Photo by Gage Skidmore

After yanking a pair of its freshmen shows from the lineup, NBC is bringing in a slightly more reliable player, setting the season five premiere of Community for Jan. 2.

The cult favorite, returning with its creator and original show runner Dan Harmon, will air back-to-back episodes starting at 8 p.m. The following week, Parks and Recreation will settle back into the post-Community slot at 8:30 p.m.

While it's good news for fans of the Greendale-based series, its own ratings will determine whether it ends up another NBC castoff like the newly canceled Ironside and Welcome to the Family. Industry insiders have previously predicted this may end up being Community's final season.

As we previously reported, Donald Glover is leaving midway through this season to focus on his music and a forthcoming comedy project.