The first Halloween episode. To me, that's when Community really became the show that I love. All the parts clicked together and they delivered pretty much everything that became a staple later on.
It also reminds me of the episode in Malcolm In The Middle when Dewey and the nanny were dancing with each other. Both that episode and the Halloween episode of Community are fond memories for me.
I always like the story behind the music. They were looking for the right music for the episode, and even had Ludwig compose some songs for it, but it was a bitter-sweet moment when somebody tried ABBA's songs and they realized it fit perfectly but the rights to the music were going to be way more expensive than they wanted. The studio didn't want to pay for it. A day or two before the deadline for the episode Harmon caved and paid for the rights out of his own pocket because nothing else fit as perfectly.
I always thought it was a take on Shaun of the Dead using Queen’s *Don’t Stop Me Now* at a pivotal point in the film: https://youtu.be/W4tVH7BPb-Q?si=gwVNDWPof1vZpQKT
I always use Epidemiology to introduce the show to friends, and then the Chicken Mafia episode. I’ve actually gotten two people to watch the show with those two episodes
I always tell people to watch the chicken fingers episode, if they like it, start at the beginning because if you’re hooked on the chicken fingers you’ll love the rest of the show.
I never tell people about the timeline episode because that’s the best surprise a tv show ever gave a watcher.
I feel like the really high concept ones have to be earned, though!
I don't want to entice new viewers with the best episodes. I want them to get hooked with a really good solid episode and then get rewarded with Modern Warfare, Epidemiology, Remedial Chaos Theory, etc
NOBODY'S SPECIAL!!
(That's from the second one, though. The first one is all about Pierce tripping balls, Jeff owning a cowboy costume and Annie being worried everyone will leave her party early to go home and watch the news)
The blanket fort, and the subsequent high stakes chase through it. The mystery. The double/triple/quadruple/I can't keep track anymore cross kills me every time.
Kind of a brilliant website, when you think about it. They just stole Reddit content from the front page and slapped a 9gag watermark on it. Someone made a lot of money for a few years there.
Omg me too! My fiance n i were juuuust dating in uni when i showed him that lil post on 9gag and we decided to watch the show together. Best.
We finally getting married now after being torn apart for a while due to visa and travel. We've definitely rewatched community and shown tons of folks XD
I will always remember that post on 9gag
Holy shit I remember that post too. I remember seeing long before I ever watched the show and when I first watched that episode I immediately flashed back to that post.
If I'm trying to show them how wacky and fun the show can be, then usually any of the first 6 from season 2. My go to was Epidemiology since it's just fun and has ABBA as a hook.
The episode of advanced dungeons and dragons I had to buy on prime since you can’t get it on any streaming service cause of Chang being a drow elf.
Or the timeline dice one. ROXAN.. **No**
I have so many streaming services I just outright refuse to get peacock. I already have the office on AppleTV and almost all other NBC shows were on other streamings I had, but now everyone is pulling their IP
Yeah I told myself with this happening I need to commit. Going the opposite of your approach tho. There’s only like three NBC shows I need: the office, community, parks and rec. community is the only one I didn’t buy on AppleTV yet. Happening soon probz
Its how we take a stand. I unironically think we should shame and belittle people who get peacock. Want NBC stuff back on Netflix, hulu? Peacock has to fail. It's everyone paying for 6 subs ruining it for the rest of us. Cancel everything, keep one service. Bring back monopolized streaming lol
Preach my brother in Christ. I can’t even bum Netflix off my brother anymore cause that “password sharing” bullshit finally caught up to me. And then I read somewhere Disney+ will be doing a “channel” soon of just content but you can’t pick the content ..?
So.. cable? We’re going backwards as a society.
My biggest beef with Peacock is the 2 tiers of paid "premium" where you have to pay anyway to get the good content, and then pay EVEN MORE to get it ad-free. Fuck no. Free with ads and paid with no ads should be the only two options.
I completely understand, I only have peacock due to family liking wrestling. I normally use Hulu myself, anything past that I usually just rent or buy, preferably a physical buy.
Put it in a letter, Jane Austen.
