[UPDATED DECEMBER 10, 2013: I wrote this post moments after the season 3 finale of Community, thinking it was over. But now we have Season 5 coming up in January! I am glad to see #sixseasonsandamovie lives on as a hashtag. This post was my attempt to explain what it meant, why it was important, and how it showed the Dan Harmon truly understands his fans.]
If you don’t watch Community, “#SixSeasonsAndAMovie” was shown as the last few seconds of the season 3 finale (which could have been the series finale) as black text on a white background. It refers to one of the character’s prediction for the (now defunct) superhero show The Cape.
As sometimes happens, the phrase took on a life of its own. And Dan Harmon used it as his call to action to his fans to show their support.
Community could be my favorite TV show of all time. It competes with M*A*S*H and WKRP. And seeing as how this could have been the last episode, but wasn’t, I am thrilled.
I will now make an aside to note that Dan Harmon has been fired as show runner of Community. What does that mean? Well, the show runner is someone who is on the set to make sure a show follows a certain rhythm. It is an imprecise definition, but consider that Frank Darabont was the show runner for the first season of The Walking Dead, but not season 2. I’ve talked about the first half of season 2 of The Walking Dead and the second half, so I think my opinion of show runners is clear. If not, let me put it like this: it is a disastrous move. Harmon will still have a role in the show, but what it will be is unclear. (More on this over on AV Club.com)
Few shows can examine a form while also being part of that form. Community is first and foremost a comedy. It wants to make you laugh before making you cry or ponder. But by exploring just what a sitcom is, it also shows us why we need comedy. And why we need a comedy that reflects ourselves.
Community sometimes borders on the schmaltz, the overly and overtly emotional. But what it also does is shows us a reflection of ourselves. Fans of the show all identify with several of the characters. Rarely does one person say “I’m Abed” or “I’m Pierce.” Usually, it’s “I’m a little Troy and a little Annie” or “I’m Jeff at work and Abed at home.” We love the show because we are the show. We are the outcasts, the ones others called “losers”, the ones who never quite fit in. Here is something that doesn’t talk down to us or say “It’s OK to be a nerd” like some other highly rated comedy on another network.
It says we are genuine. We are who we are and don’t need to pretend. We are kind of messed up. And that’s OK. We can deal with it. And so should those who can’t deal with who we are.
And I know not everyone gets this show. That’s cool. I am a hardcore nerd and I don’t get Dr. Who. Not at all. No, really, I don’t like it. But I don’t make fun of Dr. Who fans, so I’m not sure why there’s a Community Sucks! vibe out there.
Unless it touches on something sensitive. And we either react positively or extremely negatively.
Whatever may come, six seasons and a movie, friends. That’s what Dan Harmon was saying with that hashtag at the end of the show. It was a call to action to those of us who get Community. Who value Community. He wanted us to tweet it knowing we’re the types who are on social media, who tweet our reactions and post our feelings.
And we did tweet it.
https://twitter.com/#!/joelmchale/status/203316466987171840
#SixSeasonsAndAMovie
Tweet it. Keep tweeting it. Get Dan Harmon back for six seasons and a movie.
Then a couple more seasons.
And like my friend Adam Shaftoe suggests, tweet #BelieveinDanHarmon.
And if you have made it this far friends, please leave me a comment to know you were here. Thanks!
Now, watch this:
Bravo, Matt. This is one of the most pithy overviews of the show that I have ever read.
After reading your words I find myself thinking that Community is The Dude of television; it’s happy to do what it does, and be what it is. I doubt the same will be true for “America’s Next Greatest Ninja Warrior Pastry Chef”
enjoyed reading it. left a comment cause u told me to.
Thanks Greg!
I googled #sixseasonsandamovie and this is where I landed. I love Community and I think that 99% of new shows that have come out in the last ten years are crap. What can I do to save Community?
Thanks for stopping by, James.
If you’re on Twitter, tweet #sixseasonsandamovie #sixseasonsandwelovedanharmon #greendaleiswhereibelong #believeinddanharmon
Raise a fuss, blog about it, tweet about it, post about it. I’m hoping there will be some news over the summer, some glimmer of hope.
