Abed Nadir

Student ID Abed Nadir Portrayed by: Danny Pudi First appearance: "Pilot" Last appearance: "Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television" Date of birth: March 24 Major: Film Occupation: TV production assistant

Bio

Cool, cool cool cool.

— Abed Nadir, "Home Economics".

One Two Three Four Five Six Abed in Season One Abed in Season Two Abed in Season Three Abed in Season Four Abed in Season Five Abed in Season Six t Portrayed by Danny Pudi

Abed Nadir (ARABIC: عابد القوبي نادر) is a graduate of Greendale Community College. Abed had a difficult life growing up due in part to his parents. There was cultural discord between them as Abed's father is a Palestinian from Gaza and his mother Polish America. Abed is heavily implied to be on the autism spectrum, and as a result often has a hard time relating to/communicating with others. His mother left his family when he was 6 years old and Abed assumed his father blamed him for it. This created distance between them and resulted in Abed alienating himself further by immersing himself in American pop-culture. His father allowed him to enroll at Greendale Community College only so he could take classes which would help Abed one day take over his dad's falafel restaurant. Eventually Abed convinced his father to let him study Film making instead. During this time he grew close to a study group he joined, particularly Troy Barnes who became his best friend and roommate. After four years at school he graduated with a film degree but was unable to find work as a filmmaker besides doing a commercial for Jeff's short lived law firm. After an unexpected reunion with his study group at Greendale, Abed decided to re-enroll in order to learn how to work better with people. He and his study group also joined a special "Save Greendale Committee" tasked with improving the school. After his sixth year at school he got a job in California working on a television show.

Personality

It is hinted that Abed is autistic, reflected in his inability to pick up on social or emotional cues ("Pilot"). Abed is quite intelligent, fluent in three languages (English, Polish and Arabic) and possesses keen observational skills. He often accurately predicts other people's behaviors ("Debate 109") although it's shown he is not infallible ("Virtual Systems Analysis"). He'll draw connections to real life situations through pop culture and meta references gained after years of watching TV and movies ("Pilot"). However, he has problems understanding emotions and has a particular difficulty with grasping sarcasm ("Accounting for Lawyers"). He is surprisingly athletic ("The Politics of Human Sexuality"), a skilled dancer ("Interpretive Dance"), and a good singer and rapper ("Somewhere Out There"), ("Spanish Rap"). Besides his love of filmmaking, Abed also likes to indulge in role-play and often assumes different characters from various genres of entertainment. Occasionally he'll go too far in these roles which has threatened his friendship with Troy ("Contemporary Impressionists") and the rest of the study group ("Contemporary American Poultry"). He states his religion to be Islam ("Comparative Religion") although he doesn't follow the strict tenets of his faith ("Mixology Certification"). Abed has been shown to be very attractive to women ("Physical Education"), ("The Art of Discourse") and claims to have made out with the prettiest girl on campus ("The Art of Discourse"). After Britta has him and the study group take a personality test ("Competitive Ecology"), the results suggested that he is the sanest member of the group ("Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps").

Character history

Season One

“ Britta, I've got self-esteem falling out of my butt. That's why I was willing to change for you guys because when you really know who you are and what you like about yourself, changing for other people isn't such a big deal. ” –Abed, "Physical Education".

School year synopsis In his first year at Greendale, Abed introduced himself to Jeff and provided him detailed information not only about himself but also their Spanish 101 classmate Britta Perry. Abed is later asked by Britta to join her and Jeff for what they believed to be a Spanish study group. He in turn invited a number of other students from their class and the study group was born. Abed was enrolled in business and restaurant management classes to take over his fathers Falafel restaurant, despite his desire to take film classes and become a director. Britta convinced Abed to pursue his dreams of making movies and he switched his major to film. His father Gubi disapproved until he viewed a short film Abed made and was moved by how he was finally able to express himself. Aside from his filmmaking abilities, Abed also makes a name for himself on campus by orchestrating a Chicken Fingers syndicate and acquitting himself quite well during the schools annual Paintball Assassin game. Throughout the semester he becomes close to Troy and by the end of the year they became the best of friends. After Troy is kicked out of his dad's house, he tried to suggest to Abed that he move into his dorm room. Abed refuses, stating it would be too much of a strain on their relationship. Although disappointed, Troy ultimately sees the wisdom of Abed's decision and moves in with Pierce instead. Abed Nadir Season One/Gallery

