I’m not sure what’s more entertaining — the comedy of the show Community or the backstage drama that has surrounded the series over the past year. Star Joel McHale is the latest member of the cast to step forward and talk about the departure of creator and show runner Dan Harmon and co-star Chevy Chase‘s numerous comments to the media about how much he dislikes working on the show.
Though Harmon is no longer involved in the ongoing production of the series (except as a “consultant”), McHale explains that the show is so well established that his presence really isn’t needed. He says, “Really, not much has changed. A lot of writers stayed, so they know the spirit and tone of the show. And it’s our fourth year, so we have a good sense of our characters. The main difference is he’s not physically there.”
On Chase’s candid comments that called sitcoms “the lowest form of television,” McHale similarly doesn’t hold back when attacking Chase’s comments. He says, “I will tease Chevy about that stuff, and then he always goes, Oh, I was just joking! and then I’ll say, a) Hilarious, hilarious! and b) You should soak your dentures. It’s like, Chevy, why are you here? This is not a tour of duty. You are not going to be sued. And then he’s like, well you know, I like it here, I do. And I’m like, alright, well then stop saying stuff. Or, I guess, say whatever you want, but I’m gonna make fun. It gives the whole cast fodder to make fun of him.”
As for McHale, he says he’s on the show because he has fun working with the other cast members. He says, “If we’re putting in that many hours, I can’t imagine what it would be like to be on a set where people hate each other. We get along really well. I mean, other than when Chevy’s raving about how he just wants the money.”
Well, it doesn’t look like Chevy Chase has made new friends in television, does it?
