A Secretly Ambitious Community Episode

[@leostootired]

Not to mention that it aired around 9 months after The Politics of Human Sexuality, the episode where Abed tells everyone not to wear condoms.

[@Lahng_Blackduke]

And if you look in the background of Jeff sitting alone as A bed says that, you can see the father to be, sitting with the mother to be, as he tosses the condom on the table.

[@caleb.a.robinson]

I almost included this, but according to Dan Harmon on Reddit, that was a total coincidence. Still, it does work out that way!

[@werigubskdjgb]

@@caleb.a.robinson So what was the nature of their relationship? 2:04 Just tell us

[@lataijuh6911]

This show was so ahead of its time

[@martynakarolak8596]

@@lataijuh6911 yeah it was totally streets ahead

[@JakeLemasterGuitar]

I like how Abed tells Troy that HE was off in the background, pointing out that Abed and the audience are each watching their own TV episode from different points of view.

[@Ridlay_]

I was about to say that. I loved that line.

[@IceMetalPunk]

Yep. Everyone is the hero of their own story, and anyone not interacting with them is in the background.

[@debrachambers1304]

Exactly. I love that, it shows that Abed isn't actually magically aware of the TV show, he's just a fucking nerd.

[@qsmith2514]

The commitment to the bit on a macro and micro level is why community was streets ahead

[@thevlogderpyelf4340]

Dude that saying is never gonna stick…

[@letocia550]

@@thevlogderpyelf4340 if you're saying that it only means you're streets behind

[@jordanplanas176]

6:00 I love Abed's response to Troy because in his POV he was in the main story while the rest of the cast was in the side story, but for the viewers it was the opposite way around.

[@dwaiting883]

It's such a beautiful thing to have shown because this show is so much about human relationships and dealing with differences and this is a prime example of empathy because we go around with our own show and issues, and even worry what everyone thinks about us, but don't realize everyone is the lead in their own story, doing their own thing.

[@BowlOfHotDogs]

@@dwaiting883 And that is why Communitity is the sitcom version of Game of thrones *mic drop*

[@feliperojas-doomride]

When I heard that exchange and didn't get the reference I thought I had missed an episode

[@stevekaufmann6429]

I'd imagine they paid Danny Pudi a per-episode fee regardless of how featured or not featured he was in the episode. Their use of him here speaks to their efficiency.

[@caleb.a.robinson]

Yup. I made an incorrect assumption about TV actors' pay.

[@joelpartee594]

@@caleb.a.robinson Your basic calculation was correct - framing a background story that can be followed costs time and money beyond just letting extras do business.

[@skaonthis]

Some bonus insanity/genius from this episode. In the ep "The Politics of Human Sexuality" you can see the couple getting together in the background. Then during Abed's PA announcement to not use the defective condoms , the guy throws a pack away . This ep supposedly aired 9 months before "The Psychology of Letting". Bonus Bonus. When Pierce dies and the group are sitting with his Energeon Pod , it starts to leak. Troy begins to inhale the vapor, proving to me "that a certain point you actually can eat a ghost" !

[@DrAmazing]

HOLY SHIT!!!

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

I love this video!!! The beginning of the pregnancy story started with the STD fair (catch knowledge!). The Dean had been passing out faulty condoms and tells Troy to run to the office and make an announcement not to use the condoms. Troy has Abed go because he's faster. So without any nuance, Abed announces that *"If you're going to have sex tonight, please Do NOT use condoms!"* At the moment that announcement is made, Pierce and his date move and behind him, on the sofa, you see a guy and girl. *The guy throws the condom away from them and they kiss. Those two are the same ones who we see in THIS episode having the baby.* It's why they blame Abed for the pregnancy. I love Community so much!!! Here's another one I never noticed until after 4 or 5 viewings. Season 5, episode 6, after the Hot Lava episode when Troy leaves. At the end of the episode, Professor Higgs (?) is at home watching his TV. The lower-third crawl on his TV, if you pause it, you'll see it says, *"Actor LaVar Burton and non-celebrity guest kidnapped by pirates."* 😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@zachh6868]

Ha, oh no

[@TheRockinDonkey]

Thanks for explaining that. I was a little bummed that the video didn't, so you're the hero I needed.

