Joe McHale is Jeff Winger, the leader of a study group that is the core of the NBC show “Community.” McHale is dressed as a “cool cat” who died from using drugs in this episode, titled “Celebrity Pharmacology,” where Annie, played by Alison Brie, is experiencing financial problems and compromises her anti-drug play for kids by taking money from Pierce, played by Chevy Chase, and allowing him to take over the show. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Donald Glover, who plays Troy, a former high school football star, jokes with episode writer Hilary Winston, right, and co-star Joel McHale, who plays Jeff Winger, the leader of the study group at Greendale Community College. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Gillian Jacobs, who plays Britta, is touched up by Pam Lljubo between scenes. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Jim Rash, playing the dean of Greendale Community College, stands near a prop photo of Joel McHale’s character, Jeff Winger, in a “cool cat” costume during the “Celebrity Pharmacology” episode. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Rehearsing a scene are Gillian Jacobs, left, Jim Rash, Alison Brie (on couch) and Chevy Chase. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Chevy Chase plays Pierce, who returns to Greendale Community College after years of life experience. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Yvette Nicole Brown, who plays Shirley, a middle-aged divorcee, gets a brief rest between scenes. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Set decoration for Greendale Community College on NBC’s “Community.” (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Ken Jeong jokingly takes hold of the costume tail of Gillian Jacobs between scenes. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Between scenes with, from left, Chevy Chase, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie and Joel McHale. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Donald Glover as Troy sports a bee costume for the episode titled “Celebrity Pharmacology.” (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Joel McHale jokes with episode director Fred Goss between scenes on NBC’s “Community.” “Celebrity Pharmacology” was the first episode Goss has directed. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Chevy Chase and Alison Brie, left, joke with Joel McHale (behind the camera). (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Donald Glover, left, catches up on messages, while Joel McHale snoozes between scenes. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Yvette Nicole Brown, left, Alison Brie, Danny Pudi and Jim Rash between takes on the set of NBC’s Community. The Human Beings is the politically correct mascot of Greendale Community College. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Alison Brie gives Danny Pudi a ride to the set. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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A scene from the “Celebrity Pharmacology,” episode with the group, from left: Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Gillian Jacobs, Donald Glover, Alison Brie and Joel McHale. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Danny Pudi (Abed), left, keeps an eye on Chevy Chase (Pierce) while rehearsing a scene that involves Pierce lighting fireworks. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Phones are quickly in hand for the minutes between takes with Danny Pudi, Gillian Jacobs and Yvette Nicole Brown. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
The gang performs an anti-drug play at a local middle school in the episode. Joel McHale’s character, Jeff Winger, was a “cool cat” (costume) who died from drug use and his friends are attending his “funeral.” (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
