Dystopian COMMUNITY

Article first published as Dystopian COMMUNITY on TheTVKing.

This week's installment of NBC's Community is called "App Development and Condiments." A pair of software developers (Brian Posehn and Steve Agee from The Sarah Silverman Program) introduce Greendale to a new social rating app for their smart phones, MeowMeowBeanz. Soon, as is par for this college, the app makes the campus devolve into a futuristic dystopian society where the highest rated rule the caste system, and the lowers are treated as slaves.

Only at Greendale Community College can the world change so rapidly. It's not like we haven't seen it before, even within this fifth season. A scenario is introduced into the population, and they whole-heartedly embrace it. Until, that is, it gets too dangerous and real and the study group find a way to dismantle the whole system, having worked out their own personal problems. It's the closest thing Community has to a formulaic episode, and it's highly enjoyable.

MeowMeowBeanz is a clever idea. While "App Development and Condiments" doesn't seem to parody any other particular work, it's sort of like if facebook and hot or not went crazy and evolved into a Hunger Games type of world in which everyone is ruled by this bad, useless technology. And having little cat faces all over the dark set is absurd in the best of ways. Toss in some strange future dance and some white curtains, with a flamboyant class just one step below, and suddenly Community has created a familiar and, at the same time, wholly original landscape.

Of course, these are all trappings for the real story. This week finds Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) with her feelings hurt because Jeff (Joel McHale) didn't invite her to a dinner he knows she can't attend. Community doesn't do Jeff-Shirley stories often, but whenever they do, it's great. They are such similar people in their love of other people's adoration, while also being completely different in their belief systems and manipulative tactics, and they make for a surprising friendship.

"App Development and Condiments" lets Shirley and Jeff play out their feud on a grand scale, drawing everyone else into the battle. This hyper reality is a major draw of the show, and it's quite fun when a personal beef is taken to such extremes. At heart is the argument which can be solved with a simple apology, but everything has to fall apart before either can swallow their pride enough to mend the bond, forced to take a look at themselves by their friends forcing them to do so.

Everyone has their own way of coping with the circumstances of the episode, showing beautifully the wonderfully varying people who make up the show. Annie (Alison Brie) becomes Shirley's butt-kisser. Abed (Danny Pudi) succeeds because he understands numbers and stats, but then doesn't like being in a position of authority. Professor Hickey (Jonathan Banks) gets ahead by pretending its his birthday, every day for over a week, while Chang (Ken Jeong) discovers people like limping and commits to that fully. Star-Burns (Dino Stamatopoulos) tries to serve everyone at once, spying and sneaking, but never rising far.

We also have new character Koogler (Arrested Development creator Mitchell Hurwitz), who seems to come straight out of an 80s film, a fact hit home by the fake movie trailer in the tag. Not an actor, it seems unlikely that Hurwitz will become part of the recurring cast, which makes his appearance superfluous. I enjoyed his role, but would rather he not be included at all if his presence isn't going to be explained or repeated.

Lastly, we have Britta (Gillian Jacobs) doing what she does best - championing a cause. In this case, she's the one that brings down dystopia when she stages a revolution. Her fellow students begin to listen to her only when she has mustard on her face, so she embraces that until eventually the effect wears off. But it's great to see self-righteous Britta, desperate for approval, making it less likely to be given.

"App Development and Condiments" does seem like a fairly typical episode of Community, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. They are layers of story, always present in the best of the series, and some terrific one-liners, such as when Jeff scolds the students for playing through this on a Saturday, when they could have gone home. Tiny bits, like a 4 approving of 'forbidden love' between 4 Jeff and 2 Britta, sell the universe presented. Very good job.

In fact, if I have one complaint about this season, which we are more than halfway through, it's that the Dean (Jim Rash) hasn't really had any story, reducing him back to the small, supporting role he used to occupy. Rash deserves better material, and he is hilarious when he gets it. Let's hope there's at least one meaty Dean story before the end.

Community airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

FOX serves up 'Bob's Burgers The Complete 1st Season'

Now on DVD is The Complete 1st Season of the FOX animated series, Bob's Burgers. From the mind of Loren Bouchard (Home Movies) comes a series about an odd family that runs a hamburger joint called, appropriately enough, Bob's Burgers. All thirteen episodes from last spring's initial run are collected on this two disc set, along with bonus features.

Husband, Bob (H. Jon Benjamin, the star of Archer), is the boss and owner. He's a stubborn, ignorant, loving family man, who does the best that he can, which isn't always all that much. Benjamin plays this character wonderfully, getting to be both the butt of many a joke, and the guy who is as close to normal as this family gets. He keeps them grounded, and cares deeply about his loved ones.

