NBC Comedies Return Tonight

[BillBrasky]

If you're a fan of comedy, be prepared to turn the TV over to NBC this evening and leave it on there, as three returning shows and one new effort premiere tonight. First, at 8 PM (EST/PST), "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" returns after a successful run last year, without Sarah Palin to make fun of, but with Amy Poehler returning to share Update desk duties along with Seth Meyers.
What can we look forward to? More of Fred Armisen's underwhelming take on Barack Obama? Kenan Thompson attempting to impersonate Kanye West? Kristen Wiig being hyper and ever-so-slightly annoying? We'll find out tonight!

Then, at 8:30, it's a double dose of Poehler as "Parks and Recreation" begins its second season. In tonight's episode, Amy's character Leslie Knope accidentally marries two male penguins to promote attendance at a local zoo, setting off alarm bells within the conservative community of Pawnee. NBC has been saying that the show will be "funnier" this season, which probably means more wide-ranging storylines, and less of an emphasis on the "pit" arc that somewhat bogged down the first 6 episodes at times.

At 9, "The Office" begins its sixth season with a now four-months-pregnant Pam and Jim beginning to plan their wedding, while also trying to keep Pam's pregnancy a secret from Michael. If you've been reading entertainment-oriented magazines over the summer, you'll know that Pam and Jim will be having their wedding at Niagara Falls, but the ceremony won't happen until several episodes into the season.

Finally, at 9:30, the new single-camera sitcom "Community", starring Joel McHale and Chevy Chase, premieres. The pilot for this show sneaked out early over the summer, and having seen it, I can say it bodes well for this show being an intelligently written, funny addition to NBC's Thursday night comedy line up. An appealing lead performance by McHale and a quirky ensemble cast make this show one to watch this season.

So there you go- two hours of comedy to enjoy tonight. And, if you want to, you can always stick around for "The Jay Leno Show" at 10 o'clock afterwards- but hey, it's up to you.

[jcarlon]

Not a McHale fan (for various reasons)...but there is 30 minutes between the Office and Always Sunny...hmm

Guess I could just shut the TV off.

[scamboogah]

I'm a big fan of McHale (for various reasons) and hope it's a good show.

[aenemaTron]

I don't like McHale for one reason - every joke I've ever heard him tell was at the expense of someone else (he's like the anti-Regan) - but I will watch Community. He's not writing the scripts, is he?

[ASR]

I nothing McHale, but Community looks interesting and I'm going to check it out.

[isoS]

I don't like McHale for one reason - every joke I've ever heard him tell was at the expense of someone else (he's like the anti-Regan) - but I will watch Community. He's not writing the scripts, is he?

No, but Newt Floss is! (ducks)

[littlegirltree]

McHale I find grating, but I'll watch anything that Dan Harmon is involved with. Thankfully, network TV will not permit a cameo by Dan's overworked writing tool.

[Harry Bongers]

He wears nice ties on that other show so I'll probably try to catch Community.

[pixel revolt]

McHale is so mean but his views on foreign policy are impeccable. What do I do??

[crocker]

Community looks awesome. I'm happy that Harmon has another show on the air.

[Having Fun!]

I'm watching to see how Chevy "drops the birthday cake" on this show.

[yumitree]

AST member erik charles nielsen will be on an upcoming episode of "community" in a role he was born to play, a graduate student.

[ASR]

Community was pretty good.

[Darryl]

Community was... ok. Parks and Rec, pretty funny! And I always love The Office.

Also, the Joe Wilson sketch on SNL made me laugh! But I'm really waiting for 30 Rock.

[grumm]

Office premiere was excellent. P&R premiere was ok. I still find that this show is just improving as slowly as the US Office did for me. But give it some time, it could be pretty good.

[TekJansen]

Stanley is sleeping with the Queen of the Ass Burgers?

(I think my Tivo's busted.)

[Having Fun!]

I could make pointed remarks about each show, (specifically Community's music sounding like Mario Kart) but I really enjoyed it as a single stream of comedy. With 30 Rock waiting in the wings, Thursdays is the new TGIF. Thank gawd

[Adult Ed]

Community is still on the TiVo but I liked Parks & Rec (didn't watch any of season one) and thought that there were good moments in SNLWUT. I've given up on The Office.

[Harry Bongers]

Community is still on the TiVo but I liked Parks & Rec (didn't watch any of season one) and thought that there were good moments in SNLWUT. I've given up on The Office.

I'm out of the office too. The "there's another person inside of me who controls my body" rumour was my breaking point.

I quite liked Community and thought it was a really good first episode and introduced the characters well. Joel McHale and Chevy Chase are both well suited to their characters and the Indian character whose name I unfortunately can't recall was great, particularly in the final scene. I've set the DVR to record future episodes.

DVR is Canadian TiVo.

[scamboogah]

Two best lines of the night;

Bill Hader as James Carville talking about how a midget looks bigger when he stands next to a Smart Car: "You not tall, midget, you just clever!!"

Creed: "If I can't SCUBA, then what the hell is this all about?"