It’s no secret that the mercurial Dan Harmon, creator and showrunner of NBC’s “Community,” had a very public, very messy falling out with his network and certain cast members (cough Chevy Chase cough) in 2012. Underlying tensions between Harmon and the brass at Sony, which produces the show, drove him out after the third season, though he returned a year later. NBC bailed on “Community" after its fifth season back in May of this year, and fans eagerly awaited word on what was next in store for Harmon.
Rather than creating a new primetime show, the 41-year-old writer invested his talents more heavily into “Harmontown," an eponymously titled weekly comedy podcast he launched in 2012. To help spread the word and build an audience base, he set off on a cross-country circuit with co-host Jeff B. Davis. Not one to let an opportunity to flaunt his ego pass by, Harmon enlisted filmmaker Neil Berkeley to document the tour for a new documentary, aptly and simply titled (you got it), “Harmontown”.
Harmon himself explains the focus on, well, himself. “I’ve always been kind of obsessed with myself, or obsessed with my obsession of myself… [Harmontown] confirmed something that I guess I already suspected, which is that I don’t really exist without approval from others. I want to be the person who wants to make other people laugh. But I do want credit for it, and I want a hug from them for doing it.”
Yahoo, which is bringing “Community” back for a 13-episode season six (with Harmon back too), has an exclusive look at the first trailer for the film. Take a peek below, along with the official synopsis, and you can read our review of the film from SXSW right here. “Harmontown” will be available in select theaters and nationwide VOD beginning October 3rd.
A kindred spirit to nerds everywhere, writer-comedian Dan Harmon has achieved celebrity via the hit series “Community,” but cut his teeth writing for shows such as “The Sarah Silverman Program” and the Jack Black/Ben Stiller pilot “Heat Vision and Jack.” After being fired from his signature creation, Harmon hits the road with his popular podcast and performs live for his cult-like fan base across the country. Known for his wit, cynicism, and disarming vulnerability, HARMONTOWN finds Harmon bathed in the adoration of his fans as he confronts his personal demons and comes out on the other side. From acclaimed filmmaker Neil Berkeley (BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING), and featuring past and present collaborators Sarah Silverman, Jack Black, Allison Brie, Joel McHale and many more, HARMONTOWN tells Harmon’s story with unabashed candor — showing his highs, his lows, and everything in-between.
Dan Harmon looks exactly like Peter Jackson in that photo.