2009-2010 semester "Pilot": The study group is formed thanks to Abed inviting several more people to Jeff's fake Spanish study group. "Spanish 101": Troy and Abed do their first rap together in the episode's end tag. "Introduction to Film": Abed creates a movie using Jeff and Britta as his father and mother to explain to his father Gobi Nadir how he feels about his parent's divorce. "Social Psychology": Abed participates in Professor Ian Duncan's psych experiment at Annie's request and ends up destroying the hypothesis. "Advanced Criminal Law": Troy messes with Abed so Abed retaliates by pretending to be an alien. In the end, they vow to always tell each other the truth going forward. "Football, Feminism and You": In the end tag, Abed and Troy make funny announcements on the P.A. system which is interrupted by their security guard dopplegangers. "Introduction to Statistics": Abed dresses up as Batman for Annie's Halloween party and saves Pierce and Jeff from a collapsing chair fort. "Home Economics": Jeff moves into Abed's dorm room and Abed teaches Jeff contentment. After realizing this doesn't suit Jeff, Abed gets Britta to speak to Jeff about moving on with his life. "Debate 109": Abed's movies The Community College Chronicles uses actors to tell stories about the Study Group which end up being prophetic. Beginning of the phrase "Middle Eastern Magic 8 Ball". "Environmental Science": Troy and Abed team up for a science project involving a rat to which they both must sing. "The Politics of Human Sexuality": Abed is able to out perform and frustrate Troy at a number of sport challenges including beating him at arm wrestling at the Greendale STD Fair. "Comparative Religion": Abed is picked on by the school bully Mike Chilada which causes Jeff to defend him and the entire Study Group to fight Mike's gang in the quad's winter wonderland scene. "Investigative Journalism": Abed is the photographer for the school newspaper The Gazette Journal Mirror and views editor Jeff as "Hawkeye" from M*A*S*H and he as "Radar". "Interpretive Dance": Abed's views Jeff girlfriend Professor Michelle Slater as the Study Group's mom. "Romantic Expressionism": Abed hosts a viewing of "Kickpuncher" in his dorm room. "Communication Studies": Abed helps Jeff make a believable drunk dial call to Britta in order to restore the balance in their relationship after she makes one to Jeff. "Physical Education": Abed lets the group try to remold him into another person so he can ask a supposed admirer out on a date. "Basic Genealogy": Abed's father Gobi Nadir and his cousin Abra attend Greendale's Family Day. "Beginner Pottery": Abed takes a pottery class with Annie and Jeff. "The Science of Illusion": At Jeff's bequest, Abed's fetches wizard robes for Pierce to make fun of his Reformed Neo Buddhism faith. He also rides along with Annie and Shirley who have become security guards during April Fool's Day. "Contemporary American Poultry": Abed becomes the capo of the chicken finger mafia the Study Group has set up and comes into conflict with Jeff. "Modern Warfare": Abed acquits himself well during his first participation in Greendale's annual Paintball Assassins game. "English as a Second Language": Abed reacts to Annie's "Disney Face" and is told by Jeff to imagine her as the Ark of the Covenant which causes him to cover his eyes. "Pascal's Triangle Revisited": Abed refuses to let Troy move into his dorm room because he believes such a move will result in their relationship "jumping the shark".

Season Two

“ I am hoping we can move away from the soapy relationship-y stuff and into bigger, fast paced, self contained escapades. ” –Abed, "Anthropology 101".

School year synopsis Abed's second year at school sees his friendship with Troy become even stronger. He takes part in various campus shenanigans, such as the launch of Greendale's space simulator, building a blanket fort in his dorm room, filming a documentary on Jesus, and a mysterious outbreak on Halloween. He also is forced to deal with some personal issues and suffers an emotional breakdown at Christmas. As the year continues, Abed is enlisted by Jeff to act as "Dungeon Master" and oversee a game of "Dungeons and Dragons" with the study group and a fellow student named Neil. He later films a documentary of the group when they visit Pierce in the hospital after he overdoses on pain meds. On Abed's birthday, Jeff tries to throw him a "Pulp Fiction"-themed surprise party but it turns out Abed has his own plans to celebrate the occasion. He ends the year by participating in the annual Paintball Assassin games. The stakes are raised when City College joins the game and he assumes a Han Solo persona to help lead the Greendale student body against the invaders. Abed Nadir Season Two/Gallery

2010-2011 semester "Anthropology 101": Abed tries to orchestrate more shenanigans within the study group, starting with a surprise wedding between Jeff and Britta. "Accounting for Lawyers": Abed with Annie and Troy reveal that Alan Connor ratted out Jeff to the State Bar Association. "The Psychology of Letting Go": In the background of this story, Abed deals with a pregnant female student and ends up helping to deliver the baby. "Basic Rocket Science": Abed acts as head of "ground control" when the rest of the study group gets trapped aboard the school's new space simulator "The Eleven Herbs & Space Experience". "Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples": Abed decides to do a meta film on Jesus. "Epidemiology": Abed and the study group must deal with a zombie outbreak on campus. "Aerodynamics of Gender": Abed takes a women's studies class with the girls and discovers his attention to detail can be used to describe people's negative attributes. "Cooperative Calligraphy": When searching for Annie's missing pen, it is revealed that Abed has been charting the Study Group women's menstrual cycles. "Conspiracy Theories and Interior Design": Troy and Abed build a blanket fort in his dorm room. "Mixology Certification": While celebrating Troy's birthday at The Ballroom, Abed gets hit on by Robert. "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas": Abed has an emotional breakdown and believes everyone is in stop-action animated form. "Asian Population Studies": Abed votes for Chang to join the Study Group over Annie's favorite Rich Stephenson. "Celebrity Pharmacology 212": Abed dresses as a bee for Annie's drug awareness play. "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons": Abed acts as the dungeon master in the D&D game the Study Group plays to help Neil. While role-playing, he and Annie character "Hector the Well Endowed" have a steamy scene. "Early 21st Century Romanticism": Abed has a friendly competition with Troy for the affections of librarian Mariah. When Troy wins he finds her criticism of Abed unbearable and leaves her for Abed. "Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking": Abed and his crew film Pierce's "bequeathments" to the Study Group at a hospital. "Intro to Political Science": Sparks fly between Abed and Agent Robin Vohlers. "Custody Law and Eastern European Diplomacy": Abed and Troy try to prevent Britta from dating their new friend Lukka. "Critical Film Studies": Abed invites Jeff to dinner at a fancy restaurant for an "important conversation" not knowing that Jeff planned a "Pulp Fiction" birthday party for him. "Competitive Wine Tasting": Abed invalidates the theories of Greendale's "Who's the Boss?" professor. "Paradigms of Human Memory": Abed reveals that Jeff and Britta have been sleeping together during the group's sophomore year and this may be responsible for the dark year they have had. "Applied Anthropology and Culinary Arts": Abed and Troy sell their signature handshake to Pierce. Later, as Shirley is having her baby in class, Abed guides Britta through the delivery process (having delivered a baby earlier in the school year). "A Fistful of Paintballs": Abed is the "Jack of Clubs" in Greendale western themed paintball game. "For A Few Paintballs More": Abed takes on a Han Solo persona and casts Annie as his Princess Leia.

