Jeff and Shirley

  

  Jeff and Shirley  

  Jeff Winger : Joel McHale ·    Shirley Bennett: Yvette Nicole Brown  
  Status:Friends, occasional rivals  -  First appearance: "Social Psychology"

Pairing biography

You're the only one that understands me.

— Jeff, "Origins of Vampire Mythology".

Jeff Winger and Shirley Bennett portrayed by Joel McHale and Yvette Nicole Brown.

Jeff and Shirley are two of the older members of the study group who are also closest in age. Shirley has a mostly maternal relationship with Jeff who is sometimes annoyed with her mother-henning and sermonizing. However, Jeff respects her beliefs and appreciates that she cares so much for her friends. Over their years together at school they learned about a past history they shared both as children and as adults. When they were kids Shirley bullied Jeff and publicly humiliated him. They also discovered that before they enrolled at Greendale Jeff inadvertently was responsible for a stripper seducing Shirley's husband Andre. They have since made peace with what happened and have become much closer. Jeff had even stated that Shirley is the only one who understands him and Shirley has been shown to be one of the best influences on Jeff during his time at Greendale. Jeff Winger is portrayed by Joel McHale and Shirley Bennett is portrayed by Yvette Nicole Brown.

Pairing history

Season One

“ I don't see why you and Britta aren't together. Two cute white students, just seems right. Shirley, we're not pandas in a zoo. ” –Jeff and Shirley, "Social Psychology".

School year synopsis Jeff and Shirley first met when she and a few others were invited by Abed Nadir to join his bogus Spanish study group. Once they actually became a real study group she and the others looked to Jeff as their default leader. She also supported Britta and Jeff getting together as he spent the first half of the school year pursuing her. Things between Shirley and Jeff were awkward until they wound up bonding over a mutual love of gossip. When Jeff was evicted from his condo, Shirley learned about it when she and Britta saw he was living out of his car. Before the Winter Holidays, Shirley tried to forbid Jeff from fighting Mike Chilada. She and the study group ended up supporting him and joining Jeff in a fight with Mike and his gang. Shirley, along with Annie, pursued Jeff as the main suspect in what was believed to be an April Fool's prank. When Pierce took a joke to far on Shirley, Jeff and the others kicked him out of the study group. She and Pierce eventually made peace and helped Jeff and Britta win a competition against some obnoxious high schoolers. At the school's annual paintball contest Shirley and Jeff were briefly on opposing sides until their respective groups decided to join forces. After Jeff won the prize he gave it to Shirley. Jeff and Shirley Season One/Gallery

2009 - 2010 semester "Social Psychology": Jeff and Shirley bond while gossiping about Pierce and Vaughn. Info leaks from this bond causes Vaughn to break up with Britta. She later encourages Jeff that he may still have a chance with Britta since Britta told her about a sex dream she had about him. "Home Economics": Shirley expresses concern for Jeff when she and Britta find out that Jeff has been evicted from his condo and offers him a place to stay. "Comparative Religion": Shirley tries to prevent Jeff from fighting the school bully Mike Chilada but when she sees Mike fights dirty, she encourages Jeff to fight. "Romantic Expressionism": Annie reveals that Shirley talks about Jeff's "buns". "Physical Education": Shirley comments on Jeff's sexy pool playing outfit. "The Science of Illusion": Shirley, along with Annie, pursues Jeff as the main suspect in a sick April Fool's prank. She threatens him with a pizza cutter. "The Art of Discourse": Shirley and Pierce come to Jeff and Britta's rescue when they are losing a dumb "argument" with The High Schoolers.

Season Two

“ What is wrong with you Jeffrey? Well Shirley, since you have clearly failed to grasp the central insipid metaphor of those Twilight books you devour, let me explain it to you - Men are monsters who crave young flesh. The end! ” –Jeff and Shirley, "Anthropology 101".

