On losing Chevy Chase, preparing for senior year and whether, in hindsight, they'd have chosen to succeed Dan Harmon
The "Community" producers are new, but the faces in front of the camera remain the same.
Credit: NBC
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In succeeding
“Community” creator
Dan Harmon as showrunners of the NBC comedy,
Moses Port and
David Guarascio have been placed in a trickier position than most TV producers. First, it’s not often that a writer as singularly associated with a show as Harmon was with “Community” leaves it, whether voluntarily or because they were fired. Second, when it’s happened in the past with shows like “NYPD Blue” post-Milch, “The West Wing” post-Sorkin and “Gilmore Girls” post-Sherman-Palladino, the replacements have tended to be people who had already been working on the show and watching the creator at work. Port and Guarascio are comedy veterans who most recently worked on ABC’s “Happy Endings,” but their only prior affiliation with “Community” was as viewers of the show.
I spoke with them back in October, when “Community” was supposed to debut on October 19 in a new Friday timeslot. Instead, it was held until tomorrow night, when it’ll be back in its familiary Thursday at 8 p.m. berth for a 13-episode fourth season that Port and Guarascio believe has a good chance of not being the end of the series.
When I was in LA last month, I sat down with them for an expansive discussion about the challenges of stepping in for Harmon, their reaction to
Chevy Chase’s abrupt exit late in the season (and how the show will deal with it), their take on where most of the characters are heading into season 4, their reaction to getting their very own Twitter spoof account, and a lot more.
I’ll have a review of the new season published either later today or first thing tomorrow.
Everything’s been shot, but what’s left to do on the season?
David Guarascio: Just editing, just post.And we are more than halfway through that process. We've seen cuts of everything but a few of the episodes. It’s like end of second semester, senior year, right now as far as we’re concerned.
So when you’re this close to the finish line, how has this experience been overall?
David Guarascio: Working on the show was great and just as much fun as we’d hoped it would be. It's been weird not having it air. So there’s a little bit of that. You still feel like slightly you’re in a suspended animation waiting for that. It would’ve been nice to have been making them also while they’re airing. But at the same time were happy they’re airing at all 'cause a little bit of that, did it really happened? Right. If no one ever sees the episode, was it really made? Those kind of existential question start to happen after a while.
Bill Lawrence has said that in those years when NBC would hold “Scrubs” until mid-season. He said they would always start to get really weird because they were getting no feedback, so they were just amusing themselves. Was there any sort of change like that for you? What episode were you on when they announced that it was going to be not October 19?
Moses Port: It must’ve been at the beginning of October.
David Guarascio: Which means what though like (episode) five or six?
Moses Port: I guess so.
So was there any kind of noticeable change in what you were doing after that?
Moses Port: No, I don’t think so. The show was something where we’re able to do some fairly weird things relative to other TV shows to begin with. So it didn’t really affect our trajectory whatsoever. It just think there’s a little bit of anxiety still for everyone of how will it be received? It’s still the big changes, the verdict is, you know, the jury is still out and so everybody’s kind of twiddling their thumbs a little bit.
You guys are in this interesting position in that it’s not a regular show being held until mid-season, it’s this special show under this unusual circumstance.
David Guarascio: Yeah. I think if the show had aired while we were doing it, it would have just been easier. Just one way or the other, even if you’re doing it wrong you can course correct. If you’re doing it right, everyone’s like, “Yeah we’re doing it right.”
Moses Port: Normally, it's like the anticipation is more anxiety inducing than the actual event. So it would be nice to have aired just to clear that hurdle. For example, we knew in advance of our Christmas episode that we were not going to be airing in Christmas. And we were like, “Well, fuck it; we’re still doing our Christmas episode.” And at that point maybe the network in the studio where at first encouraging us to not do a Christmas episode. Well we did a Halloween and we did a Thanksgiving, so what’s the harm really? And its one of those funny things you know you see cable shows do it all the time. So we might as well just do a Christmas episode; it’s in the middle of summer all the time. The audience does not care. They’re willing to suspend their disbelief that it’s not actually December 25, even though they're watching it being portrayed in that time period.
