Remember how the last season of "Community" ended?
"We'll definitely be back next year. If not, it will be because an asteroid has destroyed all human civilization. And that's canon."
Well, good news: civilization lives to fight another day. Sony Pictures TV scored a last-minute deal to keep the show going for one more season.
Sony began shopping "Community" around after NBC axed the comedy from its lineup back in May. Deadline reports after talks with Hulu, Esquire, and Crackle fell through, Sony managed to ink a 13-episode agreement with Yahoo — just hours before the actors' contracts were set to expire. (Via Flickr / Keith McDuffee)
Vulture credits the eleventh-hour save to Sony's dedication to its TV properties. "The studio has developed something of a rep for not accepting network cancelations as final verdicts, having previously resurrected 'Damages,' 'Rules of Engagement,' ''Til Death,' and 'Unforgettable.'"
Series showrunner Dan Harmon celebrated the news Monday. "I look forward to bringing our beloved NBC sitcom to a larger audience by moving it online. I vow to dominate our new competition. Rest easy, Big Bang Theory. Look out, Bang Bus!" (Via The Hollywood Reporter)
And lead actor Joel McHale was equally triumphant about the move. "Thank you Sony. Thank you Yahoo. Thank you Dan Harmon. And thank you to the greatest f%$#ing fans in the history of the human race. It's the internet. We can swear now." (Via Mediaite)
But let's back up a bit: since when does Yahoo do TV?
Since right now, apparently. Yahoo's planning to air the 13-episode season on their video service Yahoo Screen. Launched in 2011, the service's biggest claim to fame has been critically-praised web series "Burning Love," but Variety reported in April the tech giant was looking to make a big push for TV-style content.
"Community" is just the latest TV show to be reincarnated in a digital medium. Netflix famously brought cult comedy "Arrested Development" back from the dead for a much-talked-about fourth season.
In fact, Netflix has made a habit of collecting and refurbishing canceled shows. Ex-AMC drama "The Killing," that Magic School Bus reboot, whatever Chelsea Handler's next project is — it's all migrated from TV to Netflix. (Via Scholastic / "The Magic School Bus," E! / "Chelsea Lately")
And of course, no TV show is ever really dead thanks to the magic of Kickstarter. That "Veronica Mars" film turned out pretty well, and Levar Burton's going to be able to make a whole lot more "Reading Rainbow" episodes with almost $5 million in his pocket.
The next season of "Community" is expected to debut on Yahoo Screen this fall.