School year synopsis In their second year at Greendale, Shirley is at first pleased that Jeff and Britta are dating but is disappointed to learn it was just a competition. When visiting his old law firm, Jeff scolded Shirley when she believed she had a case against the stripper who stole her husband. At a Halloween party, Jeff left Shirley behind when the study group was being chased by a mob of infected students. Later, when Annie lost her pen, Jeff searched Shirley's purse for it only to discover a pregnancy test and that she's now dating her ex-husband Andre. On Troy's 21st birthday, the study group goes to celebrate at a bar Shirley used to frequent and Jeff makes fun of the photos they find of her drunk. After Winter Break, Shirley officially announces she is back with Andre and that she is pregnant. She also votes in Chang to the study group after Jeff's persuasive arguments only to discover Chang could be the father of her baby due to a forgotten tryst they had. She asked Jeff to convince Chang to give up any parental rights but is angry to learn he used it as an opportunity to get Chang to move out of his apartment. Another study group blow up has Shirley state Jeff is intimidated by her sexually or is a racist. When Shirley has her baby in the Anthropology classroom, Jeff doesn't offer to help at all. Jeff and Shirley Season Two/Gallery

2010 - 2011 semester "Anthropology 101": Shirley's pleasure turns to disgust when she realizes that Jeff and Britta dating has only been a competition. "Accounting for Lawyers": Jeff scolds Shirley when she learns she may have a case against the stripper who stole her husband. "Basic Rocket Science": When trapped in The Eleven Herbs & Space Experience, Shirley praises Jeff's speech. "Cooperative Calligraphy": When Annie loses her pen and everyone's possessions are searched, Jeff comments on Shirley's pregnancy test kit marketed to black women. "Mixology Certification": Jeff derides celebrating Shirley's niece's first bubble bath. "Asian Population Studies": One of Jeff's Winger speeches convinces Shirley to vote Chang into the Study Group causing Pierce to reveal that Shirley slept with Chang on Halloween and may be pregnant by him. "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons": When Jeff's character tries flirting with the elf maiden, Shirley says "works for me" when Jeff is done. "Custody Law and Eastern European Diplomacy": Shirley asks Jeff to get Chang to sign a form giving up any parental rights he has over her baby. "Paradigms of Human Memory": Shirley says that the reason Jeff has no chemistry with her is that he is either sexually intimidated by her or is racist.

Season Three

“ You're a perfectly fine person! So are you! ” –Jeff and Shirley, "Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism".

School year synopsis At the start of their third year at Greendale Jeff is happy Pierce is no longer a part of the study group. This changes when he inadvertently assumes Pierce's role as the racially insensitive outsider and accidentally insults Shirley. He asks Pierce to return and he attends Troy and Abed's house warming party alongside Jeff, Shirley and the rest of the group. Before the festivities, Jeff told everyone they shouldn't enable Shirley by letting her only identity in the group be someone who bakes things. When Jeff challenges German exchange students at foosball he learns Shirley is skilled at the game. He also discovers they share a past history where she bullied him when they were kids. After resolving this conflict they become better friends. Shirley asks Jeff to deliver the toast at her re-marriage to Andre and he asks her to accompany him to a carnival so he could check out an ex-boyfriend of Britta's. During the summer, Shirley asked Jeff to represent her in "Greendale Court" in her case against Pierce over their partnership in Shirley's Sandwiches. When their legal opponent turned out to be Alan Connor, Shirley's selflessness inspires one of Jeff's best Winger speeches. This so impresses Pierce that he fires Alan and later agrees with Shirley that Jeff should be the legal owner of Shirley's Sandwiches. Jeff and Shirley Season Three/Gallery