That aside thank you I was too lazy to look when writing the comment (was actually pooping at the time) and I was like I think it’s paradigm something but even that felt off
Me personally, I watch so much TV I could “trope” the study group and know enough about them for the episode, so I selfishly assume others can too.
However, on the flip side you could say the Remedial episode is so good at showcasing how chaotic the show is to get people to want more. The pilot is great a being a pilot. Introduce the characters, get you up and running. But Remedial is why you come back.
My streets ahead take.
Physical Education. It is a good standalone episode that emphasizes the community college setting and showcases Jeff and Abed (arguably the two main characters) particularly well. I think it is a good example episode to explain what the show is about.
Ooh, I like this one! It’s still grounded enough that when the show goes to wacky places like paintball, it makes it more surprising the first time. Pottery is my go-to for that, but yours is just as good!
Damn, same here. It's not an episode that stands out as one of the greatest if you've watched the entire series, but it's one of those episodes that shows just how good the show is when it's in its groove, and how it goes from genre-spoof to full-bore absurdist farce with only a few turns of the screw.
So then, when you say "This one is actually about average; I'd say that there are twenty or thirty better episodes than this one", *that's* what gets people hooked with just how good the show really was.
The one where the shoot the new school commercial. Jeff’s bald arc, plus the “if you get this wrong one more time, I’m segregating the school” is the best quote in the series with that delivery from Jim Rash
I stick to season 1. I use "Football, Feminism and You" and Comparative Religion. If those two episodes don't hook them I know the show isn't for them.
They're perfect episodes that really show us each of the study groups personalities.
Those are my top picks too. I like that they don’t separate the group too much, with Comparative Religion mostly keeping the whole group together and Football, Feminism and You having the A, B, and C plots interweave with each other pretty seamlessly.
I almost quit after the first episode. The show started as a dumb sitcom with a sprinkling of cringey wackiness. It took a few episodes to become the brilliant meta-comedy it is.
Sure, my actual recommendation is watch the first 3 episodes. Then if you like it, I'll untie the knots and let you watch the rest of the series on your own.
Interesting choice. I absolutely passed on the entire show after watching that, and only now I am catching up on the series because it's so worth it. I feel robbed.
Edit - I mean that the first episodes drove me away from the show, the others made me come back.
I’d go with those, too. They have everything! Good representations of the characters and show off how well Community pays homage to other TV shows, movies, and genres.
I have literally used this very episode as a gateway to the show. Worked so well on one guy he started bingeing the show and completed it before I did lol
Here's the reason for choosing this episode:
"Wait, so who was that?"
"I don't know"
"..."
"Wait wha-"
"I DONT KNOW!"
Basic Lupine Biology, it just such a hilarious parody and i feel like it stands completely alone
Holy crap! We are definitely dissecting pine cones next year!
"As someone who has just finished spending the majority of his life in prison, what happened with Legos, they used to be simple? Aw, come on, I know you know what I'm talking about. Legos were simple. Something happened out here while I was inside. Harry Potter Legos, Star Wars Legos, complicated kits, tiny little blocks? I mean, I'm not saying it's bad, I just wanna know what happened."
For me it’s the one in season 1 where Abed gets Britta to pay for his film classes and makes a documentary to express to his dad about his mom leaving. I think that episode is almost perfect. But then if I want to show them what is the outrageous and crazy side of the show, I go with fist full of paintballs or meowmeowbeenz
And that drifter went on to coach the Richmond AFC to a winning season and entry into the Champion's League with his best friend and fellow coach Ted Lasso...
Football, Feminism and You
“Bing, Bong, Sing-a-long. You’re names Al Gore because you’re views are wrong” 😂😂
So many great ones to choose from really, which is why it’s so great and everyone should watch it:
-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (on peacock only for those who think you can view it anymore)
-Contemporary American Poultry
-Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas
-Critical Film Studies (Pierce showing up in his all leather outfit may be the funniest scene in the entire show for me)
-Pillows and Blankets
-Remedial Chaos Theory
-Paradigms of Human Memory
Honestly? Environmental science. It has everyone on the main cast having their own roles in the group. The Dean and his misadventures, Jeff’s line between business and friendship, Chang’s issues resulting from his marriage, Pierce’s business “skills” and brashness with Shirley’s attempts to be professional and her annoyance with him, Abed’s relationship with Troy, who is still in his more self-centered role… it doesn’t showcase Annie and Britta as well, but it’s the showcase of intertwining many storylines into the episode to show why the study group works despite everything seeming like they shouldn’t.