Season Three

“ Chaos already dominates enough of our lives. The universe is an endless, raging sea of randomness. Our job isn't to fight it but to weather it together on the raft of life. A raft held together by those few, rare, beautiful things that we know to be predictable. ” –Abed, "Remedial Chaos Theory".

School year synopsis Abed's third year at school sees him moving into an apartment with Troy. When his favorite TV show went on hiatus, Britta introduced him to "Inspector Spacetime", which becomes his latest pop culture fixation. A house warming party for his new apartment had him imagining various scenarios including a dark reality with which he becomes obsessed. It also leads to Abed inviting Annie to move in with him and Troy. A psychology test he took suggested he might be the sanest one in the study group, but his actions the rest of the year prove otherwise. His addiction to celebrity impersonators puts him in debt and causes a rift with Troy. This comes to a head when they have a disagreement over the creation of a new Fluffy Town fort. Although Jeff helped resolve the conflict, Abed feared Troy's budding romance with Britta might also tear them apart. However, a bigger concern arises after the study group is expelled from school thanks to Chang. Eventually he and the group are reinstated at school but not without losing Troy to the Greendale Air Conditioning Repair School. This causes Abed to retreat into his fantasies via "The Dreamatorium" and assume the identity of "Evil Abed". A "Winger speech" snaps him out of his delusion. Abed is then reunited with Troy, who managed to free himself from his obligations to the AC school. Abed Nadir Season Three/Gallery

2011-2012 semester "Biology 101": Abed freaks out over the loss of his favorite TV show and Britta helps him find a show to replace it. "Geography of Global Conflict": Abed represents Switzerland on Annie's Model UN team and comes up with the plan to defeat Annie Kim's UN team. "Remedial Chaos Theory': Troy and Abed throw a housewarming party at their new apartment. "Competitive Ecology": Abed comes up with a system to pair up the Study Group and Todd for Biology class. "Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps": Abed tells a ghost story that corrects all the standard horror story tropes. Troy tells a horror story about him and Abed as jet fighter pilots who end up being sewn together. "Advanced Gay": Abed helps Troy think through his career options of plumbing and air conditioning repair. "Studies in Modern Movement": Abed and Troy fool around when helping Annie move into their apartment. They give up their bedroom for her in order to keep the Dreamatorium. "Documentary Filmmaking: Redux": Abed films the creation of Dean Pelton's new Greendale commercial. "Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism": Abed assumes the persona of Batman to investigate what happened to his special edition copy of "The Dark Knight". "Regional Holiday Music": Abed is the catalyst that results in the Study Group joining the Glee Club to perform the Christmas pageant. "Urban Matrimony and the Sandwich Arts": Troy and Abed decide to "normalize" themselves inside the Dreamatorium in order to be ready for Shirley's upcoming nuptials. "Contemporary Impressionists": Abed's addiction to hiring celebrity impersonators has Troy and the study group volunteering their services as look-a-likes to pay off his debt. "Digital Exploration of Interior Design": Troy and Abed have a falling out over their latest project, a pillow fort. "Pillows and Blankets": Troy and Abed's disagreement escalates to all out war on campus between their respective Pillow and Blanket forts. "Origins of Vampire Mythology": While trying to watch the movie "Blade", Abed endures Annie and Troy keeping Britta on "lock down". "Virtual Systems Analysis": Annie tries to coax Abed out of emotional breakdown that he has inside The Dreamatorium. "Basic Lupine Urology": Abed and Troy investigate the death of their Biology project yam. "Course Listing Unavailable": Abed works on a video tribute to the recently deceased Star-Burns. "Curriculum Unavailable": Abed is order to attend a psychiatric session with Dr. Heidi that the Study Group also attends which results in a number of eccentric flashbacks. "Digital Estate Planning": Abed and the Study Group try to help Pierce win his inheritance by playing a video game. Abed falls for one of the game's characters, Hilda. "First Chang Dynasty": Abed and the study group infiltrates Greendale to rescue Dean Pelton and end Ben Chang's reign of terror at the school. "Introduction to Finality": Abed is "taken over" by Evil Abed and who attempts to recreate the Darkest Timeline in the "Prime Timeline"

Season Four

“ I remember when the show was about Community college. ” –Abed, "Paranormal Parentage".

School year synopsis During Abed's fourth year at Greendale, he continues his therapy with Britta and has anxiety about this possibly being the last year the study group is together, now that Jeff is graduating. He also deals with the fact that Troy is now in a relationship with Britta. He and Troy later go to an Inspector Spacetime convention where he meets up with another online friend named Toby Weeks. At school he is surprised to discover another online friend who is aligned with a campus clique the study group is feuding with. Inspired by their love of "body swapping" genre movies, the Troy & Abed duo decides to act out the phenomenon in real life. Abed attends a Sadie Hawkins dance with two different dates in order to live out a classic sitcom trope, only to be caught up in a real-life romantic plot twist. Eventually Abed accepts that Jeff is moving on from school and he creates a special graduation gift for him. He researches and maps out a detailed timeline of each study group member's life before Greendale, hoping to show that it was their destiny to become friends. Abed Nadir Season Four/Gallery

