Netflix may not be the king of Westerns, but the streamer is certainly a fan of frontier storytelling. Aside from hosting popular entries in the genre like 2021’s The Power of the Dog and all six seasons of Longmire, the platform has demonstrated an interest in the Old West’s biggest names, most recently with The Abandons and Territory. But while these might push the limits of Western drama and representation, their turn in the spotlight can also easily overshadow some of Netflix’s most underrated Western narratives. And out of all these unsung series, there’s one exemplary journey to the West that you really don’t want to miss — the 2023 Korean action drama Song of the Bandits.

Co-created by Han Jung-hoon and Hwang Jun-hyuk and set in Japanese-occupied Korea at the beginning of the twentieth century, Song of the Bandits is a unique entry into the Western canon that trades a classic Western locale for the lawless Gando region, a disputed border territory in present-day Northeastern China where bandits, suppressed locals, known as Joseons after the Joseon Dynasty which Japan overthrew–and Japan’s brutal colonial authorities clash in a seemingly endless series of disputes.

With relentless action, compelling drama, and fast-paced storytelling packed into its nine episodes, the Netflix series delivers a narrative powerful enough to inspire Song of the Bandits‘ most critical viewers, though the show ultimately failed to garner a broad following upon release. Still, with a talented cast and important themes, the series is a hidden gem of historical warfare and epic Western storytelling, making it more than deserving of a second look from fans of both.

What Is Netflix’s ‘Song of the Bandits’ About?

The series centers on Kim Nam-gil’s Lee Yoon, a former Korean slave who joined the Japanese military with his former master, Lee Gwang-il (Lee Hyun-wook), as the country’s colonial occupation began. Haunted by the atrocities he committed against Korean Independence fighters during his service, Lee Yoon departs from his current station in Episode 1 to journey north to Gando, where he hopes to surrender his life to former Independence General Choi Choong-soo (Yoo Jae-myung) as recompense for his crimes. Instead, the pair’s bitter reunion is soon interrupted when bandits attack the general’s village, leading to Lee Yoon single-handedly attacking the bandits’ headquarters to rescue a girl taken during the raid. At this point, the series comes into its name, as Choi Choong-soo suggests Lee Yoon can make amends for his mistakes by protecting the Joseon people instead of dying for his sins.

This suggestion leads the two men to form their own company of bandits in Episode 2, resulting in an homage to Western team-ups like The Magnificent Seven as they gather a band of desperate outlaws to protect Choi Choong-soo’s village and utilize guerrilla tactics against the Japanese. After Lee Yoon’s group successfully wipes out an entire Japanese garrison, the scope of their conflict only broadens as the series’ primary bandits vie with the remnants of Korea’s Independence Army, fellow outlaws, and the Japanese for control of railroad funds that are crucial to survival in Song of the Bandits’ main narrative arc. Moreover, matters are complicated further when Gwang-il, who goes by the name Major Miura Shohei in the army, is dispatched to protect the money, leading to a thrilling clash between both men’s conflicting cultures and classes.

‘Song of the Bandits’ Mixes Thrilling Action Sequences With K-Drama Politics

However, what really stands out in the Netflix series is how Jung-hoon and Jun-hyuk take advantage of traditional Western aesthetics to elevate their narrative. While Song of the Bandits’ politics and geography may feel unfamiliar to fans of traditional American Westerns, the series’ most exhilarating sequences unfold when the show blends recognizable Western tropes with the backstabbing intrigue of the arid Gando landscape. Lee Yoon’s gunfight at the end of Episode 1 is an especially brutal fight scene with all the one-sided, unflinching bitterness of Unforgiven, while Episode 4’s attack on an armored van mixes Song of the Bandits’ practical effects with the urgency of its political narrative. Likewise, Lee Yoon’s duel with Gwang-il in Episode 9 highlights the protagonist’s prowess in a classic desert standoff, showcasing the bandit’s quick draw like Val Kilmer in Tombstone to solidify Song of the Bandits’ place among the most thrilling entries in the genre.

