I only got into this this week after getting the first three seasons off a mate. Got halfway through the first and dropped my hard drive and now it's not working. FML.
The shows turned to shit because there is no story backing the show. It was good because the characters were actually trying to achieve something. Now it's just doing stupidly shit rip offs or topical episodes, similar to South Park and it's fucking shit.
I am not surprised that there is a lot of talk that this will end this season. It has turned a bit into an Abed and Troy story with the other characters piping in when needed.
But you can only have so much Troy and Abed. I agree with Wilson, you can have all the side tales as long as there is an underlining story.
I'm really beginning to dislike the way they're changing Jeff's personality this season and fading him out too. Also can't stand shirley but nothing's changed - who can stand her?