People, Dan Harmon is back in charge at NBC’s “Community.”
If there were any doubts as to whether he would jump right back in and bring the comedy back to its former glory, a new extended Season 5 trailer should put those to rest.
After losing its way under new showrunners on Season 4, Harmon has said the show needs to get back to the basics.
Also read: ‘Arrested Development’s’ David Cross to Guest Star on ‘Community’
“We have to reground, re-establish these characters,” Harmon said at Comic-Con this past summer.
“We have to get down to the emotional basics and have fun doing it,” he added. “We want to get back that Season 1, Season 2 state of mind, being really organic and doing one episode at a time.”
Beyond the darkest timeline, there’s an ass crack bandit, riots, some kind of arena games in which Britta rules and a frightened “pop pop” that will give you nightmares.
Also read: ‘Breaking Bad’ Creator Vince Gilligan to Guest on ‘Community’
Clearly, the comedy has to deal with Jeff’s (Joel McHale) continued presence at Greendale and the early exit of star Donald Glover after five episodes. Both are referenced in the new trailer. But, Chevy Chase won’t be back in the role of Pierce.
This season, “Breaking Bad’s” Jonathan Banks will recur for 11 episodes as a professor. And “Daily Show’s” John Oliver will reprise his role as Professor Ian Duncan for six episodes.
They join a growing list of Season 5 guest stars, including Nathan Fillion, Robert Patrick, Paget Brewster, Kumail Nanjiani, Rob Corddry, Walton Goggins, Brie Larson, David Cross, Mitch Hurwitz, Vince Gilligan and Katie Leclerc.
Also read: ‘Community’ Enrolls ‘Arrested Development’ Creator Mitch Hurwitz as Guest Star
Watch the new trailer above.
“Community’s” one-hour return airs Thursday, Jan. 2 at 8/7c on NBC.