turning 40. Character Creation Jeff's last name, Winger, was named after Bill Murray's character John Winger in the film Stripes. Jeff's archetype—a narcissistic egoist—was derived from Community producer Dan Harmon, who was inspired to create the show following his experience with a Spanish study group at Glendale Community College. Harmon, who self-described himself as agoraphobic and solipsistic, developed a deeper relationship with the members of his study group. According to Harmon, "I had spent all of my life empowering myself, proving I was a big boy and could do whatever I wanted. But that's only half of a life. So, in that respect, [Jeff Winger] is me." Portrayal Jeff is portrayed by Joel McHale, who had previously hosted The Soup on E!. Jeff's portrayal was shaped by McHale's experiences with dyslexia. According to McHale, he cheated his way through high school and college, akin to Jeff's lie about having an undergraduate degree from Columbia University. McHale was cast for his likeability. Harmon later stated, reflecting upon his casting of Jeff, "Unless you’re doing something for HBO or FX, it really comes down to whether your star is likeable. And Joel is likeable to the extreme—to the point where you can give him a little bit of unlikable characteristics and all it is is Han Solo, a loveable scoundrel." Personality Jeff's notably abrasive personality and vanity have made him a contemptible yet praised character. Jeff's initial demeanor, described by McHale as "wildly arrogant and selfish", began to dissipate over the course of the series. These narcissistic behaviors manifested in the form of sexual desires in early episodes. In "The Politics of Human Sexuality" (season one, 2009), Jeff's romantic endeavors are revealed to be short, with his phone contact for Britta Perry listed as "Hot Blonde Spanish Class". Jeff is agnostic, revealing himself to be such in "Comparative Religion" (season one, 2009), describing religion as "Paul Rudd". Reception Commendations Joel McHale has been nominated for and has received several accolades for portraying Jeff. In 2011 and 2012, McHale was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy Series at the Critics' Choice Television Awards. In addition, McHale received a nomination for Best Actor in a Series – Comedy or Musical at the 16th and 17th Satellite Awards. McHale was nominated three times at the EWwy Awards, first for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy, and then twice for Best Actor in a Comedy,