Episode Commentary: Contemporary American Poultry

For as long as Abed (Danny Pudi) could remember, he’s always wanted to be in a mafia movie – in this case, complete with a “Goodfellas”-style voiceover, the carefree music and the elaborate scheme.
Revolving around chicken fingers.

There’s only one remotely edible item at Greendale’s cafeteria – and that’s the chicken fingers.

Unfortunately, they run out at remarkable speeds, and cafeteria employee Star-Burns (Dino Stamatopoulos) always seems to have an extra batch available for those eager enough to submit a bribe.

Well, that simply won’t do – not for Jeff Winger’s (Joel McHale) study group.

So they hatch a plan. Abed, using his enormous falafel experience takes over the job (Star-Burns simply had to be taken out), and Jeff makes the decisions.

Until Abed strikes a deal with Senor Chang (Ken Jeong) for a group-bump on the next Spanish exam; and Jeff’s now been downgraded.

Goofily following the rise and fall of Ray Liotta’s most famed portrayal, Henry Hill, the group sans-Jeff withhold a series of fingers and then re-deliver them to intended recipients in exchange for various favors.

Britta (Gillian Jacobs) acquires a hair-dresser, Annie (Alison Brie) gets a new backpack, Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) lands the apple of her eye (a decidedly delicious “sexy dreadlock” man), Troy (Donald Glover) gets a monkey (named “Annie’s Boobs”) and Pierce (Chevy Chase) gains an entourage.

Jeff, visibly upset at losing his throne, is subsequently removed from the family.

The episode, itself, contains all the engaging quirkiness that makes “Community” so lovable and anticipated. Pudi continues to be utterly lovable as the disconnected Abed, and McHale is never at a loss of charm as the ever-atoning Jeff.

Yes, this sitcom certainly has character development. Jeff is the most transformed character of the mass, but the rest are building along splendidly, as well. The gem – the inherent magnetism – of this show, however, is its ability to not take itself seriously without bordering on absurdly unfunny. It references and at times even praises pop culture, yet manages to throw out consistently original one-liners and examples of social satire.

Related posts:

1. Curb Your Enthusiasm Coverage: And When a Hero Comes Along, With the Bread to Carry on…the Train Episode Commentary: The Hero It looks like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is finally back on track, after a silly episode that was driven by a conflict between Ricky Gervais and Larry...
2. Curb Your Enthusiasm Coverage: Dead Dogs and Ice Cream Episode Commentary: “Vow of Silence” This isn’t a bad episode of Curb, it just once again fails to pack the same punch as the magical episode two weeks ago. With...
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm Coverage: What a Debacle Episode Commentary: The Smiley Face Last week’s episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” was easily one of the best in the show’s history. This past episode was easily one of the...
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Eight Commentary: Sex and Chicken Episode Commentary: Palestinian Chicken Make no mistake; this is easily one of the best episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” …ever. For anyone that isn’t a fan of the show, or...
5. Wilfred Season One Coverage: Discontinuity There were plenty of laughs that took place in the third episode of Wilfred entitled “Fear,” but there’s this unavoidable feeling of uneasiness as to where the show is going...