NBC has been known for making fairly poor decisions, and is mostly considered to be justly last in American networks. Since many of my favorite shows air on the peakcock, I was inclined to disagree, but no more. Community is a show, for those who don't know, that has been airing since 2009 when it was created by writer and producer Dan Harmon. He has been in the news quite a bit in the past few months for missteps such as publicizing private voicemails from actors on the show, rumors circulating that he was failing to finish scripts on time, and threw tantrums on set to get his way. It seems the network has decided that they'd had enough, and the value his creative mind generated presumably was outweighed by his behaviour. Whether this is the case or not really isn't relevant here, nor do I feel I know enough about the situation to comment one way or the other (though as a fan, I fear change).
The issue at hand is how he was terminated. Technically, as a writer/producer he was on contract, and that contract expired. They were under no obligation to renew (though the assumption is that if you continue a project, you will keep the driving force behind it) and, it seems, already had a couple of people lined up for the position. They released a press release indicating the new showrunners, suggesting that Mr. Harmon would take on a consulting role, and that, prior to the internet, would have been the end of it. Mr. Harmon posted on his tumbler later that night that he had received no communications from NBC, nor did he agree to any substitute position with the show. Since there had been no indication that he would be removed from his position (even with all the errors in judgement), to terminate a working relationship through the media seems unethical to me. Not only does it disrespect the employee, but it affects the morale of everyone at the company, who now know that their jobs are on the line even if they are not aware of it - perhaps tomorrow they will open the newspaper and their name will be there as an ex-employee. Such poor judgement at the top level can put an entire department at risk as stakeholders lose faith in the project's ability. Where was the HR department to put a stop to this nonsensical level of theatrics before the axe was dropped?
The reaction has been fairly distinct. Fans of the show have panned the decision, TV critics have noted that the decision to continue a creative experiment without the creator was an exercise doomed to fail, and employees have reached out in sympathy. It seems quite a few of the writers will also be moving on, perhaps to an employer that will offer them a little more respect.
While what they did was not illegal, it was downright distasteful, and shines a bad light on everyone involved. Discretion in such situations is paramount, and it is a lesson that NBC and Sony are now being forced to learn through the public lynching they face.
On a side note, if you have not seen this show yet, I suggest you take the time. You will not regret it.
#sixseasonsandamovie
