Anthropology 101
Encyclopedia
"Anthropology 101" is the second season
premiere of the American television series
Community
. It was originally broadcast on September 23, 2010 on NBC
In the episode, the study group attend their first series of classes in Anthropology
101, the course which they had decided to take together for the new semester. The episode also picks up on the storyline that began in the season one
finale involving a love triangle between Jeff, Britta and Annie. Jeff and Britta begin what is seemingly a passionate relationship, but the revelation that Jeff got involved with Annie at the end of the previous year disgusts the group. Each member begins taking out their frustrations on each other. With the group on the verge of breaking up, it's up to Jeff to bring them to reconciliation.
The episode was written by Chris McKenna and directed by Joe Russo
. It received positive critical reviews.
) returns from summer still embarrassed after she confessed her love for Jeff (Joel McHale
) in public at the end of the previous semester only for him to walk out on her. Troy (Donald Glover
) has been staying with Pierce (Chevy Chase
) since the beginning of summer and has been posting offensive comments made by Pierce on a Twitter
account, @oldwhitemansays, which is a hit among other students.
The group meet up in the library, where Britta confesses to them that she only "opened her heart" to Jeff to get one over his ex-girlfriend. However, she soon becomes popular with the female community at Greendale, for being "fearless", while Jeff becomes the villain. Meanwhile, Annie continues to flirt with Jeff, following their kiss at the end of last year. Jeff outright rejects her advances, calling the kiss a mistake.
The group go for the first lesson in Anthropology
101, where they find Chang (Ken Jeong
) also enrolled. Their teacher is Professor June Bauer (Betty White
), an eccentric old woman who shoots Starburns' (Dino Stamatopoulos
) face with a blowgun
and drinks her own urine. The class' first assignment is to explain which among nine tools is the most important to humanity's survival.
After an encounter in the cafeteria where Britta, cheered on by everyone else, humiliates him, Jeff decides to inflict the same dilemma on Britta. In Anthropology class, he tells Britta he loves her. Much to his surprise, Britta responds positively, which delights everyone except Annie. They then begin outlandish public displays of affection, trying to upstage each other at every opportunity. They even get engaged at the behest of Abed (Danny Pudi
), who is disappointed at the lack of drama in the episode and is trying to spice things up. He even prepares to stage a wedding with a band and a George Clooney
impersonator to help should Jeff have cold feet
.
Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown
) then reveals to everyone that Jeff and Britta had sex in the library room during the paintball game last year ("Modern Warfare
"). Annie breaks into a rage, punching Jeff in the nose and then revealing that Jeff kissed her after sleeping with Britta. The group then erupts with anger at Jeff. Britta finally relents in her game with Jeff and admits she never loved him, which sends him into jubilation. She then admonishes Annie over flirting with men she was previously with (Vaughn, then Jeff). Jeff reveals to Pierce that Troy has been posting his comments to Twitter, which annoys Pierce. Abed, upset at all the drama, "cancels" the episode and walks out. Jeff then knocks him for not being able to tell life from TV.
In the next Anthropology class, Jeff answers Professor Bauer's question by saying that the most important tool is respect, and that the study group needs each other and should respect each other more. Bauer then announces the correct answer – combining all nine tools to form a deadly weapon. She attacks Jeff with the weapon, quipping "use respect to defend yourself." Jeff is strangled by the weapon and blacks out.
He wakes up in a hospital surrounded by the rest of the study group and they reconcile. Troy promises to close the Twitter account. Bauer is suspended after the incident. Chang shows up and asks if he can join the study group, but they ask for more time to think it over.
, his ninth directing credit of the series.
Betty White
guest starred as June Bauer, the anthropology professor.
to be cast as Spiderman in the latest installment of the series. The group also discussed the 2010 summer hit Toy Story 3
. Series creator Dan Harmon
said, "I try not to date the show, but I felt like ten years from now Toy Story 3 was so good that it will be one of those movies that everyone saw and everyone cried at."
Troy's Twitter account which quoted Pierce's offensive remarks, @oldwhitemansays, was a jab at CBS
's sitcom $#*! My Dad Says which premiered on the same day the episode aired. The account actually exists, and has 49,000 followers as of June 2011.