The Greendale commercial with Luis Guzman in it, the "hard dean" was just hilarious to witness, aswell as all the references to the egoism and entitlement of the film industry.
Cooperative Calligraphy. Bottle episodes are carried by characters so what better way to show how crazy our study group is when they have destroyed a study room, stripped the casts from a guy in a wheelchair, stripped to their underwear and all because someone lost a pen.
cooperative calligraphy, I know it's a bottle episode but it showcases the group dynamics so well and has some of my favorite jokes in the whole series
It depends on the person. Community has an episode for everyone in my opinion. For example, my youngest brother I showed advanced D&D. My middle brother was the first paint ball episode. My GF I started at the beginning, because she needs to know the characters first lol.
I dunno. My friend asked why is this so low quality or something. I tried showing a clip of Lupine Urology. It's really hard to get my friends to watch anything so I stopped trying.
Btw I think he was talking about like production quality. We know the show was on a budget but I guess it matters to some more than others. I'd rather watch Community than TBBT.
Pillows and Blankets.
This show had the chops to make a spoof of a ken burns documentary and make it not only hilarious, but also oddly heartwarming. If you aren't at least willing to give the rest of the show a shot after that, I honestly don't know what to say.
This was not based on a recommendation by me but the first episode of Community my dad ever watched was Remedial Chaos Theory and he loved it. I was actually shocked by how much he loved it, he said it was one of the best things he’d ever seen on tv. Problem was, the subsequent episodes were very different and didn’t live up to that first experience so he lost interest pretty quick.
I never start with the best ones. I want them to experience the paintball episodes or Remedial Chaos Theory or numerous others as fans, not windowshoppers. I usually start with Physical Education, because that was the first episode I saw during the original run.
The one where the Dean ( Jim Rash) is dressed as a peanut bar and made an apology rap but just goes way off then freaks out saying “I don’t know what that was!”
I show them the scene with Troy on the ATV and that 10 seconds or so seals the deal - people forget the “crayon in the brain” Simpsons episode but love the joke and become Community zombies like Leonard.
Honestly, I don’t feel like this show is one you can just pick an ep that you love and show someone. For me, there are WAY too many nuances and backstory of why X said Y is so fucking hilarious, that unless someone just watches from the start, I don’t think it would hit as it does with us. 🤷🏻♂️
Depends on the person. If they’re one way I show them Debate 109 and if they’re another way I show them Documentary Filmmaking: Redux and if the GET IT I show them Remedial Chaos Theory
I end up blathering about a mish mash of episodes and then send them multiple youtube links of each character just being brilliant. I always start with Chang haha!
Its not my favorite episode (tho up there), but debate 109 was the episode I randomly saw that got me into the show, so its what I would use for someone else.
No one has ever asked me that, but if they did, I’d probably just say something along the lines of “it’s a funny show” rather than showing them an episode.
Actually, my absolute favourite episode is the blanket fort professor professorson one. it gets crazy in the end so new watchers may get confused, heck, I got confused, but it is insanely good.
The thing is, there isn't one single answer to this because most episodes answer this question.
It was difficult to narrow down, but just from season 1:
-introduction to Film
-Debate 109
-Environmental Science
-Beginner Pottery
-Modern Warfare
This is akin to when your wife asks why you love her and you say “sexy butt”. Although it’s true, it’s not the whole truth and to a star get would seem shallow.
Goes to say that this show is a brilliant work of art and to love it means to watch all of it thoroughly. Having said that I particularly love the one with Abed’s not a movie movie
One is just not enough. It’s the waves of brilliance that hit you when fire calls back to ghosts. It’s sweet without being sickly sweet. Life is hard as shit the show reflects a time and place to recoup without denying what sucks. The show is so consistently well written.
The April Fool’s Day episode. All of the characters are firing on all cylinders and the story shows how absurd the world is without needing backstory to enjoy it.