But considering the outcry over Frank Darabont’s ouster on The Walking Dead, resulting in nothing except a craptastic second season, this could be the end of Community as we know.
Community is entirely too good to be ripped from our grasp. They care about money, so buy dvds, things that they can track. Maybe like family guy & futurama (kinda) it can be saved 🙂
Right on, Paul. Thanks for the suggestion.
Being a Seattle native and growing up with “Almost Live!”, I knew I would give community a shot. Who knew I’d take time out of a crazy schedule to stream the show during meal breaks. Thanks for writing this article – I can see why it was the No. 1 hit when I searched for the hashtag meaning. It echoes my sentiments and I’ll be sure to share ! #sixseasonsandamovie indeed, my friend.
Thanks, Bret. Spread the word. I’m just one guy and this is just what I feel, so I am glad it struck a chord. It means a lot that this is post is echoing with others’ feelings.
Six seasons and a movie!!! It’s difficult for me to believe that major networks will keep something so truthful on the air, but I love Community so much that I just have to lend my voice, as small a contribution as that is. I’ll make as much noise as I can!
You rock, Diane. #GreendaleIsWhereWeBelong
This show is so perfect… which is exactly why I’ve been assuming it’s going to get cancelled. An entire 8bit show?! It brought tears to my blinded-because-I-sat-too-close-to-the-TV eyes, it did.
Four more years! Err, uh. I mean… six seasons and a movie!
Yeah, Cory!
Go back and watch that 8-bit episode. It deserves and Emmy for the pitch-perfect music in the background. As someone who wasted a summer playing Shinobi, it was right on.
I concur!
Well put, glad you are the first search result in google… I’d totally forgotten that that phrase originally referred to The Cape! Anyway, you said comment, so I broke my no commenting rule. You earned it.
Thanks, Mike. Glad you let me know you were here.
I could not agree more about the Emmy! That was not only one of the best episodes of Community ever. It was one of the best episodes of any TV Series ever! I can tell you this much, if they cancel Community I am writing off NBC altogether and never watching anything that they offer again. I am tired of them canceling every good show they had (Outsourced comes to mind) and replacing them with garbage (Whitney? are you kidding me?). NBC is a joke! Thank you for creating this site. I hope your efforts are not in vain.
Thanks for stopping by, Andy. Drop Sony and NBC a line about your thoughts. Let’s show them we’re serious. We can make a difference if they know enough people are pissed off.
Amen. Originality isn’t something we see much of on broadcast TV these days. I’d hate to see Community go the way of Arrested Development.
Community is definitely one of the few shows worth watching on tv today. Nice article. I’m gonna try to spread the news… hey, you never know what might happen. Just look at “Arrested Development”
Great article totally agree with what your saying.
Thanks, Oliver.
Very well written article. You asked for a reply and you’ve got one. Now off to tweet…#sixseasonsandamovie
Great Meghan. And if you can, send Sony a letter. Details at: http://mattmoorewrites.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/two-ways-to-help-savecommunity/
Googled the hashtag. Appeared here. Keep Community the way it is and going strong. by far one of the best TV shows around.
Thanks for letting me know you were here, Harry. Agreed: Keep Dan Harmon’s vision of Community.
Thanks for supporting Community. I love it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Great Stuff! let’s keep Community forever! I am community! We’re all Community!
We love community!
Yeah, I tweeted it … LIKE IT WERE TRUE. I feel like I’ve been made a fool of! Now I feel iffy about turning around to support it. :-\
Help me! I still like the show and want it on, I’m just angry at the people responsible for putting the hash tag out that way. 🙁
Elle – The hashtag, for me, was Dan Harmon’s dream, not a way of saying it would happen. Remember, it appeared from the light form Abed’s mini-Dreamatorium. Almost as if to say in our dreams/pretend-place, there will be six seasons and a movie. And, let’s not forget, this episode was shot as it if were the last one.
Don’t feel a fool. The fools are the boneheads at Sony who don’t recognize what is happening and think turning Community into another The Big Bang Theory will improve ratings.
Watching Community every week is like visiting a best friend. You feel good after watching it and miss it when you don’t. It is true, we see a bit of ourselves in the each one of them. They can’t take it away!
