It hasn't been an easy ride for the critically loved, but mainstream-ignored "Community." After NBC put season three on a hiatus midstream, many wondered if the show would even return. And while it has (losing creator Dan Harmon, bitterly, in the process), it has come in the form of a shortened, thirteen episode season four, which seems to indicate it's the last gasp for the program. And the woes for the show may not be over, as the network are still trying to figure out what do with it.
While Brie Larson was recently revealed to be yet another guest star on the show this season, joining James Brolin, Matt Lucas and Malcolm McDowell, as to when we'll get to see her, your guess is as good as ours. While initially slotted to hit the airwaves on its new Friday slot (where shows go to die) on October 19th, it has been delayed, with NBC clearly indicating their energies are being focused on the programs that are actually getting them ratings. Here's their statement:
Given the success we’ve had for the past four weeks – including winning the first week of the season in A18-49 – we’ve decided to continue to concentrate our promotional strength on our new NBC shows that are scheduled Monday through Wednesday and have therefore decided to hold COMMUNITY and WHITNEY from their previously announced premieres of October 19th. Without having to launch these comedies on Friday at this time, we can keep our promotion focused on earlier in the week — plus we will have both comedies in our back pocket if we need to make any schedule changes on those nights. When we have a better idea of viewing patterns in the next few weeks, we will announce new season premieres of WHITNEY and COMMUNITY.
All told, it's pretty vague but it does seem to suggest that "Community" might move off Friday night, but being viewed as a mid-season replacement rather than a prime time player can't be very good. Also: who the fuck watches "Whitney"? But with "Go On" and "The New Normal" getting full season orders, and "Animal Practice" (really?) and "Guys With Kids" seeing bumps in ratings, will there be room in the NBC community for "Community"? [TV Line/Deadline]