In the episode, Jeff referred to the Twilight series as proof that "men are monsters who crave young flesh." The song sung during Jeff and Britta's fake wedding is a reworking of "Linger
" by The Cranberries
, actually sung by lead singer Dolores O'Riordan
. The George Clooney
impersonator made reference to the actor's role in the widely-panned Batman & Robin.
The episode's final clip featured a rap collaboration between Troy, Abed and Professor June Bauer (Betty White
) set to Toto
's "Africa
". According to Harmon, "it just seemed appropriate because of her being [an] anthropology [professor]."
Matt Riechenthal of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.8/5 rating, saying that the episode tackled complaints that season one focused too much of Jeff's love life and of the cliffhanger finale by "by playing it up and mocking it to hilarious results." Kelsea Stahler of Hollywood.com praised the episode for "[taking] the comedy high road, instead of taking the soupy soap opera route" and remarking "I’m glad this show is back." Alan Sepinwall of HitFix
said "'Community' opens season two in incredibly strong form, with an episode that turned the finale threads both good (Jeff/Annie kiss), bad (Britta/Jeff/Slater triangle) and uncertain (Pierce/Troy as roommates) to its advantage." Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club
called the episode "a little cluttered" but still "a very, very funny episode of a very, very funny show."
Community (season 2)
The second season of the television comedy series Community premiered on September 23, 2010 and concluded on May 12, 2011, on NBC and aired on Thursdays at 8:00 pm ET as part of Comedy Night Done Right.-Starring:*Joel McHale as Jeff Winger...
premiere of the American television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
Community
Community (TV series)
Community is an American television comedy series created by Dan Harmon that airs on NBC. The series is about a group of students at a community college in the fictional locale of Greendale, Colorado. The series heavily uses meta-humor and pop culture references, often parodying film and television...
. It was originally broadcast on September 23, 2010 on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
In the episode, the study group attend their first series of classes in Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
101, the course which they had decided to take together for the new semester. The episode also picks up on the storyline that began in the season one
Community (season 1)
The first season of the television comedy series Community originally aired from September 17, 2009 on NBC to May 20, 2010 in the United States. The first three episodes aired at 9:30 pm ET before being moved to 8:00 pm ET...
finale involving a love triangle between Jeff, Britta and Annie. Jeff and Britta begin what is seemingly a passionate relationship, but the revelation that Jeff got involved with Annie at the end of the previous year disgusts the group. Each member begins taking out their frustrations on each other. With the group on the verge of breaking up, it's up to Jeff to bring them to reconciliation.
The episode was written by Chris McKenna and directed by Joe Russo
Russo brothers
Anthony and Joe Russo, known together professionally as the Russo brothers, are Emmy Award-winning American film and television directors. The brothers direct most of their work jointly, and they also occasionally work as producers, actors, and editors. The Russos are from Cleveland, Ohio, and were...
. It received positive critical reviews.
Plot
It's the first day of classes in the new school year. Britta (Gillian JacobsGillian Jacobs
Gillian Jacobs is an American film, theatre and television actress, best known for her role as Britta Perry on the NBC comedy series Community.-Personal life:...
) returns from summer still embarrassed after she confessed her love for Jeff (Joel McHale
Joel McHale
Joel Edward McHale is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, television producer, television personality, and voice artist. He is best known for hosting The Soup and for his role as Jeff Winger on Community....
) in public at the end of the previous semester only for him to walk out on her. Troy (Donald Glover
Donald Glover
Donald McKinley Glover is an American actor, writer, comedian, and musician. Glover first came to attention for his work in the sketch group Derrick Comedy, and is best known for his role as community college student Troy Barnes on the NBC comedy series Community...
) has been staying with Pierce (Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase
Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase is an American comedian, writer, and television and film actor, born into a prominent entertainment industry family. Chase worked a plethora of odd jobs before moving into comedy acting with National Lampoon...
) since the beginning of summer and has been posting offensive comments made by Pierce on a Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account, @oldwhitemansays, which is a hit among other students.
The group meet up in the library, where Britta confesses to them that she only "opened her heart" to Jeff to get one over his ex-girlfriend. However, she soon becomes popular with the female community at Greendale, for being "fearless", while Jeff becomes the villain. Meanwhile, Annie continues to flirt with Jeff, following their kiss at the end of last year. Jeff outright rejects her advances, calling the kiss a mistake.