David Guarascio: Hopefully, they won’t hold it off until next Christmas. That would be their final vengeance.
Initially, the order was for 13 (episodes). But I have to assume when you took the job you were at least sort of thinking, “Well maybe we might get a back 9.” That just can’t logistically happen now. Was there ever a point when you were breaking the story where you were thinking, “Well what do we do if it’s 13 and then what we do if it’s 22?”
Moses Port: All the way through. It wasn’t until late that we heard for sure.
David Guarascio: I think we sort of intuitively knew it was looking more and more like 13 once they pushed the airdate. But there was a big like scuttlebutt that we might get three or four more episodes at one point. And at that point we really planned our finale and how we get there.
Moses Port: So we were just probably would’ve slotted in a couple of more clearly standalone. And they were all standalone in their own way, of course.
David Guarascio: The show has been through that before I think in season 2, they, you know, they ended up getting 24 or 25 they made.
I think it was season 1 where that happened.
David Guarascio: Yeah, so they ended up making a few episodes that turned out to be very memorable episodes. So we were looking forward just for that thing like, “Oh, that'll be fun like, and now you can really do whatever you want because they’re telling you so late. And everyone knows you’re up against it.” You know what? I think also the feeling early on was maybe just because of the show’s history, knowing it almost didn’t get renewed, that 13 was going to be the most likely thing. And so the internal discussions were always is it more likely to get a back 9 or a season 5? And I think we always contended more likely for a season 5. So we’re half true.
Alan Sepinwall has been reviewing television since the mid-'90s, first for Tony Soprano's hometown paper, The Star-Ledger, and now for HitFix. His new book, "The Revolution Was Televised," about the last 15 years of TV drama, is for sale at Amazon. He can be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupGail
February 6, 2013 at 11:00AM EST Reply to CommentReally?? Multiple pages??
sepinwall It's a 7000-word transcript. We've run into big problems in the past with long articles like this or some of Drew's Film Nerd 2.0 pieces, and breaking them into multiple pages is the easiest way to get them to load properly for everyone, every time.
February 6, 2013 at 11:03AM ESTAndrew Disagree. Use multiple pages if you want, but include a Single-page or a Print button. The lack of one is just criminal.
February 6, 2013 at 11:07AM ESTsepinwall "Criminal," you say?
February 6, 2013 at 11:10AM ESTThis is maybe the third article in close to 3 years writing for the site where I've had to use this option. It's a rare thing.
Paolo I think Andrew is overreacting a bit, but I do agree that having a Single-Page option would be nice. The New York Times has a lot of paginated articles but there's always an option for one page
February 6, 2013 at 11:19AM ESTAndrew I'm exaggerating for humorous effect! But requiring six clicks without a single-page option does hit a sore spot for lots of people who read long things on the Internet. It makes us feel you just want us for our clicks... :(
February 6, 2013 at 11:51AM ESTGuy Hitfix gets to show us 6 times as many advertisements this way. Duh.
February 6, 2013 at 4:53PM ESTSterling Mallory Archer Boo hoo. Stop being the opposite of Batman. Get a faster device or live with it. I wish all of Alan's pieces were long enough to have six pages.
February 6, 2013 at 9:29PM ESTBen Kabak Multiple pages is awful
February 7, 2013 at 11:17AM ESTRazorback
February 6, 2013 at 11:02AM EST Reply to CommentMy fears increase every time these dudes speak. I don't think they get the show. I don't think they get the fans. They certainly don't get Dan. Oh well, not like I expected this season to not be fan-fiction anyway.
Mahmoud Fayed Agreed. Definitely raised an eyebrow at how Alan had to correct him on it being season 1 and not 2 where they ended up getting 24/25 they made.
February 6, 2013 at 8:10PM ESTWendy's When a show and all it's plots and character development and stories is brought together by the writers and is filtered through one persons brain then if that show is a work of art and is obviously a genius is at work then why change?