[@crazyman7615]

Apparently Dan Harmon said on Reddit that it was a coincidence

[@danielsykes7558]

This is a good reason you should support striking writers. Edit: Imagine all the things writers do when they have control over their own work

[@robertohull5048]

dude i saw abed delivering the baby but i truly missed everything else i have to re- watch that episode now

[@AugustRx]

And three other episodes with that arc :)

[@SK22520]

This is like the scene in HIMYM where a whole life cycle plays out in the background, but then Community really stepped up that game

[@jeeeeeeeanny]

Was thinking the same thing

[@EJames-nm4qt]

Not sure which came first and i'm too lazy to research...

[@thechrisman1345]

@@EJames-nm4qt community.

[@mosespf]

wait what scene? im a die hard himym fan and can’t think of what you’re referencing (unless it’s season 9 i only watched it once lmao)

[@SK22520]

@@mosespf season 9, the rehearsal dinner episode. It’s during a scene where the gang is making canada jokes

[@khinzakhan66]

I mean HOW WAS THIS SHOW STRUGGLING TO STAY ON AIR IS BEYOND ME!

[@AugustRx]

It wasn't comfort food tired millennials wanted

[@TheAnantaSesa]

At least they made it to six seasons and a movie (in paused production [some kind of general strike causing the pause])

[@ObjectorSnark]

as dan harmon suspected and was later proven right, people weren't watching the original broadcast because dvr's had become common and most viewers were watching on delay, but arbitron(?) was still only counting original broadcast views for its numbers

[@TheAnantaSesa]

@@ObjectorSnark I mean that makes some sense too since you have to sit through the commercials if you aren't time shifted behind the live broadcast. But product placement advertisers should care how many watched the show regardless of time shifting DVR technologies. I wonder how many subways could fit in a Honda.

[@marinat4785]

Its target audience are above average intelligence?

[@nessler739]

This shows what I love most about community. A lot of times it seems like the writers were having a fun time and throwing out goofy ideas. I feel like in the writers room they were like “imagine if Abed just delivered a baby in the background” and that wacky idea was realized, something that wouldn’t happen on most network shows.

[@kingbaby210]

I HAVE SEEN THE SERIES IN ITS ENTIRETY 3+ TIMES AND NEVER NOTICED ANYTHING

[@na5794]

Here’s a minor extra effort I noticed. In the episode where Annie forms a mad mob when she finds out all + and - grades are made up, it’s that mad mob that causes the cork board to fall down that she then tries to get repaired in the episode she teams up with Hicks later.

[@esrevinu.]

dude, wow,... I noticed Abed and the girl multiple times, and saw the delivery, remember the joke when shirley was delivering,... but you took this to an amazing level. Was recently rewatching and brought it up. You saved me so much legwork and time on this, and packed it all into a 7min video. Well done, sir. Liked and subbed hahaha.

[@nathanrobinson9455]

Another great breakdown of a great show! I gotta go rewatch that episode!

[@majormonochrome8529]

I knew about all of those background scenes as I had caught them before, made me very aware of background scenes. Yet it wasn't until this video did I notice the hand gestures, baby pamphlet or the fight with the other dude. Holy hell those scenes go by fast.

[@mythwest]

This video is an ~actual~ video essay/film analysis. So many video essays out there that end up being pseudo intellectual and don’t really have much to say. This one has real valuable canny insight, and for Community it just goes to show it’s always worth it to go the extra mile in excellence even if it’s obscure, because it will always be found and celebrated eventually!

