I was astounded how much food-for-thought I found in an American sitcom

“I was kinda raised by TV”, says Abed Nadir in one of the first episodes. After hearing these words, I felt normal. For a long time I felt weird, even ashamed somehow that TV was a big influence in my life. This is one of the great things about cinema: upon seeing a fictional character express something that we feel, but do not accept in ourselves, gives us permission to do so.

Films have shaped me more than I cared to admit. We are usually told that it’s the book medium that holds all the pearls of wisdom, and not cinema, let alone TV series. So, it’s a bit uncomfortable admitting that films have played a bigger role in your life than books, because it immediately makes you seem shallower.

However, I believe that important life lessons can be encountered in books, films and series alike – the arbitrary hierarchy of genres and mediums feels outdated to me. Nowadays, we can read both Marcel Proust and Kevin Kwan; watch Gilmore Girls and history channels on YouTube. Low and high culture mix and it make us more multifaceted, and let’s be honest, more satisfied. We don’t feel like we have to keep one side concealed from the world anymore: the side that enjoys Joey’s dumb jokes or secretly binging Emily in Paris. Moreover, there are important life lessons to be uncovered if we look closely and keep an open mind, even in the most unexpected series genre: sitcom.

I believe that every human has enough sense to uncover hidden gemstones of knowledge in whichever form they present themselves to us and, more importantly, which speak directly to us.

Now. A sitcom by its very nature is the least highbrow out of all genres, it is true. I understand why it has such an ‘eye-rolling’ reputation. The genre may seem silly and shallow, but if we look past the tropes, we can find nuanced performances: moments that induce empathy and, let’s be honest, make us cry (yes, Ross and Rachel’s break-up, I’m looking at you). And I believe for that, sitcoms are not given enough credit.

It has to be said that many of them fail to deliver good quality and original writing. Many stick to what they know, which is fair enough. Tropes that succeeded in the past create a soft cushion, which makes it harder to move beyond the demarcation lines of that comfort zone. Hence, they feel formulaic and bland. The aim is to create a feel-good product, something, which you can keep as a background noise, while you relax on the couch with a meal and tune in whenever you feel like it. Sure, we want to relax, but it doesn’t have to be dumbed down. Lazy writing can be viscerally felt, which I feel, disrespects the viewer. No one wants to be patronized.

However, this problematic is not exclusive to sitcom genres – bad writing can be found anywhere from romantic comedies to art house films. But for every ten generic films, there is a gem. For instance, take the rom-com genre: it has a beautiful and poignant trilogy, Before by Richard Linklater (which I want to do a separate article on) and About A Boy, while comedy genre has Some Like It Hot and The Taming of the Scoundrel (‘Il Bisbetico Domato’ – a legendary Italian comedy starring Adriano Celentano and Ornella Mutti). Also, this theory can be extrapolated to music genres, like pop music. The Beatles, Madonna and Beyoncé could all be considered pop musicians and they all offer quality content.

As do the sitcoms. It is unexpected to find some deep, meaningful and profound breakthroughs there. But ‘Community’ does deliver. Over and over again, as you rewatch it. It is irreverent, brilliant, poignant and emotional, all in one package. I could not believe that it’s not as popular, but it is deservingly getting its renaissance moment with Netflix streaming it since 2020. Hopefully, it will get the recognition it deserves.

Without further ado, here’s my list of life lessons and food-for-thought that came from ‘Community’:

[From here, *MAJOR SPOILERS ALERT* ! So I advise you first re-watch the episodes, which I have mentioned at the start of every paragraph and then come back and read why I think they were significant.]

  1. Jeff Winger’s speech from “Origins of Vampire Mythology” (Season 3, Episode 15)

This episode doesn’t get enough credit. It is a lesser-known gem, not the Remedial Chaos Theory or the Paintball Saga favourites, yet it delivers one of the most profound lessons from the entire series. So, yes, I will spend a bit more time on it than others (okay, a lot).

One of Britta’s exes comes into town with a carnival, and instructs Annie to literally quarantine (pun intended) her, lest she decides to see him again. However, Britta doesn’t last long until she starts displaying classic addict behaviour and actively tries to sabotage her own plan, by manipulating Annie to get her phone back, which she does eventually. However, Annie, the crafty and, as Abed accurately points out, diabolical, fox she is, switches Blade’s (Britta’s ex) number with her own, therefore forwarding all Britta’s texts to herself. Annie tries to put an end to this insanity by sending mean replies, in hopes of making Britta think this guy is a douche, but to no avail. Ironically enough, it was Troy to put her out of her misery.

