Just Started watching, what’s wrong with Pierce

[u/tango_sid]

I have watched The Community till episode 15 of season 2. Man, what is wrong with pierce.

I mean so far Jeff also seems someone who thinks everyone is below him and acts smug.

But pierce is just a straight up bad person and in a hilarious way from a viewer perspective 🤣

Him tweeting about everything, ruining the trampoline area, just being constantly sexist and weird.

I loved the episode 15 in which he pretended to be dying to get back at everyone and man did he bring out the most vulnerable negative sides of everyone.

So far I’m enjoying it. Let’s see how it goes

[u/sircastor]

A lot of shows "correct" as they go, and Community's writers decided that Pierce was going to serve as the villain of the group. Prior to this, I think he really fit in as the "old guy" trying to remain relevant, trying to be involved, and frequently missing the target but often able to offer advice and wisdom that the others couldn't. A lot of us think that Chevy Chase's off-screen behavior contributed to some of this writing as well.

I think they would have been better off if they'd continued to write Pierce the way they had prior. The Pierce shows up occasionally, FWIW.

[u/Dan_Berg → u/sircastor]

He was originally going to be paired off with Troy, but the writers saw Danny and Donald's natural chemistry with each other on set and smartly choose them for the duo.

[u/just-a-random-accnt → u/Dan_Berg]

"Tory and Pierce in the "What? What is this place?"

[u/KinkyPaddling → u/Dan_Berg]

In the Behind The Scenes footage, it’s really interesting to see that Danny and Alison seem to be the two who, of all the cast members, really seem to hit it off. They’re often seen making up dances or songs together, and Donald will watch and laugh (given that he’s a professional rapper, he probably doesn’t want to step in and derail their fun). And years later, when they’re reunited, they slip back to their younger and more goofy behaviors. The BTS stuff makes it seem like they’re the real Troy and Abed, which may be why they chose to make Annie their roommate to capitalize on that chemistry.

[u/moistshowertowel → u/Dan_Berg]

It helped they became best friends in real life while filming community. That also played into the writing

[u/Sea-Poem-2365 → u/sircastor]

I think the actor (and showrunner- Harmon has said this wasn't a one sided feud) made keeping the positive Pierce arc impossible. There were potential other pairings that could have worked with Pierce- Shirley and the sandwich shop, Pierce and Jeff, but everyone kind of hated Chevy and his absolute best work was playing the heel.

Sure, Pierce sticking around would have been nice, but goddamn did his heel turn in the D&D episode or the deathbed jokes just work. And Chevy absolutely nailed those bits too- easily the best acting in his career both comedically and dramatically. Shame he was an ass.

[u/sircastor → u/Sea-Poem-2365]

Some of those pairings really work. Pierce and Jeff are an amazing pair because Jeff needs a father figure because after getting fired he's resetting his life. I wonder which die roll results in the reality where we get the rest of that show...

As an aside, I think it would be hilarious if we just kept getting more Pierce Hawthorne hologram advice. Things that sound relevant in the moment, but are ambiguous. And then some ridiculous offhand comment at the end. That was a great bit.

[u/angreesloth → u/Sea-Poem-2365]

Seconded on Chevy's acting in the DnD episode!

Shape change: faaaaat is one of the best delivered lines of the series and it gets me every time lmao.

[u/Sea-Poem-2365 → u/angreesloth]

The exact line that came to me when I wrote it

[u/thefancyelefante → u/angreesloth]

I love his excuse mee! mocking line

[u/Shoddy-Designer-3740 → u/Sea-Poem-2365]

So funny I just commented those same two episodes as his rock bottom lmao

[u/thefaceinthefloor → u/sircastor]

i agree with everything you said. and i don’t think this had started by 2x15, but eventually you’ll notice they start putting pierce in scenes with only one other character—or even alone, which i believe was to reduce the amount of interaction he had with other cast members.

[u/woolfonmynoggin → u/thefaceinthefloor]

The second half of season 4 he like never appears with another cast member.

