Chevy Chase Quits COMMUNITY

In what may be the biggest "well duh" moment to hit the television industry in the last few years (and so much so I'm liable to call it non-news) (and so much so that I didn't even almost post it), Chevy Chase has departed from the cast of NBC's Community. Reported by Deadline, Chase and the show's producers have come to what is being described as a "mutual agreement" for his exit. With only a few episodes left to roll in the show's 4th season, Chase looks to be leaving the Greendale campus just shy of the season finale in what one can assume will be a proper farewell to his character Pierce Hawthorne.

It's been no secret that Chase has been unhappy in his role as Pierce, a racist curmudgeon and heir to a moist toilette empire, since well... pretty much since day one of production. Over the show's three- and-a-half years Chase has been involved in more than one highly-publicized tussle with Community creator and former showrunner Dan Harmon, as well as on-set tirades and walk-outs. In interviews he has repeatedly voiced his disdain for the show's sense of humor, and especially the writers' (mis)handling of his character. All this though and he has always managed to share a good word or two on the raw talent of his cast mates.

After a much-talked about fall delay, Community is set to return Thursday, February 7th in its old 8pm time slot. With a truncated 13 episode season, new showrunners, and the late start date, this could very well be the final season for the low-rated cult show. If that is the case, Chase's exit might not mean all that much to Community's overall legacy.