2012-2013 semester "History 101": Freaked out that it's the study group's senior year and that it means the end of the study group's friendship, Abed retreats into the "happy place" in his mind - a sitcom version of his life. "Paranormal Parentage": Abed discovers a secret doorway in Pierce's mansion while looking for the access codes to unlock the door to his panic room. "Conventions of Space and Time": Abed attends the "Inspecticon" convention with Troy and the rest of the study group. While there, he meets up with another fan of "Inspector Spacetime", whom he met online. "Alternative History of the German Invasion": Abed bonds with Karl even though the rest of the Study Group fights The Germans for having taken over Group Study Room F. "Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations": Pierce, Troy, Annie and Abed go to Shirley's to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with her in-laws but are unable to deal with the annoying relatives and find themselves seeking a way out. "Advanced Documentary Filmmaking": Abed films the Dean and the Study Group's attempts to gain a grant from the MacGuffin Institute to study Changnesia. "Economics of Marine Biology": Abed creates the "Delta Cubes" fraternity to irritate Dean Pelton. "Herstory of Dance": Abed goes on two dates for the Sadie Hawkins dance but ends up meeting Rachel who becomes his girlfriend. "Intro to Felt Surrogacy": Stranded in the woods after a hot air balloon trip, everyone in the group tells their most terrible secret except Abed. "Intro to Knots": Abed dons the clothing of John Mcclane of "Die Hard" for the group's Christmas party at Jeff's apartment. "Basic Human Anatomy": On the anniversary of Troy and Britta's first date, Abed swaps bodies with Troy. "Heroic Origins": Abed's investigation into the group's interactions before they met at Greendale reveals many connections between the group members. "Advanced Introduction to Finality": In Jeff's daydream, Abed meets Evil Abed in the alternate timeline and with his help, brings back weapons to send the Evil Study Group back to their timeline.

Season Five

“ We can re-pilot. This can be like Scrubs: Season Nine...a revamp, a do-over. Jeff could come back to Greendale as a teacher. ” –Abed, "Repilot".

School year synopsis After graduation, Abed found it difficult to find a film job. He did a commercial for Jeff but wasn't paid when he left the project due to creative differences. Once Jeff accepted a job at Greendale as a Law professor, Abed and the rest of study group re-enrolled. His first class back he has a nervous breakdown studying actor Nicholas Cage's body of work. Abed joins a special "Save Greendale Committee along with the rest of the study group. He later comforts his best friend when at Troy is assaulted by the "Ass Crack Bandit". Upon learning of Pierce Hawthorne's death, Abed joins the study group in mourning him. A man named Mr.Stone, acting under instructions from Pierce's will, gives the group a polygraph test. It's revealed Abed has access to Jeff's Netflix account, installed geotracking devices in each study group member and manipulated Annie with a fake Facebook account. Stone told Abed that Pierce always thought he was crazy and bequeathed him a liquid nitrogen cooled cylinder of Pierce's sperm. Abed is later forced to say goodbye to Troy who is leaving Greendale to pursue an amazing opportunity. In his honor, Abed hosts a campus wide game of "Hot Lava" to say goodbye to his best friend. Abed reunites with Rachel and tries to convince Annie to let his girlfriend be their new roommate. He bonds with Professor Hickey after they are forced to spend a night together and along with the committee helped Buzz reconnect with his son Hank over a game of Dungeons & Dragons. When Greendale is about to be sold to the Subway corporation, Abed, Dean Pelton and Annie lead the rest of the committee on a desperate quest to save the school. Abed Season Five/Gallery

2013-2014 semester "Repilot": Abed and the study group return for a fifth year at Greendale. "Introduction to Teaching": Abed cannot answer the question of Nicholas Cage's true worth as an actor. "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics": Abed and the "Save Greendale Committee" are asked to investigate the campus threat of the Ass Crack Bandit". "Cooperative Polygraphy": Abed and the study group carry out the last instructions in Pierce's will which dictate that they all take a polygraph test together. "Geothermal Escapism": Abed plans a special game of "Hot Lava" in honor of Troy, who is leaving Greendale. "Analysis of Cork-Based Networking": After a disastrous date with Carol, Abed reconnects with Rachel. "Bondage and Beta Male Sexuality": Abed dresses as classic Kickpuncher and destroys cartoon drawings made by Buzz Hickey. They end up bonding over the incident and Hickey helps Abed with a screenplay. "App Development and Condiments": Abed becomes a "Three" in the MeowMeowBeenz beta test. "VCR Maintenance and Educational Publishing": Abed wants his girlfriend Rachel to move in the apartment but Annie wants her brother Anthony Edison to move in. They decide to settle the disagreement by playing a 1990's VCR game "Pile of Bullets". "Advanced Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" Abed acts as Dungeon Master in a game of a Dungeons & Dragons between Buzz Hickey and his son Hank. "G.I. Jeff": Abed appears in Jeff's hallucination as a Joe codenamed "Fourth Wall". "Basic Story": Abed begins going a bit insane after things in Greendale become more normal and grounded after he and his friends actually save Greendale. "Basic Sandwich": Abed and his friends try to save Greendale.

Season Six

“ Yes, that was a test. You guys are bad friends. ” –Abed, "Ladders".

School year synopsis Abed returns for a sixth year at Greendale triumphant after having rescued the school from closing. However, one task that Abed's Save Greendale Committee did not complete which led to a disastrous outcome. This required Dean Pelton to hire a consultant named Francesca "Frankie" Dart to join the committee. Although worried at first, Abed accepted her and inventor Elroy Patashnik into the group. He and Annie agreed to let Britta stay at their apartment after her parents reached out to them on Facebook. He teamed with Elroy to protect a birds nest and was tricked by Britta to throw a party at his apartment. Abed and the committee dealt with a hacker leaking their personal emails and convicts attending school via telepresence robots. Abed reluctantly agreed to shoot a film using unused footage of Chang, who had briefly become an Internet sensation. During production he learned about Jeff's growing depression about his friends leaving him behind. While on a road trip with the committee, Abed envisioned several flashback scenarios he wished could have happened. Later, Abed filmed Garrett's proposal to his girlfriend Stacy and then for his own personal amusement documented the committee attending the wedding. He competed in a secret campus paintball game and worked with the committee to find out who has organized the contest. At the end of the year Abed announced his summer plans to work as a production assistant on a new TV show. When it was time for him to go, Jeff drove him to the airport to catch a flight to Washington, D.C. along with Annie who had a summer internship at the FBI. Abed Nadir Season Six/Gallery