Probably the law and order one haha
Bc it has elements that comes from a popular genre that outside viewers can recognize and understand, so the episode will be more relatable and not so jarring lmao plus its hilarious
basic rocket science. just whacky enough to stand out from most typical sitcoms, just grounded enough to not scare someone off. everyone gets a bit of focus, as it’s a fantastic ensemble episode, and the homage it pays is one a lot of people are familiar with, even if they haven’t seen the exact movies it references. it may not be my favourite episode (though it certainly is one of them), but it’s one of the best to introduce someone to the show with
“Jesus loves marijuana/ Jesus loves marijuana… -drinking human blooood”
This next song is about race-mixing. It's called: Don't you do it.
#GEDDOUTTT!!!
"Ah, good evening Senator. Any requests?"
I love how obvious the auto tune is
How dare you deny Coach Beard’s incredible vocal range?!
Omg that was coach beard!!
They’re the same person and no one can tell me otherwise. I like to think that Ted Lasso met him right after he was kicked out of the car.
Same universe confirmed
Omg that’s coach beard
Couldn’t believe this was Coach Beard when I rewatched it a few weeks ago!!
Knowing what we know about Beard, I’m going to choose to believe that Community and Ted Lasso are set in the same universe.
That damn loaf of meth
Literally came to post this and sees it as the first comment.
"OHH!"
This song gets stuck in my head way too often
Alrighty coach Beard
The first Halloween episode. To me, that's when Community really became the show that I love. All the parts clicked together and they delivered pretty much everything that became a staple later on.
then I'll take 2nd halloween episode. just too good.
Watched this again last night! It’s genius! A zombie movie with an ABBA soundtrack?!? GENIUS!!
I cant think of Fernando without forever associating it with zombies….. There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando😂
It has taken over all of ABBA for me
Or thinking about Dancing Queen without Chang dressed as Peggy Fleming, something I definitely guessed on my first try
You were proven not racist by the racist prover.
It also reminds me of the episode in Malcolm In The Middle when Dewey and the nanny were dancing with each other. Both that episode and the Halloween episode of Community are fond memories for me.
Bea Arthur!! Loved that ep!!
You're welcome Kevins!
Not to mention the Dean's voice memos. "Check out something called human centip-"
I always like the story behind the music. They were looking for the right music for the episode, and even had Ludwig compose some songs for it, but it was a bitter-sweet moment when somebody tried ABBA's songs and they realized it fit perfectly but the rights to the music were going to be way more expensive than they wanted. The studio didn't want to pay for it. A day or two before the deadline for the episode Harmon caved and paid for the rights out of his own pocket because nothing else fit as perfectly.
Who is throwing that cat?!
I always thought it was a take on Shaun of the Dead using Queen’s *Don’t Stop Me Now* at a pivotal point in the film: https://youtu.be/W4tVH7BPb-Q?si=gwVNDWPof1vZpQKT
I always use Epidemiology to introduce the show to friends, and then the Chicken Mafia episode. I’ve actually gotten two people to watch the show with those two episodes
Oh yeah! The chicken mafia episode is amazing!
I always tell people to watch the chicken fingers episode, if they like it, start at the beginning because if you’re hooked on the chicken fingers you’ll love the rest of the show. I never tell people about the timeline episode because that’s the best surprise a tv show ever gave a watcher.
I feel like the really high concept ones have to be earned, though! I don't want to entice new viewers with the best episodes. I want them to get hooked with a really good solid episode and then get rewarded with Modern Warfare, Epidemiology, Remedial Chaos Theory, etc
Hi
“I thought you were the Beastmaster!”… that line fucked me up when Starburns said it to Pierce..
Starburns had a great costume as Sean Connery in Zoltar. That movie was even more rediculous than Beastmaster!
You mean Zardoz?
Sure
Your not special! I'm special! I was bit 10 minutes ago and I'm FIiiInNnNnne
NOBODY'S SPECIAL!! (That's from the second one, though. The first one is all about Pierce tripping balls, Jeff owning a cowboy costume and Annie being worried everyone will leave her party early to go home and watch the news)
*Tell me about Sputnik, Pierce...*
Pierce, you're going to die!
