1. Ambition, She Wrote...
Finally, it's the show itself and what it strives for that really impresses me. I've heard it described as a live-action version of
The Simpsons and I have to agree, perhaps with a dash of
Spaced as well. For three solid seasons, it's provided audiences with laughter, intelligent comedy and some truly ground-breaking/water-cooler episodes. I'd argue that, along with perhaps
30 Rock, it's the most innovative comedy of the 21st century, and there's been quite a few. The show has such license to roam, to do whatever it wants because of the way it has shaped itself and that is a rare gift. Perhaps it's why NBC don't appear to favour it as much as the fans. You go into each episode not knowing what to expect and expecting to expect absolutely anything. It's a rare breed of sitcom. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of the likes of
Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, Happy Endings and...well just those three, sitcoms that are safe but feature an abundance of character chemistry and humorous writing, but
Community is very different, in the same way that
LOST truly challenged conventions and genre. It's difficult to dissect just what
Community is; yes, it's a wacky amalgamation of sitcom conventions, it's a show fully aware of the pop-culture haven it resides in and it's a thinly veiled character study that meticulously peels apart each character's psyche, disguised as a comedy but perhaps masquerading as something more. It strives to be unique and magical with every twist and turn it takes and though it's not always successful, it's better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low (a cookie if you can come up with that quote reference). I get that many people aren't a fan of the show and I welcome any comments against what I've written (my secretary is waiting eagerly) - everyone has a right to an opinion so feel free to share it and point out all my glaring errors. For others, there are many more wonderful reasons to watch this show and I've undoubtedly missed some of the best - shout 'em out, loud and clear...