The group go for the first lesson in Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
101, where they find Chang (Ken Jeong
Ken Jeong
Kendrick Kang-Joh "Ken" Jeong , also known as "Dr. Ken," is an American comedian, actor, and physician. Currently, he appears as Ben Chang on the NBC comedy series Community.-Early life and medical career:...
) also enrolled. Their teacher is Professor June Bauer (Betty White
Betty White
Betty White Ludden , better known as Betty White, is an American actress, comedienne, singer, author, and former game show personality. With a career spanning seven decades since 1939, she is best known to modern audiences for her television roles as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and...
), an eccentric old woman who shoots Starburns' (Dino Stamatopoulos
Dino Stamatopoulos
Dino Stamatopoulos is an American television comedy writer, actor and producer who has worked on Mr. Show, TV Funhouse, Mad TV, The Dana Carvey Show, Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien...
) face with a blowgun
Blowgun
"Blowpipe" and "blow tube" redirect here. For other uses of the terms, see GlassblowingA blowgun is a simple weapon consisting of a small tube for firing light projectiles, or darts....
and drinks her own urine. The class' first assignment is to explain which among nine tools is the most important to humanity's survival.
After an encounter in the cafeteria where Britta, cheered on by everyone else, humiliates him, Jeff decides to inflict the same dilemma on Britta. In Anthropology class, he tells Britta he loves her. Much to his surprise, Britta responds positively, which delights everyone except Annie. They then begin outlandish public displays of affection, trying to upstage each other at every opportunity. They even get engaged at the behest of Abed (Danny Pudi
Danny Pudi
Danny Pudi is an American actor, best known for his role as Abed Nadir on the NBC comedy series Community.-Early years:Pudi, who is of Indian and Polish descent, was born and raised in Chicago and grew up speaking Polish...
), who is disappointed at the lack of drama in the episode and is trying to spice things up. He even prepares to stage a wedding with a band and a George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
impersonator to help should Jeff have cold feet
Cold feet
Cold feet is apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action.Cold Feet may also refer to:*Project COLDFEET, a CIA operation in 1962*Cold Feet, UK television series*Cold Feet Cold feet is apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action.Cold Feet...
.
Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown
Yvette Nicole Brown
Yvette Nicole Brown is an American actress and comedian. Brown has appeared in various commercials, television shows, and films throughout her career...
) then reveals to everyone that Jeff and Britta had sex in the library room during the paintball game last year ("Modern Warfare
Modern Warfare (Community)
"Modern Warfare" is the 23rd episode of the first season of Community and originally premiered on May 6, 2010 on NBC. In the episode, after the Dean announces the prize for a friendly game of paintball, Greendale sinks into a state of all-out paintball war, with every student battling for...
"). Annie breaks into a rage, punching Jeff in the nose and then revealing that Jeff kissed her after sleeping with Britta. The group then erupts with anger at Jeff. Britta finally relents in her game with Jeff and admits she never loved him, which sends him into jubilation. She then admonishes Annie over flirting with men she was previously with (Vaughn, then Jeff). Jeff reveals to Pierce that Troy has been posting his comments to Twitter, which annoys Pierce. Abed, upset at all the drama, "cancels" the episode and walks out. Jeff then knocks him for not being able to tell life from TV.
In the next Anthropology class, Jeff answers Professor Bauer's question by saying that the most important tool is respect, and that the study group needs each other and should respect each other more. Bauer then announces the correct answer – combining all nine tools to form a deadly weapon. She attacks Jeff with the weapon, quipping "use respect to defend yourself." Jeff is strangled by the weapon and blacks out.
He wakes up in a hospital surrounded by the rest of the study group and they reconcile. Troy promises to close the Twitter account. Bauer is suspended after the incident. Chang shows up and asks if he can join the study group, but they ask for more time to think it over.
Production
"Anthropology 101" was written by Chris McKenna, his third writing credit of the show. It was directed by Joe RussoRusso brothers
Anthony and Joe Russo, known together professionally as the Russo brothers, are Emmy Award-winning American film and television directors. The brothers direct most of their work jointly, and they also occasionally work as producers, actors, and editors. The Russos are from Cleveland, Ohio, and were...
, his ninth directing credit of the series.
Betty White
Betty White
Betty White Ludden , better known as Betty White, is an American actress, comedienne, singer, author, and former game show personality. With a career spanning seven decades since 1939, she is best known to modern audiences for her television roles as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and...
guest starred as June Bauer, the anthropology professor.