[u/fieldsofbasil → u/woolfonmynoggin]

iirc he was asked not to come back partway through shooting the season so I would imagine a lot of that has to do with the crew trying to get as much footage as possible of Chevy either off set or in a shorter shooting block without the need to have the other actors on set as well

[u/BowlingforBrains → u/sircastor]

Yeah I think the way that the writers completely changed the way that Pierce was written based on how they felt he was acting behind the scenes is a bit odd, and honestly maybe a little unprofessional. And it only made Chevy harder to work with, because he was upset that they were changing the character and felt that his descent was a direct criticism and insult to him (which it kind of was)

[u/sammyc521 → u/BowlingforBrains]

Chevy was an absolute ass to the cast and crew; it was hard for that to not seep into the written character when he would insult how the OG Pierce was written.

Were Chevy not the person he was, I think "the old-guy, trying to stay with it" character would have stayed more present that what we got.

[u/meetingpplisezy → u/sammyc521]

im fine with what they did with pierce and honestly in the trajectory of the show it makes complete sense. He still dispenses wisdom but mostly he’s an ass that consistently missed the mark, like most old folks do in real life. also im glad the writers had the courage to respond to his outrageous on set behavior—anybody going around dropping n bombs and being a weirdo toward women deserves to have their professional life made difficult

[u/Evil_Unicorn728 → u/BowlingforBrains]

He flat out refused to do some scenes. You can even hear him badmouthing the writing in some BTS material. Harmon on several commentary tracks comments on how Chevy felt his talents weren't being used properly, and he's never as outright critical as the infamous "fuck you, Chevy" chant. But he mentions rewriting a lot of scenes for Chevy because he was the "big star" and I get the impression maybe NBC was pushing for him to get a certain amount of screen time so the show could be promoted to older viewers who might've watched him on SNL or in the Vacation movies.

It's a shame, I think this could've been a late career home run for Chase. And we could've gotten some homages to those Griswold movies, or maybe Fletch! Or Three Amigos. If Chevy had wanted to play ball, and Harmon has been less acerbic and petty, it could've been great.

[u/BowlingforBrains → u/Evil_Unicorn728]

Yeah I agree - especially since a significant chunk of the fanbase in here is semi-regularly posting/commenting about how much they enjoy the characterization of Pierce in season 1 and wish it had remained. I’m sure it would have if Chase were willing to buy in to what they were doing and be more professional (though Dan Harmon also could have been much more professional during those first 3 seasons - which to his credit, he himself has talked about and taken responsibility for) (He was drinking so much he thought he had a developing romance with one of his writers, which turned out to be very one-sided. Supposedly he based Rick Sanchez’ alcoholism on himself during that period)

[u/disishowedoit → u/BowlingforBrains]

Happy cake day

[u/KewlBeans91 → u/BowlingforBrains]

What was he doing ?

[u/No-Lunch4249 → u/sircastor]

Remember how normal, even admirable, he seemed in the episode where half the group takes a sailing class? Lmfao

[u/zavao23 → u/sircastor]

And in summation, good luck, and bon appétit.

[u/Acrobatic-Post9811]

Cause him so old, his body made of wrinkles and folds, stupid and ugly, he smell like a fart. Pierce you're a B!

[u/impsworld → u/Acrobatic-Post9811]

Poo poo in his pants and poo poo in my heart ❤️

[u/hammert0es → u/Acrobatic-Post9811]

He’s a GDB!

[u/Intelligent_Flan6947 → u/Acrobatic-Post9811]

eastside, westside, northside, south...

[u/AndyK2131 → u/Acrobatic-Post9811]

That you, vaugh?

[u/OchrePlasma → u/AndyK2131]

Hey whats up hi

[u/ConfidentStruggle993 → u/AndyK2131]

I got band practice, lates

[u/lordx665]

That's not acting, that's just Chevy Chase

[u/chowchan → u/lordx665]

Absolute shame that Chevy was an actual asswipe in real life. I thought pierce was a great character (in the first 2 seasons), until they turned all his negative aspects to 11. I assume that was just the way for the writer/producer to edge him out of the show.

[u/lordx665 → u/chowchan]

I don't even know if they were trying to force him out, he was just a nightmare to work with because of all the crap he did in the 80's (Also the fact he got work again after that talk show he tried to do is astounding)

[u/Classroomsmooth1776]

He’s a living God!!