Cool. cool. cool
So glad Community isn’t finished. Was so sad to hear the rumours and now I’m extatic to hear that a 4th season is on its way. I have loved every single episode, from the 1st to the last!! And Dan Harmon is a genious! Support from sunny South Africa!! Community ROCKS!! Best show ever!!
Thanks for stopping by, Henry John. Glad to know Community has followers all around the world!
Attaboy, Matt. #sixseasonsandamovie
I don’t have a twitter, but if I did, I would definitely tweet it! I love Community. It’s one of the only shows I watch actually. I really hope the whole #sixseasonsandamovie proves triumphant.
Community Fans are here and we are only going to get louder!!
Australia is behind Community!
Keep up what your doing!
From down under x
#ForeverAndAMovieAndAnAlmostAsGoodSequel
LOVE. IT.
Glad to see someone else who ‘gets’ Community…great article/post…thanks…;)
HOWEVER, I must admit that I am STUNNED you don’t like Doctor Who…(at least since 2005, anyway, the reboot) as it also has great humor, amazing characters/writing and emotion…not to mention mind blowing, original storylines and ideas…
I actually adore BOTH shows…you really should give Who another viewing or two…especially the David Tennant era…Abed would want it that way…;)
Kevin: I gave Dr. Who a fair shake. Horses for courses. I think it’s one of those things where one or two episodes won’t do… need to wait until I have a broken leg and there’s a marathon on. It is a bit intimidating, though, with that much back story to try to jump into it. Maybe when they changed doctors again…
Today I learned that I like your writing AND what a hashtag is! Yay learning.
Glad to help out, Dustin. Thanks for stopping by!
I love Community but I didn’t know about the poor ratings and about the show almost being cancelled,I only learned about all these after Dan Harmon was fired. It felt so unfair, because it seemed impossible for a show this good to be caught in a situation like this.I have never felt so depressed about the cancellation of a tv show and your blog post really resonated with me. I’m ashamed to say that most people I know watch BBT and have no idea what they’re missing out on. I really really pray that Community won’t end up in that direction, it’d just be such a nasty kick in the nuts.
Here in Malaysia the first season of Community just started airing not too long ago (I watched all the episodes online and I’m planning to get the DVD sets when it appears on the shelves here ), I hope there’ll be more fans after that! There are probably no chances of Dan Harmon writing for Community again, and I really wish there was something I could do about it. All I can say is, I will continue watching Season 4 of Community, but I’ll never forget what Dan Harmon’s Community was like!
#sixseasonsandamovie!
Trish – Even just by posting to my out-of-the-way blog, you’re adding your voice to a growing chorus who is upset by what’s happened.
And Hey: Community got an Emmy nod for writing. Big Bang received noms for best series, acting and editing, which are deserved, but no writing nominations. Interesting. And Community’s nomination reflects directly on Dan Harmony.
Community is the only TV I watch. This development, or lack thereof, makes me so very sad.
Great article! I’ve only just started Community recently, but have to say it’s one of the best shows I’ve seen in years. I’m gutted to hear Dan Harmon has been sacked too.
Thanks for stopping by, Matt. I read that Dan might be starting up a new show, so there’s hope.
I think you nailed it with why we all love Community. We identify with it in so many ways on so many levels. I am in one of ‘those’ universities right now. You know, one of the ones that the Dean is trying to make Greendale into in the first season, and honestly I wish my school were a little more like Greendale.
Oh, and I am a little bit Jeff and a bit Annie’s Boobs.
“I am a little bit Jeff and a bit Annie’s Boobs.” So a wild animal living in the vents with perfect hair that can pull off aviators? Cool. We need to hang out sometime! Glad you liked the post, Wil, and glad that there are others out there who feeling about Community the way that I do.
I also googled #sixseasonsandamovie to see what was out there and yours is the first suggested link. I never watched Community on NBC as I don’t have cable. I have Hulu Plus and have been picking up on shows here and there. I immediately feel in love with Community for it’s style and direction. It’s so self-aware. So unique. I love the themed episodes the most but each character always keeps me entertained. McHale is hillarious and I think Donald Glover is so extremely talented. I’m glad to have stumbled upon this show. It’s given me belief that there’s still decent stuff being made in hollywood and put on the major stations. ( In my opinion only AMC and FX are making quality shows these days.)
