Celebrating Autistic Culture: Community's Groundbreaking Representation in Television
Autistic podcast hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP discuss the TV show "Community," praising it as an "Autistic love fest" with authentic representation.
They celebrate Abed Nadir, played by Danny Pudi, as possibly the greatest autistic character in TV history, highlighting his canonical autism and self-acceptance.
The hosts explore how the show's creator, Dan Harmon, discovered his own autism while writing Abed's character, infusing the series with genuine autistic experiences.
"Community" is lauded for allowing characters to "unmask" and become more authentically themselves over time, showcasing positive relationship dynamics within the study group.
The podcast contrasts "Community's" respectful portrayal of autistic culture with problematic representations in shows like "The Big Bang Theory," where autism is often the punchline.
The hosts debunk common stereotypes about autistic individuals lacking empathy or social desires, emphasizing the show's nuanced depiction of autistic social connections.
Behind-the-scenes information is shared, including production challenges and the anticipation surrounding the upcoming "Community" movie.
Overall, "Community" is highly recommended as a show created by and for autistic individuals, offering a rare and valuable celebration of autistic culture and mindset in mainstream media.
Which Community character do you relate to most? Tell us in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your answer on your social media and connect with other listeners!
A couple of those online autism quizzes we discussed:
Damian Milton - double empathy problem
Article: Eye on Emmy: Community‘s Danny Pudi on Abed’s Impressions, Marvel Gigs
Video: Dan Harmon talks about Asperger's syndrome - Why Abed is a shaman
Video: Danny Pudi on Why He Is Not Abed Nadir
Article: Community’s Dan Harmon Discovered He Had Asperger’s While Writing Abed’s Character
Article: The Secret World of Imagination Hidden in Autism
Article: Community Q&A: Danny Pudi on Abed’s Growth, Losing Troy, and All Those Frisbees
Article: Dan Harmon Discusses His New Documentary, Addiction, and Going to Therapy
Article: Danny Pudi On Living With Asperger’s: ‘I’m Just Trying To Be Honest About Who I Am’
Documentary: Harmontown
Episode 32: Animation is Autistic
Episode 36: Bad Autism Diagnosis
Episode 39: Dungeons and Dragons is Autistic
Episode 48: Child-to-Parent Diagnostic Pipeline
Check us out on Instagram
Find us on Apple podcasts and Spotify
Learn more about Matt at Matt Lowry, LPP
Matt’s social media: Autistic Connections Facebook Group
Learn more about Angela at AngelaLauria.com and Difference Press
Angela’s social media: Twitter and TikTok
TACP’s Autism-affirming TeePublic merch shop
Community is Autistic (Episode 57)