"Parks and Recreation" is one of those rare shows that is unceasingly cheerful. It seldom attempts to deal with the serious plotlines that have become so prevalent in medical or teen−oriented dramas such as "Grey's Anatomy" or "Gossip Girl." The show is currently in its fourth season and, in spite of the digressive romances between characters, it has not lost the charming, character−driven subplots that make it such a successful show.
Originally meant as a spin−off of the hit NBC comedy "The Office," "Parks and Recreation" creators Greg Daniels and Michael Schur film the series in the same mockumentary style as "The Office." But the show is in fact entirely scripted with various moments of improvisation.
The strength of the wacky and topical humor in "Parks and Recreation" lies mainly in its chief characters. Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, and her friendship with Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones) was originally the focal point of the show. However, Leslie's romantic relationship with Ben (Adam Scott) has been a main storyline since the beginning of season three, when Adam Scott and Rob Lowe joined the cast.
Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) offers great moments through his love of breakfast food and infamous drunken dancing. Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari) plays the ridiculously extravagant partner to Ben Schwartz's Jean−Ralphio, as they navigate the ups and downs of starting their own company and, inevitably, failing.
The plot follows the employees of the Parks and Recreation department in the government of Pawnee, a small town in Indiana dubbed by Leslie as "the best town in the world." Internist April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza) provides cynical humor, and her childish marriage to Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) is oddly compelling. In the latest episode, "Operation Ann," April regales her coworkers with Andy's recent financial decision: "He was supposed to buy gas, but instead he bought novelty cookie cutters and now everything we eat is shaped like a dinosaur. He's amazing."
While the show attempts to focus equally on each character, one of the most compelling plotlines is that of Ron Swanson, a single−minded man on a mission to hate his job and most things that are neither breakfast nor construction projects in his workshop. Nick Offerman delivers his lines with a stoic gravity that adds to the hilarity. In one particular setting, Ron asks for all bacon and eggs in a restaurant and calls the waiter back to say, "Wait, I'm worried what you just heard was ‘give me a lot of bacon and eggs.' What I said was give me all the bacon and eggs you have. Do you understand?" His completely serious expression sells the joke.
Even the minor characters manage to steal the show on occasion. Donna Meagle (Retta Sirleaf) has an annual tradition with Tom wherein their motto is "Treat yo'self": a day that consists of overspending on anything and everything they desire. Jerry (Jim O'Heir), one of the other minor employees, is the token character that everyone picks on, allowing scenes that fuel second−hand embarrassment, such as when Jerry manages to rip his pants while bending over during a presentation.
Another aspect that gives "Parks and Recreation" its staying power is the guest characters that appear on the show. Stars such as Andy Samberg, Louis C.K., Justin Theroux and Paul Rudd have made appearances, and even though their characters were minor fleeting ones, the writers manage to build up such intriguing personalities for them that their appearances feel memorable.
"Parks and Recreation" is unique in its look at small−town America and manages to create a world that is both comical and charismatic. Here's to hoping it continues with the same creative strength from the writers and actors in the future.
