View Poll Results: What is your outlook on Season 4 of Community
Fuck NBC, Fuck Sony, Harmon is a god, I'll never watch one episode from season 4
2
1.87%
Kinda pissed with the events that have happened. Don't hold out much hope for Season 4
68
63.55%
Indifferent to the happenings but will still watch it regularly.
32
29.91%
Kinda glad this happened, could be a change for the better, We'll see how it oges
3
2.80%
Fuck Dan Harmon, the show will be better without him. Can't wait for season 4!!!
2
1.87%
Voters: 107. You may not vote on this poll
Community - Season 4 discussion
05-22-12 | 10:01 AM
#26
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
05-22-12 | 10:04 AM
#27
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
So it's going back to how it was in the first 6 episodes of season 1?
05-22-12 | 10:06 AM
#28
Suspended
05-22-12 | 10:28 AM
#29
DVD Talk Hero
05-22-12 | 08:20 PM
#30
DVD Talk Limited Edition
05-22-12 | 10:46 PM
#32
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
The "almighty" part was the sarcasm, but you have to believe Chevy still has some clout to throw a hissy fit and get what he wants.
05-22-12 | 10:49 PM
#33
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
Ah gothca now. I guess that situation could be a part of it, but I just wonder what amount of it was him and how much of it was due to the fact that Harmon escalated the situation by making it public. Like Ken Levine pointed out, networks don't want that kind of feud out in the open, and it could possibly deter others from working with him.
05-23-12 | 06:17 PM
#34
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
This is a great article that outlines a few reasons why this might be more complicated than we think and doesn't paint an awesome picture of working with Harmon.
And also makes the point that many of the Season 2 writers didn't make it to Season 3, which might dampen a little bit of the "if the writers leave too it's all over!" mentality I've seen.
And also makes the point that many of the Season 2 writers didn't make it to Season 3, which might dampen a little bit of the "if the writers leave too it's all over!" mentality I've seen.
05-23-12 | 11:21 PM
#35
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
I guess that I should specify. It isn't so much that I am worried that all the writers leave, but more worried that key people who have had a strong influence on the way the show has been shaped are leaving. Chris McKenna, Dino "Star Burns" Stamatopoulos, and possibly Megan Ganz. Yes writer left after season two, but there were also some who stayed and carried on the awesome to season three. Those are the people that I worry about leaving the show.
05-24-12 | 09:53 AM
#36
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
Thought this was a good read:
Why 'Community's' Dan Harmon Was Fired: A Showrunner Explains All
Favorite bit of the article:
Why 'Community's' Dan Harmon Was Fired: A Showrunner Explains All
Favorite bit of the article:
There's a story Lorne Michaels tells at the end of Bill Carter's book The War for Late Night about quitting Saturday Night Live. Lorne said that in his exit interview, a certain high-level executive at NBC said (I'm paraphrasing), "We paid you to deliver a certain number of episodes for a certain budget in a certain number of days. Nowhere in your contract does it say the show has to be good. If you believe it has to be good, then that's on you. You can't get mad at us for getting in your way." Quality, in other words, is not the point. Money and ratings are the point.
Dan Harmon found this out the hard way on May 18. Sony Television (and, by not standing up for him, NBC) fired Harmon as the CEO of Community. They wanted a product for a certain price in a certain number of days. He wanted it to be good.
Now the rumors are that Harmon was "difficult," both to work with and to work for. I have no real information about this one way or another, but even if it's true, Dan's personality was a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. Because -- and here's the dirty secret of television -- there are plenty of showrunners who are difficult. Some are even truly Machiavellian, hated and feared by all. But as long as their shows are hits, no one would ever think about replacing them.
Dan Harmon found this out the hard way on May 18. Sony Television (and, by not standing up for him, NBC) fired Harmon as the CEO of Community. They wanted a product for a certain price in a certain number of days. He wanted it to be good.
Now the rumors are that Harmon was "difficult," both to work with and to work for. I have no real information about this one way or another, but even if it's true, Dan's personality was a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. Because -- and here's the dirty secret of television -- there are plenty of showrunners who are difficult. Some are even truly Machiavellian, hated and feared by all. But as long as their shows are hits, no one would ever think about replacing them.
05-24-12 | 10:17 AM
#37
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
Wow, brutal quote from Lorne Michaels.