Troy, often depicted as the thick one in the group, offers insight into Britta’s seemingly irrational behaviour: “Don’t you get the concept? Britta likes guys who are mean to her. She doesn’t like herself.” And he is the one who puts an end to Britta’s junkie-like behaviour by texting something nice to her and it works like a charm – Britta no longer yearns for Blade, as she considers him a loser.

This displays a scenario, which a lot of girls, myself included, were involved and a behaviour pattern we repeated: being more attracted to a man who is emotionally unavailable and doesn’t treat her right, because we don’t think we deserve better.

Later, upon discovering that her friends were the ones texting her, she rushes out. Upon returning from his quest, Jeff sees Britta leave for the carnival, and says this to her:

“No. None of has ‘has to go to’ anyone…We can’t keep going to each other, until we learn to go to ourselves. Stop making our hatred of ourselves someone else’s job and just stop hating ourselves.”

What essentially Jeff is saying (because, it’s a bit hard to wrap your head around for the first time), is that we have to stop going to other people, in order for them to make us feel better about ourselves. Moreover, we have to become that emotional support system for ourselves; and stop going to people who don’t treat us right.

It’s a very haunting notion: once we are hurt, wouldn’t it make sense to NOT let another person hurt us? Why seek out virtually the same person, in order to have hurt repeated over and over again? Because it’s like a broken record: we are stuck in a vicious cycle of familiarity, mistaking it for affection.

This what happens when we don’t deal with our trauma. It’s simple, but it’s true. Only when we look inward, go to ourselves, is when our behavior starts to change. Because that is the person we need the most, as they continue to be by our side throughout our lifetime.

Britta needed to hear this truth about herself. And when she does, the group returns back to watching a movie together.

I think this is a great, genuine life lesson that a lot of people struggle with, without fully dealing with it. And it was a great lesson displayed, on no other than a sitcom. And trust me, I watched a lot of great dramatic series and films, and not all of them deliver such a down-to-earth, yet profound truths as this show.

2. Britta Perry’s remark from “Digital Estate Planning” (Season 3, Episode 20)

First, of all, WHAT AN EPISODE. I still believe Abed’s best love interest was not Brie Larson’s character Rachel, nor Agent Vohler, but computer-generated Hilda, daughter of the blacksmith. And even though this episode has so many sparkling moments, it’s the dark cloud of the group, Britta, that delivers this line:

“Here’s the thing about women, Jeff. We don’t hack and slash our way through life, because we’re ONE with life.”

Let it sink it for a second. Isn’t this what we want to be in the end? To notice the signs from life and go along with them, and not adamantly and steadfastly pursue something in a quickest and harshest way possible? And yes, this was said as a backhanded retort to Jeff’s accusation of “Stop playing like a girl”, yet it didn’t ring shallow to me, it rang deeper.

I understand that this is in no way means that all men ‘hack and slash’ their way through life, neither that all women are ‘one with life’. Rather, it deals with behavioural patterns that are adopted by male and female genders, due to a certain conditioning that a lot of us experience in childhood.

Ironically, Britta is the one out there trying to prove things to the world, and her constant defiance and, as she puts it herself, a ‘raging against the machine’ attitude, can be interpreted as the opposite – that she is not, in fact, ‘one with life.’ However, it doesn’t mean that she isn’t aiming to become that. Throughout the course of the show, we see her transform into a wiser, more content person.

What Britta meant was, while Jeff was running around, huffing and puffing, aimlessly showing off his physical prowess, Britta actually found a solution to a problem by being focused and observing. Because the world doesn’t need aggressive displays of behaviour in order to tame it; life needs to be worked together with, AS ONE. In harmony. Only then you can achieve something truly valuable.

For the quote, watch from 1:52:

3. Abed Nadir’s quote from “Regional Holiday Music” (Season 3, Episode 10)

First of all, the Glee episode is really wonderful (except for Annie’s bit – sorry, but that high-pitched squeaky voice and Betty Boop act is too much for me). It’s gaudy and cheesy, right up the merry holiday alley! And I love how much time Troy and Abed were given there. First of, their duet is iconic (yes, I’m talking Joey-and-Chandler iconic). Furthermore, their rap is iconic, too (‘Cause I am Jehovah’s most secret witness’; ‘On the spectrum? None of ya business’). Even though, Childish Gambino hadn’t exploded at that time yet, Danny Pudi really gave him a run for his money on this track. I am surprised they haven’t released it – plus, they could have added their earlier work Donde Esta La Biblioteca on an EP. Aah, dreams. [edit: Donde Esta La Biblioteca is actually released on AppleMusic!)

Coming back to the quote. Abed asks Troy if he would like to participate in the Christmas pageant for the Glee Club. Initially, Troy rejects the idea, claiming that they all hate Glee Club, to which Abed replies:

“I guess I just like liking things.”