2014-2015 semester "Ladders": Abed is caught in the middle of a fight for control of the school between his friends and a new school consultant Frankie Dart. "Lawnmower Maintenance and Postnatal Care": Abed and Annie strike a deal with Britta's parents to allow her to stay at their apartment. "Basic Crisis Room Decorum": Abed provides the committee a sneak peek at an attack ad City College is preparing to air against Greendale and works with Jeff to create their own video response. "Queer Studies & Advanced Waxing": Abed and Elroy protect a birds nest that's disrupting the school's WiFi. "Laws of Robotics & Party Rights": Britta convinces Abed to film the greatest party film of all time. "Basic Email Security": Abed and the committee has their emails hacked. "Advanced Safety Features": Abed and Annie try to make Elroy Patashnik their friend which prompts jealousy in Jeff. "Intro to Recycled Cinema": Abed is convinced by the committee to shoot a low budget film in order to take advantage if Chang's newfound fame. "Grifting 101": Abed takes a "Grifting" class with the committee (sans Jeff and Frankie) and ends up getting grifted. "Basic RV Repair and Palmistry": Abed and the committee take Elroy's RV on a road trip to deliver a giant hand Pelton bought to its new owner. "Modern Espionage": Abed and Annie pair up in the last Paintball Assassin game and are eliminated together. "Wedding Videography": Abed is asked by Garrett to film his proposal to his girlfriend Stacy. "Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television": Abed tells the committee he has a summer job working on a television show.

Relationships

In the study group

Abed joined the study group to meet people and to learn Spanish. Although Abed is well-liked and accepted by the group, he admits to being the outcast due to his inability to understand or properly express emotions. The observer of the group, he often sits quietly while everyone talks and argues, occasionally entering the conversation with a reference to a TV show or movie that is analogous to the situation. Abed became best friends with Troy Barnes and they are usually seen hanging out together and coming up with crazy ideas to put into action.

Troy Barnes (See main article: "Troy and Abed") Troy and Abed are best friends whose bromance has the other members of the study group both amused and disturbed at how close the two are. Their many misadventures at Greendale dragged their friends, and sometimes the rest of the school, into their hijinks. Since Abed is unable to adequately express emotion and Troy is overly emotional this has led to a few conflicts between them. This doesn't last long as they understand they are better together than apart. In the group's fifth year at school, Troy accepted an amazing opportunity but was forced to leave Greendale because of it. Abed had trouble saying goodbye to his best friend, but eventually let him go. They shared one last adventure at school before he departed.

Notable appearances: "Spanish 101", "The Politics of Human Sexuality", "Pillows and Blankets", "Geothermal Escapism"

Jeff Winger (See main article: "Jeff and Abed") Jeff and Abed were two of the first members of the study group to meet. As Abed has someone who has trouble understanding others he admires Jeff's ability to easily connect with people. Although Jeff is annoyed at times by Abed's constant pop culture referencing, he respects his opinions and sees value in his observations. After a brief falling out happened between them, Jeff agreed to help Abed with his problem of connecting with others as long as Abed helps him try to treat them right. Both value their friendship with each other and Abed even created an elaborate deception one time to maintain it. Jeff later gives an emotional farewell to Abed when he accepts a summer internship.

Notable appearances: "Pilot", Introduction to Film", "Contemporary American Poultry", "Critical Film Studies"

Annie Edison (See main article: "Annie and Abed") Abed and Annie share a mostly fraternal dynamic and friendship marked by occasional forays into role-playing. Depending on what persona Abed assumes, Annie has been shown to be attracted to him. The two share a kiss during the second paintball tournament when Abed role plays as Han Solo and Annie assumes the part of his Princess Leia. Whether it's indicative of any deeper feelings between them is unclear but regardless the two still enjoy a solid friendship and even have a secret handshake.

Notable appearances: "Social Psychology", "For A Few Paintballs More", "Virtual Systems Analysis"

Britta Perry When it comes to Abed, Britta tends to take a more protective role towards him and worries about his obsession with pop-culture and inability to distinguish reality from fantasy. On several occasions he has had to reassure her he understands the difference. However, during the study group's third year at Greendale together that changed. He engaged in more role-playing in his newly created play room called The Dreamatorium and ran up a high tab hiring celebrity impersonators to take part in his activities. He eventually admitted to having problems and needing therapy. Abed asked Britta, who had declared psychology as her major, to help him.

Notable appearances: "Introduction to Film", "Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps", "Introduction to Finality"

Shirley Bennett Shirley, much like Britta, often treated Abed in a motherly way. Along with Jeff, she too gets annoyed by his childish antics and sometimes questions how close his relationship to Troy really is. For the most part, Shirley tries to be tolerant of other religious beliefs of the study group including Abed. This hasn't stopped her from trying to convert the others and one time she tried to baptize Abed while he was in a catatonic state. She and Abed did manage to come to an understanding on their different beliefs when he filmed a religious viral video for her church. She also set him up with a girl from her church for the school Sadie Hawkins dance.

Notable appearances: "Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples", "Herstory of Dance"

Pierce Hawthorne Abed has the least interaction with Pierce in the study group. Pierce often intentionally mispronounced Abed's name as "Ay-bed" and made racist comments about his heritage. Abed tolerated Pierce's comments and didn't take them seriously. Pierce was often jealous of the close relationship Troy and Abed have and expresses disappointment that they won't let him in on their shenanigans. Although Abed has trouble expressing his feelings he did tell Pierce at one point that he hated him for ruining the American version of Inspector Spacetime. After Pierce died, Abed was bequeathed a canister of his sperm. Abed was also told by Pierce's executor Mr.Stone that Pierce never knew what Abed was talking about and thought he was crazy.

