Thanks to Animal Control, Joel McHale was able to deliver another Community reunion and pay back a favor to another cast member from nine years ago, Ken Jeong. Created by Dan Harmon, Community debuted in 2009 to critical acclaim and a passionate cult following. A considerable amount of the positive response centered around Community's cast of characters, which, along with McHale and Jeong, included Donald Glover's Troy and Danny Pudi's Abed. With some exceptions, the main cast remained for all six seasons and will return for the often-prophesized and now-confirmed Community movie.
Forging fast friendships, as well as cult favorite characters, the cast of Community often found ways to work with each other in the years since. That also extended to the crew. Several Community alum have found their way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, courtesy of directors The Russo Brothers. Similarly, many Community actors have followed creator Dan Harmon and voiced characters in Rick and Morty. Nothing compares, however, to seeing them back on-screen together. And none have reunited more than Jeong and McHale.
Ken Jeong Appeared In Animal Control 9 Years After Joel McHale Appeared In Dr. Ken
Joel McHale And Ken Jeong Honored Their Community Roots
In recent history, Jeong joined McHale in the latter's new sitcom: Animal Control. As the title suggests, the show revolves around an eclectic group of animal control employees in Seattle. Chief among them, McHale stars as confident stalwart Frank Shaw. As well as dealing with various kinds of critters, they encounter a range of quirky guest stars. Jeong made such an appearance in Animal Control season 2, episode 5, "Dogs and Chickens," in which he played dog whisperer Roman Park. It was a role he would reprise in Animal Control season 3.
Jeong created, wrote, and produced Dr. Ken, which ran for two seasons.
The move could be seen as a return of the favor. After all, Jeong led his own sitcom in the wake of Community's multiple cancelations. Drawing on his previous experiences as a doctor, Jeong created, wrote, and produced Dr. Ken, which ran for two seasons. Among its own guest stars, McHale appeared in Dr. Ken season 1, episode 14, "Dave's Valentine." Not dissimilar from his Community character Jeff Winger, McHale played Ross, an unscrupulous lawyer who once sued (and continued to clash with) Jeong's titular physician.
Why McHale & Jeong Are Such A Great Comedy Duo
It's no secret, to fans and critics alike, that Community fostered a creative environment in which comedic talent could thrive. That's why, as well-written as it was considered to be (outside of Community's infamous gas leak year), there was an abundance of ad-libbing that made it into even the best episodes of Community. That, no doubt, only grew more frequent as McHale and Jeong grew more comfortable with their characters, confident with their on-screen comedic chops, and more fully understood each other's style of comedy.
They know exactly how to push each other's buttons in the funniest way possible.
That was never more apparent than when McHale's Jeff Winger and Jeong's Ben Chang clashed. By the end of Community's TV run, both were fluent in playing egocentric characters that can go to insane places when needed. That no doubt made it easy when it came to their respective new shows and playing equally arrogant foils for each other.
McHale and Jeong know exactly how to match each other's energy and push buttons in the funniest way, adapting to however the other is choosing to play any given scene. As such, they could likely exchange witty barbs in their sleep, though neither could be accused of phoning it in. Hopefully, though, it won't be another 9 years before we see McHale and Jeong back together — be it in the Community movie or otherwise.
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Created by Dan Harmon, Community is a comedy series that follows a study group at an unorthodox community college where zany antics occur daily. When disgraced lawyer Jeff Winger is forced to enroll in a local college to get a degree and reinstate himself, he gets roped in with fellow students from different backgrounds, races, religions, and ages and reluctantly forms a study group. Together, these lovable misfits will navigate their school lives in some nigh unbelievable situations as they all try to figure out where their futures lie.
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