Creator Dan Harmon and the Cast Spill the Juicy Secrets Behind Community's 15-Year Legacy

As the cult comedy series Community turns 15, fans are looking back at the show that brought them the quirky study group from Greendale Community College. The show that launched in 2009 was praised for its unique humor and clever references, gaining a dedicated fan base that still loves the show today.

Simon Bland sat down with the people behind the show, including creator Dan Harmon and cast members Alison Brie and Joel McHale, to talk about the show's legacy and the impact it had on their lives.

'We were around each other more than our families,' Joel McHale said in an interview, reminiscing about the time spent with the cast. McHale's character, Jeff Winger, was the main protagonist of the show, a lawyer who forms a study group at Greendale.

The show was known for its quirky humor and pop culture references. In a typical episode, the study group would find themselves in an absurd situation, whether it's navigating a pillow fort or a campus-wide paintball fight. Creator Dan Harmon says that the show's humor was inspired by his own life experiences.

'I was always drawn to the weird stuff,' Harmon said. 'I grew up in a weird family and I've always been fascinated by the outsider perspective.'

Alison Brie, who played Annie Edison on the show, agreed that the show's unique humor was part of its charm. 'I think one of the things that drew me to the show was the humor,' she said. 'It was just so clever and so quick-witted, and I think that's really what set it apart.'

Despite its dedicated fan base, Community was not without its controversy. In 2012, Harmon was fired as showrunner by the network after several creative clashes. The move was met with outrage from fans, who rallied behind Harmon on social media.

'It was a really tough time,' Harmon said of his departure from the show. 'But I think it ultimately led to the show becoming even more innovative and even more daring.'

Harmon's departure and subsequent return to the show is just one of the many behind-the-scenes stories that fans will get to read about in an upcoming oral history of the show. The book will feature interviews with the cast and crew, including several people who worked on the show.

'We're really excited to share this with fans,' Harmon said of the upcoming book. 'We think it's a great way to celebrate the show's legacy and all the people who made it possible.'

For fans, the 15-year anniversary of Community is a chance to look back at the show and all its quirky characters. The show may have ended, but its impact is still felt, inspiring new generations of comedians and writers.

'I think Community was just ahead of its time,' Brie said. 'I think it's really influenced a lot of shows that have come since then, and I think it's just going to continue to grow in popularity.'