If you’re trying to decide whether to buy the season-one DVD of Community, on sale today, let me help you out here: Yes. It’s worth it. Let me count the ways.
1. The 25 episodes are fascinating to watch in order, as you see a smart but wobbly colt of a sitcom gain balance and strength to grow into a comedy — er, thoroughbred doesn’t seem like the right word, so I’ll drop the horse metaphor. What I mean is, the show just got better and better.
2. Commentary on every episode. And not just the usual DVD commentaries, where the actors sit around saying, “You were brilliant in that scene!” I mean commentaries that play like insider lessons in how to build a sitcom. Show creator Dan Harmon in particular is admirably frank about many aspects of the show. He admits, for example, that he and the writers initially had no idea how to write for Gillian Jacobs’ Britta because they didn’t have a fix on the character (Jacobs’ cheerfully loopy, ego-free performance helped guide them). He and some of the co-stars do a fascinating breakdown of the character of Allison Brie’s Annie, Harmon admitting he and the writers based Annie on an “Elisabeth Hasselbeck archetype… conservatism mixed with sexuality.” But, Harmon adds, “the actors take over their characters” and “define the tone of the show.” Well, they do when they’re guided by smart producers, who pick up on the performers’ cues.
3. Included in the DVD package: a comic book, Kickpuncher #1, written by “Troy Barnes” based on the show’s infamous bad-action-film fave. The illustrations by Jim Mahfood include a “Bonus Collector’s Item Pin-Up: Annie and Britta Unleashed!!”
4. Outtakes that are actually funny.
Are you sold yet? Community returns with its second-season premiere on Thursday. The DVD is a great way to prepare for it.
Follow: @kentucker
THANK YOU for the shout-out to one of my favorite shows! As much as I enjoy Big Bang Theory, I really, really hope Community doesn’t get swallowed up by it. Community deserves a fighting chance, because it’s one of the best comedies on TV right now.
I was so upset when I found out my favorite slackers were going up against my favorite geniuses. Thank God for TiVo. It would be tragic if I actually has to make that choice!!
Community is getting tons of attention on ew.com this week. This is a great trend. Keep it coming! And everyone watch it Thursday night – skip TBBT!!
p.s. My friend preordered the Community season 1 dvds as a birthday present for me IN MARCH – so yay! Finally, happy birthday to me!!!
thank god for awesome bonus features! there are few things more disappointing than breaking open a new dvd set and realizing there is a trite outtake reel, an interview with the costume designer, and nothing else for all five discs. (here’s glaring at you, gossip girl.) now maybe my OTHER favorite tv show, friday night lights, will pack their set with extras,too, and i can die happy.
You could also glare at the S3 set for Burn Notice. Gurr.
Your article was streets ahead, been looking forward to the DVD’s for sometime, now I’m even more excited. Thanks EW!
“streets ahead” – good one!
No convincing needed… and yes, you are right. It definitely built up as the season went on. Just something for all the critics to remember this week with the premieres of other new shows. They might not be perfect in episode one. (unless there are chicken fingers or nude pool playing…)
When I read that there was commentary on every episode, I preordered it. Nothing warms my heart like a show that cares enough to make the dvd set really special. Agree with @noam – FNL really needs to step it up on the final season’s disc!!! They never give us anything (but I love the show so much I buy it anyways).
And even better, if you care about saving a few bucks Amazon has it for $17.99 right now!
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And no, I am in no way affiliated with the site. Just trying to help save a few bills. If this is inappropriate, please feel free to delete my post.
Thanks for this, Ken. But do you have any insider information about when/if the DVDs for Better Off Ted will be out?
Pre-ordered mine last month, can’t wait for the extras and to re-watch my favourites. Best comedy last season.
Yes! PLUS you can get it for under $20 at Amazon. That’s like less than a nice dinner out.
Thanks for the Community shout out! One of my favorite shows. And, yes, it is “streets ahead.” (reference to bit in one of the episodes)
Any news on if it’ll be coming out on Blu Ray???
Why buy the DVDs? Easy. To make fan vids, then have NBC and Joel McHale see how AWESOME I am then like a fairy tale he offers me a job as an editor on the show!