February 6, 2013 at 8:25PM ESTThe reason they got rid of Sorkin from West Wing is because he was always behind schedule and never on budget and he was not flexable but he was the guy responsable for 4 DRAMA EMMYS!!!!!! Matt Weiner is the same and was responable for 4 DRAMA EMMYS!!! Dan Harmon is the same and may not get the Emmy's but still he is awesome!
How many times does a network have to do this? How many times does a studio have to do this?
This is so disappointing, I now get why Dan Harmon did that presentation a little while back on why Money is evil, it is not the money but the people who have it and who wield their power to screw up art!
Damn!
Sterling Mallory Archer I have the exact same worries as you guys. But it is the same actors, so i want to try to have an open mind. I just hope the perspective of knowing Dan is gone doesn't cloud my judgement more than it should. But i would still rather have Communtiy-Light than none at all. And maybe we all get super surprised.
February 6, 2013 at 9:31PM ESTGuy
February 6, 2013 at 11:23AM EST Reply to CommentFinished the first page only but the transcription is making my brain hurt.
JM Yeah, there are so many grammatical errors in the transcription that my head hurts as well.
February 6, 2013 at 1:54PM ESTKiran Thirding this, I gave up reading it on page 2.
February 6, 2013 at 8:32PM ESTJoyeful
February 6, 2013 at 11:49AM EST Reply to CommentReally? Multiple pages is that big of a deal? Geez people, talk about first world problems...
I read the whole interview, loved it. I'm a big Dan Harmon fan, but they're right in saying that Community was great because of a lot of people, not just Dan. They sound like they understood what they were undertaking, and they certainly sound like they did the best that they could. I'm looking forward to watching it - I'll reserve judgement until it airs.
Lex I took it as that too. And they're right, Community has grown a lot from season to season, changing with this or that. Nothing ever stays the same with this show and that's why I love it; it's realistic and unique in that regard.
February 6, 2013 at 12:27PM ESTIt sounds like they're focusing on the stories for the characters instead of obsessing over fan feedback or trying to keep just within the status quot, which is nice. There'll always be some that will complain, but people complained even when Dan was running the show. Complainers are expected 'cause you can't please everyone.
I'm keeping my judgement clear until the premiere too.
jenfullmoon Yeah, this still sounds as promising as it possibly can be under the circumstances, and I'll reserve judgement as well.
February 6, 2013 at 1:49PM ESTdave
February 6, 2013 at 11:51AM EST Reply to CommentAlan, on page 1 there is what I believe is a question/comment from you that isn't formatted as one. Starts with "Initially, the order was for 13 (episodes). But I have to assume when you took the job...."
sepinwall Thanks, Dave. Fixed.
February 6, 2013 at 12:03PM ESTLou
February 6, 2013 at 11:58AM EST Reply to CommentWow they really are reopening the Jeff/Britta thing. Completely unnecessary IMO. I wish they'd leave it as it is.
sepinwall I took it in a different way. Britta and Troy will be the romance, but Britta will be functioning as Jeff's therapist (as she did a couple of times last season), and that causes complications for Troy/Britta, just as Troy and Abed's friendship will.
February 6, 2013 at 12:05PM ESTTheir take on Jeff/Annie was the more surprising one, as I felt like the Dreamatorium episode really did put a bow on that idea.
LOU I hope you're right because Jeff/Britta are finally in a place where I like them. Their romance has never been something I've enjoyed watching. But their platonic banter is fantastic and very funny. I thought the opposite about the Dreamatorium episode for Jeff/Annie. I thought it tried to put a bow on that idea but failed because everything I saw on screen contradicted Annie's insistence that there was no feelings there.
February 6, 2013 at 12:12PM ESTI forgot to say thanks for the great interview. Great questions.
John I took it the same way Alan did, which seems like good comic potential to me.
February 6, 2013 at 12:46PM ESTAs for Jeff/Annie and that "bow", well, they did just come from a writer's room that felt like putting Alex and Dave back together, so...
