When Chevy Chase left Community late last week, it raised a few interesting questions: How would the writers handle his departure on such short notice? What would happen to his character, Pierce? Wouldn’t it be great if we could all watch Fletch on cable in peace without thinking about what a prickly jackass Chevy Chase has been over the past 25 years every time he pops up on screen? Well, it looks like we’re starting to get some answers. (Spoiler-y stuff ahead, sort of.) According to TV Line, the season finale — which was filmed out of order, before Chase left the show — features a cliffhanger “that leaves the fate of several characters up in the air — one of them being Pierce.” So if Community is picked up for a fifth season, and that’s a mighty big “if” at this point, it looks like they have a pretty decent out.
As for the two episodes that hadn’t been filmed before his departure, there may be a plan in place for those as well:
Meanwhile, rumor has it Community may have devised a way to include Pierce in one of the two Season 4 episodes shot after Chase’s exit (aka Nos. 411 and 412). Remember, this is a show that has turned its actors into everything from cartoons to giant pillowmen.
Relevant:
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Damn it! I was hoping they would bring Bill Murray in as Pierce’s replacement in the study group for the two eps and everyone loved him and realized what a giant piece of shit Chevy i mean Pierce Hawthorne really is and then kick him out for good in the finale.
This is even better than the default position for when Chevy Chase leaves a project: “Get better with addition by subtraction.”
And at the end of those eps, someone says “That damn gopher’s back” and Bill just sighs and goes “not my problem”.
Is the plan “get canceled”?
NOOOOOOO!
“features a cliffhanger “that leaves the fate of several characters up in the air — one of them being Pierce.”
So, uh, the plan for what to do with Chevy is the same exact plan as all the other characters in that we’ll never find out what happens to any of them?
He gets turned into a corgi named Danger, whom Annie nuzzles.
He gets curb stomped by edward norton
I miss Chef.
Just hang a sign that says “Pierce” on an upside down mop. Seriously, no reason to over think this shit.
If they animate him and use old sound clips to make Pierce say “I wanna make love to your assholes, children” it will make my year.
If there’s a next season, this should open the door for Chang to join the study group. I’m not talking overly-used Chang. I mean, Season 1 Chang that was a somewhat real character.
Good call.
why the fuck would they film a cliffhanger for the season finale knowing full well there’s a 90% chance it will be the last episode?
Seriously. The same thing happened to My Name is Earl, except no one gave a shit because it was My Name is Earl.
I think I’m the only one fine with it ending at 4 seasons anyways, because what’s going to happen once they all graduate? I would prefer the show wrapped up in a neat little package than turning into The Office.
J
just get another old guy to play Pierce, nobody will notice all old people look the same, don’t get rid of the best character if you get a 5 season…. probably wont though
Get Sarah Chalke in here, stat!
Preferably sans shirt.
Wait, are you suggesting that Pierce is the best character? Because, to quote Lana Kane, “Newp.”
Community is one of the few shows where they could legitimately have Pierce say: “I have to go now, my planet needs me” and have it kind of make sense.
PIERCE’S DEAD, OOOHWAHAHAH!
The fact that they already made it clear Season 4 will end with a cliffhanger makes me a sad panda.
Someone pointed out in reddit that they should have a different actor play Pierce, and only have Abed notice it.
That would be fantastic.
Brilliant.
I would like to subscribe to that person’s newsletter.
THIS.
That would be such a Community thing to do. I love it. Make it so, No. 1.
This South Park episode is the greatest!