[@bitt3090]

Watching Community for the first time was such a trip, I wasn’t expecting anything like it

[@sainedjudger]

Yea I definitely caught the baby plot on the first watch. I didn't know there was a plot about pierces mom and Annie and Brittas oil thing tho that completely flew under my radar

[@chihauhaun]

I remember discovering community when it started and showing it to my mum who loved it too. We watched on my crappy little laptop so I did notice a few of those scenes but I couldn't always tell who the people were and I didn't realize it was always Abed interacting with her. Cool to see the connection now though

[@tribelevy2854]

Sooooo… can we talk about the fact Abed delivered the first baby feet first!? I’m not super well educated on the subject but I’m pretty sure it’s way more dangerous than normal headfirst delivery…

[@caleb.a.robinson]

Yeah breach birth is way more dangerous and difficult. My wife and I talked about that, but I forgot to mention it!

[@johnnykushu2436]

This is probably my favorite Community episode.

[@Black_Nest]

In HIMYM you have a scene where a background character lives his whole life with his girlfriend/wife while the main cast don't age at all. But it's a lot more obvious than in community.

[@averagestudent1158]

This reminds me of that buffy episode where they make the typical B plot with the side character Xander the A plot and the main plot with all the characters and the high stakes the B plot. Ik it's different as this is a subtle nod, but i just like showrunners whi are willing to do things like this to keep the shows interesting.

[@brunhildevalkyrie]

don’t forget that this episode is set 9 months after the std fair, when the condoms were broken.

[@jorgeherrera1074]

coincidence according to writers.

[@blackpinkjenlisa3829]

I have rewatched community so many times and I have never realized this. What a good episode

[@matthewburton6360]

Time for a rewatch!

[@AstralKat]

Theres another joke like this in community too, about beetlejuice, when his name is said the third time on one of the halloween eps (the first time said by Prof. Slater in "Communication Studies", the second time being said by Britta in "Cooperative Calligraphy" and then finally, when he actually appears, the third time its said by Annie in "Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps") the moment Annie says his name you see someone in a Beetlejuice costume walking in the background, and while I think the background storyline you talked about in this episode is more wholesome and interesting. The beetlejuice one spans multiple seasons, so it really only pays off if you're paying incredibly close attention

[@AL-wc1wq]

A good lesson for all the "main characters" out there that there's always someone more interesting in the background of your show everyone should be paying attention to.

[@kingbaby210]

Wow. Thank you for this. Truly

[@dangshnizzle6929]

For the record, I believe the screaming was Annie and Britta wrestling in oil rather than the birth

[@jonathancruz9627]

Community and superstore are so underrated

[@caleb.a.robinson]

Is Superstore good? I've never watched it.

[@jonathancruz9627]

@caleb.a.robinson it's hilarious I would put it on the same level as the office

[@AugustRx]

@@jonathancruz9627 which office

[@PrinceOfThieves666]

Wow, I've watched all 6 seasons like 20 times each and I can't believe I never noticed that

[@richardcheese4680]

I love this show and never knew. Kudos for putting it in.

[@marijunealejo1780]

I just recently watched the Community for the first time and binged it. While watching this episode, I didn't notice the first instance of Abed interacting with the girl. I first noticed him in the background being chased when Britta and Annie had their rivalry and after that, I kept seeing him in the background until he delivered the baby. I waited for the episode to end and scrolled back to the beginning to look for some scenes that I missed.

[@jonathananonymouse7685]

Than you for opening my eyes to this. Well done!

[@BenFromCanada]

Yo this was great

[@lightyearpig12]

Shirley: I barely saw you this week, Abed. What have you been up to? Abed: Not much.

[@tieegg]

One of my favorite jokes in the series is Troy locking his blanketfort, right before Annie shows him the crumpled Dark Knight DVD. Cause he's in a world of imagination.

[@homelessman1453]

"You can even hear the mom screaming if you listen closely" she was SO LOUD, how have I missed this every time???

[@jammies701]

yup, so that's an instant sub. nice vid mate

[@zachh6868]

I did notice the car scene in the background, but I had no idea that was abed and missed all the others

[@jamieyoung3770]

I think the baby that we are alerted to by this KZbinr will be in high school when the community movie hits peacock. Maybe the baby by now be such a prodigy that they will be taking community college courses (I wonder where...)?

