DVD Review: Third Season of NBC Critical Darling ‘Community’

CHICAGO – The third season of “Community” was more inconsistent than the brilliant second but it still featured some of the smartest writing and best performances on network TV. I think the writers lost sight of some of their characters in pursuit of concept over substance at times but has there been a modern show that was more unpredictable than this one? You never know where they’re going to go, what they’re going to reference, or how far they’re going to take their concepts.

Television Rating: 4.5/5.0

There’s always one show on the air that critics love and audiences ignore and, except for its loyal demo, that show right now is “Community.” After much bubble drama as to whether or not it would be renewed at all, NBC announced that the series would be moving to Friday nights, partnered with the abysmal “Whitney,” and that creator Dan Harmon wouldn’t return. Purists virtually threw up through social media. To a lot of them, the show is dead already. We’ll definitely review the series when it returns and warn you if it’s changed much but be aware that this could be the last “pure” season of “Community,” one of the best comedies of the last decade.

The DVD release is strong with commentaries on every single episode, deleted scenes, gag reels, and more. I’ll never understand why Sony doesn’t release shows that are broadcast in HD on Blu-ray but this is a strong release for DVD.

Community
Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis:
America’s most incorrigible study group of misfits returns for a hilariously ingenious new year at Greendale College. From homicidal Halloween pizza parties, holiday Glee Club smackdowns, foosball showdowns, epic pillow fight wars and an underage campus security force to a shocking remarriage, a riotous funeral service, submarine sandwich throwdowns, a new Vice Dean (Emmy winner John Goodman) with a strange air-conditioning fixation and a crime show homage for the ages - The Third Season of television’s boldest, brashest comedy is the most brilliant yet. Get ready to cram it all in.

Starring Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Jim Rash, with Ken Jeong and Emmy winner Chevy Chase.

Click here to buy “Community: Season Three”

Special Features:
o Deleted Scenes
o Gag Reels
o Commentaries On Every Episode
o A Glee-ful Community Christmas Featurette
o This Is War: Pillow Vs. Blankets Mockumentary Featurette

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com