Aside from violence, the series also faithfully portrays the independence and courage of Westerns’ archetypal heroines, with Seohyun’s Nam Hee-shin and Lee Ho-jung’s Eon-Nyeon proving especially compelling as the fight for the Japanese funds unfolds. As an assassin originally hired by Gwang-il to kill Lee Yoon, Eon-Nyeon’s subsequent acceptance of Lee Yoon and Choi Choong-soo as her chosen family provides a hard-won redemption arc to Gando’s cutthroat landscape, while Nam Hee-shin shines as a former Joseon noble attempting to support Korea’s Independence Army from within the Japanese government.

When Lee Yoon recognizes Hee-shin as the woman he loved while still a Japanese officer himself, the two grow closer and eventually deliver the funds to the Independence movement together, yet the pair’s relationship is complicated by the fact that Hee-shin is also engaged to Gwang-il. This entanglement creates a classic love triangle that balances the romantic politics of a riveting K-drama with Song of the Bandits’ much more deadly historical backdrop.

Netflix’s Underrated Western Is a Poignant Glimpse Into the Struggles of a Divided People

The political and cultural struggles depicted throughout Song of the Bandits are, without a doubt, the most moving aspects of the series, and Yoo Jae-myung, in particular, offers a heartbreaking performance as the worn veteran desperate to see his Joseon people freed. Choi Choong-soo’s apology to Eon-Nyeon at the start of Episode 6 encapsulates the solemn grief felt by Joseon survivors, as the once-invincible General confesses his generation should never have left their children with such a ruined state, but Song of the Bandits also goes to great lengths to demonstrate the cruelty of Japan’s occupying army. Although the main events of the series are only loosely based on Korea’s March First Movement of 1919, the series still doesn’t shy away from depicting the cost of imperialism on the perpetually victimized Joseon people.

The series’ recollection of the Gurye Incident, the moment from Lee Yoon’s past that resulted in the destruction of Choi Choong-soo’s village and the slaughter of his family, is particularly horrific, as are the summary executions of alleged freedom fighters carried out by the Japanese consulate in Gando regularly. Yet, as horrific as these war crimes and Gwang-il’s slaughter of civilians in Episode 5 are, Song of the Bandits also promotes a deeper message about social unity. Between Joseon bandits handing over Independence fighters to the Japanese for rewards and both Lee Yoon and Eon-Nyeon recounting how their parents were unjustly killed by their fellow Joseon, Song of the Bandits devotes equal time to describing how oppressed populations just as often turn on one another, ultimately advocating for forgiveness when Eon-Nyeon refuses to punish Choi Choong-soo for the murder of her parents.

Just as all series suffer from their own unique shortcomings, Song of the Bandits isn’t perfect. In particular, the show’s tone deviates from its dark beginnings in favor of a slower, more comedic atmosphere in later episodes, and the love triangle between Lee Yoon, Hee-shin, and Gwang-il isn’t suitably resolved by the finale (possibly in anticipation of a potential Season 2). Yet, with nonstop action sequences whose ringing steel and clashing bayonets provide the music of the series title, riveting gunfights, and chase scenes, and deep social commentary on what it means for a people to survive colonial oppression, Song of the Bandits is still a phenomenal television outing that proves audiences don’t need to flock to the most popular Westerns on streaming to enjoy some of the genre’s most unique stories.

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Release Date

2023 – 2023-00-00

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Network

Netflix

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Hwang Jun-hyeok

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  Yoo Jae-myung

  Choi Choong-su

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  Lee Hyun-wook

  Lee Kwang-il

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‘The Traitors’ Rob Rausch
Bought An Alabama Home …
Before Winning The Show!!!

Published
March 3, 2026
1:00 AM PST

New York Fashion Week 2026 has come and gone, but the styles have certainly left a lasting impact on local Manhattanites. As a shopping editor in New York City, you can bet I had my sights set on exciting trends showcased on (and off) the runway. One style I saw over and over again? Patterns on patterns on patterns. Designers and labels by the likes of Carolina Herrera, Anna Sui, Khaite, and more all went headfirst into playful polka dots, wild animal prints and vibrant florals, which is inspiring a newfound 2026 look for all the NYC fashion girlies.