2011 - 2012 semester "Biology 101": After Jeff is monkey gassed, he offends Shirley (and others) when he mistakes a prisoner in a picture that Pierce gave their Biology Professor Marshall Kane for Kane. He then makes it much worse when he says that he doesn’t mean that all black people are in prison. “Geography of Global Conflict”: Jeff and Shirley are members of Annie’s Model UN team representing Uruguay and China respectively. “Remedial Chaos Theory”: When Jeff rolls a “4” on the die, Shirley goes to get the pizzas. He tells the others not to eat the pies as baking shouldn’t be her identity in the group. This results in her pies burning and Jeff telling her they weren’t going to eat them. Shirley ends up crying and storming out of Troy and Abed’s apartment. “Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps”: In Shirley’s ghost story, she sees Jeff (and the rest of the Study Group) as doomed when the rapture comes. “Studies in Modern Movement”: Shirley helps sing “Kiss From a Rose” to Jeff, revealing that the Study Group knows about him singing it with Dean Pelton. "Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism": Shirley teaches Jeff how to beat The Germans at foosball which reveals a painful shared history they have. Once resolved, they become good friends. "Urban Matrimony and the Sandwich Arts": Shirley asks Jeff to give the toast at her re-marriage ceremony to Andre. "Contemporary Impressionists": While high on anti-anxiety medication, Jeff has a narcissistic Hulk-like rampage and kisses Shirley. "Origins of Vampire Mythology": Shirley accompanies Jeff to a carnival at Greendale (pretending to be his significant other) in order to figure out why a carnie has such a hold on Britta. "Virtual Systems Analysis": Jeff asks Shirley how her lunch at the fast food place across town went. Shirley realized it's the same fast food in a different location, so she went to the mall and had pizza. "Curriculum Unavailable": Since Shirley's kids ate cookies meant for the Study Group, she gives some of their toys and trophies to the group. She gives Jeff a Tuskegee airman action figure. "Digital Estate Planning": When Jeff gives a speech about not dying in the "Journey to the Center of Hawkthorne" game, Shirley sarcastically says that she used to love dying but Jeff's speech turned her around on the subject. "The First Chang Dynasty": When Jeff is explaining the plan to break into Greendale using a diorama, Shirley complains that the figure representing her is a pine cone. "Introduction to Finality": During the summer, Shirley asks Jeff to represent her in "Greendale Court" in her case against Pierce over their partnership in Shirley's Sandwiches. When their legal opponent turns out to be Alan Connor, Shirley's selflessness inspires one of the best Winger speeches and so impresses Pierce that he fires Alan. Shirley and Pierce agree to have Jeff be the legal owner of Shirley's Sandwiches.

Season Four

“ Also, and I hate to bring this up, you did once make me pee myself. Well I guess we're even then. ” –Jeff and Shirley, "Heroic Origins".

School year synopsis In their fourth year Greendale, Jeff and Shirley interacted the least of any year. She continued acting maternally towards Jeff, scolding and praising him much as a mother would. Shirley, along with the rest of the study group was upset to learn Jeff was graduating from Greendale early without them. When Jeff doesn't believe that Chang has amnesia and is now Kevin, Shirley scolds Jeff and reminds him that he and everyone else at Greendale are broken people and all deserve a second chance. When Jeff kisses Chang/Kevin's ex-wife Alessandra to goad him into a reaction, Shirley asks Jeff if he has lost his mind. When the group takes a balloon trip and ends up in the woods, Shirley later in the study room repeats telling the others her most terrible secret and the others don't. It's Jeff who implores everyone to repeat their most terrible secret in order to make Shirley feel better. Jeff and Shirley find another shared history. Before they knew each other, Jeff defended the stripper Mysti in court and encouraged her to hook up with Shirley's husband Andre causing Shirley's marital strife in their first few years at Greendale. Shirley forgives Jeff at Yogurtsburgh. After graduating, Jeff says he is going to be a lawyer for a small firm, Shirley (and Annie) approvingly "aaaaww". Jeff and Shirley Season Four/Gallery

2012 - 2013 semester "Paranormal Parentage": When the Study Group goes to Pierce's mansion at Halloween, Shirley scolds Jeff when he suggests Pierce is lying about going into the panic room to dust. "Alternative History of the German Invasion": While commiserating in the cafeteria that the school seems to hate them, Abed implies that Jeff is Hitler. After Professor Noel Cornwallis confronts the Study Group Jeff says "I am Hitler" to which Shirley agrees. "Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations": When Jeff makes Thanksgiving dinner for everyone in the study room, Shirley squeals her thanks to Jeff. "Advanced Documentary Filmmaking": Shirley reminds Jeff that all at Greendale are broken people and were given a second chance when Jeff refuses to believe Chang has amnesia and is now Kevin. When Jeff kisses Chang's ex-wife to goad him into a reaction, Shirley asks Jeff if he has lost his mind. "Intro to Felt Surrogacy": When Shirley repeats telling the others her most terrible secret (which they all had told when under the influence of berries which caused forgetfulness) and the others don't, it's Jeff who implores everyone to repeat their most terrible secret in order to make Shirley feel better. "Intro to Knots": When Jeff is negotiating the group's history assignment grade with Professor Cornwallis, he offers separate grades so that Annie and Shirley can get an "A" to which Shirley declines saying they should be graded together. "Heroic Origins": Due to Abed's investigation of the study group's past, Jeff and Shirley find out they have another shared history, one that directly affected Shirley's marriage. "Advanced Introduction to Finality": Evil Jeff insults Shirley, saying she spends more time with her pathetic business than with her family.

