NBC Renews ‘Community’

“Six seasons and a movie” just took a huge step closer to becoming a reality.

NBC’s cult comedy Community, from Sony Pictures Television, has been renewed for a fourth season consisting of 13 episodes.

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The Joel McHale starrer from showrunner Dan Harmon has weathered a particularly difficult season. After being left off the network’s midseason schedule, viewers rallied to save the show — which returned with a modest splash in March. More recently, the half-hour made headlines after Harmon shared an angry voicemail from co-star Chevy Chase that blasted the writer/EP over comments he made during the series’ wrap party.

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More recently, the volatile Sony Pictures Television comedy saw top writer-producers Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan depart; the pair inked a two-year overall deal with rival studio 20th Television.

Late last year, the comedy landed a digital syndication deal with Hulu. As part of the pact, the online hub became the only place where the series’ entire library is available. For its part, NBC has bet big on the series for May sweep, setting the final three episodes of the third season back-to-back May 17.

Community joins fellow Thursday comedy 30 Rock, which has also been renewed Thursday for a final season consisting of 13 episodes.