A series that is a “perennial bubble show” for NBC is hanging in the balance once again. Medialife Magazine reports that the network is deciding the fate of "Community," which has been pulling in small ratings numbers as part of NBC’s Thursday lineup.

The network has already decided whether most of its new shows will return next season, with “Sean Saves the World,” “The Michael J. Fox Show” and “Welcome to the Family” gone from the schedule. “The Blacklist” has been renewed, and “Chicago PD” is likely to return.

“NBC’s Thursday night is a disaster, and ‘Community’s’ low ratings are higher than ‘Sean’ and ‘Michael,’ fellow Thursday programs the network already canceled,” the story notes.

"Community," which is currently in its fifth season, stars Joel McHale and Gillian Jacobs. The producers brought back show creator Dan Harmon as showrunner for this season after Harmon was fired following season three.

“The upside to ‘Community’ is that it has a very loyal audience, good DVR numbers and the network knows what it’s getting. It doesn’t expect the show to be a huge hit, but it’s not an abomination, either,” the piece adds.

Chances are “Community” will return, the report says, but it’s likely to again receive a midseason slot.

Dan Harmon