Asian Population Studies
- Episode aired Jan 20, 2011
- TV-PG
- 22m
Annie lobbies for her new crush, who is also Jeff's rival, to join the study group, but a jealous Jeff counters with Chang. Meanwhile, Shirley announces that she's pregnant, but she doesn't ... Read allAnnie lobbies for her new crush, who is also Jeff's rival, to join the study group, but a jealous Jeff counters with Chang. Meanwhile, Shirley announces that she's pregnant, but she doesn't know that it could be Chang's.Annie lobbies for her new crush, who is also Jeff's rival, to join the study group, but a jealous Jeff counters with Chang. Meanwhile, Shirley announces that she's pregnant, but she doesn't know that it could be Chang's.
- Student
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Jeff says 'Nice sweater' to Andre he says 'My dad gave it to me'. The sweater he's wearing is in the same style of what Bill Cosby used to wear as Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show (1984). Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who plays Andre, is best known for his role as Theo Huxtable, the son of Cliff Huxtable on that show.
- GoofsDuring the anthropology class, the content on the blackboard at the front of the class is different before and after Professor Ian Duncan enters the room.
- Quotes
Jeff Winger: Don't say anything until you hear what I have to say. I've known you for almost two years now and I've never taken you as seriously as I should have. You are the strangest, coolest, most genuine person I've ever met. And the thing that scares me about you is how good you make me wish I was. Help me, Rich. Help me become like you. I mean, I am so amazing, but I'm not perfect. You are. Give me that power, so I can abuse it.
Rich: Jeff, you are one funny bunny. But you can't just fake being good in order to get away with doing bad things.
Jeff Winger: Oh, I completely understand. And do you understand that I still have to try, and that, if you don't help me, you're a bad person?
Rich: You got me there, guy. Come on in and dry off.
- ConnectionsReferences Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- SoundtracksGreendale is Where I Belong
Performed by Ludwig Göransson
"Asian Population Studies" is something of an odd episode when it comes to "Community." It's important for a number of reasons. Primarily because it serves as a catching up point for several major sub-plots running throughout the series. It also introduces (and re-introduces) characters who have made a wave in one way or another in the past. And yet... on its own, it actually has a fairly simplistic and, if I may be so bold, "patchy" story tying it all together.
It's a frequently funny episode that's just... well, a bit messy.
The recent sobriety of Professor Duncan (John Oliver) has made the study group realize they may need to expand with a new member. And Annie (Alison Brie) is hoping that her crush Rich (Greg Cromer) might fit the bill, much to the chagrin of Jeff. (Joel McHale) At the same time, Troy (Donald Glover) reveals to Pierce (Chevy Chase) that Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) had sex with Chang (Ken Jeong) at the Halloween party... a development complicated by the arrival of Shirley's ex-husband (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) and the revelation that Shirley is eight-weeks pregnant. Who's the father? Who will be the newest member of the study-group? And will Jeff and Rich ever squash their rivalry?
At its best moments, "Asian Population Studies" works thanks to the increasingly bizarre developments of its multiple storylines. Malcolm-Jamal Warner makes for a welcome addition to the cast in his supporting role, and Shirley's storyline is easily the stand-out of the episode. It's also nice having Cromer back in some capacity. He's one of the more interesting guest characters the show has had to this point, and he lends a lot to the proceedings. It's just a shame that like so many other wonderful guests, he doesn't make too many appearances overall in the series. But that's episodic television for you.
Unfortunately, the greatest strength of the episode is also its greatest weakness. Because for all intent and purpose, this episode really is just a writhing collection of sub-plots that are loosely spun together. It feels a little less cohesive than the average episode, and even a bit unfocused at times. It's just a little too hard to connect with it as a result. It still mostly works. But it's one of the typically excellent second season's weakest offerings.
I'm giving "Asian Population Studies" a solid 7 out of 10. It's charming and funny when it counts. But it's unfortunately a bit of a step-down after the previous few episodes.
- TedStixonAKAMaximumMadness
- Mar 3, 2020
Details
- Runtime22 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD