Imagine you’re a hotshot lawyer who gets disbarred because of a fraudulent law degree. Your antics may have worked to get your friend off the hook for a DUI charge, but now you are forced to go back to college and work your way up to a real degree. This is the life of Jeff, the lead character of NBC’s new sitcom “Community.”
Played by Joel McHale of E! network’s “The Soup,” Jeff enters community college looking for any way to skate through the next two years of academic torture. Seeking an easy way out Jeff turns to his buddy, now a professor at the college. That move proves unproductive, so Jeff must get creative.
In one instance, Jeff sets up a Spanish tutoring group just to get close to his attractive classmate Britta. No matter that he can’t speak Spanish at all.
The group of misfits at the community college are surprisingly relatable. The archetypes in the pilot offer equal parts human and standard sitcom fare.
Members of the study group include a socially awkward movie buff, a middle-aged mother and an older businessman — played by Chevy Chase — looking to exercise his mind and ego.
These genre staples could stand to be fleshed out in future episodes. I have faith that the show’s solid cast can carry the show further.
Beyond the basic setup for a series, the real test of any comedy pilot is the strength of its jokes. This is where “Community” shows potential. From two writers of “Arrested Development,” the jokes come fast and furious in the debut episode. The characters drop numerous pop culture references and their quirky mannerisms are exploited to extremes. There’s also a good bit of deadpan humor and offbeat one-liners.
Lest you think the show is non-stop funny, this explores themes of humanity and turning corners. To that end, the gentler side of the show fits well with the more biting sarcasm.
There’s always a danger in reviewing pilots since show-runners often pack in their best material to get the show on the air. Many shows can’t keep firing past their opening salvo, but “Community” has the building blocks of a quality series.
In a season that seems to be a revival of fortune for 30-minute sitcoms, this one is a contender for top viewing priority. It’s not too late to get an education in humor.
“Community” airs Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. on NBC.
