Joel McHale on Community Season 3: Jeff Winger Gets Put Through Hell, John Goodman Is "The Stealth Bomber"
Ahead of Community's Season 3 premiere on NBC, Joel McHale spoke about Jeff Winger's arc, the Jeff-Annie relationship, Michael K. Williams as the new season antagonist, and what it's like having John Goodman on set.
From the Vault · 2011
This is an archival piece from the Premier Guide Miami collection. The coverage, context, and details reflect the time it was originally published.
Joel McHale said it plainly: "It's like a bee hive fruit cake lasagna put into a blender and into an enormous smoothie. — Joel McHale on Community Sea…" — and Premier Guide Miami was in the room when it happened.
On September 14, 2011, NBC Universal hosted a press call with Community star Joel McHale ahead of the show's Season 3 premiere. Premier Guide Media's Daedrian McNaughton was on the call.
It's like a bee hive fruit cake lasagna put into a blender and into an enormous smoothie.
Daedrian McNaughton: What was your favorite topic in bio class?
Joel McHale: I did everything to avoid any of the sciences because I was so horrible at them, and my favorite day of biology class was the last day — and hopefully I had passed.
Jeff Winger's Season 3 arc
McHale on what's ahead for Jeff: "According to Dan, my character's going to be put through hell, so I'm really looking forward to taking the journey." On Jeff's father: "I know that my father will become present in the series. Jeff has a lot of father issues and that will be dealt with." On the Jeff-Annie relationship: "That relationship will develop further on the romantic end of things, much to the chagrin of half the audience — it's divided right down the middle." On his Season 3 adversary: "My adversary at this point is going to be Michael K. Williams. He plays an ex-con biology teacher and he can be really scary. His acting is just great because it's scary and intimidating. I think it will be a really good rivalry because he has a lot more power over Jeff now."
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The Season 3 premiere and what to expect
On the opening musical number: "It is an over the top, very large musical number with crane shots and streamers and explosions and the entire school is involved. I did pull a couple hamstrings and I was hoarse afterwards. If that doesn't grab your attention then we're in big trouble." On the density of the season: "It's like a bee hive fruit cake lasagna put into a blender and into an enormous smoothie." On props to expect: "There is poisonous gas, there are monkeys, there are night sticks, and there will be about 12,000 or 13,000 boxes of matches." On the show's zero Emmy nominations banner: "It's in the exact same font as the Glee sign that says 'Congratulations Glee on your nine Emmy nominations,' and ours says 'Congratulations Community on your zero Emmy nominations.'"
Having John Goodman on set
On what Goodman brings: "We just got the Stealth Bomber and no one can touch it. We are all so excited and we wonder what bet he lost to have to come on the show." On the Vice Dean Laybourne dynamic: "John's character is like Darth Vader and Donald Glover's character Troy is like Luke Skywalker." On the cast's reaction: "All the actors are begging the writers to put them in scenes with John — I'm not joking about that." Community Season 3 premiered September 22, 2011, on NBC.
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