05-24-12 | 10:29 AM
#38
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
Some are even truly Machiavellian, hated and feared by all. But as long as their shows are hits, no one would ever think about replacing them.
I love good TV as much as the next person, but it's a business like any other. If you are actively losing money, why does anyone expect a show to stay on the air?
05-24-12 | 10:35 AM
#39
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
TV is not charity, it's a business. You don't deliver ratings, then why should your artistic vision be funded?
I love good TV as much as the next person, but it's a business like any other. If you are actively losing money, why does anyone expect a show to stay on the air?
I love good TV as much as the next person, but it's a business like any other. If you are actively losing money, why does anyone expect a show to stay on the air?
Or you find other avenues to keep the show alive like Chuck & Subway.
05-24-12 | 10:42 AM
#40
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Joined: Aug 2008
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05-24-12 | 10:49 AM
#41
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Detroit, Michigan PSN: JohnSlider
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
Leaked Memo: 'Community' Studio Tells Cast How to Address Dan Harmon Firing
Sony Pictures Television issues a talking-points memo in an effort to minimize media backlash over Harmon's exit as showrunner of the NBC series.
In the wake of Community creator Dan Harmon’s firing from the NBC comedy, studio Sony Pictures Television is taking steps to minimize backlash in the media.
The Hollywood Reporter has obtained a talking-points memo sent from the studio to cast and show representatives over the weekend. The memo, titled "Community Message Points," includes point-by-point suggestions for how to deal with the inevitable deluge of questions surrounding Harmon's abrupt departure from the low-rated critical darling. The studio confirmed Friday that David Guarascio and Moses Port would be replacing Harmon as showrunner when the series returns to NBC’s schedule for its fourth season in September.
PHOTOS: PaleyFest 2012: 'Community' Red Carpet Interviews
Harmon, known for his erratic behavior, took to his own blog later that night to blast both the studio and network for what he characterizes as a mishandling of the situation. After noting that he wasn’t contacted by either, he says: “Community is [Sony’s] property, I only own 10 percent of it, and I kind of don’t want to hear what their complaints are because I’m sure it would hurt my feelings even more now that I’d be listening for free.” Cast members later expressed solidarity with Harmon via Twitter.
Here's the memo:
Team Community:
With last night's news of David Guarascio and Moses Port as new showrunners/EPs on "Community" running in the press, and since we know that cast members have interviews coming up this week, I wanted to forward some messaging we hope our cast will find helpful as they navigate questions that will undoubtedly come up. I know that David and Moses are reaching out to them all directly but I've also heard from some of the actors that they'd like some guidance on the topic.
I saw some of the tweets that went out and wereglad they all addressed their own sentiments quickly, and we're hoping that the news will lose some steam over the next day, especially if we're not perpetuating the topic in any way
We're tracking the coverage and conversation and will circle back if we feel the need to reshift our plan or messaging. Please let me know if you have questions.
Why did Dan get let go from the show?
We're not made aware of why staffing changes take place but I will always be grateful to Dan for his great work on the show and wish him only the best. We're also excited that we'll be back on NBC's schedule in the fall and are looking forward to working on those episodes.
Were you aware that Dan was going to be let go?
No, that's not something we're consulted on. I'm sad to see him go but I am looking forward to starting our next 13 episodes of "Community."
Did the studio or network consult with you about these changes?
No they didn't but we're looking forward to working with David Guarascio & Moses Port on a new season of Community.
What are their plans for the new season?
It's a little early to say at this point but we're looking forward the stories our characters will find themselves in come Sept.
Sony Pictures Television issues a talking-points memo in an effort to minimize media backlash over Harmon's exit as showrunner of the NBC series.
In the wake of Community creator Dan Harmon’s firing from the NBC comedy, studio Sony Pictures Television is taking steps to minimize backlash in the media.
The Hollywood Reporter has obtained a talking-points memo sent from the studio to cast and show representatives over the weekend. The memo, titled "Community Message Points," includes point-by-point suggestions for how to deal with the inevitable deluge of questions surrounding Harmon's abrupt departure from the low-rated critical darling. The studio confirmed Friday that David Guarascio and Moses Port would be replacing Harmon as showrunner when the series returns to NBC’s schedule for its fourth season in September.
