Parks and Recreation

If you love small-town government, breakfast foods, friendship, treatin’ yo self, or “Cones of Dunshire” then you will love Parks and Recreation. The comedy starring Amy Poehler is absolutely hilarious and unique. It centers around a small town, Pawnee, Indiana, and the Department of Parks and Recreation that is staffed by Leslie Knope, Tom Haverford, April Ludgate, Ron Swanson, and several others. The department must deal with the problems that arise in the parks system, such as the raccoon invasion and the development of Lot 48.

Each character has their own approach to the job and the challenges it presents. The characters are all unique in their motivations for working at the Parks Department and their views on government’s role in society. Ron, the department head, is a dedicated libertarian who would prefer if the Parks Department were shut down altogether. Leslie is full of boundless energy and incredible optimism. Government work is her passion and she will literally fight for her projects. Tom is a self-centered entrepreneur who always has a new plan to get rich. They are all friends and all work in their own ways to keep the department running.

Parks and Recreation was originally supposed to be a spin-off of The Office, however the writers decided that it worked better as a stand-alone show. It does bear resemblance The Office however, as it utilizes the “mockumentary” style popularized by The Office and revolves around everyday life in a business setting. Parks and Rec has certainly made a name for itself without being in the shadow of The Office, though. Poehler has been nominated for two Emmys for her work as Leslie Knope and has won a Golden Globe.  All seven seasons of the show are great, with the seventh and final season currently airing. However, I think the show improves drastically in season two with the departure of Mark Brendanawicz and the addition of Ben and Chris to the cast. They are literally the best possible addition to the show. Also, Mark Brendana-Quitz was kind of annoying.

The characters of Parks and Recreation make the show what it is.  Leslie is, in my opinion, the backbone of the show, though. The friendship between Leslie and another character, Ann, is awesome, and a great example of realistic female friendship. There is no cattiness or backstabbing, just true and kind friendship. Leslie is a huge proponent of women in government and equal opportunities for the girls in Pawnee; her enthusiasm for women in government is contagious. Leslie is enthusiastic and caring to a fault. She would go the end of the Earth for her friends and for her town. Parks and Rec centers around her and her kind of crazy passion for all things Pawnee.

However, my favorite character on the show has to be Andy, his enthusiasm for everything in his life is amazing, and way of thinking is hilarious. He may not be the brightest, but that is what makes him so great. All the characters of Parks and Recreation are so different, but all so amazing. The show is funny without being crude and is full of friendship and happiness. It is just an optimistic, funny show that is really enjoyable. My favorite episode of the show is “Flu Season”. Every season except the current one is on Netflix, so cook all the eggs and bacon you have, put on your Mouserat t-shirt and start watching.