PARKS AND RECREATION: Why You Should Be Watching

As I was studying for my Media Ethics final recently, a terrifying realization came over me: Because of my procrastination (I totally had to wash laundry, clean the bathroom and go grocery shopping before studying…) I was going to have to miss PARKS AND RECREATION.

This was pretty much a SOPHIE’S CHOICE-type decision for me. Should I keep studying for an exam I had to do well on or catch up with my favorite Pawnee government employees?

It was a tough choice, but I had to do what Leslie Knope would’ve done: Hit the books.

I reluctantly stayed in my room as 8:30 p.m. approached, but after my final ended the next day, I didn’t immediately catch up on the beauty sleep I so desperately needed. No, I instead caught up on PARKS AND RECREATION.

So why have I told you this story? Because PARKS AND RECREATION is the best comedy on TV, and I’m absolutely obsessed in love with it. So much so that my roommate and I may or may not have a framed pictured of Li’l Sebastian near our TV … I will leave you to answer that.

Because there are so many good shows on TV, we can’t cover them all on GMMR. But I just want to let you all in on what a great show PARKS AND RECREATION is and to celebrate the show’s success with those of you who already know.

When PARKS AND RECREATION began in 2009, I have to admit that I wasn’t too impressed. I didn’t like the characters, and the show seemed too much like its stylistic counterpart, THE OFFICE. I can’t remember when I stopped watching during the first season, but it was probably about halfway into the six-episode season.

I picked back up with the show during its second season, after I kept reading how much it had improved. I was hesitant, but after watching one episode on Netflix (I think it was the Halloween episode “Greg Pikitis,” which remains one of my favorite episodes), I was as hooked on the show as much as Leslie is hooked on waffles.

Sure, MODERN FAMILY may get all of the hype (and deserves a lot of it), and COMMUNITY is the most creative show on TV (and I will dearly miss it), but PARKS AND RECREATION is the show I most look forward to every week.

There are a lot of reasons I love this show as much as I do. You can’t praise PARKS AND RECREATION without mentioning its cast, namely Amy Poehler (who also writes and produces the series), Nick Offerman and Chris Pratt. But that’s not to neglect the rest, especially new cast members Adam Scott and Rob Lowe. They all bring so much energy and commitment to each episode, and their chemistry off-screen is so evident onscreen.

The writing and detail of each episode should also be commended. What other show could make a town’s love for a miniature horse reasonable and even infectious? Or have the constant picking on a fellow employee excusable and hilarious? And what other show has not only fleshed out main characters, but also well-rounded recurring characters, such as Perd Hapley, Joan Callamezzo and Sewage Joe?

But what I love most about PARKS AND RECREATION — which is really hard to decide because I love so much about it — is how it successfully walks such a fine line between reality and absurdity. Whereas MODERN FAMILY exists in the modern world (see what I did there?) and COMMUNITY is off in its own little wonderful world, PARKS AND RECREATION gives us the best of both.

The show’s premise is about small-town government, so it has to be somewhat realistic. But each character has his or her own quirks that makes them unrealistic yet just as normal as any other person. In this way, PARKS AND RECREATION is like THE OFFICE.

But where THE OFFICE fails that PARKS AND RECREATION succeeds is that no matter how much these characters get into disagreements, they still love one another other (cue the “awww”). This was most recently displayed when Chris had to put Leslie on trial for dating a coworker, Ben. Despite how easy it could have been to label Chris as a villain, he explains to Leslie that his intention was only to be a good government employee, not to break up Leslie and Ben. And, of course, because she also wants to be a good government employee, Leslie understands.

I loved THE OFFICE for a long time, and while it may be unfair to compare the two shows, I’m going to because they’re so similar — on the surface. THE OFFICE’s heart really rested in Steve Carell (Michael), and how those in the office came together because of him. Without him, and with Pam and Jim married, the heart of the show has largely been lost.

Although PARKS AND RECREATION couldn’t exist without Leslie, it just as well couldn’t exist without Ron, Andy, April, Tom, Ann, Donna, Ben and Chris. Did I forget anyone? Oh yeah, Jerry (or Gary). These people need and love one another, and even if they may not say it, they show it.

THE OFFICE is more about the moments when the characters come together even though they don’t want to; in PARKS AND RECREATION, these characters always spend time together, inside and outside of work. It’s assumed, and no matter how much the audience gets used to it, the writers and actors keep making the time these characters spend together even better — and more special — despite their differences. They accept one another for who they are, without complaint.

Could you imagine the characters on THE OFFICE coming together to help Michael Scott run for office? I didn’t think so. I don’t mean to hate on THE OFFICE. I was obsessed in love with the show for a long time, but PARKS AND RECREATION has taken its place in my TV-loving heart. Every week is a great episode, whether it’s hilarious, heartfelt or both (usually, it’s both).

So please watch PARKS AND RECREATION when it returns after the holidays. As you’re waiting, catch up on Netflix, Hulu or DVD. This is my gift to you — you won’t be sorry.

And, in case you were wondering, I got a B on my final.

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