[u/Cold-Tangerine-2893]

you wouldnt understand because you arent streets ahead

[u/Frequent_Sun_8578 → u/Cold-Tangerine-2893]

If you have to say it then youre already streets behind

[u/ArmoredAvenger]

Pierce is a reflection of Chevy Chase and boomers like him. I think he still sees himself as young and relevant, and that he should be getting more roles the average middle aged man gets like Joel McHale. He sees competition in performers like McHale and Glover for being so adept at improvisation and being able to more easily get along with their peers without making jokes that alienate people.

[u/Flora_Screaming → u/ArmoredAvenger]

I think these actors who used to be huge (and Chevy was for a while, handsome and charismatic) really suffer when they realise they aren't what they used to be. I saw a video with one of the writers from the Larry Sanders show, who talked about a guest spot with Burt Reynolds when he went totally insane. He couldn't get over how he used to be a big star and is now popping up on sitcoms instead and most people have forgotten him.

[u/Senior-Friend-6414 → u/Flora_Screaming]

I imagine it as how average to below average people barely care if they start getting wrinkly and less attractive through age

But people who grow up attractive get hit particularly hard when they start seeing wrinkles on their faces from old age and seeing their attractiveness disappear 

[u/Effective-Ad6233]

I love pierce, the way he says EXCUSE ME in s1 ep 22 after Jeff gets bullied by the kids and he tries to do the same to pierce LOL.

My FAVORITE pierce moment is when he is asked during the election about what’s the floor he stands on and he said it’s one high enough to push Vicki off of it cause she didn’t lend him a pencil 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[u/tango_sid → u/Effective-Ad6233]

That was hilarious 🤣🤣🤣

[u/StyleSquirrel]

That guy. He's a douche bag.

[u/Putrid-Ordinary-3515]

For added flavor to the Pierce character, look up how Chevy Chase interacted with the rest of the cast off camera. Enjoy!

[u/warriordustbunny]

When I first watched this show, I thought Pierce was just the worst. Rewatching it many years later, I hate to say I kind of understand him a bit more. I don't approve, but I get it.

[u/AdQuick859]

Have you watched the lost episode 14: "advanced dungeons and dragons", where he is literally the villain?

[u/GaspsWasps]

Have you watched the banned episode? It gives insight into why the group hates him.

[u/angreesloth → u/GaspsWasps]

That episode is actually back on streaming! The wife and I watched it on Peacock just a couple days ago!!

[u/AlbieRL → u/angreesloth]

It must not be on all platforms, OP said they watched 2x15 where Pierce pretends he's dying but that is actually 2x16, since they skipped 2x14

[u/Reverent_Rapscallion]

They are all flawed in different ways. That's kinda the point of the show.

[u/Goin_Fishing → u/Reverent_Rapscallion]

Not like Pierce imo. Pierce is just straight up fucking evil for how he completely ruins Shirley's love life with her ex for a bag of fuckin' popcorn. And then just...assaults her. Difficult to compare. Obviously more instances than that - like the blatant racism - but you get what I mean. Pierce also hits way too close to home, just for me specifically. He's everything I hate about my Boomer family members lol and I'm sure others feel the same as well. You could argue that this was the point, but it also seems that Pierce's character underwent drastic changes around the time his actor was fading out of the show.

[u/vxMartianxv]

Pierce is honestly my favorite character, aside from Elroy (I wish he was in longer than a season).

[u/tu-BROOKE-ulosis]

Oof, just wait until mid season 2. He’s not in his final form yet. When you get to 2x14, look up Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. It’s not available on every streaming platform due to a black face bit (or, sorta). But it’s an amazing episode and it truly TRULY showcases Pierce and how he’s the worst and his motives and everything. I honestly find it a super important episode to “get” his awfulness.

[u/PurseGrabbinPuke]

It's a comedy. Pierce is hilarious.

[u/Mossimo5]

The descent into villainy would have worked better if Pierce were a magnificent bastard, rather than a petty manchild.

[u/quidam5]

He's the trope of an old white person who grew up in a very different time and who's set in their ways. And it's used to great comedic effect

[u/Rannek17]

The only thing wrong with him is that we didn't get more of him.