Notable appearances: "Advanced Dungeons and Dragons", "Paradigms of Human Memory"

Other notable relationships

Gobi Nadir Abed's relationship with his father, Gobi Nadir, has been strained since his mother left them both. He at first wanted Abed to take over the family falafel restaurant business. This changed after he saw a video Abed produced about his own childhood. Gobi was moved so much by it that it made him realize his son had talent. He and Abed came to an understanding and Gobi agreed to pay for his classes, saying that he wanted Abed to do whatever he wanted if it helped people understand him. Gobi later returns for the school's "Family Day" BBQ and brought Abed's cousin Abra with him.

Notable appearances: "Introduction to Film", "Basic Genealogy", "Heroic Origins"

Ben Chang Initially, Abed didn't really have a high opinion on Chang and generally viewing him as much of a crazy nutjob as everyone else and disturbed by his antics though he did consider voting him into the study group in "Asian Population Studies". The two would become closer by the events of season 4 though when Chang faked amnesia and despite Abed being one of the few who knew the truth, he went along with it. Abed also finds out that Chang was a uniting factor in the study group's origin and invites him for froyo. Since then, the two generally seem to share a better friendship (aside from Abed being disturbed at the idea of Chang being a math teacher).

Notable appearances: "Heroic Origins"

Agent Robin Vohlers During Abed's second year at Greendale, the Vice president was due to visit the Greendale College prompting a visit from the Secret Service to make sure the campus was safe. Abed immediately noticed their covert surveillance of the school which brought him to the attention of Agent Vohlers. Despite finding no evidence that he was a threat, she continued to investigate him. Abed suggested she had romantic motives for her actions which she denied. They later had a "date" by watching a Kickpuncher movie in his dorm room, although she was viewing it while outside inside in a surveillance van.

Notable appearances: "Intro to Political Science"

Pavel Iwaszkiewicz Pavel is a Polish student at Greendale introduced in Abed's first year at school. Because of their shared Polish heritage (they often speak to each other in their native tongue) and the fact that they used to live next to each other in the school dormitory, they have become good friends. He has a laid-back and easygoing disposition and is very accepting of Abed's quirks. He assisted Troy and Abed in the creation of their first blanket fort, Fluffy Town. Pavel, along with Garrett, is also seen assisting Abed as a member of his film crew in various episodes.

Notable appearances: "Social Psychology", "Conspiracy Theories and Interior Design", "Intro to Political Science"''

Toby Weeks Toby is an "Inspector Spacetime" fan who became fast friends with Abed after discussing their mutual love of the show online. He meets up with Abed at "InspecTicon" a convention for "Inspector Spacetime" fans, and the two instantly connect. However, he reacts poorly when Abed rejects his offer to join him in Britain to attend the "Demiceninspecticon" convention. Toby traps Abed inside a faux X-7 Dimensionizer, hoping to change his mind. When Troy arrives on the scene, he easily sees through Toby's lies and realizes Abed needs him. He sends Toby packing and rescues a grateful Abed, who was confident Troy would save him.

Notable appearances: "Conventions of Space and Time"

Rachel (See main article: "Abed and Rachel") During Abed's fourth year at school, he tried to pull of a television sitcom trope with the help of a coat check attendance girl named Rachel. An attraction grew between them and Abed asked her out. Unfortunately Abed completely forgot about this until he met her again a year later after he graduated and then re-enrolled at school. He apologized for his behavior and the two officially started dating. Abed worried he would screw the relationship up and tried to get her to move into his apartment. Rachel refused but told him as long as he is honest with her their relationship will be alright. In his sixth year at Greendale they seem to not be dating as Abed mentions her in the past tense.

Notable appearances: "Herstory of Dance", "Analysis of Cork-Based Networking", "VCR Maintenance and Educational Publishing"

Class history

Student Name: Abed Nadir   Major: Film   Enrolled: 2009 — 2013/14 Semester Course Instructor Enrolled Students Fall 2009 Accounting Prof. Eustice Whitman Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Pierce Hawthorne, Abed Nadir and Jeff Winger Biology Lab Unnamed professor Troy Barnes, Garrett Lambert and Abed Nadir Film Unnamed professor Abed Nadir Spanish 101 Señor Ben Chang Buddy Austin, Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Pierce Hawthorne, Abed Nadir, Alex "Star-Burns" Osbourne, Britta Perry, Toby and Jeff Winger Spring 2010 Beginner Pottery Prof. Marian Holly Annie Edison, Abed Nadir, Rich Stephenson and Jeff Winger Spanish 102 Señor Ben Chang, Dr. Escodera Buddy Austin, Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Pierce Hawthorne, Abed Nadir, Alex "Star-Burns" Osbourne, Britta Perry and Jeff Winger Fall 2010 Anthropology 101 Prof. June Bauer, Dr. Ian Duncan Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Pierce Hawthorne, Abed Nadir, Alex "Star-Burns" Osbourne, Britta Perry and Jeff Winger Feminist Representations in Media Unnamed professor Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Abed Nadir, Britta Perry and Meghan Spring 2011 Anthropology 102 Dr. Ian Duncan Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Ben Chang, Annie Edison, Pierce Hawthorne, Vicki Jenkins, Abed Nadir, Fat Neil, Rich Stephenson, Alex "Star-Burns" Osbourne, Britta Perry and Jeff Winger Who Indeed?: A Critical Analysis of Who's the Boss? Prof. Peter Sheffield Abed Nadir Fall 2011 Biology 101 Prof. Marshall Kane Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Pierce Hawthorne, Todd Jacobson, Vicki Jenkins, Abed Nadir, Magnitude, Britta Perry, Jeff Winger and  Alex "Star-Burns" Osbourne  Spring 2012 Biology Prof. Marshall Kane Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Pierce Hawthorne, Todd Jacobson, Vicki Jenkins, Abed Nadir, Magnitude, Britta Perry, Jeff Winger and  Fat Neil  Fall 2012/ Spring 2013 History Prof. Noel Cornwallis Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Pierce Hawthorne, Lukas, Karl, Abed Nadir, Britta Perry, Reinhold and Jeff Winger "Summer-Winter" semester (2012/13) Astronomy Unnamed professor Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Abed Nadir and Britta Perry Opinions Prof. Taylor Abed Nadir

