The last time I interviewed Yvette Nicole Brown from NBC and Citytv’s Community, I was unprepared. I hadn’t seen the show before and didn’t really know that much about it, except that it was a star-studded ensemble comedy that had somehow managed to sign both Joel McHale and Chevy Chase. I understood that it was about a study group of misfits who were all enrolled at Greendale (a fictional community college) and they usually sat around a table while they studied for Spanish, Anthropology, Biology or History (in the upcoming season four). When I learned that Brown was returning to Toronto as part of Netflix’s announcement that seasons two and three of the show are now available on the site, I was determined to make up for my lack of expertise in the program. I watched three seasons of the show in three days, and learned quite a bit from the experience.
Primarily, the biggest misconception that I had about the show was that it was only about misfits studying for a college final. The show is an enormous parody. There was an entire season finale that was dedicated to the school’s paintball tournament which allowed the sole victor to receive early enrolment privileges the following year. There was a pillow fight episode that was styled like a documentary about an actual war. Can’t forget the Law & Order episode either. I was amazed at the diversity of the show and it’s ability to appeal to the ‘smart television viewer,’ one that was well-versed enough to pick up all of the different television and movie references used.
On Tuesday, I talked to Yvette Nicole Brown and wanted to redeem myself from the last time we chatted. I wanted to prove that I could turn Community into Commurtzity. I also wanted to ask her about the changes in the upcoming season, specifically with creator Dan Harmon’s announcement that he has left the show.
Check it out!
Community’s fourth season premieres October 19 on Citytv & NBC at 8:30 p.m. All three seasons of Community are now available to watch on Netflix.com
