 at 9:11 pm
@Adam: That was so the breakfast guys could follow my story. believe me, nobody has a more nuanced understanding of WOW lore than I, and I’ve ranted at length (to non-gamers, no less) about how much of a ballbag Wrynn is. Thrall/Proudmoore all the way.
8 Paul Verhoeven // Aug 11, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Holy shit! Jon Oliver!
Also, I love Fletch.
Also, WHEEEE!
9 Destructor // Aug 12, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Dammit Luke, I’m not one of these comedian fellows who can drop everything just to watch TV whenever they feel like it! But yeah, I think I have a contact for the S1 DVD, I plan on checking it out. Like, y’know, when I get around to it.
Rich, I hope you stuck with Dollhouse to the end before passing that judgment, because I would happily put ep 13 up against the best of Firefly- it was like ‘Out of Gas’ but kicked twice as much ass.
10 Aqualec // Aug 12, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I’m gonna check this out hopefully it will as great as the Arrested Development. I’m still hanging for the AD Documentary and the AD Movie out next year
@Destructor havn’t seen Ep13 yet, hope its as good as you say mate
11 Rich Burke // Aug 12, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Destructor, yep that’s a fair point, Dollhouse certainly got better towards the end of the season, and the finale was pretty cool. Would still have to take Firefly as my preference, but I did acquire a bit of a mancrush/bromance for Nathan Fillion which could be clouding my view. Might have to revisit Dollhouse before the next season starts up and give it a better go.
12 Adam // Aug 12, 2009 at 4:29 pm
@Paul Glad it’s all cleared up then. Also cangratulations on Worgen. we just get the Gnome counterparts.
13 Finn Bakker // Aug 13, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Man, first shot of Chevy? “When did Dr. Phil shave?”
14 James-Mac // Aug 13, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I’m not feeling the love for this… I’ve seen arrested development and I didn’t think it was funny.
I mean not as unfunny as LOLcats… but you know, up there.
15 Peta // Aug 13, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Ohhh god… no no no, put criticisms aside – this has Joel McHale in it. Anything with Joel McHale in it makes me wanna squeal with excitement.
Sure, someone dropped the ball on the preview – but I’m pretty sure this will be awesome.
By the way, if you have no idea who Joel McHale is – go and watch ‘The Soup’ -NOW! nownownownownow!
(I think the piano was them trying to be satirical, but too subtle?)
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