Major: Undeclared   Re-Enrolled: 2014? — present Semester Course Instructor Enrolled Students Fall 2014? Nicolas Cage: Good or Bad? Prof. Sean Garrity Troy Barnes, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Abed Nadir and Britta Perry

Trivia

Abed's favorite movie is a tie between Ghostbusters, An American Werewolf in London, Back to The Future, Blade Runner, Stand By Me, Stripes, Star Wars IV through VI, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Jaws, Raising Arizona, Jurassic Park, Seven, The Matrix, Goonies, Breakfast Club, Real Genius, Better Off Dead, The Fog of War, and Pulp Fiction. ("[[1]]") In the Season One episode "The Art of Discourse", Abed and Troy figure out their porn star names by putting the name of their grade school and favorite soda together. Abed's name is "Henry David Thoreau Diet Squirt". Abed often does movie spoofs, though he prefers the term homage. Abed has trumped two professors' research thesis: He was the exception to Ian Duncan's Duncan Principle, and he disproved Professor Sheffield's analysis of the TV show "Who's the Boss?". Though in reference to the Duncan Principle, Ian Duncan thinks Abed is the exception, but the Duncan Principle is still in effect - it's just that the scientists fell for it before Abed (the test subject) did. In the Community College Chronicles, Abed is played by Alan Bruder. His age has never been directly stated. It is suggested that he is at least 21, since he was seemingly able to enter The Ballroom and buy drinks for himself during Troy's birthday party with no trouble. This would place him somewhere in between Troy and Britta. In the episode "Applied Anthropology and Culinary Arts", Abed mentions that he delivered a baby in the back of a car. In the episode "The Psychology of Letting Go", several scenes show Abed caring for a pregnant woman, fighting with her boyfriend, and finally delivering it in the back of a car. Although he is never shown behind the wheel, it has been indicated in the series that Abed drives: Jeff asks Abed to park his car for him in Spanish 101, and in Pillow and Blankets Part 2, the narrator points out that Abed's parking fine goes unpaid. Prominent TV blogger, Todd VanDerWerff of the The AV Club considers Abed "the most original character of the past decade." Danny Pudi was one of several actors associated with "Community" that was hired by former Executive producers Joe and Anthony Russo to appear in the 2014 film "Captain America:The Winter Soldier". He played a S.H.I.E.L.D tech who encounters Captain America, The Falcon and Maria Hill. The script for "Mixology Certification" has an unused scene where Abed declares he is 28 years old to Troy in 2010. Had this become canon he would have been born in 1982 and 33 by the end of the series. Abed is present in every episode of the show, but does not appear onscreen in the penultimate episode "Wedding Videography". Abed's character is at least partially based on actor and writer Abed Gheith, whom Dan Harmon worked with before Community. Abed apparently has trouble reading clocks, as shown in Basic Lupine Urology.

Quotes

"Modern Warfare"

“Come with me if you don't want paint on your clothes.”— Abed

"Remedial Chaos Theory"

“ Chaos already dominates enough of our lives; the universe is an endless raging sea of randomness. Our job isn't to fight it, but to weather it, together, on the raft of life. A raft held together by those few, rare beautiful things we know to be predictable.”— Abed

“Ropes? Vines. Vines? Let him finish!”— Britta

“Us. It won't matter what happens to us as long as we stay honest and accepting of each other's flaws and virtues: Annie will always be driven, Shirley will always be giving, Pierce will never apologize, Britta's sort of a wild card from my perspective, and Jeff will forever remain a conniving son of a bitch.”— Abed

"Documentary Filmmaking: Redux"

“What happened to just being a fly on the wall?”— Dean Pelton

“Some flies are too awesome for the wall.”— Abed

"Basic Lupine Urology"

“Britta, zoom in there. There's a clock on the wall.”— Abed

“Eight plus two, times five...”— Abed

“Ten after eight.”— Troy

“I'm gifted in other ways.”— Abed

Main Characters Jeff Winger Joel McHale Britta Perry Gillian Jacobs Abed Nadir Danny Pudi Shirley Bennett Yvette Nicole Brown Annie Edison Alison Brie Troy Barnes Donald Glover Ben Chang Ken Jeong Craig Pelton Jim Rash Pierce Hawthorne Chevy Chase

Abed Nadir Evil Abed Related Characters Abed and (Annie · Britta · Jeff · Pierce · Shirley · Troy) Family Gubi Nadir · Abed's mother · Abra Friends and associates The Study Group · Ben Chang · Craig Pelton · Buzz Hickey · Ian Duncan · Frankie Dart · Elroy Patashnik · Karl · Pavel Iwaszkiewicz · Toby Weeks · Troy and Abed look-a-likes Love interests Hilda · Jenny Adams · Mariah · Rachel · Robin Vohlers Antagonists Cory Radison · Joey Elkins · Meghan · Rick · Señor Kevin's manager · Toby Weeks · Vinnie Animals Billy · Fievel Locations Dreamatorium · Greendale Community College · Group Study Room F · Pillowtown · Troy, Abed and Annie's apartment Items Abed's posters · Boob-A-Tron · Chicken Fingers · The Eleven Herbs & Space Experience · Felt goatees · Indiana Jones diorama · Kickpuncher comic book · Paintball gun · Paintball pistol · The study table · X-7 Dimensionizer Music "Anthropology Rap" · "Baby Boomer Santa" · "Christmas Infiltration" · "Daybreak" · "Glee" · "Somewhere Out There" · "Spanish Rap" · "We're Gonna Finally Be Fine" · "You Get What You Give" Themes and Concepts "Abed's Master Key" · The Community College Chronicles · "Cougarton Abbey" · Darkest Timeline · Inspector Spacetime · The Inspector · "Kickpuncher" · Paintball Assassin · Star-Burns El Star Prince · "Troy and Abed in the Morning!"

