(This is the seventeenth part in an ongoing series, in which I am writing brief reviews of each and every episode of Dan Harmon's beloved cult- comedy "Community." Originally conceived as a response to NBC's cancellation of the series before it was revived for its final season on Yahoo.)
Who'd have thought that bagels and gym-shorts could make for such a hilarious and compelling episode of television? "Physical Education" continues hot on the heels of the the previous episode and maintains its high quality, though in a far different light... While "Communication Studies" was a fine example of the series at its emotionally fulfilling best, "Physical Education" is a perfect example of "Community" as straight-forward comedy. With a ridiculous (and ridiculously hilarious) set of story lines at its disposal and the fabulous acting chops of the cast on full display, it's another of my favorites in the first season.
After Britta (Gillian Jacobs) is chastised for her inability to properly pronounce "bagel" in the beginning of an amusing running joke, two concurrent new story lines emerge. First, Jeff (Joel McHale) has enrolled in a billiards class and arrives dressed to the nines in an elaborate leather jacket, assuming the class is an easy-A where he can look cool. However, he's shocked by the professor (the hilarious Blake Clark), who takes it very seriously and refuses to let Jeff take part unless he wears gym shorts (as it is technically a physical education class), causing tension between the two. At the same time, the rest of the study group discovers that one of their used textbooks appears to have a drawing of Abed (Danny Pudi), and put together that it must have belonged to a girl with a crush on him. After some snooping, they discover who had previously owned it, and try to encourage Abed to get to know her, hoping to set the two up. However, it will take some convincing (and some hilarious "training") to get Abed to be more appealing.
This is one of those episodes that is just chock full of great humor, wonderful quips and roll-on-the-floor gags that will leave a big, dumb smile on your face long after it is over. Every single cast member charms, in particular McHale and Pudi, who are given some of their best material yet here. McHale knocks it out of the park consistently throughout as he grows increasingly frustrated by his professor's attempts to thwart his ability to just look cool. And it all builds to a very gutsy climax where McHale really shines... and also potentially grosses everyone out. Pudi also has a lot of fun things in this episode. The one moment I think everyone remembers is the iconic scene where the rest of the study group tries to help train him to be more appealing, leading to an intense and amusing sort-of "seduction" scene with Annie (Alison Brie) that makes keen use of an impersonation of "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm.
"Physical Education" certainly isn't one of the "strongest" or most hard-hitting in the history of "Community." It's little more than a one-off story that lacks connection to the overall plot, and its events don't factor much into following episodes. But still, there is most definitely something to be said for a series to just go all- out for an episode and craft a fun and wildly entertaining ride to give the audience something fun to watch. And I do very much view "Physical Education" as just that, done to perfection. It's one of the funniest episode of the series and is a perfect example of the show's expert comedy. And so, I have to give it a perfect 10.
Who'd have thought that bagels and gym-shorts could make for such a hilarious and compelling episode of television? "Physical Education" continues hot on the heels of the the previous episode and maintains its high quality, though in a far different light... While "Communication Studies" was a fine example of the series at its emotionally fulfilling best, "Physical Education" is a perfect example of "Community" as straight-forward comedy. With a ridiculous (and ridiculously hilarious) set of story lines at its disposal and the fabulous acting chops of the cast on full display, it's another of my favorites in the first season.
After Britta (Gillian Jacobs) is chastised for her inability to properly pronounce "bagel" in the beginning of an amusing running joke, two concurrent new story lines emerge. First, Jeff (Joel McHale) has enrolled in a billiards class and arrives dressed to the nines in an elaborate leather jacket, assuming the class is an easy-A where he can look cool. However, he's shocked by the professor (the hilarious Blake Clark), who takes it very seriously and refuses to let Jeff take part unless he wears gym shorts (as it is technically a physical education class), causing tension between the two. At the same time, the rest of the study group discovers that one of their used textbooks appears to have a drawing of Abed (Danny Pudi), and put together that it must have belonged to a girl with a crush on him. After some snooping, they discover who had previously owned it, and try to encourage Abed to get to know her, hoping to set the two up. However, it will take some convincing (and some hilarious "training") to get Abed to be more appealing.
This is one of those episodes that is just chock full of great humor, wonderful quips and roll-on-the-floor gags that will leave a big, dumb smile on your face long after it is over. Every single cast member charms, in particular McHale and Pudi, who are given some of their best material yet here. McHale knocks it out of the park consistently throughout as he grows increasingly frustrated by his professor's attempts to thwart his ability to just look cool. And it all builds to a very gutsy climax where McHale really shines... and also potentially grosses everyone out. Pudi also has a lot of fun things in this episode. The one moment I think everyone remembers is the iconic scene where the rest of the study group tries to help train him to be more appealing, leading to an intense and amusing sort-of "seduction" scene with Annie (Alison Brie) that makes keen use of an impersonation of "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm.
"Physical Education" certainly isn't one of the "strongest" or most hard-hitting in the history of "Community." It's little more than a one-off story that lacks connection to the overall plot, and its events don't factor much into following episodes. But still, there is most definitely something to be said for a series to just go all- out for an episode and craft a fun and wildly entertaining ride to give the audience something fun to watch. And I do very much view "Physical Education" as just that, done to perfection. It's one of the funniest episode of the series and is a perfect example of the show's expert comedy. And so, I have to give it a perfect 10.
