NBC continued to catch flack this morning when a memo from the network to Community cast members leaked online. Now, admittedly, NBC has not handled the firing of Dan Harmon well from a public relations perspective, and this memo doesn’t help. It reeks of an “emergency communications plan” concocted by some soulless PR hack in an empty suit, fired off in response to not only the negative reaction surrounding Harmon’s ouster but the pro-Harmon Tweets that virtually the entire cast sent out in the wake of the kerfuffle.
Now, mind you, the Tweets from Joel Mchale, Alison Brie, et al. did not criticize NBC or Sony in any way; they merely expressed gratitude to Harmon. An example:
I owe the last 3 amazing years 2 Dan Harmon's brain. Bless ur dementedly awesome brain, @danharmon. U r #Community.
—
Jim Rash (@RashisTVUgly) May 19, 2012But, as giant, flailing corporations are wont to do, NBC overreacted and realized they needed to get their spin out, pronto. No cattle wandering off the ranch under Bob Greenblatt’s watch! So, yes, the portion of the memo we’ve seen is filled with the worst kind of doublespeak, cynicism and insincerity.
But I think the media and Community fans are being a little unfair to NBC, because only part of the memo leaked. We’ve got the rest of it, including a portion of the script for the fourth-season premiere of Community, right here, right now.
Team Community (con’t):
Now that you know how to respond to specific questions, we have some more tips for cast members when dealing with the media, since we know you look to us as a trusted older brother, able to lead and to guide with aplomb. You, our little lambs, are under our protection and no harm shall come to you as long as you follow our simple guidelines.
Key messaging to hit during interviews:
- We are a team, and everything we achieve we have achieved together. No individual is more important than the team. We believe in the sacrifice bunt, the productive out, and the suicide squeeze.
- The best thing about television is the chance to work with new people. The key to making a great show is to never let it get stale.
- Dan Harmon? Yeah, he was, what a producer or something? I’m sorry to hear he’s gone, I guess, but it’s not like he was writing the episodes or anything.
- Morale has never been better. We all feel…freer, somehow.
- #threeandahalfseasonsandasyndicationdeal
- Do you have a date for every Friday night this fall? You do now! With sexy Joel McHale and/or Alison Brie!
Words and phrases to avoid:
- “showrunner”
- “creative genius”
- “good luck to Dan Harmon”
- “thanks for everything”
- “unique voice”
- “complex and thrilling pop culture satires”
- “cast-led coup d’etat”
- “boycott”
- “die protecting his vision”
And, Team Community, now that that unpleasant business is out of the way, we can start to get pumped for Season Four! 13 episodes…maybe more…who knows?! Here at Peacock Inc., we can’t wait for the fall. We’re looking forward to met budgets, followed orders, and amusing episodes about the wacky adventures of a gang of attractive college pals. To get you as pumped as we are, we have the first few pages of the script for S04E01, and they’re attached to this memo. Team Community 4EVA, you guys! I know what you’re thinking: did the brilliant David Guarascio and Moses Port write the premiere themselves? No, they did not. They have more important things to do, like spreadsheets and paperwork and reports. But they did supervise the hiring of a team of veteran sitcom writers, who — with the help of copious network and studio notes — did write this bad boy. Enjoy! And let the laughter and the profits flow.
INT. STUDY ROOM – DAY
The gang sits around the study table: JEFF, BRITTA, TROY, SHIRLEY, and ANNIE, looking cool (sexy even?) and having pleasant conversation about their summer break. ABED walks in, tosses his backpack on the table, opens a DELICIOUS 20 OZ. BOTTLE OF REFRESHING PEPSI-COLA, and sits down.
JEFF
Hey, Abed, how was your summer?
ABED
Something seems different at Greendale.
SHIRLEY
What do you mean, Abed? I’m wearing my hair differently.
ABED
No, it’s not that. There’s just a much more peaceful atmosphere on campus. Everyone seems lighter, happier, more normal. Even I feel more normal.
ANNIE
So you’re not going to have another one of your…spells…this year?
ABED
No way. That stuff is so junior year. I even have a girlfriend now. Do you want to meet her?
The gang exchange worried glances, assuming Abed is making up an imaginary girlfriend.
JEFF
Uh…sure, Abed. We’ll be happy to meet her, but no hurry. Whenever you’re ready. I’m sure she’s great.
ANNIE
Is she from Canada, Abed?
ABED
No, it’s all good, she’s right outside. Come on in, baby!
WHITNEY (Whitney Cummings) enters the room and sits on Abed’s lap. The gang stares googly-eyed at her.
WHITNEY
Hey brown sugar, thanks for finally introducing me to your friends.
ABED
Cool. Cool cool cool.
[laugh track]
TROY
Whoa. Abed, are you thinking what I’m thinking?
TROY AND ABED
(singing)
Troy and Abed doing Whitney!
[laugh track]
WHITNEY
Now guys, I don’t roll like that. Abed and Britta doing Whtiney, on the other hand…
[laugh track]
JEFF
Whitney, I have to know. We all love Abed, but what are you doing with him?
WHITNEY
Don’t you know, Jeff? Autistic guys have really big…
ABED
…brains.
[laugh track]
PIERCE walks in the room, carrying an armful of ROBUST, FRAGRANT STARBUCKS VENTI COFFEES for the gang.
JEFF
Pierce, have you met Abed’s new girlfriend, Whitney?
PIERCE
Yeah, right. We all know Abed and Troy are doing it…
WHITNEY
Hi, Pierce.
PIERCE
Yowza!
Pierce falls down, spilling coffee all over himself and the room.
[laugh track]
SHIRLEY
Oh no, that incredible Starbucks coffee is wasted. Pierce, you’re so clumsy!
PIERCE
You are!
Pierce starts to stand up, then trips in a puddle of coffee and falls down again.
[laugh track]
JEFF
Guys, I think our senior year’s going to be one to remember.
ABED
Hmmm….senior year? Kind of like Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Remember when…
PIERCE
We’re not doing that stuff anymore, Abed.
Whitney swivels on Abed’s lap and accidentally kicks Pierce in the balls. The gang erupts in laughter and hugging. Jeff and Annie share a tender kiss.
FADE OUT.
* Damn you, Videogum, for posting this while we were in a boring bullshit work meeting. WE STARTED OUR POST FIRST THING IN THE MORNING BUT ARE EASILY DISTRACTED BY BREAKING FANTASY BASEBALL NEWS ITEMS.
David Simon Cowell
The Dilemma
