Joel McHale talks "Community" Season 4
"Community" is moving to Friday nights, which some consider a death sentence, but series star Joel McHale is not complaining about the new location.
"I'm thrilled to be on the air," McHale told The Huffington Post on the red carpet of NBC's Upfront presentation. "I'm just glad the show is back. I think we have a lot left to do so I'm very happy."
NBC is shifting "Community" to Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET when the fan favorite comedy kicks off its 13-episode Season 4 in the fall. "Community" will be joined by "Whitney" and lead-in to "Grimm."
"I still have never met Whitney Cummings. I've got to meet her," McHale said of his new lead in. "And we're leading 'Grimm.' Our show is very similar to 'Grimm.' We fight supernatural crime. You won't be able to tell where 'Community' begins and 'Grimm' starts or ends, whatever it is."
But will the diehard fans follow "Community" to Fridays? "Well, dear god, I hope so," McHale said. "The Soup" host knows a thing or two about ratings woes. He said his E! series received more viewers over the weekend than when it airs original episodes during the week and "Community" has always been a strong DVR player.
"'Community's' one of the most DVRed shows on television ... They're learning how to measure all that stuff, which they still don't have it totally down," he said. "Obviously I want there to be an 'American Idol'-like audience and I want people to DVR it. I've said all the correct things in the right way, right?"
McHale will be back for Season 4, but series creator Dan Harmon's time with "Community" in question. After a public feud with co-star Chevy Chase, both Harmon and Chase's futures with the show have been up in the air. Chase has been vocal about his dislike for the show's comedic voice and Harmon's contract has expired. McHale said he hopes Harmon will return to the series.
"I got on a plane and when I got off the plane here in New York yesterday, I had like 500 @ mentions," he said. "I was like, 'Oh, something must have happened! Let's find out.' Obviously I don't know anything. Dan created the show, is the voice of the show, so a scenario without him would be pretty crazy. I don't know what all the issues are, but I pray to god that it works out."
"Community" super-size three-episode finale airs Thursday at 8 p.m. , 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Check out photos from NBC's new 2012-2013 shows here:
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1600 Penn
Benjamin Stockham as Xander, Martha MacIsaac as Becca (seated), Bill Pullman as President Dale Gilchrist (seated), Amara Miller as Marigold, Josh Gad as Skip, Jenna Elfman as Emily Gilchrist (seated), Andre Holland as Marshall Malloy
1600 Penn
Amara Miller as Marigold; Jenna Elfman as First Lady Emily Gilchrist; Bill Pullman as President Dale Gilchrist; Martha MacIsaac as Becca; Josh Gad as Skip; Benjamin Stockham as Xander
Go On
Allison Miller as Carrie, Khary Payton as Don, Suzy Nakamura as Yolanda, Matthew Perry as Ryan, Laura Benanti as Lauren, Julie White as Anne
Go On
Matthew Perry as Ryan King
Revolution
Tracy Spiridakos as Charlie, Anna Lise Phillips as Maggie , Zak Orth as Aaron
Revolution
JD Pardo as Nate, Tracy Spiridakos as Charlie, Zak Orth as Aaron, Anna Lise Phillips as Maggie
Revolution
Billy Burke as Miles
Revolution
Anna Lise Phillips as Maggie, Graham Rogers as Danny, Tim Guiee as Ben, David Lyons as Bass Monroe, Billy Burke as Miles, Tracy Spiridakos as Charlie, Andrea Roth as Rachel, Maria Howell as Grace, JD Pardo as Nate, Zak Orth as Aaron, Giancarlo Esposito as Lt. Neville
The New Normal
Ellen Barkin as Jane, Andrew Rannells as Bryan, Georgia King as Goldie, Bebe Wood as Shania, Justin Bartha as David
The New Normal
Bebe Wood as Shania; Andrew Rannells as Bryan; Justin Bartha as David; Georgia King as Goldie
The New Normal
Andrew Rannells as Bryan, Ellen Barkin as Jane, Nene Leakes as Rocky
Save Me
Anne Heche as Beth
Save Me
Anne Heche as Beth Waring
Save Me
Heather Burns as Jenna, Alexandra Breckenridge as Carly, Michael Landes as Tom Waring, Anne Heche as Beth Waring, Madison Davenport as Emily Waring, Lamman Rucker as John
Chicago Fire
Teri Reeves as Hallie, David Eigenberg as Christopher Hermann, Charlie Barnett as Peter Mills, Lauren German as Leslie Shay, Monica Raymund as Gabriella Dawson, Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide, Jesse Spencer as Matthew Casey, Eamonn Walker as Battalion Chief Walter Boden and Merle Dandridge as Kay Fitori
Deception
Meagan Good as Joanna Locasto
Deception
Meagan Good as Joanna Locasto
Deception
Meagan Good as Joanna Locasto, Victor Garber as Robert Bowers
Deception
Victor Garber as Robert Bowers, Meagan Good as Joanna Locasto, Katherine LaNasa as Sofia Bowers, Tate Donovan as Edward Bowers, Laz Alonso as Will Moreno
Guys With Kids
Anthony Anderson as Gary, Tempestt Bledsoe as Marny
Guys With Kids
Anthony Anderson as Gary, Jesse Bradford as Chris, Zach Cregger as Nick
Guys With Kids
Jamie Lynn Sigler as Emily, Zach Cregger as Nick, Tempestt Bledsoe as Marny, Anthony Anderson as Gary, Sara Rue as Sheila, Jesse Bradford as Chris
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Posted: 05/14/2012 1:26 pm Updated: 05/14/2012 8:36 pm