[@AugustRx]

Prodigy and community college should NOT be in the same sentence

[@TheAnantaSesa]

@@AugustRx Considering that the parents were going to community college I wouldn't expect them to be Rockefellers so the smartest thing anyone without money can do is go to a cheap college if any college rather than buy the BS fed to them by school guidance counselors that a huge college debt is the best way to start adulthood.

[@Azuria.]

It's amazing how subtle this detail was. Watched this episode thrice over the years, and never even noticed this the slightest 😅

[@juliomedina4856]

this video popped up right before i watched the episode, made the episode better!

[@angelinebena9675]

Community is just golden

[@quickhakker]

this does make you wonder, how many 3rd stories are there in the background that we haven't yet noticed

[@scott19087]

Watched the series a dozen times, never noticed lol

[@SodorTimesToday]

I dont know what community is, or why im here, but this is a great video!

[@FixItStig]

Now that I’ve seen this I know there’s more like it

[@idokatzenell3667]

I must have watched this episode a 100 times without noticing

[@evenmoredothat]

this is very good commitment

[@mrbeans2425]

What a great show! Still owed a movie!

[@liluziintrovert]

I don’t know if it’ll add or remove to the comedy of the bit, but like how they did with the pillow/blanket fort topic and made a second episode about it, but imagine an episode from the pov of abed being in the foreground and the group being in the background

[@777mxr]

There's a really funny Japanese mini-series comedy called "Fuben na Benriya" (The Inconvenient Convenience Store) that has a lot of really funny bits in the background like this. I loved it.

[@elliebees2539]

I’ve never watch the community, but this makes me want to

[@thechrisman1345]

Really really should

[@christophermichael5764]

Do it! It's your destiny!

[@gilberttanner2792]

I could be wrong, but I bet Dani Pudi got paid by episode or by season, not by scene. So I don't think it cost them any extra to have him on set for the background.

[@DrVenture42]

Small note. Actors are paid every episode whether they appear, have lines, or not. Still genius writing but foreground or back, same pay.

[@alansmithee920]

well done

[@yurmomsaccount]

I MISS COMMUNITY SO MUCH.

[@gregsmith3794]

Wow I’ve never noticed this, and really shows how ahead of it’s time this show was

[@mj68murasala]

Some might say it was streets ahead

[@gregsmith3794]

@@mj68murasala I guess I’m streets behind

[@halogalaxy5612]

In the movie searching you can actually see a hidden plot in the background involving UFOs

[@DeadByDerek]

I watched the community like 6 times now at least. I have never noticed this.

[@TchanNaNaTchan]

i love this episode!!

[@eriksharar986]

So what the relationship with Abed and the pregnant woman?

[@veronicadm3334]

Love this one! ❤

[@paulinribeiro_]

SIX SEASONS AND A MOVIE ❤❤

[@lati_da]

Yes! I just saw Abed helping the woman giving birth!!

[@asafupps]

I love the length of your videos! It’s very unintimidating!

[@kailuvkats]

I can't believe I never noticed this before

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

jesus i thought the quote "I delivered a baby" was just a joke like that one episode where its all flashbacks to events we havent actually seen in previous episodes but wow

[@jennyboda8421]

I couldn’t stop laughing at how he couldn’t stop stroking “his mom” 🤣🤣🤣

[@quabey_]

Great video!

[@xexkansichi]

Wow that was lovely

[@feebsnails2699]

HOW DID I NOT KNOW?

[@GarrettStelly]

I feel like i noticed this on my first watchthrough yet thought nothing of it. This show and others like it have desensitized me

[@seriously6523]

Best show ever

[@Fr00ter]

what do you mean, you don't know who the girl is and you needed the commentary ?? Isn't she the girlfriend of white abed !?

[@tresor27]

I alway wondered why the boyfriend tries to fight abed. If it's 'white abed', this makes totally sense! When they first met he threatened abed too.