Glad you found my post and that you enjoy Community. You’re just the kind of fan I’d hope would find this post and understand what I’m trying to express about how fond we are of it.
Is tweeting enough though? I was a participant in sending a few pounds of peanuts to CBS when “Jericho” was canceled.
It boggles the mind that the execs don’t seem to get their own system… taking a low ratings show like comunity that is still early in development and putting up against a high rated similar genre show (all be it worse in my opinion), will only fail.
The issue is how we measure an audience and the fact that the current system does not know how to monetize the way tv is watched now. I’m sure NBC wants it to be a success, they just don’t know what to do. Community has a huge audience that is late 20’s – early 30’s and college educated are not home watching tv at 8 on Thursday.
So I think we need to send a message to tell them we are watching… something physical. It worked for Jericho, it may not have saved the show but seven episodes to finish a storyline was good.
Maybe sending NBC execs or major advertisers brochures from community colleges around the country… And I mean hundreds of them. USPS flat rate boxes are cheap and hold a lot of flyers!
Oh and for Dr Who I understand…
I watched the first two episodes of the 2005 reboot and then took another month or so before trying again. The first few episodes were a bit to camp and the special effects just didn’t hit right, but at episode six it was starting fall in line. Then came episode nine, it was the first episode of the remake that was written by Steven Moffat. This was an inverse of the community problem. Dr Who had the wrong show runner Moffat who is the current show runner is great at mixing creepy, silly, dark, and sincere all together.
I’d say get it on Netfix streaming, bear through the first four episodes because it is good to see the full order.
Thanks, Dave. Maybe I’ll give it another chance.
Thank you Matt, this was a beautiful essay! I had quite a few weepy and joyful (almost gleeful) moments while reading it.
Then you need to watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIQQOPkXTwc
This is just what I needed to read today, a fantastic piece from someone who truly understands a fantastic program that unfortunately not enough people have exposure to. Community is incredible, and honestly, probably the only actual TV series I watch. This kind of show, Dan Harmon’s show, Pierce’s show, Abed, Greenddale’s show, this is what television needs. A shot to the arm. GREAT write up!
Thanks, Francis. Glad it gave you the lift you needed.
Great post Matt!, I googled #Sixseasonsandamovie and I got here. Community is an excellent show, full of very original ideas, it shouldn´t be cancelled. But I think what Dave Bertelo said is right, it will be very hard to save the show just by tweeting about it,
Anyway, I hope the show can carry on a little bit more. You have my support. Greetings from Argentina!
Thanks, Lucas. Glad to know Community has fans around the world.
Thanks for explaining the meaning of the hashtag.
I really enjoyed the show. I liked how they placed the characters into other show genres and themes, they were able to spoof while honouring the format and still retaining original comedy.
I hope they keep this show running.
Community has many fans here in Brazil too!
This is easily one of the funniest shows ever. I was just watching tv one night recently and this came on and now i can’t stop. i was like what? Where did this come fom? Save Community !!!!!!!
I started watching the show on netflix about 15 days ago and im already finished them. This is honestly one of the best shows ive ever seen and I’d hate to see it get cancelled. You’ve inspired me to finally get a twitter account just so i can tweet #sixseasonsandamovie
i’m just here for #sixseasonsandamovie
Aren’t we all? Thanks for stopping by.
I just finnished the last episode of season 2 now. I’ll have to go buy it on dvd this week, and see both seasons again, with some friends.
Wonder why they would change upp the staff like that, when the show is so good. I hope it turns out just as awesome as it was, for season 3, but changing people like that, usually only messes things upp. Hope they get the original guy back!!
This is far and away my favorite show on TV. I truly hope they do whatever is takes to keep making more and more of Community. The wait for it to finally start again has been long, but will be well worth it.
Thanks for stopping by Seth. I hope COMMUNITY without Dan Harmon is as good as it has been. I worry, though, that the bizarreness that has made this show so special will be absent and it will be another mindless comedy.
