Uncovering the Shocking Connections Between Community and The X-Files!

The community show successfully incorporated references to numerous other TV series throughout its duration, however, it shares an unusual number of connections with The X-Files. At first glance, these two shows may seem unrelated – one being a sitcom and the other a weekly mystery series – but upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that their fan bases and creative teams shared a significant amount in common. Notable characters from both productions bridge the gap between them, while various Easter eggs serve as tangible links. With the Community movie now in production, it’s worth keeping an eye out for unexplained occurrences. Dive into the following analysis to uncover all the unexpected ties between Community and The X-Files.

The show, titled “Community,” is a sitcom that frequently breaks the fourth wall and offers insights into the television industry as a whole. Its creator, Dan Harmon, was in his twenties during the initial broadcast of “The X-Files,” which explains his admiration for it. In his podcast “Harmontown,” he often expressed his appreciation for the show’s aesthetic and technical qualities, as well as his fondness for David Duchovny, one of its stars.

Although it may not be immediately apparent like in some of its other tributes, connections between Community and The X-Files are predominantly established through guest appearances by famous figures.

Vince Gilligan

The show “Community” debuted in 2009, a time when “The X-Files” had already concluded its run. However, it was “Breaking Bad,” which was then airing, that held the title as the most popular drama on television. Interestingly, the creator of “Breaking Bad,” Vince Gilligan, had his breakthrough in the industry as a writer for “The X-Files.” Notably, Gilligan was also a fan of “Community.” He solidified this connection by making a guest appearance in Season 5, Episode 9 titled “VCR Maintenance and Educational Publishing.” In this episode, he played the role of the host of an old VCR-based board game who decided to leave his monotonous job at Apple in 1993 to pursue his dream of acting.

Later on, it was observed that Gilligan debuted on “Harmontown”, seemingly marking the beginning of a bond with Harmon. Their discussions centered around screenwriting and the shared structure between sitcoms and dramas, captivating viewers by highlighting these similarities in their underlying formulas. Since then, Gilligan has also been featured in Harmon’s latest production, “Krapopolis”.

Joel McHale

In a later phase, after its initial broadcast, The X-Files was brought back, and Joel McHale ensured that the relationships between these series were reciprocal. Previously known for his role as the charming rogue Jeff Winger on Community, he transitioned into portraying Tad O’Malley, a right-wing TV host and conspiracy theorist, in The X-Files. McHale made appearances in Seasons 10 and 11, gaining popularity among fans rather swiftly. As you can see in the following examples, he wasn’t the only actor to appear in both shows.

Robert Patrick

In the later stages of the original broadcast of The X-Files, Robert Patrick took on the role of John Doggett – an FBI agent who assumed responsibility for the X-Files following the departure of David Duchovny’s character, Mulder. With such a significant void left by Mulder, this shift sparked some debate among fans, but it’s generally not something that is heavily criticized against Patrick himself. Later on, in Season 5, Episode 6 titled “Analysis of Cork-Based Networking” of the series Community, he portrayed the head of school security whom Annie and Hickey attempted to bribe.

Seth Green

Seth Green might have a particularly distinct double exposure in these TV series, as he featured in the second episode of “The X-Files,” titled “Deep Throat,” followed by the finale of “Community,” named “Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television.” In the initial instance, Green portrayed a teenager who illegally entered a U.S. Military base while an unusual occurrence was under investigation by Mulder and Scully. Interestingly, his character assisted Mulder in gaining access to the base himself.

In the final episode of “Community,” Green portrays a comical young tech mogul named Scrunch, who intrudes into Jeff’s distressing dream while he’s awake. As Jeff’s friends graduate from Greendale Community College, he envisions a fresh group taking their place at the study room table. However, to his dismay, he finds Scrunch seated there instead.

Gillian Anderson

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Gillian Anderson has given us all a glimmer of hope by hinting at her potential involvement in the upcoming “Community” film. Initially, when rumors about this movie started swirling, Dan Harmon, the show’s creator, accidentally tagged Gillian Anderson instead of Gillian Jacobs, one of the main stars, on social media. Surprisingly, Anderson quickly responded, “I’m in,” sparking endless speculation about her potential role in the movie. If she does end up being cast due to an autofill mistake, it would perfectly align with the quirky and unpredictable spirit of “Community.

Delving into the world of both “Community” and “The X-Files,” I find it intriguing to explore the shared ground in their creative processes and audience appeal, despite their apparent differences at first glance. Both shows engage viewers who are eager to delve deeper and scrutinize every detail, much like the works crafted by Dan Harmon and Joss Whedon.

Community is streaming now on Peacock, while The X-Files is streaming on Hulu.

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2025-03-09 07:14