Community (2009 — 2015)

Community (2009–2020), the creation of Dan Harmon, is an American sitcom that aired for six seasons and a total of 110 episodes. Its first five seasons were broadcast on NBC from September 17, 2009 to April 17, 2014, with its final season premiering on Yahoo! Screen from March 17 to June 2, 2015. The setting is in the fictional town of Greendale, Colorado at the local community college. Disbarred and suspended from his law firm for falsifying his education credentials from Columbia University, Jeff Winger enrolls at Greendale to obtain a legitimate degree. It is there that he meets his classmate Britta Perry, a passionate social activist who catches Jeff’s eye. To spend time with her, he creates a study group and invites fellow students such as Abed Nadir, a socially awkward pop culture enthusiast; Shirley Bennett, a religious single mother; Annie Edison, an over-achieving naive student; Troy Barnes, a former high school football star; and Pierce Hawthorne, an elderly millionaire with bigoted views. Despite their initial differences, the group forms a close friendship. Frequently enlisted for assistance by the college’s eccentric dean, Craig Pelton, the group is tasked with aiding his endeavors to boost the school’s reputation. Additionally, they must also handle the antics of their unstable teacher (and later peer and ally), Ben Chang.

In season 1, Jeff forms the study group and they embark on various misadventures. The following season, Chang is pressured into joining the group while secretly plotting his revenge. Meanwhile, Pelton defends Greendale’s pride against a rival school and a climactic paintball battle takes place. In season 3, Chang continues his villainous pursuits to take over the school and Troy grapples with attending a cult-like air conditioning repair school. During their senior year in season 4, the study group faces their possible last moments together, leading to struggles for all characters, particularly Abed. Additionally, Chang’s recovery from a fictional case of amnesia (dubbed ‘Changnesia’) becomes a coverup for his true intentions. In the fifth season, we witness Pierce’s passing and Troy’s departure midway, while the remaining characters come back to Greendale after completing their studies to rescue the school. This leads to Jeff accepting a teaching position there. As the final season draws to a close, the group looks back on their six-year journey as new faculty member Frankie Dart joins the fray in an attempt to improve the reputation of the chaotic institution. This prompts them to ponder on whether Greendale can truly be reformed without losing its unique essence.