Just watched the beginning of season 4 yesterday. It was awesome. I’ve been told that the season got cut though, a shame really… I feel as if #sixseasonsandamovie is a lost cause. I really wish it wasn’t. This is like Firefly all over again…
Just amazing. I only started watching Community a month ago and sometimes even watched 6-7 episodes a day! Now I’ll just have to wait for a new episode to air…
The show is amazing and is definitely my #1 comedy show.
Glad you found it. Season 4 has started and I’m not loving it now that series creator Dan Harmon has been fired, but will give it some time.
Poignant and absolutely true! Don’t stop believing in Troy, Abed, Jeff, Annie, Britta, Shirley, Dean Pelton, Pierce, Dan Harmon…and yes, even Chang. Thanks for this lovely little piece.
No, I’m not choked up over a montage video of a silly little half-hour comedy…nope not feeling real feels for fictional characters or anything. If anyone needs me, I’ll just be watching this video on a loop.
I love Community. I love Dan Harmon. And now, I love Matt Moore. Beautiful essay. The “Time to Begin” video was genuinely touching. So far Season 4 hasn’t lived up to the other seasons but I still enjoy it and am sticking by the show.
Thanks, Terry. I play the “Time to Begin” video a few times per week and replay the video in my head when I hear the song on the radio. It is just pitch-perfect.
Hot Hot Hot !!!
Now, well into the fourth season of Community, #sixseasonsandamovie is still going strong. Honestly, for a struggling show, Community writers did the best possible thing by creating a social media push for the show’s continuation with #sixseasonsandamovie. As it has been said, Community is the most popular show on the internet (Gawker.com), and who better to turn to, to save the show than the online community—Community’s ultimate fan base. The vast power of the Internet community is beginning to be understood by television creators, and tapping into that force has created a tidal wave of support for the show. Now, with nearly 166 thousand tweets and an online sentiment that is 90% favorable, #sixseasonsandamovie has turned into a social media phenomenon. Fans of Community, I urge you, please don’t stop tweeting because it’s starting to look like we really will get six seasons and a movie!
COMMUNITY!!!!
Wish I had found it when it was still on. I’ve watched each episode a few times, and it’s that same kind of maniacal humor that I love about 30 Rock and the Venture Bros. Thanks for writing this, I had no idea that’s what Abed was referencing with the cape in the cafeteria. Would you recommend any other sitcoms along the lines of this humor? And what did you mean by “doesn’t talk down to us or say “It’s OK to be a nerd” like some other highly rated comedy”? Just curious!
Thanks again
I love community and I think its safe to say you and jeff have the same gift speech! #sixseasonsandamovie #believeindanharmon
Matt, I must say, I am really impressed with this article. I myself dream of becoming an author, and I guess that is what you do. I have quiet a bit to talk about here.
First of all, I started watching Community not that long ago. I watched a Season 1 trailer on YouTube that came up, and downloaded the show so I could watch it to see if it was worth it, and boy, was it worth it.
Upon watching the show, I fell in love with it from the first episode. From Jeff’s swagger to Abed’s knowledge, this show captivates me each episode from start to finish. Every episode I have watched a few times over now, and I can’t seem to get sick of it.
I bought a boxset with Seasons 1-4 of Community for Christmas this year, and I did that because I love the show and want to support it. The comedy style they have on that show is fantastic.
While I agree with you in saying that you couldn’t get into Doctor Who (I couldn’t no matter how much I tried), However, Community, The Walking Dead & Big Bang Theory are all in my top 5 favourite shows, next to Pokemon and the original Yu-Gi-Oh series.
I dread not being able to watch that show. I hate when shows end. I don’t take well to closure. It’s the same scenario for shows that have ended like Dexter and Breaking Bad (Though I haven’t finished either of them) and I hear people in an outrage over them, and it sickens me.
I have been thinking carefully about the cast, and I have heard that Donald Glover (Troy) and Chevy Chase (Pierce) left, leaving the group at 5 from 7. I can only imagine that Troy embraces the air conditioning business or something like that. However, I think the cast has become more popular, and because of this, it also drives their contract prices up, which I would assume may be a problem, aside from the ratings.