Season Five

“ I bust my ass making a world full of selfish idiots remember my name! Fine. Call it hard work, but don't tell me the system measures who's nice. ” –Jeff and Shirley, "App Development and Condiments".

School year synopsis Jeff and Shirley return for their fifth year at Greendale for different reasons. Jeff's law practice has failed and he tries to make a case against Greendale for irresponsible education which eventually involves his old study group, including Shirley, who return thinking they will be helping save Greendale. Jeff questions each as to the impact Greendale had on their lives and we learn Shirley has lost her family and her business. Eventually, they all form the Save Greendale Committee and start improving the school. Shirley learns of Pierce's death and tells Jeff (and Annie) first. Jeff becomes a member of Shirley's Island during the school-wide game of Hot Lava and helps defeat the "chair walkers". Jeff and Shirley (along with Ian Duncan and Ben Chang) plan the "Bear Down for Mid-terms" dance which the have to change to a "Fat Dog" theme. When the MeowMeowBeenz app is beta tested at Greendale, Shirley becomes an elite "5" and tries to prevent Jeff from rising. Their competition results in both being expelled from the school's new society. The root of their animosity is that Jeff didn't invite Shirley to dinner. When Jeff and Shirley (and Hickey) find a cache of mint Chemistry textbooks, they compete over what is to be done with them. Shirley eventually ties Jeff and everyone else up and tries to sell the books on her own. Jeff and Shirley are present together as Greendale is saved from being sold to Subway. Jeff and Shirley Season Five/Gallery

2013 - 2014 semester "Repilot": Jeff returns to Greendale as a failed lawyer and after secretly using Shirley and the rest of the study group to launch a class action suit against the school, a hologram of Pierce changes his mind. He, Shirley and the others launch the Save Greendale Committee. Shirley is the first to learn of Pierce's passing and tells Jeff and Annie. "Introduction to Teaching": On Jeff's first day as a teacher, the study group playfully calls him names. Shirley mimics "Mr. Kotter" when saying "Mr. Winger". "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics": Shirley learns of Pierce's passing and tells Jeff and Annie first. "Cooperative Polygraphy": Despite many secret accusations coming out between the Study Group members during the polygraph test to earn Pierce's bequeathments, Jeff and Shirley have none for each other. "Geothermal Escapism": Jeff becomes a member of Shirley's Island during the school-wide game of Hot Lava and helps defeat the "chair walkers". "Analysis of Cork-Based Networking": Jeff and Shirley (along with Ian Duncan and Ben Chang) plan the "Bear Down for Mid-terms" dance which the have to change to a "Fat Dog" theme. "App Development and Condiments": When the MeowMeowBeenz app is beta tested at Greendale, Shirley becomes an elite "5" and tries to prevent Jeff from rising. "VCR Maintenance and Educational Publishing": When Jeff and Shirley (and Hickey) find a cache of mint Chemistry textbooks, they compete over what is to be done with them. "Basic Story": When the insurance appraiser Ronald Mohammad is speaking to the committee, Shirley tells Jeff not to panic. He states he is fine which Shirley doesn't believe. She tells him that caring for Greendale is a strength, not a weakness and that it is OK to show this.

Quotes

Season One

"Comparative Religion"

“Jeffrey, I forbid you from fighting.”— Shirley

“Well, you don't get to. You're not my mom.”— Jeff

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