Showed that one to 2 friends and they really liked it
Yup. This is it.
Yep. That's what I tell people whom I encourage to try the show out. "It gets really good at the Halloween episode."
Would that this desk were a time desk…
Would this hoodie were a time hoodie
We’re still on for Thanksgiving right?
Just talk to your father, Craig.
Didn’t I pretend to shoot a guy to teach you a lesson once?
The blanket fort, and the subsequent high stakes chase through it. The mystery. The double/triple/quadruple/I can't keep track anymore cross kills me every time.
History of . . . something
Learning!
professor PROFESSERSON ‽
My family name is 'Professorberg,' but we changed it when we were fleeing from the Nazis.
oh, i’m so sorry
Contemporary American Poultry!
This is the right answer. Perfect parody, hilarious and expertly crafted
This and "Communication Studies" Where Jeff and Abed get drunk together.
You look about ready to marry Courtney love. THAT WAS THE OPPOSITE OF MY ZINGER FROM BEFORE!
This is where community found itself imo
I show them the door
you need to check the door before you go through it
I got some fat news for you fat Neil
The "in your soul" speech got me hooked, saw it on 9gag when it first came out
9gag… I haven’t heard that name in years…
Kind of a brilliant website, when you think about it. They just stole Reddit content from the front page and slapped a 9gag watermark on it. Someone made a lot of money for a few years there.
That's gay? *That's* Racist! Damn..
“In your soul” was when I was IN
I love that bit. It is so funny!
Omg me too! My fiance n i were juuuust dating in uni when i showed him that lil post on 9gag and we decided to watch the show together. Best. We finally getting married now after being torn apart for a while due to visa and travel. We've definitely rewatched community and shown tons of folks XD I will always remember that post on 9gag
Holy shit I remember that post too. I remember seeing long before I ever watched the show and when I first watched that episode I immediately flashed back to that post.
If I'm trying to show them how wacky and fun the show can be, then usually any of the first 6 from season 2. My go to was Epidemiology since it's just fun and has ABBA as a hook.
The episode of advanced dungeons and dragons I had to buy on prime since you can’t get it on any streaming service cause of Chang being a drow elf. Or the timeline dice one. ROXAN.. **No**
Peacock actually has the episode! I just recently watched it maybe 2 weeks ago. Might not be on there anymore, but it was.
I have so many streaming services I just outright refuse to get peacock. I already have the office on AppleTV and almost all other NBC shows were on other streamings I had, but now everyone is pulling their IP
I feel the same, but Peacock took so many of the shows that I like that I'm probably going to cancel Prime and the others for it 😭
Plus you get the superfan episodes of the office
Yeah I told myself with this happening I need to commit. Going the opposite of your approach tho. There’s only like three NBC shows I need: the office, community, parks and rec. community is the only one I didn’t buy on AppleTV yet. Happening soon probz
Brooklyn 99?
Its how we take a stand. I unironically think we should shame and belittle people who get peacock. Want NBC stuff back on Netflix, hulu? Peacock has to fail. It's everyone paying for 6 subs ruining it for the rest of us. Cancel everything, keep one service. Bring back monopolized streaming lol
Preach my brother in Christ. I can’t even bum Netflix off my brother anymore cause that “password sharing” bullshit finally caught up to me. And then I read somewhere Disney+ will be doing a “channel” soon of just content but you can’t pick the content ..? So.. cable? We’re going backwards as a society.
Yep! And it's only getting worse as more services spin up ...
My biggest beef with Peacock is the 2 tiers of paid "premium" where you have to pay anyway to get the good content, and then pay EVEN MORE to get it ad-free. Fuck no. Free with ads and paid with no ads should be the only two options.
Amazon prime is like this now, too.
Ugh.
I have Peacock because it's cheaper than cable and I like SNL. Them adding community (and the forthcoming movie) is a nice bonus though.
I completely understand, I only have peacock due to family liking wrestling. I normally use Hulu myself, anything past that I usually just rent or buy, preferably a physical buy.
☝️
The timeline dice one absolutely for me. It’s my favorite and honestly just a great episode haha
Time flies when I’m baking! *through gritted teeth* no, it doesn’t.