PHOTOS: PaleyFest 2012: 'Community' Red Carpet Interviews
Harmon, known for his erratic behavior, took to his own blog later that night to blast both the studio and network for what he characterizes as a mishandling of the situation. After noting that he wasn’t contacted by either, he says: “Community is [Sony’s] property, I only own 10 percent of it, and I kind of don’t want to hear what their complaints are because I’m sure it would hurt my feelings even more now that I’d be listening for free.” Cast members later expressed solidarity with Harmon via Twitter.
Here's the memo:
Team Community:
With last night's news of David Guarascio and Moses Port as new showrunners/EPs on "Community" running in the press, and since we know that cast members have interviews coming up this week, I wanted to forward some messaging we hope our cast will find helpful as they navigate questions that will undoubtedly come up. I know that David and Moses are reaching out to them all directly but I've also heard from some of the actors that they'd like some guidance on the topic.
I saw some of the tweets that went out and wereglad they all addressed their own sentiments quickly, and we're hoping that the news will lose some steam over the next day, especially if we're not perpetuating the topic in any way
We're tracking the coverage and conversation and will circle back if we feel the need to reshift our plan or messaging. Please let me know if you have questions.
Why did Dan get let go from the show?
We're not made aware of why staffing changes take place but I will always be grateful to Dan for his great work on the show and wish him only the best. We're also excited that we'll be back on NBC's schedule in the fall and are looking forward to working on those episodes.
Were you aware that Dan was going to be let go?
No, that's not something we're consulted on. I'm sad to see him go but I am looking forward to starting our next 13 episodes of "Community."
Did the studio or network consult with you about these changes?
No they didn't but we're looking forward to working with David Guarascio & Moses Port on a new season of Community.
What are their plans for the new season?
It's a little early to say at this point but we're looking forward the stories our characters will find themselves in come Sept.
05-24-12 | 11:57 AM
#43
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
Basically cast and crew were given scripted answers to tell the press about Harmon's departure and the aim is to move on from him being the subject of conversation.
05-24-12 | 12:02 PM
#44
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
But it's not solely because of Harmon. For example, if Joel McHale, Donald Glover and Alison Brie weren't part of the show, I'd like it far less. Considering that the whole cast is presumably staying and producers of another show I love (Happy Endings) are coming in...I'm far from ready to say it's a "corpse".
05-24-12 | 12:21 PM
#46
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
I work in PR. Believe me, someone told the PR people to put something together and they did. No one in PR would think that handing this to cast and crew would be a good idea.
Having worked in PR for years, I can tell you that the tail wags the dog most days and that the dog knows full well how stupid the tail's suggestions are.
Having worked in PR for years, I can tell you that the tail wags the dog most days and that the dog knows full well how stupid the tail's suggestions are.
05-24-12 | 12:44 PM
#47
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
I work in PR. Believe me, someone told the PR people to put something together and they did. No one in PR would think that handing this to cast and crew would be a good idea.
Having worked in PR for years, I can tell you that the tail wags the dog most days and that the dog knows full well how stupid the tail's suggestions are.
Having worked in PR for years, I can tell you that the tail wags the dog most days and that the dog knows full well how stupid the tail's suggestions are.
I'm just saying that as someone currently working at a entertainment company that gets a lot of media attention, we're regularly given generic responses from our PR group regarding questions that anyone (press or fans) might ask. I don't think its out of the norm.
05-24-12 | 12:54 PM
#48
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
But it's not solely because of Harmon. For example, if Joel McHale, Donald Glover and Alison Brie weren't part of the show, I'd like it far less. Considering that the whole cast is presumably staying and producers of another show I love (Happy Endings) are coming in...I'm far from ready to say it's a "corpse".
As for the cast, there is a reason why (in general) actors are not writers. They need lines to make them shine. This show is certainly no exception, but I do think they'll fare better than most actors on other shows. The character personalities are so unique and well crafted, they can probably make sub-par material shine better than it should.
05-24-12 | 02:22 PM
#49
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Community - Season 4 discussion
Well yeah, i'm sure most PR stuff is put out at the discretion of a higher up. I wasn't really arguing that.
I'm just saying that as someone currently working at a entertainment company that gets a lot of media attention, we're regularly given generic responses from our PR group regarding questions that anyone (press or fans) might ask. I don't think its out of the norm.
I'm just saying that as someone currently working at a entertainment company that gets a lot of media attention, we're regularly given generic responses from our PR group regarding questions that anyone (press or fans) might ask. I don't think its out of the norm.