Ongoing Community Discussion Thread

[Pingfah]

Harvey wrote:

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On the other hand, if it does go on, Chase has proven that he is a dick (Perhaps even a racist? Unless he was just trying to be fired.) and his departure will not be missed.

Chase was complaining about the offensive lines his character is given when he used the N word, suggesting that they'd be having the character say things like that next. I don't see any grounds for accusing him of being a racist.

[TheGodBen]

It's a pity that Chevy had to be such an unlikeable asshole, Pierce was actually an okay character at the beginning. But at this point, he's no great loss. It's weird that he'd be dropped with only two episodes to go though.

[Mister Fandango]

"Better late than never" seems pretty apt to me.

[Harvey]

Pingfah wrote:

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Chase was complaining about the offensive lines his character is given when he used the N word, suggesting that they'd be having the character say things like that next. I don't see any grounds for accusing him of being a racist.

You're right; I had just read that he dropped the N-word, not the context that he did so. (Although I still wonder if he did so to encourage being fired).

[Mister Fandango]

Perhaps, but I always got the impression that he was being written as the archetypical out-of-touch old man set in his outdated ways in a charming kind of way, whereas Chase was portraying him as a racist asshat. You know, more like characters such as Grandpa on the Simpsons, just not quite as senile.

The former was certainly the case early on, and even explored by showing where it all came from via his father. Chase just had the... charisma?... to make him into a despicable, loathsome jackass and I guess the writer's obliged to some degree.

I'm particularly convinced this theory is true simply because of how many times Chase has claimed that he just didn't get the show, the humor, or the character.

[tighr]

Season one episodes certainly seem to agree with your assessment. Pierce started out as just a clueless old white guy. For whatever reason, be it Chase himself or the writers, the character evolved into the asshat he is today.

This isn't always bad. Troy has also evolved away from originally conceived. Many other shows have this happen as well when certain actors begin to find their character's voice or when writers start writing to an actor's strength. Its worked for Jim Parsons on TBBT, and he's even parlayed that into some Emmy wins.

[Professor Zoom]

tighr wrote:

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Season one episodes certainly seem to agree with your assessment. Pierce started out as just a clueless old white guy. For whatever reason, be it Chase himself or the writers, the character evolved into the asshat he is today.

This. I think if I was Chase, I might not be thrilled with that development, certainly if there was no redemption.

[Warp Coil]

While I would prefer that the character of Pierce stay on the show, I've noticed that he's had less to do and is sometimes barely in the episodes (unless it's specifically Pierce-centric). And considering how unhappy Chevy Chase seems to be about the job, I guess it's better for everyone involved that he just leave. I think the show would be just fine without him (assuming that it doesn't get canceled after season 4).

[gblews]

tighr wrote:

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Season one episodes certainly seem to agree with your assessment. Pierce started out as just a clueless old white guy. For whatever reason, be it Chase himself or the writers, the character evolved into the asshat he is today.

This isn't always bad. Troy has also evolved away from originally conceived. Many other shows have this happen as well when certain actors begin to find their character's voice or when writers start writing to an actor's strength. Its worked for Jim Parsons on TBBT, and he's even parlayed that into some Emmy wins.

That's because Parsons is a very talented and smart actor. He has been able to keep the ultra obnoxious Sheldon as lovable/likable as ever.

Chevy on the other hand, I think, simply lacks the acting talent and smarts to simultaneously make Pierce a racist, homophobic, out of touch asshat, while keeping the character funny, relevant to the rest of the characters and the show, and most of all, likable.

You put the right actor in Chevy's place (read; an actor with real talent) and everyone suddenly loves the obnoxious racist, and very funny, Pierce, no matter how the character is written. As it is, many people otherwise devoted to the show, despise both Pierce and Chase.

[Admiral_Young]

It seems like it's been forever...but it's only five more agonizing days until the return of "Community" this Thursday. I'm excited. Anyone else still excited?

[LeadHead]

Yup! Really excited for the return of the best sitcom on television!

[Skywalker]

It's finally coming back? Cool. Cool cool cool.

[tighr]

October 19th can't come soon enough.

[FFunctionalData]

I have to start watching my community DVDs

[Kosh Naranek]

I was excited when Community popped back up on my DVR schedule this week.