Their solution in the second season was to turn Pierce into the villain, which didn't feel right, and their solution this season is to tone him down and keep him on the margins. That's not really satisfying either. You can see Chevy trying to throw some stuff in the edges of the frame to keep his character alive on screen, (say what you want about him, Chevy can do physical business like, well, nobody's business) but he often has to fight against what's on the page to get his laughs.

Again, I think the show is good, but it's in danger of becoming the "Aren't Troy And Abed Cute Funtime Hour" unless the writers become aware of what actors like Chevy (and also Joel Mchale, whose role has become more and more marginalized as the show has gone on)can bring to the show if given the chance to do so.

Poor Chevy.