To replicate said high-end style, I’m leaning on affordable retailers that deliver the runway look without ever stepping into the showroom. Like the looks seen during NYFW, these pieces feel bold, unconventional, feminine and even vintage-esque — especially when you layer them together. And although I’m opting for picks under $150, that doesn’t mean you can’t find big brands below. I’m talking about Kate Spade, Free People, Sam Edelman, Banana Republic and more. All these finds transition well from winter to spring, so you can wear ’em now and again when spring really is in bloom.

13 NYFW-Inspired Styles to Add to Your Wardrobe

1. Our Favorite: Deep brown hues and floral prints dominated the runway, and this popular maxi dress makes the trend super wearable. Designed with a muted, inspired tone, this dress can be worn from day to night. All you need to do is swap out your shoes, and you’re ready to go.

2. Everyday Essential: With warm weather on the way, it’s time to grab this polka dot dress for upcoming spring activities. While Christian Siriano played with large spots, I like this minimalistic pattern for everyday wear instead. It still presents a stark contrast against the black backdrop, but is more realistic for errands, brunches and the like.

3. Spring Staple: I’m willing to bet that you’ll throw on this long-sleeved dress every second you can get. It has a billowy fit, a sweetheart neckline and a twirl-worthy skirt that’s perfect for date night. Oh, and the pretty floral print is just chef’s kiss.

4. Wild Side: Animal print pieces have definitely been on my radar before New York Fashion Week, but the shows only confirmed my hunch. It’s safe to say that the style is definitely ‘in,’ and this off-shoulder top is an easy way to incorporate the print. This pick skews more fitted, making it ideal for baggy jeans and trousers.

5. Mix and Match: If you’re unsure how to mix patterns together in your ensemble, I’d say start with your base and then throw on these polka dot slingbacks as the cherry on top. The mesh paneling, pointed toe and kitten heel feel so Hollywood glam, but in 2026.

Related: I Went to NYFW — These 17 Amazon Picks Capture 2026’s Chicest Trends

New York Fashion Week always sets the tone for what’s next — and after bouncing between Alice + Olivia, Derek Lam and Christian Siriano, the 2026 mood felt crystal clear. Polka dots looked polished, leopard felt elevated and even caped coats were surprisingly easy to pull off. I saw plush faux-fur layers styled with wide-leg […]

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6. Instant Upgrade: Anyone who lives in the northeast knows that spring takes a while to warm up. This cheetah-print shirt jacket keeps you on trend and cozy warm at the very same time. I also love the idea of wearing this shacket with a basic tee and jeans, with the outerwear as the main statement.

7. Work Warrior: Whether you work in fashion or accounting, this button-down shirt is an essential for every workwear wardrobe. Unlike traditional button-ups, this one does away with the point collar, replacing it with a feminine ruffle for a stand-out approach.

8. Flattering Find: Utility dresses, like this cotton option, work just as hard as you do; this one is customizable, has multiple pockets and a waist-defining belt that won’t let your shape get lost behind the zebra print.

9. Cool-Girl Style: Haven’t you heard? Shoulder bags are the cool ‘It’ girl thing, and this animal-print style nails both trends simultaneously. The purse has just enough space for the essentials, like your phone, key and lip gloss.

10. Dreamy Find: While lace isn’t an actual pattern, I noticed that the delicate style kept showing up on the runway. This pretty Free People layering top is one of my favorite ways to zhuzh up an otherwise boring outfit. The floral design gives it an ethereal appearance while looking lovely under tanks, vests, baggy shirts, and dresses.

11. Instant Upgrade: Upgrade your blouse collection with this long-sleeve number that embodies the runway-approved dark floral style with a workwear twist. The pleats at the neckline give the top a little extra something, too!