Characters Greendale Students The Study Group Jeff Winger · Britta Perry · Abed Nadir · Shirley Bennett · Troy Barnes · Pierce Hawthorne · Annie Edison Pairings Jeff and Britta · Troy and Abed · Jeff and AnnieTroy and Britta · Annie and Abed · Jeff and Shirley · Troy and Annie · Shirley and Pierce · Jeff and Abed · Britta and Annie · Pierce and Abed · Annie and Vaughn · Abed and Rachel · Jeff and Pierce · Jeff and Troy · Shirley and Andre · Jeff and Slater · Carl and Richie Recurring students Alex "Star-Burns" Osbourne · Leonard Rodriguez · Garrett Lambert · Fat Neil · Vicki Jenkins · Magnitude · Quendra · Todd Jacobson · Vaughn Miller · Rich Stephenson · Stoner friend · Pavel Iwaszkiewicz · Rachel · Eric Wisniewski Jenny Adams · Angela · Buddy Austin · Mark Cahill · Carol · Mike Chilada · Claire · Kelly Cortlandt · Archie DeCoste · Derrick · Doreen · Joey Elkins · Buzz Foster · Linda Greene · MC Dan Harmon · Harry Jefferson · Juergen · Karl · Kat · Annie Kim · Lukas · Lukka · Kim McFadden · Meghan · Mark Millot · Page · Reinhold · Sabrina Shmuckle · Subway · Scott Waugh · Wu Mei · Koogler · DaveSeason One minor characters · Season Two minor characters · Season Three minor characters · Season Four minor characters · Season Five minor characters · Season Six minor characters Activities and Cliques The Study Group · The Greendale Gooffaws · The Germans · The High Schoolers · The Hipsters · Some Worries · Glee Club · Natalie Is Freezing Greendale Employees Administration Dean Craig Pelton · Vice Dean Robert Laybourne · Carl Bladt · Richie Countee · Francesca "Frankie" Dart Faculty Ben Chang · Professor June Bauer · Coach Bogner · Professor Bublitz · Coach Jason Chapman · Professor Cligoris · Professor Noel Cornwallis · Dr. Ian Duncan · Dr. Escodera · Professor Sean Garrity · Professor Buzz Hickey · Professor Holly · Dr. Patrick Isakson · Dr. Marshall Kane · Madame LeClair · Cory Radison · Professor Sheffield · Professor Michelle Slater · Admiral Lee Slaughter · Eustice Whitman · Jeff Winger · Professor Albrecht · Roger DeSalvo Staff Greendale Human Being · Gail · Nurse Jackie · Lunch Lady · Mariah · Nicole · Waldron · Debra Chambers · Elroy Patashnik · Rhonda Campus Security Sgt. Nunez · Troy and Abed look-a-likes · Changlourious Basterds · Joshua (Changlourious Basterds) Custodial Staff Jerry · Joshua · Lapari · Crazy Schmidt · Bob Waite Off-Campus Relatives William Winger · Willy Jr. · Marcus · Gobi Nadir · Abra · Andre Bennett · Elijah Bennett · Jordan Bennett · Ben Bennett · Elijah and Jordan · Nana Barnes · Pierce's mom · Cornelius Hawthorne · Gilbert Lawson · Amber · Rabbi Chang · Alessandra Chang · Hank Hickey · Anthony Edison Lt. Colonel Norbert Archwood · Balloon guide · Blade · Brian · Officer Cackowski · Chantelle Cahill · Alan Connor · The Doppel Gang · Faux-by · Dr. Heidi · Jesus · Ken Kedan · Lauren · Señor Kevin's manager · Mark · Mountain man · Mysti · Nurse · Rick · Mr. Stone · Ted · Toby the pizza guy · Urbana Champaign · Vinnie · Agent Robin Vohlers · Toby Weeks · Subway rep · Ronald Mohammad · Honda boss · Murray City College Dean Stephen Spreck · Jeremy Simmons · Billy · The Black Rider · City College Storm Troopers Animals Annie's Boobs · Britta's cats · Billy · Fievel · Turtle · Ruffles Meta-fictional Kickpuncher · Hilda · Inspector Spacetime The Inspector · Constable Reggie · Blorgons Celebrities LeVar Burton · Luis Guzman · Sophie B. Hawkins Alter egos Tiny Man · Alter-Pierce · Greendale Babies · Boob-A-Tron · Pillow Man · Ass Crack Bandit Christmas Toys Britta Bot · Ballerannie · Jeff-in-the-box · Baby Doll Shirley · Teddy Pierce · Troy Soldier · Christmas Wizard · Christmas Pterodactyl The Darkest Timeline Evil Abed · Evil Jeff · Evil Annie · Evil Troy · Evil Shirley · Evil Britta · Evil Pierce G.I.Joe Wingman · Buzzkill · Tight Ship · Fourth Wall · Three Kids · Overkill · Xim Xam · Major Dick · Vice Cobra Assistant Commander