Michael Corvin

50% of the episodes thus far have been parodies. Why is this one a bad idea all of a sudden?

SpanishTechno

Why does it not bode well?

Noonan

I think a Community episode based on Hunger Games sounds great. So much materiel for them to play with.

slop101

Because doing a Hunger Games parody is purely pandering, and more than a little desperate. Parodies in and of them selves aren't bad, but to go from a "My Dinner With Andre", which serves the characters to this, which serves a demographic is pretty pathetic. And if you don't see that, I don't know what to tell you - you obviously watch the show at a different level.

Noonan

Well, the demo for the show is right in line with the demo for Hunger Games. Did you have an issue with their Call of Duty episode? Or is it only an issue when you're not a fan of what they're parodying?

slop101

Was there a specific "Call of Duty" episode? Was it WWII themed? Modern Warfare? Black Ops? Or was it just a random first-person-shooter thing? I recall none of those. I do remember the 8-bit video game episode - is that the same "demo" you're talking about?

Point being, there was no "demo" for the show before, and the fact that there is one now, and that they're catering to it, shows how it's fallen before it's even begun.

Supermallet

If the parody works and is funny, then I'll like it. If it doesn't work and it's not funny, then it doesn't matter if it's a parody of The Hunger Games or War and Peace.

madcougar

I half agree with you but they've also done what I would consider to be a Glee parody, and that surely isn't on the same level as "My Dinner With Andre."

Draven

You must have missed the Glee parody episode.

fumanstan

Eh, I don't see the big deal. The Hunger Games is familiar to a lot of demographics and ripe for parody.

slop101

The one about regionals? That was more about mocking Glee (which was always a running gag) than any sort of attempt to bring in Glee viewers.

Draven

You think they are going to treat The Hunger Games with some kind of respect?

I guarantee it's not intended to bring in fans of the book/movie.

Meglos

Besides being condescending, what the hell does this mean?

Goat3001

I mean... the episode was called 'Modern Warfare'

Trevor

Well said Supermallet. I'm glad that I'm not at or choose to be around people at slop's 'level'.

SpanishTechno

It seems like you're saying the following things are true:

- The Hunger Games was chosen specifically to pander
- The writers/producers are desperate
- Community only parodies "high-brow" entertainment
- Other parodies served the characters, while this parody only serves a demographic
- If we don't agree with you, we're watching the show "at a different level"

I think some of these are unfounded and for others we need to actually see the episode first.

SpanishTechno

I think "Modern Warfare" was just what they chose because it sounds like a course name (keeping in line with their episode naming convention). I don't think the episode tied in to the Call of Duty franchise in any specific way.

Draven

You don't think the writers were aware of the massively successful video game called "Modern Warfare" when they came up with it? I'm pretty sure TV writers are right smack in the middle of that demo.

SpanishTechno

OK, fair point, but do you really think that episode was a Call of Duty parody?

Goat3001

I know. I was just cracking wise. Of course they had Call of Duty in mind when they named it but it wasn't a COD parody as much as it was just a parody of action flicks in general.

Draven

Not specifically, no - it was action movies in general.

I'm just responding to an idea that somehow Community is "above" something as pop-cultury as The Hunger Games. I've loved Community since the first airing of episode 1, but it's not high art.

Goat3001

Get on my level, bro.

majorjoe23

I'm going to extrapolate from this that the rest of the season will be nothing by Twilight, Justin Bieber and The Voice parodies. Also, THE SKY IS FALLING!

EDIT: Joel McHale pretty much confirms Slop's worst fears:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/09/07/co...-hunger-games/

“Fans will see these pictures and go, ‘Dammit, they’ve tried to make this show mainstream! They’re trying to steal the Two and a Half Men audience!’ They’re going to be like, ‘What — is this an episode of The Middle?’”

RichC2

Yup, this show has gone entirely mainstream.



(Realistically, for all I know this is from last season)

madcougar

Wait... what?