'Community' back in February; 'Star Wars' back in 2015

The important news story today is Hurricane Sandy.   But there was some entertainment news today as well.  News that may concern a couple of extremely passionate fanbases. 

'Community' and 'Louie' Delays

Two cult comedies are delayed for two totally different reasons

It was disappointing news initially when NBC decided to postpone Community's Oct. 19th premiere.  I know I haven't done a recap or reaction to a new series in a couple of weeks* but Community was a show that I was really looking forward to writing about.  The good news about the postponement is that Community might not be returning to a Friday night death slot.  The bad news is that we don't know that for sure.  In fact, know one knows for sure what date or what time Community will return.  Can only hope that it happens before Thanksgiving.  If not, it's likely Community won't come back until mid-season.  That would suck.

'Bates Motel' Casting and 'Community' minus Donald Glover?

'Bates Motel"

Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) has been cast as a young Norman Bates in A&E's upcoming Bates Motel.  Max Theriot (Kit Kitterage: An American Girl) has also been cast as Norman's older brother, Dylan.  For those failing to remember an older brother from Hitchcock's Psycho, Dylan is a new character developed for this series.  Vera Farmiga was cast as Norman's mother, Norma, a few weeks ago.  A&E also released this new poster to The Hollywood Reporter.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

'Community'

Donal Glover (Troy from NBC's Community) is developing a new comedy at NBC. The potential pilot could be made for the 2013-2014 season and would see Glover in the lead role if it got picked up to series.  Community, which has already lost creator Dan Harmon, wouldn't be the same if it continued into a fifth season minus Troy.  Almost seems like NBC and Glover aren't even taking Community into consideration with the development of a new show.  Have they already accepted that the fourth season will be its last?  I hope not.

Source: TV Line

"Community" and the Case of an Axed Showrunner

 Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and Lost.  Three shows that I couldn't imagine existing without their original creators.  What about Community?

Yesterday I posted about the possibility that the upcoming fourth season of Community may be its last.  I also mentioned that show has already lost the talents of Dan Harmon, the creator and showrunner, due to problems with the studio (Sony), network (NBC), and its most well known stars (Chevy Chase).

The NBC comedy's new showrunners are former Happy Endings writers David Guarascio and Moses Port.  It's not unusual for a television show to change showrunners during the course of its run.  Most long running police procedurals like CSI and Law and Order switched showrunners multiple times.  However, there are certain shows that are dependent on the voices of their original creators.  The West Wing wasn't the same without Aaron Sorkin.  Gilmore Girls moved on without Amy Sherman-Palladino for its seventh and final season.  Fans of both those show were displeased with what they saw and heard on the screen after those writers left.  Those writers had unique styles and visions which were impossible to replicate.  Dan Harmon also has a writing style, vision, and (more importantly) passion for his creation that the new showrunners couldn't possibly possess.  So as soon as the news broke about Harmon being fired, critics and fans alike began to ask if no Community at all may be preferable to a Harmon-less Community.

NBC's Future: Comedy Night, Done Right?

30 Rock and The Office are Closing.  More to Follow?

For over two decades, Thursday nights on NBC was the place for "Must See TV."  Some of the most popular sitcoms in history made their home from the 8-10pm time period.  "The Cosby Show" and "Cheers" got the ball rolling in the '80s.  "Frasier" and "Friends" led a still thriving NBC into the 21st century.  Those four shows, along with "Seinfeld" and many others, garnered mass audiences for a reason.  The were broad.  People of all demographics could relate to the stories that were being told week after week.  I was barely a teenager when I first started watching reruns of "Frasier" and "Friends" and I never had a hard time understanding most of what was happening.  Sure, there was some minor adult humor that may have went over my head but those jokes didn't exclude someone of my demo from enjoying the show.

Community: Season 3, Episode 4 'Remedial Chaos Theory' Previews and Recaps

As of Friday morning, I still haven't seen this week's episode of Community.  If others are to be believed, this is probably the best episode of the season so far.

Previews
TIME--James Poniewozik
Entertainment Weekly--Ken Tucker
HitFix--Alan Sepinwall

Recaps
Entertainment Weekly
Cinema Bland
Television Without Pity