12. Pretty in Pink: Puffed sleeves, a flowy fit and a ruffle hem are three details that make this dressy top an instant ‘add to cart.’ Another selling point? It’s marked down to just $15 right now.

13. Cocktail Hour: As soon as I saw this Astr the Label dress, I had to shop it. Made with lightweight materials, ruffled tiers and a safari-like print, this elegant dress looks like something showcased this February. Thankfully, it wasn’t and can be at your front door in a few days.

Related: Amazon Dropped 4,000+ New Arrivals: 17 Blouses That Feel On-Trend

When Amazon drops more than 4,000 new arrivals in one sweep, that’s a fashion writer’s cue to start digging. After doing this for years, I’ve learned to treat it like a treasure hunt — scrolling past the basics to spot the pieces that actually hint at what’s coming next. This batch delivered in a big […]

The Real Housewives of New York City’s season 16 newbie Hailey Glassman had an outrageous connection to reality TV long before she joined the Bravoverse.

PR pro Glassman is one of three new fulltime cast members joining RHONY in another pseudo-reboot of the Bravo series, following the departures from Brynn Whitfield, Ubah Hassan, Racquel Chevremont and Jenna Lyons. Glassman’s fellow RHONY newcomers include celebrity fitness trainer Erika Hammond and makeup artist Daisy Toye, plus returning cast members Sai De Silva, Erin Lichy and Jessel Taank, as well as Carole Radziwill as a “friend of the Housewives.”

Glassman first gained notoriety in 2009 when she started dating Jon & Kate Plus 8 star Jon Gosselin shortly after his split from wife, Kate Gosselin. The relationship was controversial at the time because Hailey’s father, Dr. Lawrence Glassman, had previously performed Kate’s tummy tuck for free.

Hailey and Jon’s relationship was short-lived and she later made a series of very public digs about him, including mocking the size of his anatomy.

Related: Jon Gosselin’s Dating History: Marriage, Scandal and More

When it comes to love, former reality star Jon Gosselin has certainly experienced his share of ups and downs. Jon was married to ex-wife Kate Gosselin, with whom he shares eight children, from 1999 until the pair’s divorce in 2009. Though the Gosselins’ marriage came to an end amid accusations Jon had ben unfaithful, he […]

Keep scrolling for a look back at Hailey and Jon’s brief relationship.

Hailey Glassman’s Father Performed Kate Gosselin’s Tummy Tuck

Hailey Glassman’s father, plastic surgeon Dr. Lawrence Glassman, brought her into Jon Gosselin’s orbit before they officially started dating. Jon’s ex-wife, Kate Gosselin, has confirmed that Lawrence reached out to her after seeing her complain on her TLC show about having the “jowls of a dog,” or excess skin on her midsection, due to her C-section procedures.

“A plastic surgeon’s wife happened to see that hour special and she begged her husband to do my tummy tuck for free,” Kate revealed in a 2025 Facebook video shared by Glassman Plastic Surgery. “She always said, ‘I didn’t need one so I asked him to give mine to [Kate].’ That’s what happened.”

She confirmed, “Dr. Glassman did my tummy tuck. [His wife] contacted me through our production company somehow … I literally screamed at the top of my lungs. I never even thought about a tummy tuck. I never even thought it was possible because I knew we couldn’t afford it. The possibility of it was amazing.”

Controversy Over Jon Gosselin and Hailey Glassman’s Dating Timeline

Jon and Kate Gosselin announced that they were ending their marriage during a June 22, 2009, episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8.

“I tried to contemplate [our marriage] and think about it,” Jon said during the episode. “It’s just not good… for us to be arguing in front of our kids.”

Later in the episode, he told the cameras, “I’m hurt by all of this, but I’m excited and hurt at the same time because I have a new chapter in my life. I’m only 32-years-old and I really don’t know what’s going to happen.”

There were reports days later that Jon had already started a new relationship with Hailey Glassman. In August 2009, the PR guru addressed the awkward timeline of her new relationship with E! News by clarifying that Jon and Kate were separated for “months” before she started seeing him in May 2009.

