NBC’s ‘Community’ season 5: Dan Harmon reportedly ‘in talks’ over return

Dan Harmon was not just blowing smoke or going for a laugh when he said that Sony Pictures Television had asked him to return for the fifth and possible final season of “Community”. Based on what is coming out now, there are legitimate discussions happening.

Sources confirmed this news overnight to The Hollywood Reporter, but there are still some mysteries involved. For example, it is still not completely clear as to if Harmon is being asked to return in a consulting producer position (which he was asked to do for season 4, and declined), or if he was going to be appointed primary showrunner again.

As much as we would love to see Harmon’s creative vision behind the show again, we imagine that there are also some issues here that would have to be worked out. Many of the problems with Harmon’s first tenure had to do with production and budgetary needs, and not so much the voice-mail incident with Chevy Chase (who has now left the show). Then again, Sony could see this possible re-hiring as a way to dramatically boost ratings for the show. It’s clear that “Community” has a diehard cult following, and imagine the sort of buzz they would have around their season 5 premiere if they could say that Dan Harmon, the man so many fans loved for what he brought to the show, was back in some capacity.

Harmon first revealed the news about his possible return to the show on Sunday night, where he informed a group of listeners at a Harmontown taping that the invitation had come his way. He did say that he would not return unless Chevy did, but we’re pretty sure this was a joke.

Photo: NBC