In just three weeks, Community’s beloved Greendale gang will finally grace our television screens once again and I think Troy can describe my feelings best:

Come Thursday, March 15 at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CST), all will be right in the world again when Community returns to NBC to finish out its highly anticipated third season.

NBC execs gave fans a scare last November when they announced the network’s Community-less Spring schedule and made matters worse when they kept mum about the whole situation. Fans were understandably upset and rallied together to show support for the critically acclaimed series by way of flash mobs, PSA’s, WWII-inspired posters and much more.

So what motivated NBC execs to bring back Community sooner rather than later? (Not that we’re complaining.)

There is no clear answer, but one can surely argue that the amount of backlash and fan support that was generated during Community’s absence played a major role in cutting the show’s indefinite hiatus much shorter.

After all, it was just a little over a month ago when NBC Entertainment Chief, Bob Greenblatt announced that Community still had a “to-be-determined return date.”

One could even argue that 30 Rock, a much more established and popular show, also may have helped with Community’s return.

The show, in its sixth season, is averaging similar ratings that Community had when it aired in the Fall, proving that the Thursday night 8 o’clock hour is indeed a death trap. Alec Baldwin said it best:

Some critics are even saying that the hiatus actually may have helped Community in the long run. TV by the Numbers released an article earlier in the month saying “it might have been a comparison advantage for Community to stay off the schedule for the rest of the season.”

They went on to explain that Community averaged a relatively low 1.61 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic during the fall, but explained that a 1.61 rating would actually have been “the median for NBC scripted shows last week,” making the numbers appear not so bad after all. To compare, The Office averages around a 3.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

But ratings and network business aside, we can all agree that Community's return is great news.

Fans will have a lot to look forward to, including episode homages to Law and Order and Ocean’s 11, as well as guest appearances by Breaking Bad’sGiancarlo Esposito, Parks and Recreation’s Kirk Fox and Scrubs alum, Travis Schuldt.

Even show runners like Damon Lindelof (Lost) and Seth Green (Robot Chicken) have tweeted their excitement for the show’s return. Lindelof tweeted, “COMMUNITY is back at 8 on the 15th. I have a good feeling about those numbers.”

And if you still don't understand all the fuss over Community, check out Vulture's "Community for Newbies: Five Episodes to Get You Hooked."

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Community returns to NBC on Thursday, March 15 at 8/7c.