“Jon and Kate have moved on with their lives — it’s only the viewers who haven’t moved on,” she demanded.

In October 2009, she told The Insider that “Kate wouldn’t say I was a home wrecker.”

“I have respect for [Kate],” Hailey stressed. “She’s like a lioness protecting her cubs. That’s her turf.”

Hailey Glassman Called Jon Gosselin Her ‘First Love’

In her E! News interview, Hailey Glassman said that she considered Jon Gosselin to be her “first love.”

“I’m not some celebrity, I’m not some famous person — I’m just a 22-year-old girl who got caught in the middle of all this,” she said. “Take my 15 minutes, you can have it back.”

Jon Gosselin Was Accused of Cheating on Hailey Glassman

Jon Gosselin was spotted with Star reporter Kate Major in New York City in July 2009 but he insisted that he was only friends with Major.

“My heart is always with Hailey,” Jon exclusively told Us Weekly that same month.

Major disputed his comments during an August 2009 interview with CBS News, claiming that she felt “badly for [Hailey] that she doesn’t know the truth.”

“I don’t have a lot of respect for [Jon],” Major insisted. “I think he handled the situation very poorly. He did not act like an adult or a grown man or a father. And it’s just sad. I think the fame has just gone to his head and he’s on some bachelor romp.”

Hailey publicly took Jon’s side at the time, calling Major “cuckoo” during an interview with E! News in August 2009.

“I know what Jon tells me and I know him,” she insisted.

Hailey Glassman and Jon Gosselin Split in October 2009

Us Weekly reported in October 2009 that Hailey Glassman and Jon Gosselin had split after a whirlwind five-month romance. Days earlier, Glassman had told The Insider that she “shouldn’t have to put up with being emotionally abused.”

“We’re at a point now where I don’t know why I love him,” she told the TV show on October 28, 2009. “He gets frustrated and angry and I’m the one who gets the brunt. He’ll call me and take his anger out on me. He has ‘mantrums.’”

Later in the interview, she complained, “I cry and say why are you so mean to me? He takes it out on me. He talks over me so I can’t speak. Sometimes he has trouble with the truth and he will dance and dance around his lies. He’s like Jekyll and Hyde. But I still love him.”

Jon responded to Hailey’s allegations by telling The Insider that his ex-girlfriend “paid a significant price to live under such a media microscope.”

“I am grateful for her emotional support and I regret any pain that my actions have caused her as she has selflessly born the pressures I have endured under the media glare,” he went on. “I am committed to making things right with Hailey as well as Kate and especially my children. I ask you to please give me the opportunity to prove myself.”

Hailey Glassman Mocked Jon Gosselin’s Anatomy

In February 2010, Hailey Glassman took a shot at the size of her ex-boyfriend Jon Gosselin’s anatomy.

“He was so small I didn’t think he would cheat on me,” she told Steppin Out magazine. “He’s hung like a 9-year-old boy. I’m serious. This is true.”

Hailey alleged that “anybody who sleeps with him will notice” the size, adding, “It’s very noticeable. It’s so tiny, tiny, tiny.”

The PR agent recalled Jon getting upset when she broached the subject matter with him once.

“He said, ‘You know how subconscious [SIC] I am of down there,’” she remembered. “I would tell him to his face, ‘I don’t think you would cheat on me because you’re so small.’ I would tell him that all the time.”

Jon never publicly responded to Hailey’s insults about his anatomy. He subsequently married his second wife, Stephanie Lebo, in 2025.

Tyrese Gibson
Paul Walker’s Charity Racing Toward $1M!!!

Published
March 3, 2026
3:00 AM PST

Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for the Bridgerton Season 4 finale.

After waiting weeks for Bridgerton‘s Part 2 return, Season 4 has come to an end in a game-changing way for the franchise. The jam-packed finale concluded on an emotional rollercoaster, from the reveal of a new Lady Whistledown (still voiced by the iconic Julie Andrews) to Violet (Ruth Gemmell) breaking her relationship off with Marcus (Daniel Francis). While there are a lot of plot threads for the show to continue juggling, Season 4 leads Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) and Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) bookend this chapter with another sweet kiss — but what about their fairytale wedding fans have been waiting weeks for?

