NBC Banishes 'Community' to Fridays! Dan Harmon May Be Gone!

NBC announced its fall lineup today, revealing that Community will move to Fridays with Whitney serving as its lead-in show. Wow. Just wow, NBC. Really? A Friday programming slot has long been a kiss of death for a show, and NBC clearly hates Community. People had hoped that Community's 13-episode season would turn into a full pickup as the season went along. That probably won't happen now. Let's hope a network that actually appreciates Community picks it up after NBC is done with the show.

NBC's Thursday lineup will now be 30 Rock, Up All Night, The Office and Parks and Recreation. Only The Office and Parks and Rec received full-season pickups.

UPDATED: TVLine is reporting that NBC president Robert Greenblatt has commented on the possible news that Community showrunner Dan Harmon won't return next season.

Greenblatt, meanwhile, would neither confirm not deny buzz that series creator Dan Harmon may step down as showrunner. “I’m not up to speed on that yet,” he said. “I think he’ll be involved in the show to some degree.”  

And what about Harmon’s “nemesis” Chevy Chase? “My assumption is [he will be back],” he said. “But I haven’t had any conversations about that this week, so I don’t have a definitive yes or no.”

If Harmon doesn't return, that will represent a huge change for Community. Harmon is the show's heart and brain. Much of its pop culture knowledge comes from Harmon. The show can get over Chevy Chase leaving, but Harmon's departure would be another story.