In an interview I seen on YouTube, the cast was actually saying that it would be good for closure, to walk in to work and know that it will be the last time. That shattered my heart in the second I heard that.
I have used the hashtag #sixseasonsandamovie before, and I found you by searching it just for fun, and I am so glad I did, to see just how much everyone else would hate it if the show was cancelled.
If they stuck to the six seasons and then a movie, wouldn’t that mean if they had one season a year, 2015 would be the last season, and then a movie, which, to be honest, probably wouldn’t be enough closure for me.
I only hope that now once they realize that they are so close to reaching their goal, they strive to complete it. It also doesn’t look good that the show went from having over 20 episodes to lowering it to 13 for Season 4 and now apparently for Season 5. To think that it could be 22 weeks consecutively which isn’t even half a year if put together, and it would all end.
Anyway, I think I am just ranting, but I love the show, and I wished it didn’t have to face these hard times.
Thanks.
Thanks for sharing, Shane. There are lots of people like you (us) out there who really do love this show.
For Chevy leaving, his differences with show creator Dan Harmon are well-documented. Check out Google. This is not surprise, especially with Pierce having no real role except as a foil.
Donald’s leaving has more to do with his other pursuits. He’ll be developing a show on FX. I don’t think there’s as much bad blood between he and Harmon as there is with Chevy. Hopefully this means we will see more of Troy.
Counting the days until January 2!
Same here! Can’t wait! I knew about the differences between Chevy and Dan. I also thought that Donald left not only because of his show on FX but because he wanted to further his musical career
I’m leaving a comment because this was wonderful
Thanks, Anna!
Hello! I’m a student writing a report on fandom and I’ve chosen to write about Community as it’s a series I genuinely enjoy watching and talking about. However, as it’s a research project I’m expected to gather the opinions of others, particularly fans online in forums and blogs.
You’re post was wonderful – it’s nice to see someone openly talking about personal feelings involved when watching a sitcom like Community, rather than discussing the intertextuality!
If you wouldn’t mind (and I know this is rather intrusive) would you mind answering a few questions about your experience as a Community fan, your thoughts on its production and this particular post?
Thank you very much!
Kristian – I’d love to! Shoot me an email at mattmoorewrites@gmail.com and let me know how I can help!
Community is the most creative show on TV. I hope it goes beyond six seasons. I miss Troy already!
Moved to the Yukon. Have nothing to watch. Bought all the seasons on my way here and fell in love with this show. Hope it goes past 6 seasons.
Thanks, Marshall. Glad you have something to keep you occupied up there. Have you found a couple of episodes that are your favourites?
Community season 6 is cancelled?
More like Community has been cancelled, so Season 6 looks doubtful. Another network might step in or a player like Netflix, but the business of television is a strange one, so I think we have to accept that Greendale was destroyed by a meteor.
I apologize to all potential readers, my english is aproximative.
Hi Matt, as a french nerd i discovered Community 3 weeks ago from now, and already watched it twice because i wanted more of it when it ended !
I did notice the 6seasons and a movie hashtag when i first saw it but didn’t realy looked for a meaning but tonight it was barely irrepressible. That’s how i found your site 😀
So i red you with all the attention i am able (but didn’t get every details) and liked how you seems to speak about the show with your heart. But this is not the most amazing thing about the web page you created.
What amaze me here is how after 2 years, people still comment, and more, YOU answer them !!! Here I feel like there’s a real community behind Community, who wants the show to continu.
Now it’s late, but i’ll come back to read more of your work Matt.
Thanks.
Merci, Pierre. J’apprecie beaucoup chaque commentaire! Comme tu a dit, il y a une communité qui aime Community. Et je me sens que j’ai beaucoup de chance d’avoir les occasions d’en parler avec eux (et toi!).
Comme je le voie, chaque commentaire est un vote de chaque fan que Community signifie quelque chose importante pour lui. Que nous ne sommes pas le seul qui aime Community. J’espere que cette page est un place pour chaque fan d’exprimer ces opinions.
Thank you for this. I just rewatched Community on Netflix a couple months ago and the nostalgia is as strong as ever