Dan Harmon ’s cult comedy series Community has been providing fans with laughter for 15 years. Throughout its turbulent six-season run – a journey that saw core cast-members Joel McHale , Donald Glover , Alison Brie , Danny Pudi , Gillian Jacobs , Yvette Nicole Brown , Chevy Chase , Jim Rash and Ken Jeong endure ratings battles, firings, re-hirings, cast clashes and cancellations – the show following a gang of study group misfits swiftly acquired a die-hard fanbase thanks to its ability to dish up a heady dose of escapism. Packed with superior movie send-ups, meta-storytelling, plenty of fast-thinking flights of fancy and a whole load of heart, Community birthed its own thriving off-screen community that not only saved the show during its darkest hour but still exists to this day.
We invited Harmon and some key cast members to escape into the Dreamatorium and reflect on the rollercoaster creation and continued legacy of this masterclass in comfort viewing. This article was originally published in April 2020. A movie continuation was announced in September 2022.
17 Sep 2009: ‘Community’ debuts on NBC. Loosely based on series creator/producer Dan Harmon’s own community college experience, it introduces us to the Greendale study group. Dan Harmon (creator): I knew it was a different idea for a pilot even before I wrote it.
The thing I learned at community college is that I had my head up my ass and I think that was related to the fact I considered myself this unappre.