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Sad COMMUNITY News: Yvette Nicole Brown Has Left the Series

Well, this is an unfortunate turn of events: Yvette Nicole Brown — better known as Shirley to fans of Greendale CC — will not appear as a full-time series regular when Community makes its sixth season debut on Yahoo! Screen. What’s the opposite of saying “YahOOoooOO?” Is it just “BoohOOoooOO?” Let’s go with that.

The actress’ exit was confirmed today by TV Guide, who spoke with Brown about the familial problems that forced her hand when it came to her status on the series.

“My dad needs daily care and he needs me,” Brown said to the outlet — his failing health forcing the actress to reevaluate her priorities. “The idea of being away 16 hours a day for five months, I couldn’t do it. It was a difficult decision for me to make, but I had to choose my dad.”

But that doesn’t mean she’ll be off TV forever/the foreseeable future. Brown has left Community on good terms with the series’ creators, which means there’s definitely potential for an occasional guest appearance or two. “I am totally open to whatever Dan decides,” she said. “I’m glad it won’t be hard for them to explain where she is. She has three kids, a degree and a business. There are a lot of ways to explain her [departure].” She’s also set to recur on CBS’ multi-camera sitcom, The Odd Couple, a show whose shooting schedule is far, far easier to manage.

So now the biggest task lies ahead for Dan Harmon and Co., who’ve already had to deal with the loss of Chevy Chase and Donald Glover prior to this season (though there is word floating around that Harmon is trying hard to get Glover back on board in some capacity). Brown’s departure joins that of Jonathan Banks — who’s shooting a starring role on Better Call Saul, returning to his Mike Erhmantraut roots — but thankfully, Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Jim Rash, and Ken Jeong are all slated to return.

What do you think this recent development means for Community‘s future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Comments

  1. Sad to see her go, for sure, but I understand and respect it.
    It’s what Shirley would have done.

  2. Larry says:

    She made the right choice, family always trumps the job.  Its sad to see her go but it is for the better.  Us fans will miss you but will keep you and your fathers condition in our thoughts and hope that he improves.  

  3. Barb Wallace says:

    Well, since the background is a Community College she can say admissions finally decided to accept her transfer credits and she should have graduated last year so she was done. Maybe she can get a job that has her coming back every once in awhile.

  4. I’m kinda surprised it has a future after last season…

  5. Jeni says:

    Good for her, that was a tough but beautifully made decision. We only get one set of parents <3

  6. Howard Bayne says:

    Sad to hear, sadder still to know it’s because her father is ill. But the really important question I am wondering about is… “Does this mean she will be available as a guest on Talking Dead more often?” She is the best guest ever!!

  7. What Happened To The Quemments says:

    I’m honestly not upset at all. Had it been any other character, I would be, but Shirley had faced flanderization unlike anyone else on that show.

    She was hardly making appearances and when she did it was to play the Christian with three kids for three lines.