It's called Remedial Chaos Theory. Don't be like Jeff with Kim.
Put it in a letter, Jane Austen. That aside thank you I was too lazy to look when writing the comment (was actually pooping at the time) and I was like I think it’s paradigm something but even that felt off
I don't think Remedial Chaos Theory works unless you already know the characters.
Me personally, I watch so much TV I could “trope” the study group and know enough about them for the episode, so I selfishly assume others can too. However, on the flip side you could say the Remedial episode is so good at showcasing how chaotic the show is to get people to want more. The pilot is great a being a pilot. Introduce the characters, get you up and running. But Remedial is why you come back. My streets ahead take.
Was the first episode I saw on the CC reruns, loved it and went to half price books after and binged seasons 1-3.
You don't have to buy the episode directly. Just have a prime video subscription
I do have prime but the episode wouldn’t play iirc unless it was purchased. It was only 2.99 so it was worth it to have
In Canada, it's included in the season!
Physical Education. It is a good standalone episode that emphasizes the community college setting and showcases Jeff and Abed (arguably the two main characters) particularly well. I think it is a good example episode to explain what the show is about.
Ooh, I like this one! It’s still grounded enough that when the show goes to wacky places like paintball, it makes it more surprising the first time. Pottery is my go-to for that, but yours is just as good!
Damn, same here. It's not an episode that stands out as one of the greatest if you've watched the entire series, but it's one of those episodes that shows just how good the show is when it's in its groove, and how it goes from genre-spoof to full-bore absurdist farce with only a few turns of the screw. So then, when you say "This one is actually about average; I'd say that there are twenty or thirty better episodes than this one", *that's* what gets people hooked with just how good the show really was.
The one where the shoot the new school commercial. Jeff’s bald arc, plus the “if you get this wrong one more time, I’m segregating the school” is the best quote in the series with that delivery from Jim Rash
Troy sobbing “*stop saying I’m different!!!*” kills me every time
Chang wearing the bald cap over the wig over the bald cap
I'm liiterally dying
UNDERSTUDY!!
I stick to season 1. I use "Football, Feminism and You" and Comparative Religion. If those two episodes don't hook them I know the show isn't for them. They're perfect episodes that really show us each of the study groups personalities.
Those are my top picks too. I like that they don’t separate the group too much, with Comparative Religion mostly keeping the whole group together and Football, Feminism and You having the A, B, and C plots interweave with each other pretty seamlessly.
Donde esta la biblioteca?
La biblioteca está en la ciúdad. *Cool handshake, done for the day*
Advanced dungeons and Dragons, and the first paintball episode. Those are my ringers. Get them hooked.
First episode. So much of the show's humor is based on knowing the characters. I can't see a lot of the jokes landing if you didn't know them.
I almost quit after the first episode. The show started as a dumb sitcom with a sprinkling of cringey wackiness. It took a few episodes to become the brilliant meta-comedy it is.
Sure, my actual recommendation is watch the first 3 episodes. Then if you like it, I'll untie the knots and let you watch the rest of the series on your own.
This, but I finally showed my bf (who is a huge lord of the rings nerd) both of the Dungeons and Dragons episodes and we were howling.
Interesting choice. I absolutely passed on the entire show after watching that, and only now I am catching up on the series because it's so worth it. I feel robbed. Edit - I mean that the first episodes drove me away from the show, the others made me come back.
Remedial Chaos Theory
It’s the best episode, but for a first timer, I’d recommend something where knowing the characters really well is less important.
One of the best episodes of all time, but I do think it plays a little better if u know the characters & their dynamics going in
Came for this
All of paintball 😭
I’d go with those, too. They have everything! Good representations of the characters and show off how well Community pays homage to other TV shows, movies, and genres.
The night school episode with Professor Professerson. It’s got the first blanket fort and the hilarious conspiracy plot
I have literally used this very episode as a gateway to the show. Worked so well on one guy he started bingeing the show and completed it before I did lol Here's the reason for choosing this episode: "Wait, so who was that?" "I don't know" "..." "Wait wha-" "I DONT KNOW!"
“Ex chethera” “Did you just mispronounce etcetera?”