Jon, The Earl of Hamm Sandwich I also didn't get the sense at all that the Dreamatorium episode was putting a nail in the Jeff/Britta relaysh. but any so excited for Thursday! thanks for the interview. on another note, once this leaves, the current state of the network TV sitcom will be somewhere between print newspapers and the original pets.com
February 6, 2013 at 12:59PM ESTstephrenb I never believed the Dreamatorium episode was putting a "bow" on the Jeff/Annie relationship. I just saw it more as a case of unreliable narrator on Annie's part. Either that, or Annie recognizing that her feelings weren't love, but still feelings just the same.
February 6, 2013 at 2:38PM ESTJohn, I don't see any similarities between Jeff/Annie and Alex/Dave. If anything, the reverse is true. The original pairing of Jeff/Britta didn't work so revisiting it would be like putting Alex and Dave back together. Unless I'm misunderstanding you.
Jon, I assume you mean the Jeff/Annie relationship. I don't see the connection between Jeff/Britta and the Dreamatorium episode.
Jon, The Earl of Hamm Sandwich yep, Jeff/Annie. guess I Britta'd that!
February 6, 2013 at 3:20PM ESTKaren PREACH.
February 6, 2013 at 3:29PM ESTLex
February 6, 2013 at 12:21PM EST Reply to CommentGreat interview, thanks :)
Karen
February 6, 2013 at 12:50PM EST Reply to CommentGood interview but I'm more scared than ever. I don't think they understand the show. I do not want a Jeff/Britta/Troy love triangle. No thanks. Can't we just have a romance on the show without the need for a third party? Sick of it. I was excited for Troy & Britta but now I might give this season a miss if all we've got to look forward to is Jeff and Britta getting together. Can't think of anything worse.
stephrenb Agreed. It's the fourth season and the time for jerking around with relationships is over. Draw some lines in the sand. It doesn't all have to be settled now, there can still be conflict, but let's be done with love triangles. There's plenty of story in a romantic pairing on its own.
February 6, 2013 at 2:45PM ESTAnd ITA agree about Jeff and Britta getting together. I do not understand how anyone could think that "Jeff/Britta is one of the most remarkable things that Dan has done." Really? Out of everything that Dan has done on the show, Jeff/Britta is among the most remarkable? smh
Karen Exactly. One of the best things Dan Harmon did was get rid of the Jeff/Britta romance pairing. It wasn't working. It wasn't remarkable. His concept episodes were the remarkable thing!! Picking a ship as the best thing the creator has done is scary to me and also makes me think they are saying it just to keep on his side. I don't see anything remarkable about Jeff/Britta at all. I think I'm done with Community. This is not what I signed up for.
February 6, 2013 at 3:28PM ESTSashaV3 re: Jeff/Britta is one of the most remarkable things that Dan has done."
February 6, 2013 at 4:02PM ESTI kinda agree in that it's refreshing when shows show that men and women (especially the lead characters) can be friends without falling in love with each other. Yes, there might have been feelings in the beginning but the Jeff/Britta relationship developed into an amazing friendship. They'll hookup with each other every now and then but sex doesn't mean true love, especially to thirty-something egomaniacs.
Slam
February 6, 2013 at 12:52PM EST Reply to CommentChevy Chase was always the worst actor and least funny character on the show. Good riddance.
Jon, The Earl of Hamm Sandwich I always enjoyed Pierce. what's better than a punching bag that you don't have to feel sorry for? I hate this idea that every character has to be likable except for clear-cut villains. not that you said that, but I think that view drives a lot of what people have hated about Chevy and Chang
February 6, 2013 at 1:01PM ESTSlam When Chase starred in "Fletch", I thought he was the next superstar comedian/actor; instead he disappeared then resurfaced all bloated and old and weird on Community.
February 6, 2013 at 1:51PM ESTSo maybe that's why I don't care for him.
Jon, The Earl of Hamm Sandwich yeah I hear you there! the falloff after Fletch which I also loved was incredible. although it would have shamed him, he probably should have just gone back to SNL after that LOL
February 6, 2013 at 3:19PM ESTJonas.Left Years ago, Comedy Central did a roast of Chevy Chase, and the highlight was a blistering speech by Stephen Colbert that accrately and devastaingly explained why Chevy Chase is a mediocrity and a has-been. NBC did him the favor of making him relevant again and he spent three years punishing Dan Harmon and his co-stars for it.