Bob may struggle with moral dilemmas himself, but when it comes to his kids, Bob has a pretty strong moral compass. Not only is he willing to do anything to protect them and raise them correctly, he is also willing to let his business suffer because of it. Unlike other fathers in the Animation Domination block, Bob is genuine and sweet almost all the time, without being overbearing. He gives his kids good advice, but allows them room to make mistakes and their own decisions.

Wife, Linda (John Roberts, no, not the Supreme Court justice), falls into the traditional sitcom wife role, never really getting too mad at Bob for forgetting their anniversary, and being happy with her mediocre lot in life. As the episodes go on, Linda does get the chance to pursue some of her own interests, but they never last more than an episode. The impression is that, while Linda sometimes plays second fiddle to Bob, it's good that she has his steady presence in her life.

Eldest daughter, Tina (Dan Mintz - what's with the guys voicing the girls?) is in love with the boy across the street. The middle child, Gene (Eugene Mirman, The Flight of the Conchords), is as dumb and as in a world all his own as his father is, but still has that youthful, naive joy about it. He will certainly grow up to be just like his dad.

Youngest daughter, Louise (Kristen Schaal, The Daily Show, 30 Rock), is definitely the funniest character. She makes up wild stories, would like to be a criminal mastermind, and just tries to keep life interesting. Louise seems to live in a world all her own, but unlike other characters in that vein, say Stewie from Family Guy, Louise is bound by reality. Still, if you need a lock picked, or an idea that no one else would think of in a million years, Louise is your girl. She is also the youngest of the clan, but not a toddler, which is refreshing.

The family dynamics are realistic. The show demonstrates humor in characters that are odd, but not as over the top as their peers on other FOX animated shows. They go through the typical tribulations of a sitcom, but don't let anything discourage them too much, and there is often a nice lesson, even if the characters don't always learn it. While not preachy, Bob's Burgers is certainly the most wholesome of the Sunday night cartoons, and definitely evokes the warm love of a close clan.

The series is not all about the heart, though. There are plenty of great jokes. The humor is smart and quick, and the characters are quirky and funny. For instance, when Gene wins a gold medal in the race, Linda wants to have it bronzed. This is just one example of the off-beat brand of humor that Bob's Burgers brings to a night full of the same type of show, setting it apart.

The recurring cast includes movie and stage legend Kevin Kline as Bob's landlord, Mr. Fischoeder. How many animated shows can boast that much gravitas? Also, Sarah and Laura Silverman play twins.

The animation is crude in the first episode, making it harder to enjoy than later installments. This is not unusually for a cartoon, so it can be forgiven. Bob's Burgers is created by Loren Bouchard (Dr. Katz, Lucy the Daughter of the Devil), and uses his style from Home Movies, which isn't for everyone. It's the weird torso-neck-head shapes that really seem off. It makes the characters look non-human, and not in a good way. But because of the writing and voice talent level, it's worth getting past.

Among the episodes worth mentioning in this set are "Human Flash," which finds Bob's Burgers being accused of serving human flesh because Louise tells her class this is so. In "Bed & Breakfast," the family turns their small living space into a retreat for guests. "Hamburger Dinner Theater" has some fun twists when the family tries to stage a murder mystery production in their restaurant. In "Torpedo," Bob gets to meet his hero, who does not live up to the image Bob has of him.

There are plenty of extras on Bob's Burgers The Complete 1st Season. There are more audio commentaries than episodes, with certain half hours having multiple options. Writers and actors contribute to these. There are seven minutes of audio outtakes. Steve Agee (The Sarah Silverman Program) and Samantha Shelton (Judging Amy) do one of the most bizarre music videos ever for "Lifting Up the Skirt of the Night." There is also a two minute short of Louise arguing with the restaurant's chalk board, and making up Burgers of the Week for each of her family members.

Best of all is the twenty-two minute look at the evolution of Bob's Burgers with series creator Loren Bouchard. He talks about putting together the cast, how the family were originally envisioned as cannibals, and shows a rough sketch scene. Also included is the full animated ten minute demo presented to FOX to see the show, which features a son named Daniel instead of Tina, though the voice and the personality of both characters are identical. The look of the series is also a little different. It's very cool to see a glimpse at the process from early work to making it on the air.


Bob's Burgers is a gem of a series, and I highly recommend buying The Complete 1st Season, on sale now.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy streaming episodes of Bob's Burgers or pre-order the DVD, please click here. Click here to read every review of Bob's Burgers I've ever written. Article first published as DVD Review: Bob's Burgers - The Complete 1st Season on Blogcritics.