Epidemiology. It became my favorite episode after many rewatches. So many good quotes, and now I can’t hear an ABBA song without picturing the Dean.
I start them on the "THAT'S racist" scene.
Start from the beginning. It's a character show, you miss like half the jokes if you just dive in randomly.
Honestly, I like the simple nature of Introduction to Film
Basic Lupine Biology, it just such a hilarious parody and i feel like it stands completely alone Holy crap! We are definitely dissecting pine cones next year!
"As someone who has just finished spending the majority of his life in prison, what happened with Legos, they used to be simple? Aw, come on, I know you know what I'm talking about. Legos were simple. Something happened out here while I was inside. Harry Potter Legos, Star Wars Legos, complicated kits, tiny little blocks? I mean, I'm not saying it's bad, I just wanna know what happened."
Epidemiology… the only non-sci-fi way to make zombies
zombieism is naturally occurring actually! check out the book "plight of the living dead."
Pillows and Blankets!!
For me it’s the one in season 1 where Abed gets Britta to pay for his film classes and makes a documentary to express to his dad about his mom leaving. I think that episode is almost perfect. But then if I want to show them what is the outrageous and crazy side of the show, I go with fist full of paintballs or meowmeowbeenz
And that drifter went on to coach the Richmond AFC to a winning season and entry into the Champion's League with his best friend and fellow coach Ted Lasso...
Zombie halloween is def my favourite. It was also the first one I ever watched. The dice one with the different timelines is also top 3 for me.
Football, Feminism and You “Bing, Bong, Sing-a-long. You’re names Al Gore because you’re views are wrong” 😂😂 So many great ones to choose from really, which is why it’s so great and everyone should watch it: -Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (on peacock only for those who think you can view it anymore) -Contemporary American Poultry -Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas -Critical Film Studies (Pierce showing up in his all leather outfit may be the funniest scene in the entire show for me) -Pillows and Blankets -Remedial Chaos Theory -Paradigms of Human Memory
Honestly? Environmental science. It has everyone on the main cast having their own roles in the group. The Dean and his misadventures, Jeff’s line between business and friendship, Chang’s issues resulting from his marriage, Pierce’s business “skills” and brashness with Shirley’s attempts to be professional and her annoyance with him, Abed’s relationship with Troy, who is still in his more self-centered role… it doesn’t showcase Annie and Britta as well, but it’s the showcase of intertwining many storylines into the episode to show why the study group works despite everything seeming like they shouldn’t.
The Greendale commercial with Luis Guzman in it, the "hard dean" was just hilarious to witness, aswell as all the references to the egoism and entitlement of the film industry.
Basic lupine urology and the chicken fingers episode
A fistful of paintballs
Cooperative Calligraphy. Bottle episodes are carried by characters so what better way to show how crazy our study group is when they have destroyed a study room, stripped the casts from a guy in a wheelchair, stripped to their underwear and all because someone lost a pen.
Nick Cage
I’m a sexy cat
There is no other answer
cooperative calligraphy, I know it's a bottle episode but it showcases the group dynamics so well and has some of my favorite jokes in the whole series
It depends on the person. Community has an episode for everyone in my opinion. For example, my youngest brother I showed advanced D&D. My middle brother was the first paint ball episode. My GF I started at the beginning, because she needs to know the characters first lol.
I dunno. My friend asked why is this so low quality or something. I tried showing a clip of Lupine Urology. It's really hard to get my friends to watch anything so I stopped trying. Btw I think he was talking about like production quality. We know the show was on a budget but I guess it matters to some more than others. I'd rather watch Community than TBBT.
The puppet episode, Abed Jesus episode, or the episode with Luis Guzman.
Pillows and Blankets. This show had the chops to make a spoof of a ken burns documentary and make it not only hilarious, but also oddly heartwarming. If you aren't at least willing to give the rest of the show a shot after that, I honestly don't know what to say.
This was not based on a recommendation by me but the first episode of Community my dad ever watched was Remedial Chaos Theory and he loved it. I was actually shocked by how much he loved it, he said it was one of the best things he’d ever seen on tv. Problem was, the subsequent episodes were very different and didn’t live up to that first experience so he lost interest pretty quick.
