NBC.com launched the first of five Community orientation-themed clips. Here's the first:
full press release below:
NBC.COM LAUNCHES ‘GREENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ORIENTATION VIDEOS’
New Web Series Based on Upcoming Comedy “Community” Goes Live Today
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – August 20, 2009 – Today NBC.com will debut a series of videos aimed to introduce users to the new comedy, “Community,” from Sony Pictures Television, which premieres on NBC on September 17 (9:30p.m. ET). The announcement was made by Stephen Andrade, Senior Vice President, Digital Development and General Manager, NBC.com.
In the “Greendale Orientation Videos,” based at the fictitious Greendale Community College featured in “Community,” the Dean of Admissions, Pat Isakson (played by series creator Dan Harmon) welcomes potential students to the school by presenting the straight A’s of Greendale: Accessibility, Affordability, Air Conditioning, Awesome New Friends and A Lot of Classes.
“These videos are a fun way to introduce people to the world of ‘Community,’” said executive producer Dan Harmon, “And my acting in them is a convenient way to lower their expectations.”
"These videos are a great way to introduce 'Community' to our users," said Andrade. "They are also a great example of what can happen when we work closely with our show creators to give consumers a rich digital entertainment experience."
About “Community”:
From Dan Harmon ("The Sarah Silverman Program") and Emmy Award winners Joe and Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") comes "Community," a smart comedy series about a band of misfits who attend Greendale Community College. At the center of the group is Jeff Winger (Joel McHale, "The Soup"), a fast-talkin’ lawyer whose degree has been revoked. With some help from his fellow classmates, Winger forms a study group who eventually learn more about themselves than their course work.
Also among the series stars who comprise the group are comedy legend Chevy Chase ("Chuck"), Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel"), Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement"), Danny Pudi ("Greek"), Alison Brie ("Mad Men"), Donald Glover ("30 Rock") and Ken Jeong ("The Hangover").
"Community" is a Krasnoff Foster Entertainment, Harmonious Claptrap, Russo Brothers production, Universal Media Studios production in association with Sony Pictures Television. Russ Krasnoff ("The Soloist"), Dan Harmon ("The Sarah Silverman Program"), Joe Russo ("Arrested Development"), Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development"), Garrett Donovan ("Scrubs"), Neil Goldman ("Scrubs") and Gary Foster ("The Soloist") serve as executive producers. Joe and Anthony Russo directed the pilot, written by Harmon.
About NBC.com:
NBC.com, the Emmy Award-winning broadcast network website, is a leading online and mobile destination for television and interactive entertainment. With both derivative and web-exclusive programming, NBC.com pioneered the "360" experience with "Heroes 360," which gave viewers a way to extend their entertainment experience beyond the broadcast, and the first weekly social networking experience attached to a primetime entertainment program with "Dunder Mifflin Infinity." The site offers full episode streaming of many NBC Entertainment shows as well as short clips, interactive games and social networking, including user-generated content. NBC.com continually develops new ways for consumers to experience entertainment content on both existing and emerging platforms. The site is the recipient of multiple Emmy and Webby awards for its content and applications. Please log on to www.nbc.com to learn more.
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Hmm, it doesn’t want to play for me. But I hope this does drum up some support for Community. It was far from great, but it had its moments and I think it has potential.
It doesn’t want to work for me either.
However, I did have a chance to watch the pilot last week and I liked it. It was far from perfect but it was pretty good. If all the other actors can step up the way Joel McHale and John Oliver did the show will become much better.
Yeah, John Oliver made it for me, with Joel McHale getting a few laughs as well. The rest of the characters weren’t so great, but hopefully they will improve.
i think it will be a hit…anything with Joel is good….SOOO Meaty
Maybe it was because the hilarious preview clips had really hyped up my expectations of the show but I found the pilot pretty underwhelming and it’s no longer on my list of must-see shows of this fall. But it’ll probably do okay enough for NBC provided it’s marketed well and doesn’t have a very competitive timeslot.
You need to turn off Adblock for it to play.
I don’t understand how this show will work for 5 years if it’s successful. It takes place in a 2 year college, right? So what do they do in the seasons after season 2? I guess Joel’s character could become a teacher there but they can’t do that for all of the regulars.
Vetinari, people can stay at community colleges for years; some switch majors, some fail and retake classes, etc. Although I would wager if the show lasts that long, that will probably be a character change or two over the course of the show.
this promo is funnier than the pilot…if they can get away from the cliches and develop the characters more, then the show will have hope. i know it’s supposed to be a broad comedy, but i did go to community college, thankyouverymuch, and i had a good foundation for transferring to a university, and i couldn’t help but resent their claims that it’s “loser college” when i watched it.
Jessica, I went to community college too and then transferred to a 4-year school and got my graduate degree so I know what you mean; I did it because the college was right near my house and it would’ve been stupid not to spend less and save on housing costs. And the school I went to is one of the top 10 community colleges in the country. Some of the smartest kids in my high school did the same thing. But people don’t usually think of these things which is why community colleges (wrongly) get the loser-school rep they have.
Back to the show…the fact that it’s from the people who did Arrested Development is not a good sign IMO. I have a feeling that like AD, the humor of this show may be too subtle at times and not for the masses which won’t translate well in numbers.
This series has alot of promise. I truly hope the series is good and the ratings can help NBC out. Could be their best potential in years on the comedy side. Just Chevy Chase alone will be good.
i didn’t like it.looks like an ordinary comedy show