[@analcommando1124]

The actress who played Jenny Adams is only credited for 1 episode of Community. Maybe she didn't get a credit because she doesnt have any lines in S2 E3. But I don't think its her.

[@niceonechief6302]

How I met your mother has one of these background stories too

[@duukm]

I don’t think it’s ever said that abed is autistic? There’s many things that can cause abed to act the way he does, not just autism. Could be that I forgot they mentioned it though.

[@caleb.a.robinson]

Jeff mentions it a few times in season 1. They refer to it as asbergers, which is on the autism spectrum. Dan Harmon (the show's creator) also talks about it. I didn't know it either until my second time through.

[@duukm]

@@caleb.a.robinson I do now remember Jeff saying that, although that doesn’t mean a lot. I didn’t know the creator commented on it though, that’s interesting I guess it is confirmed then

[@joeconrad3828]

Yeah, great episode, but it was great despite Pierce. Chevy Chase was always the weakest link in the cast for me. I think his dissatisfaction and eventual departure might have been because he realized it. Or, maybe he was mad because he thought he was the best and they didn’t focus on him enough? LOL. That’s probably it. Chase always was kind of a dick.

[@miguelgonzales9707]

What’s the relationship between abed and the girl?

[@sarojandongol1482]

I did see the child birth in the background but bruh, ayeved??

[@TheSinfulKnight]

Wait..... so is he the father? I'm confused, he points at the baby, then himself, then the belly again, WHATS HAPPENING?!?

[@tanyachou4474]

The children book by frank muir-what a mess has a lot of hidden plot in the background, I wonder did the show runner brought up by those book as well

[@gurlbccanada8329]

I am one who had noticed, but I think that's because I took drama in high school.

[@chadchey4049]

HIMYM has the same concept. From birth to death happening in the background.

[@Trendlines_mc]

The first time i watched community was in 2015 after Troy left and Childish gambino was starting to more more famous... I've re-watched season 1-3 many times and i just found out now that Hold up, Abed is having an background adventure/side episode...😂 How wasn't this the greatest show ever, i mean its filled it multiple gems in every episode

[@lovehellmusic]

this show just keeps giving

[@shakacien]

agreed good sir.

[@adamdevlin4533]

Anyone else think it's weird that Britta and the girl are dressed and look similarly in this episode? They do that with Britta and FBI agent Robin Vohlers too. Also the deaf girl. Huh.

[@AugustRx]

Blondes.

[@starlord7548]

Saw the episode and saw someone giving birth but didn’t find it interesting but the show runners reference it for no reason.

[@MUShah87]

Community is definitely not for new/amateur sitcom watchers.. Absolutely nothing compares to it, one of a kind just like Scrubs.. But I always suggest new sitcom watchers Scrubs as their first sitcom..

[@AugustRx]

Scrubs is NOT one of a kind. I always go with malcolm in the middle or friends or big bang theory or how i met your mother

[@walkeen_phoenix139]

can we put a pin in the B story and get back to the A story

[@domhuckle]

I wish I could eat a ghost

[@raphaomesmin5826]

Finally somebody else noticed this

[@TheFiddleFaddle]

Are the clips from the PAL version of this show or something? Everyone sounds like they're coming down off a helium high.

[@redskin6146]

WHICH season? thanks.

[@quincyfulton793]

the first one!

[@exalted_rain]

I didnt miss on my first watch But did you ever wonder why that girl bother Abed about her pregnancy? Well I have a theory. In S01 E11, at the end of the episode, dean asked Troy to make an announcement that no body uses condoms as they have holes in it. When Troy asked Abed to make announcement, he said, Dont use condoms tonight. He didnt ecen mentioned that the condoms have holes. So either that couple already had sex before the announcement and got pregnant or they listened to Abed's instructions and then blamed him for getting pregnant. It's a funny little detail if you connect all the dots. Seriously, how can someone miss the scene😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@hitsounds]

Ah ok - yep - i didn't miss the background scenes but never figured out why Abed would be talking to the girl and then delivering the baby. That totally makes sense.