But let me explain what I mean by detached - I don't consider the show detached from its own world (even though I think it contrives to make its world fit the plot rather than drawing the plot from the world). I think there's a detachment in the way the world and those characters are constructed, and that the show is…

That's fair.

Right for the general viewing public, but you're preaching to the choir with that point on these boards. Everyone here likes comedies that have real depth and reward attention. The question is where Community stands among those shows, and what its significance is.

@avclub-f3fcbcfe1af47947c70881914ea2bdab:disqus I don't think there's any reason to compare the two shows. But I think without comparing Big Bang Theory to shows I'd never watch, there's no reason to watch it. The best thing that can be said for it is that it's better than terrible sitcoms. 
I guess it's a matter of…

For a show about nerds it's pretty fucking weak on good nerd jokes.

Huh. How about that?

But are they really experimenting with new forms? They're just looking at all the old ones in a new way.

As a half-detractor of the show (and it says something of the fanbase that as someone who watches it every week and enjoys it I can be said to be even partly a detractor), I also don't get this criticism. It is not hard to watch the show. It is not hard to follow the show.

But where do the characters come from?

No it's not. The suspicion is, the statement isn't. c) is talking about a problem I have. I'm not presuming anything about them - that's why "I'm not sure."

What bothers me about Mad Men is how many people really want to be like those characters.

2) But just look what Louis CK is doing without worrying too much about that.

And ironically, The Sound and the Fury is full of depth and significance.

"
..but BBT is also well-written and sweet and (can be) pretty smart"

Structure over story is my main problem with it

No there's still plenty of people doing plenty of worthwhile things.

Agree with 1) and 2), only about 35% with 3)

nah

Also let's be clear The Big Bang Theory is terrible. It's not even a discussion as to which one is better.

I really don't want to know.