NBC Schedules 3 New ‘Community’ Episodes in One Night

As Abed would say, cool, cool, cool!  Where once the ravenous fans of NBC's 'Community' had to worry that they'd never see the Greendale Gang again with the show on a forced hiatus, it seems like NBC has decided to make up for it in a very 'streets ahead " way: airing three new episodes in one night!  But what caused the change, and who might it spell bad news for?

NBC has made the decision to move up the two-episode third season finale of 'Community' to Thursday, May 17, from its original air-date of May 24.  Effectively, this means that the network will air three new episodes of the quirky series in a single night, in addition to the already scheduled May 17 episode "Digital Estate Planning."

The decision was likely made in an effort to capitalize on decent 'Community' ratings for Sweeps week, though since a fourth season renewal has yet to be announced, the network may rather be attempting to capitalize on a potential series finale.  Word of 'Community's fate should in theory arrive prior to the network's May 14 Upfront presentation, placing a clearer picture on the network's plan.

Unfortunately, bumping 'Community' up a week pushes the two-hour season finale of 'Awake' back to May 24, and out of the Sweeps period, which might bode ill of the network's confidence in the critically-acclaimed yet tepidly-rated series.  So what, may you ask, will we see from three all-new installments of 'Community' on May 17?  Check out the official descriptions below!

COMMUNITY -"DIGITAL ESTATE PLANNING"

PIERCE AND THE STUDY GROUP PAY A VISIT TO HAWTHORNE ENTERPRISES – GIANCARLO ESPOSITO GUEST STARS – Pierce (Chevy Chase) is summoned to Hawthorne Enterprises to discuss his inheritance with his deceased father’s former right-hand man, Gilbert Lawson (guest star Giancarlo Esposito, "Breaking Bad"). The study group goes with him for moral support and must all pitch in to play the video game of their life on Pierce’s behalf – or risk losing his inheritance.

COMMUNITY - "THE FIRST CHANG DYNASTY"

THE STUDY GROUP MOBILIZES TO TAKE BACK GREENDALE – With Chang (Ken Jeong) in control of Greendale, the study group develops an elaborate plan to infiltrate the campus without being detected. While Chang becomes distracted planning a big birthday bash for himself, Jeff (Joel McHale) and the study group launch their sneak attack. Meanwhile, Troy (Donald Glover) enlists the help of the Air Conditioning Repair Annex to help with their break-in plan but knows he may be selling his soul to the devil.

COMMUNITY - "INTRODUCTION TO FINALITY"

JEFF GOES UP AGAINST HIS FORMER LAW FIRM COLLEAGUE ALAN CONNOR IN GREENDALE SUMMER FUN COURT – ROB CORDDRY AND JOHN GOODMAN GUEST STAR – When Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) and Pierce (Chevy Chase) have a disagreement over their sandwich shop, Jeff (Joel McHale) agrees to argue on Shirley’s behalf but much to his chagrin, Pierce retains Jeff’s former colleague Alan Connor (guest star Rob Corddry, "Hot Tub Time Machine") and the two must square off in "Greendale Summer Fun Court." Meanwhile, Vice Dean Laybourne (guest star John Goodman) makes one last ditch effort to win Troy (Donald Glover) over to his Air Conditioning Repair Annex.

Not bad, eh?  While the news certainly doesn't seem to bode well for 'Awake,' three new episodes of 'Community' in one night will undoubtedly be as awesome and GIF-able as NBC could ever hope to be these days.  Not to mention, we'll need that boost after 'The Office' and 'Parks and Recreation' air their own finales a week earlier on May 10

Tell us what you think, or give us your favorite 'Community' moments in the comments below!