Cultural references
Troy was shown in Spiderman pajamas, in reference to the Twitter campaign that pushed for actor Donald GloverDonald Glover
Donald McKinley Glover is an American actor, writer, comedian, and musician. Glover first came to attention for his work in the sketch group Derrick Comedy, and is best known for his role as community college student Troy Barnes on the NBC comedy series Community...
to be cast as Spiderman in the latest installment of the series. The group also discussed the 2010 summer hit Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 is a 2010 American 3D computer-animated comedy-adventure film, and the third installment in the Toy Story series. It was produced by Pixar and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed by Lee Unkrich. The film was released worldwide from June through October in Disney Digital...
. Series creator Dan Harmon
Dan Harmon
Dan Harmon is a writer and performer. He is the creator and an executive producer for the NBC television comedy series Community, and, along with Rob Schrab, a founder of the alternative television network/website Channel 101....
said, "I try not to date the show, but I felt like ten years from now Toy Story 3 was so good that it will be one of those movies that everyone saw and everyone cried at."
Troy's Twitter account which quoted Pierce's offensive remarks, @oldwhitemansays, was a jab at CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
's sitcom $#*! My Dad Says which premiered on the same day the episode aired. The account actually exists, and has 49,000 followers as of June 2011.
In the episode, Jeff referred to the Twilight series as proof that "men are monsters who crave young flesh." The song sung during Jeff and Britta's fake wedding is a reworking of "Linger
Linger (song)
"Linger" is a song composed by Irish musicians Dolores O'Riordan and Noel Hogan of the rock band The Cranberries. The song, which has an acoustic arrangement featuring a string section, became the band's first major hit, peaking at #3 in the Republic of Ireland, #8 in the US and #14 in the UK.In...
" by The Cranberries
The Cranberries
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, later changed by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. The band currently consists of O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler...
, actually sung by lead singer Dolores O'Riordan
Dolores O'Riordan
Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan is an Irish musician, singer and songwriter. She led The Cranberries to worldwide success and fame for 13 years before the band took a hiatus in 2003. Her first solo album Are You Listening? was released in May 2007...
. The George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
impersonator made reference to the actor's role in the widely-panned Batman & Robin.
The episode's final clip featured a rap collaboration between Troy, Abed and Professor June Bauer (Betty White
Betty White
Betty White Ludden , better known as Betty White, is an American actress, comedienne, singer, author, and former game show personality. With a career spanning seven decades since 1939, she is best known to modern audiences for her television roles as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and...
) set to Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
's "Africa
Africa (Toto song)
"Africa" is a song by rock band Toto, and one of the band's most recognizable songs. It was included on their 1982 album Toto IV, and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1983 and number three on the UK Singles Chart the same month...
". According to Harmon, "it just seemed appropriate because of her being [an] anthropology [professor]."
Ratings
On its original American broadcast on September 23, 2010, the episode was viewed by an estimated 5.01 million viewers with a Nielsen rating of 2.2 in the 18–49 demographic.Reviews
The episode received positive reviews from critics.Matt Riechenthal of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.8/5 rating, saying that the episode tackled complaints that season one focused too much of Jeff's love life and of the cliffhanger finale by "by playing it up and mocking it to hilarious results." Kelsea Stahler of Hollywood.com praised the episode for "[taking] the comedy high road, instead of taking the soupy soap opera route" and remarking "I’m glad this show is back." Alan Sepinwall of HitFix
HitFix
HitFix, or the HitFix.com is an entertainment news website that launched in December 2008 specializing in breaking entertainment news, insider information and providing reviews and critiques of film, music and television...
said "'Community' opens season two in incredibly strong form, with an episode that turned the finale threads both good (Jeff/Annie kiss), bad (Britta/Jeff/Slater triangle) and uncertain (Pierce/Troy as roommates) to its advantage." Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
called the episode "a little cluttered" but still "a very, very funny episode of a very, very funny show."
External links
- "Anthropology 101" at NBC.com
- "Anthropology 101" at TV TropesTV TropesTV Tropes is a wiki which collects and expands on various conventions and devices found within creative works. Since its establishment in 2004, the site has gone from covering only television and film tropes to also covering those in a number of other media such as literature, comics, video-games,...