‘Community’ Season 5: Donald Glover Explains Exit in Bizarre “Helpless” Instagram Rant
Though no one would necessarily fault 'Community' stars for making the fifth season the final stop for the Greendale gang, fans of the quirky NBC comedy were especially dismayed to learn that series lead Donald Glover would take a reduced role in season 5, likely his last altogether. Several explanations have been offered for Glover's exit, though the actor/rapper/comedian has finally spoken out for himself in a surprisingly bizarre fashion.
Rather than attribute his 'Community' exit to an understandable desire to focus on his rap career as "Childish Gambino," or development of his own upcoming FX series 'Atlanta,' the increasingly publicity-shy Glover posted multiple rambling Instagram photos of his various explanations and thoughts written on hotel stationery. Citing a desire to be on his own through an extensive series of notes, Glover's somewhat troubling explanation reads thusly:
I didn't leave Community to rap. I don't wanna rap. I wanted to be on my own.
I've been sick this year. I've seen a bunch of people die this year. This is the first time I've felt helpless. But I'm not on that.
Kept looking for something to be in with. Follow someone's blueprint. But you have to be on your own.
He would add in a later post, "I'm afraid Dan Harmon hates me. I'm afraid I'll regret this. I'm afraid this doesn't matter at all."
Glover's 'Community' co-stars haven't offered much in the way of commentary on the actor's decision to exit the series after five episodes of the coming season, however unsurprising that may be in light of Chevy Chase's exit the previous year, or the repeated controversies with series creator Dan Harmon. That said, Glover's social media presence and bizarre personal projects certainly read like someone a bit tired of the Hollywood image, at least in a more regulated environment like NBC.
Elsewhere, ‘Community’ season 5′s eventual return will see Nathan Fillion as a mysterious janitor, ‘Justified‘ star Walton Goggins guest as another mysterious man who causes trouble for the Greendale gang, along with ‘Breaking Bad‘ star Jonathan Banks as Annie’s criminology Professor Hickey, and returns from Brie Larson, LeVar Burton, John Oliver’s Professor Duncan and comedian Rob Corddry as Jeff’s lawyer-rival Alan Connor.
For as much as we'll miss Troy in 'Community' season 5, we'll respect Glover's need to strike out on his own, hoping the series of notes aren't signs of more troubling behavior to come. What say you? Do you agree with Glover's rationale for leaving 'Community' behind in season 5?