If you thought comic book or video game adaptations were the only projects doing post-credit scenes, think again. Following in the footsteps of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Fallout Season 2, Bridgerton joins the trend with a surprise scene after the finale credits. While it may seem like a strange choice, the moment wraps a perfect bow on the season as a whole that’ll leave Benophie fans smiling from ear to ear.

What Happens in the ‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Finale After the Credits?

After the credits roll on the Bridgerton Season 4 finale, the episode cuts to My Cottage, Benedict’s not-so-little hideaway from Part 1, where he and Sophie previously earned a glimpse of what their life could be like together. Friends and family are gathered for their wedding, which sees the return of Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Bridgerton (Simone Ashley) after their brief appearances in Episode 6. Initially, Anthony is completely against Benedict and Sophie’s relationship because of what society would think of a nobleman and a maid being together. The eldest Bridgerton son is ultimately redeemed in the Bridgerton Season 4 end-credits scene, with Anthony expressing gratitude that his brother didn’t listen to him before adding that their late father would be proud of Benedict, just like he is.

Sophie then begins to walk down the aisle with her trusty friend, Alfie (David Moorst), by her side. As Benedict and Sophie officially become husband and wife, the episode ends with a shot of Benedict’s now-finished painting of Sophie as the Lady in Silver. It’s a perfectly heartwarming conclusion to the season, which is exactly what showrunner Jess Brownell wanted. In an interview with The Wrap, she revealed that the wedding was supposed to come before the credits, but she felt like the finale was already a lot for audiences to digest, hence the decision to move the moment to a end-credits scene. As Brownell added:

“It did feel important for us to see our Cinderella figure get her proper happy ending. And I think that wedding does it all.”

Related

‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Part 2 Review: The Netflix Romance’s Most Game-Changing Moves Can’t Overcome the Show’s Worst Habit

Sophie and Benedict’s romance earns a handful of swoonworthy moments, but it’s not the primary focus in Season 2’s final four episodes.

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Which Bridgerton Siblings Will Lead Seasons 5 and 6?

The first Bridgerton end-credits scene also looks ahead to the series’ future. While the eldest brothers share a heartwarming moment, Kate questions whose wedding they might attend next. After spending most of the series trying to avoid the marriage mart, Eloise surprises everyone by saying she loves a wedding — but clarifies she only enjoys it as an attendee. Penelope Bridgerton (Nicola Coughlan) then questions if Francesca Stirling (Hannah Dodd) sees herself remarrying after the tragic passing of John Stirling (Victor Alli). Francesca says she’s already had her great love and that “one time was enough,” to which the camera focuses on Violet smiling, knowing full well that finding love again is possible after a great loss.

Now that the first four Bridgerton siblings have had their seasons in the spotlight, there are still four other siblings left to lead the series’ upcoming installments. During the red carpet premiere for Bridgerton Season 4, Brownell teased which characters would headline Seasons 5 and 6 by wearing two pocket squares with the initials E and F embroidered on them. She confirmed to Deadline that “both characters with the initials on my pocket squares will get seasons in five [and] six. In what order? I can’t say.” With Bridgerton Seasons 5 and 6 officially confirmed, gentle viewers will be anticipating it with bated breath — but if fans can rest certain in anything, it’s that the show will always prioritize a happy ending, even if the moment happens a little later than expected.

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Release Date

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December 22, 2020

Network

Netflix

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Directors

Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson

Writers

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Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin

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  Luke Thompson

  Lady Violet Bridgerton

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  Ruth Gemmell

  Benedict Bridgerton

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In the second half of Community‘s original run on NBC, “Six Seasons and a Movie” became not only the mantra of the show’s fans, but also the series itself. The phrase was both a goal and a promise, to tell the story of Greendale Community College’s most infamous study group over the course of six TV seasons and a feature film. Against all odds (and with a little help from Yahoo’s short-live streaming venture), we got the six seasons, and now we’re just waiting for the movie.