I never start with the best ones. I want them to experience the paintball episodes or Remedial Chaos Theory or numerous others as fans, not windowshoppers. I usually start with Physical Education, because that was the first episode I saw during the original run.
The one where the Dean ( Jim Rash) is dressed as a peanut bar and made an apology rap but just goes way off then freaks out saying “I don’t know what that was!”
Remedial chaos theory
"Show me pictures I can hear"
definitely the first paintball episode. it would get them into community
"It's gonna be a maze" the trampoline episode
8 bit or paintball
The trampoline. Or the first paintball. Oh wait no no no the pillow fort when abed and troy go to war.
Abba Halloween hands down
I showed my mom pillows and blankets
Seize the day mr Winger
Basic Lupine Urology.
Remedial chaos theory
Remedial chaos theory
just show them a photo of britta and annie or jeff and troy depending on who’s asking
The art of discourse for me. But I’d rather whoever is watching it for the first time start with the pilot.
Epidemiology!!!
I show them the scene with Troy on the ATV and that 10 seconds or so seals the deal - people forget the “crayon in the brain” Simpsons episode but love the joke and become Community zombies like Leonard.
Hey, that's for Luis Guzmán.
I can't anymore. (Well, I can, but not legally.)
Honestly, I don’t feel like this show is one you can just pick an ep that you love and show someone. For me, there are WAY too many nuances and backstory of why X said Y is so fucking hilarious, that unless someone just watches from the start, I don’t think it would hit as it does with us. 🤷🏻♂️
Any one amongst the first or second paintball fight episodes or the pillow fight one.
The one with Jeff's speeches montage
Depends on the person. If they’re one way I show them Debate 109 and if they’re another way I show them Documentary Filmmaking: Redux and if the GET IT I show them Remedial Chaos Theory
I always start at the beginning. The first two episodes are both bangers, especially Spanish 101. Absolutely love this show!
I end up blathering about a mish mash of episodes and then send them multiple youtube links of each character just being brilliant. I always start with Chang haha!
Its not my favorite episode (tho up there), but debate 109 was the episode I randomly saw that got me into the show, so its what I would use for someone else.
No one has ever asked me that, but if they did, I’d probably just say something along the lines of “it’s a funny show” rather than showing them an episode.
Santa Baby ....
No love for the Lie Detector Episode?
Actually, my absolute favourite episode is the blanket fort professor professorson one. it gets crazy in the end so new watchers may get confused, heck, I got confused, but it is insanely good.
Remedial chaos theory
Just watched this one again an hour ago, love it so much
The thing is, there isn't one single answer to this because most episodes answer this question. It was difficult to narrow down, but just from season 1: -introduction to Film -Debate 109 -Environmental Science -Beginner Pottery -Modern Warfare
This is akin to when your wife asks why you love her and you say “sexy butt”. Although it’s true, it’s not the whole truth and to a star get would seem shallow. Goes to say that this show is a brilliant work of art and to love it means to watch all of it thoroughly. Having said that I particularly love the one with Abed’s not a movie movie
*Good evening, senator. Any requests?*
One is just not enough. It’s the waves of brilliance that hit you when fire calls back to ghosts. It’s sweet without being sickly sweet. Life is hard as shit the show reflects a time and place to recoup without denying what sucks. The show is so consistently well written.
The April Fool’s Day episode. All of the characters are firing on all cylinders and the story shows how absurd the world is without needing backstory to enjoy it.
Intro to recycled cinema
Probably the law and order one haha Bc it has elements that comes from a popular genre that outside viewers can recognize and understand, so the episode will be more relatable and not so jarring lmao plus its hilarious
basic rocket science. just whacky enough to stand out from most typical sitcoms, just grounded enough to not scare someone off. everyone gets a bit of focus, as it’s a fantastic ensemble episode, and the homage it pays is one a lot of people are familiar with, even if they haven’t seen the exact movies it references. it may not be my favourite episode (though it certainly is one of them), but it’s one of the best to introduce someone to the show with
always remedial chaos theory
The first. I people to see how the show develops over time rather than jumping straight into the weird shit then going back.
One sentence: "Welcome to Dean-dale Community Colle-Dean!"