11 Ways Pierce Could Be Written Off "Community"

When Chevy Chase abruptly left Community while filming its fourth season, writers had no time to craft a proper goodbye for his character. Here are a few ideas, anyway.

1. He realizes he's no longer relevant, and no one disagrees.

Lewis Jacobs/NBC

Pierce often feels like the odd one out on Community, but that damn study group refuses to let him go. Even when he's being a horribly racist pain in everyone's ass, he somehow gets talked into staying. Not this time.

2. He's poisoned by hair dye.

Jordin Althaus/NBC

Pierce's attempt to look younger backfires when his off-brand hair dye leeches into his scalp and slowly kills him. At least he looks really cool on his way out?

3. He grows a soul and exiles himself to a life of solitude.

Trae Patton/NBC

Look upon your sins, Pierce, and repent! After suddenly developing a conscience, Pierce realizes what a pox on the earth he is. Rather than foolishly attempting to make amends, he leaves Greendale for a remote island where he can sit and think about what he's done.

4. He's always been a figment of Abed's imagination.

Trae Patton/NBC

It doesn't make any sense, but no one questions it.

5. He tries to be politically correct and his head explodes.

Trae Patton/NBC

After the group pleads with Pierce for some cultural sensitivity, he finally agrees to make an effort at curbing his prejudice. Unfortunately, the strain is too much. Kaboom.

6. He electrocutes himself.

In a clever nod to the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation poster, Pierce dies electrocuting himself on Christmas lights. Everyone has a good laugh, because references!

7. He's been dead since the pilot.

Lewis Jacobs/NBC

Choked by his own turtleneck! Is there any crueler fate? The Pierce we've seen on Community has just been a ghost with unfinished business. And now that he's seen Dan Harmon fired, he can finally move on to the afterlife.

8. He's murdered by Dan Harmon.

John Shearer / Getty Images

With help from the monkey who plays Annie's Boobs. Aw, it's the most adorable homicide ever!

9. The trolls from "Nothing But Trouble" finally catch up with him.

Warner Bros.

If you've seen Nothing But Trouble, you know exactly what I mean. If you haven't seen Nothing But Trouble, don't.

10. He moves to Broadway to be closer to his daughter, Katharine McPhee.

NBC

She's starring as Marilyn in the exciting new production of Bombshell. While Community introduced Pierce's daughter as a different character played by Katharine McPhee, neither Community nor Smash seem particularly concerned with continuity. Can't you see Chevy Chase joining NBC's musical series to romance Eileen Rand?

11. Pierce died on the way back to his home planet.

FOX

When in doubt, defer to The Simpsons.