February 6, 2013 at 4:35PM ESTIn the first season Chevy Chase was in the first classic scene of the series - the Spanish presentation. Chase did some decent work on the show, especially season two, where he got to do a lot of different things character-wise. He was just too much a hack to see how special the show he was on was.
Slam Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but t seems Community needed a "name" actor to get the series green lit, so they hosed-off Chase ... and he was my least favorite character.
February 6, 2013 at 5:41PM ESTBut yes the Spanish presentation was HILARIOUS I gotta admit
Haik Mendelovich According to Joel McHale, our friend Chevy used racist language, and tried to fight (!) McHale on the set:
February 6, 2013 at 6:00PM ESThttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSaZd-AUzRc
Corbin
February 6, 2013 at 1:37PM EST Reply to CommentThe fourth question on the third page ("There’s been some debate..") isn't formatted as such.
Also, are the the Guarascio and Port "category" page links supposed to be there on the top of the page? It seems a bit random
Rob
February 6, 2013 at 3:47PM EST Reply to CommentOn page six, there's a question without the formatting: 'Do you feel like for those people who are acutely aware of the behind-the-scenes stuff, maybe you’re going to be held to an unfair standard?'
Jonas.Left
February 6, 2013 at 4:13PM EST Reply to CommentAm I the only one who liked season one Britta? I kind of had a crush on her. Sure, part of that is she looks like Gillian Jacobs, but i liked her earnest, if a little insufferable social coscience, too.
Victor I never had a problem with Season 1 Britta and I never understood why anyone would hate her.
February 6, 2013 at 5:12PM ESTCraig I didn't love her or hate her. I think she was maybe just too much of a "straight man." Most comedy troupes need a "straight" figure to balance the dynamic, but COMMUNITY quickly established itself as a show that worked without one (or at least, without a full-time one - various characters can fill the role in different scenarios). So Britta had to either change, or become irrelevant.
February 6, 2013 at 7:01PM ESTOaktown Girl
February 6, 2013 at 5:24PM EST Reply to CommentMy biggest concern for where the show was going when we left off was that the Abed character was becoming *too* awesome. It seemed that no matter what, Abed was always the one in the end who was the smartest, the healthiest (mentally), had the best grasp of the big picture, etc. His "awesomeness" was becoming so predictable I felt I never had a reason to really invest in his character anymore because there was never any reason to be concerned for his outcome.
Craig Did you watch season 3? I certainly wouldn't categorize Abed as mentally healthy (he was ready to saw off Jeff's arm!!! And the season ends with him vanishing into his "Dreamatorium," which the show had set up all season as detrimental to his mental health). If anything, you might complain that Abed's character got too angsty and creepy in season 3.
February 6, 2013 at 6:57PM ESTOaktown Girl Well perhaps "mentally healthy" wasn't the best way to put it. What I meant is that he seems to be always so in control and dominant, even if what he is doing seems a little crazy. We'll see where it goes. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.
February 6, 2013 at 8:16PM ESTMahmoud Fayed Yeah I'm with Craig, I was left scratching my head and wondering if she watched any of season 3 at all.
February 6, 2013 at 8:22PM ESTJonas.Left It still amazes me that they made the Evil Abed storyline work. As crazy as all the concept episodes are, the character arc of Abed being taken over by an imaginary evil twin from another dimension should have broken any semblance of reality, but they pulled it off. I can scarcely believe they had the nerve to try it. True genius.
February 7, 2013 at 2:55AM ESTtossit
February 7, 2013 at 8:11PM EST Reply to CommentHmmm...I'm not sure how I feel about how they approached everything...hopefully I can remain objective as I'm watching. I wish I could watch it without knowing about the showrunner change.
Roy G. Biv
February 8, 2013 at 10:15AM EST Reply to CommentIf Dan Harmon isn't the showrunner, then it's not Community. PERIOD. And after watching tonight's episode, my opinion has only been further confirmed.