Peacock announced Community: The Movie a couple of years ago, and it was due to begin production after the SAG and WGA strikes, Unfortunately, that production start never happened, and fans are still waiting to see if the film will actually come to fruition. What we know now, though, is that the post-strikes delay was due to one key member of the cast having a conflict, and Community remains committed to keeping the entire ensemble together. In other words, the Community movie knows exactly what it needs to be, and nobody is settling for less.

Image via NBC

The delays that have plagued Community‘s movie have undoubtedly been frustrating, but there is definitely a silver lining to the entire situation: Dan Harmon and his creative cohorts know that the cast needs to be together for this to work. Community writer Andrew Guest recently appeared on a new episode of The Watch podcast and confirmed that the movie was “close to shooting” after the strikes in 2023, but one cast member had a conflict that would’ve kept them from having their intended role. Rather than changing anything in the script to make a deadline, the entire movie was pushed to make sure everyone could be a part of it.

Community’s razor-sharp, years-ahead-of-its-time writing is a big reason the show has left such a lasting mark on its fans, but the biggest reason is absolutely the show’s perfect ensemble. Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, Ken Jeong, Jim Rash, and Donald Glover all need to have substantial parts to play in the film for it to actually be a worthwhile continuation of the series. Based on what Guest had to say, it sounds like that remains the goal.

Related

The 40 Best Comedy Shows of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb

Need a laugh? Look no further.

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Keeping the Study Group Together

Image via NBC

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The first three seasons of Community featured the entire core cast on a consistent basis, with Chevy Chase rounding out the aforementioned list of stars. Chase was written out of the show entirely, Glover’s Troy was sent off to another college in Season 5, and Brown only made a few appearances in Season 6. Chase’s character exit made sense, but the breaking up of the group beyond Pierce left a void with fans that the show tried a few different ways to fill.

No offense to anyone who came into the show in Seasons 5 and 6, because many of them did a great job helping Community stay quirky and fresh. Keith David and Paget Brewster did an particularly solid job aiding Community across the finish line. But no matter how good they were, the study group never felt the same without Troy and Shirley.

The duo of Troy and Abed is especially important to making the Community movie work. There have been rumblings that the script is about a Greendale reunion and Abed trying to put a film together about their lives. In what world would Abed make a movie about Greendale without Troy being a part of it? There has been no word about Glover’s schedule being an issue or anything like that; this is simply one example of the dynamics of the study group that can be thrown off if everyone isn’t back together.

Community is exactly as its title implies, it’s about the sum being a wonderful culmination of its eccentric parts. It’s refreshing to know that, unlike many other reboots and revivals, the Community creative team isn’t satisfied with anything less than what made it special in the first place.

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Release Date

2009 – 2015-00-00

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Network

NBC, Yahoo! Screen

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Showrunner

Dan Harmon

Directors

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Tristram Shapeero, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Rob Schrab, Jay Chandrasekhar, Adam Davidson, Justin Lin, Steven K. Tsuchida, Kyle Newacheck, Victor Nelli Jr., Nat Faxon, Michael Patrick Jann, Anthony Hemingway, Ken Whittingham, Steven Sprung, Tricia Brock, Jeff Melman, Gail Mancuso, Duke Johnson, Fred Goss, Bobcat Goldthwait, Richard Ayoade, Seth Gordon, Beth McCarthy-Miller

Writers

Chris McKenna, Hilary Winston, Andrew Guest, Tim Hobert, Karey Dornetto, Stephen Basilone, Emily Cutler, Annie Mebane, Alex Rubens, Tim Saccardo, Paul Isakson, David Seger, Maggie Bandur, Monica Padrick, Matt Murray, Liz Cackowski, Lauren Pomerantz, Dan Guterman, Matt Roller, Ryan Ridley, Carol Kolb, Jon Pollack, Dino Stamatopoulos, Donald Diego

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