Same. Just, same, Abed. It is a classic argument between elitism and mainstream. I always enjoyed liking and gushing over things, rather than hating on them. What is the point? And the fact that this profound notion was expressed in such succinct and simplified terms is a pleasure. It’s neither apologetic, nor self-deprecating, on the contrary – it’s humble and hopeful.

I used to worry that I enjoyed mainstream things, but this phrase made me realise, that it’s not that I like necessarily mainstream things – I just like liking things in general! I like to give things the benefit of the doubt, before outrightly rejecting them; I like pop music (Yes, Abba, Christina Aguilera and, let’s be honest, Pitbull, I am looking at you), as well as somewhat cheesy cover bands (PostModern Jukebox) and musicals (hello, Grease, Chicago, and Mamma Mia!). And no, I don’t do it ironically, which seems to be all the rage nowadays. I genuinely sing along to Abba in a car, get up and dance to Pitbull and enjoy watching Burlesque! Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy other things — but I believe that I should’t put a value or hide this about myself. Being disengaged, ironic and all together condescending is not how I roll. And I encourage people to do the same – if what you enjoy is not alt-rock, then don’t pretend that you do! Embrace your flamboyant side.

Watch the video until the end, it included the afore-mentioned rap 🙂

D E C O R A T I V E P L A T E S – sorry, just had to leave this here.

4. Annie Edison’s remark from “Virtual Systems Analysis” (Season 3, Episode 16)

Annie is not my favourite character, but, it is entirely possible that that is because I have a lot in common with her. I am too a bit neurotic (AHEM, a lot), and naïve, and generally like things to go my way. But, Annie also happens to be one of the wilful characters on the show and the most driven one, too. However, when it comes to things-not-going-her-way it really plays a cruel joke on her. That is what she and Abed have in common – and why I think she is the one that can get through to him, when he hides in a metaphorical locker. When Abed admits that he is uncomfortable with Troy and Britta dating, because it would mean losing his best friend, this is Annie’s response:

“I was trying to make life go according to some script. I can’t. You can’t. We both need to get more comfortable winging it.”

It accepts that there are things that go beyond our control. And it’s such an obvious thing to say, yet our emotional selves often fail to remember this truism, when we encounter it in our daily lives. Especially, if you’re a bit of a control freak. But, it is in times like these that we have to sit down with ourselves (figuratively or literally), and be the Annie to our inner Abed. Calmly and lovingly talk to ourselves and remind that things won’t always go according to our plan and it’s okay; it’s not our fault that they haven’t. Life is not perfect and it’s okay to be a little upset; but in the end we have to find peace in a different outcome, too.

5. Annie Edison’s remark from “Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television” (Season 6 Episode 13)

So much for my least favourite character – she appears twice on my list of five lessons. 🙂 Maybe I like Annie more than I let on…

I thought long about what my fifth quote is going to be. First four occurred naturally to me, yet I had to think about this last one. Symbolically, it’s from the finale of the entire series (well, #sixseasonsandamovie), and it represents Annie’s grown-up outlook on life as a young adult. It is both wise and optimistic, which I think will be the perfect way to wrap this list up.

“I wanna have so much behind me, I’m not a slave to what’s in front of me.”

This longing for experience is wonderfully captured in this terse phrase. Again, it’s simply put, yet it expresses this profound desire to be brave and unwavering in the face of adversity, no matter what life throws your way. And we feel like it’s okay to let go of the characters, because we know that they are courageous enough to leave the comfort zone behind, as well. Perhaps, it’s something that we are ready to do, too. Because, as I mentioned at the start of the article, when a character admits to something or is brave enough to do something (that’s why good writing is so crucial!!), we get a bit of that second-hand courage, too.

So, there ya have it, folks! My Top Five Life Lessons from Community. I would love to know moments that you consider profound and thought-provoking from the show. Please comment if you agree or disagree with my list. I also invite you to create your own list, with moments that spoke on a personal level to you.

Thanks for reading!

P.S. I know I spent more time (a LOT more time) on some lessons than others, yet I admit that I did have my own hierarchy with this list. Some moments were more personal for me and I felt like expanding on them. Hope you will still enjoy the article 🙂

Artwork by Joshua Budich

Edit:

I wanted to include this other speech given by Abed in Remedial Chaos Theory, because I think it sums up Community, as well as life perfectly:

“Chaos already dominates enough of our lives. The universe is an endless raging sea of randomness. Our job isn’t to fight it, but to weather it together, on the raft of life. A raft held together by those few, rare, beautiful things that we know to be predictable…Us.”

#sixseasonsandamovie