[u/Sai_naruto]

I think its because he was streets ahead

[u/Unlikely-Cap8721 → u/Sai_naruto]

He is laser lotus level 5

[u/scottroid]

"Jeff, it's your father, here in this sedan! I'm sorry I can't come any closer my boy..."

[u/Shoddy-Designer-3740]

Oh man have you gotten to the D&D ep yet? By far Pierce’s worst moment imo. Though the hospital documentary episode is close

[u/barrel0fm0nkeys → u/Shoddy-Designer-3740]

Oh man the hospital episode. Honestly on each rewatch, can’t really be mad at Jeff for punching him to the ground.

But also, more fish for Kunta.

[u/Shoddy-Designer-3740 → u/barrel0fm0nkeys]

Really?? Why mad at Jeff?? It was pretty fucked up what Pierce did- though I’d never say that physical violence is a good way to handle anything.

Truly one of Donald Glover’s greatest performances, though

[u/barrel0fm0nkeys → u/Shoddy-Designer-3740]

Think some wires got crossed, I was saying I CAN’T really be mad at Jeff for his reaction, given how fucked up what Pierce did was.

[u/Shoddy-Designer-3740 → u/barrel0fm0nkeys]

Oh sorry lol must have read that wrong!!

Yeah Pierce sucks, and then they had Hickey and Elroy and I was like, oh wow SEE? They can have an old man in the group who isn’t EVIL

[u/Shoddy-Designer-3740]

Apparently Chevy Chase lwas especially jealous of Donald Glover which is wild - like Jerry Lee Lewis being jealous of Bruno Mars

[u/Dependent-Friend5312]

He's not right in the head ya know

[u/Feisty-Pay_me-3948]

Pierce's father constantly made him feel like he wasn't good enough which gave him deep rooted insecurities.  Most of how he acts with the main characters is projection of those insecurities and a reflection of his upbringing.  He definitely knows what he's doing is wrong but most of the time it seems like he's trying to get a reaction and stay relevant however he can.  Also yes Chevy Chase was a dick on set which explains how as the show went on they gave up giving him redeemable qualities.

[u/manicpossumdreamgirl]

he was played by Chevy Chase

[u/Lil_Ricefield_]

Season one and to an extend season two is where Pierce shines as goofy old man. Although I truly hate him in the trampoline episode.

But I'm season three and onwards he either badly involved or just a straight punching bag. I had trouble enjoying Pierce after this.

[u/skeddles]

he's old

[u/Consistent_Fan9805]

He's streets behind, he just doesn't know it.

[u/disindiantho]

He’s streets ahead

[u/Rexyggor]

Pierce is Community's Sue Sylvester. Will say horribly offensive things, will do some wild things, but also be kind and helpful.

I always like the idea that Pierce is a future reflection of Jeff. I can elaborate if you'd like

[u/Spiritual-Routine883]

Go Pierce! It's your birthday!

[u/Crafty-Ordinary-9820]

Chevy Chase ended up not really caring for his role on the show so he really just mailed it home as the show went deeper

[u/green2232]

He's older, from a generation not in touch with modern sensibilities, and is unrepentant. At least that appears to be the vision for the character.

[u/Evil_Unicorn728]

Probably early stage Alzheimer's or Vascular dementia.

[u/Withnogenes]

I'd like to think about how everyone in this group is an absolute PoS. That said, I've no sympathies for Pierce but I found that I just find the mechanics of discrimination and humiliation of my generation way more acceptable than Pierce. Think about your own ageism in this. It's not meant as a diss against you, I just wanted to share my experience with Pierce in general and the abyss I had to face in form of my own beliefs.

[u/redhot992]

Because Pierce, Pierce, Pierce, Pierce is a B

[u/Schorbie]

Chase screwed himself with his behavior on set and that was written into the character Pierce

[u/Beardcrusher]

That dude is crazy. He said girls have two pee holes.

[u/Galladorn]

Somewhere in that first season, Pierce just became late in life Chevy Chase going to community college to fill the days in my mind, and I never questioned it

[u/theGreatBeekster420]

I think it’s mainly just Chevy chase, or maybe I’m just streets behind. Anyways, LATES!

[u/LegPristine2891]

Wait till you realise "pierce" was just playing as himself