As I’m writing this, Parks and Recreation, the iconic sitcom starring Amy Poehler, has been taken off of Netflix. I was on season 5 episode 12 when this travesty occurred and now I have to search for alternative routes of getting my daily episode fix in. I’m still trying to figure out why Netflix would pull such a great show from its platform.
I know, I know, you’ve seen The Office and thought, no way can any show top this. I’m not trying to say that Parks and Rec tops The Office, but it definitely warrants a watch and deserves the comparison. I was the person who initially refused to watch Parks and Rec because I thought it would be a sad copy of The Office, which everyone knows is one of the funniest TV shows ever created. When I finally succumbed to pressure from my friends and watched a single episode, I thought the show was ridiculously overhyped. It wasn’t until months later when I gave Parks and Rec a second chance that I realized the full extent of its appeal.
The genius of Parks and Rec lies in its characters. Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, is the real star of the series. She’s a kind and determined government employee, whose life is marked by the care she gives others. The show emphasizes friendship more than romance, and loyalty more than personal gain. Leslie’s entire city council campaign is made possible through the tireless efforts of her friends. One of the most wholesome and satisfying moments of the show is Leslie finding out she won the city council seat on the season 4 finale. It’s an overwhelmingly satisfying culmination of all of Leslie’s hopes and dreams that only came true because her friends were there for her every step of the way.
Parks and Recreation also thrives off of the chemistry of its cast. From April’s constant deadpan humor to Tom’s equally consistent display of “swagger,” the ongoing gags of Parks and Rec meet their mark nearly every time. I can now attest that the comparisons to The Office are definitely accurate. I mean, Parks and Rec even has its own Toby—Jerry, who, much like Toby, is the butt of every joke and barely knows it. I think my loyalties will always lie with The Office just because it was my first introduction to this type of show and because I don’t think Michael Scott can ever be outdone.
Parks and Recreation is a great show that lives up to all its praise. If you’re hesitant, just give it a shot and watch one or two episodes. I promise you won’t regret it and you’ll get more than a couple of laughs out of it.
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