Last season NBC premiered a new comedy. It had a solid pedigree and high expectations, but in its short, six-episode first season, it had trouble settling into a groove. Luckily, NBC executives didn't lose hope; they renewed it for a second season, giving the producers a chance to prove that the show was going somewhere.
Sound familiar? That's because this scenario describes not only "Parks and Recreation," but also fellow Thursday-night comedy "The Office," both from executive producers Greg Daniels and Michael Schur. Back in 2005, when the American version of "The Office" premiered, many thought it was going to be a repeat of the Americanized version of "Coupling," the quickly-canceled British import from 2003. When "The Office" premiered its second season the next fall, however, audiences and critics alike saw it as a developed program, and it grew into the hit it is today.
"Parks and Recreation" may follow a similar path to success. After a rocky (though funny) start as a midseason replacement last spring, "Parks" is showing signs of great improvement, developing into a show truly worthy of its stars' wealth of talent. Amy Poehler leads the way as Leslie Knope, deputy director of Parks and Recreation in Pawnee, Indiana. As the show has progressed, Leslie has developed into a sympathetic and believable leader, although still hopelessly naïve about the scope of local government. Poehler plays her dumb but sweet character well; Leslie's commitment to her job never wavers.
This season's premiere involves Leslie performing a wedding ceremony between two penguins at the local zoo, partly to boost zoo attendance and partly because she wanted to do something "cute." What she doesn't know beforehand, though, is that the penguins are both male. Her ceremony is actually a gay wedding.
Leslie, as a government official, tries to keep the event from turning into a political statement but is challenged by a representative from the local Society for Family Stability Foundation. The representative presents her with an ultimatum — annul the marriage or resign from her job — and Leslie can't stay quiet. Intern April (Aubrey Plaza, seen in this summer's "Funny People," 2009) invites her as guest-of-honor to a gay marriage rally at local hangout The Bulge, and Leslie debates the topic on a local morning talk show — a scene which is nicely introduced with clips of womanizing colleague Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari) sweet-talking the host.
Supporting characters were given more to do in the season's second episode than in the premiere. Leslie and Tom stake out the community garden after finding marijuana growing amongst the fruits and vegetables. Ann (Rashida Jones) agrees to go on a date with Mark (Paul Schneider), and April and Ron (Nick Offerman) are able to bond after Ron's hernia renders him unable to move. Ann's ex-boyfriend Andy (Chris Pratt) also shows up, now homeless but still pining for Ann after their breakup at the end of last season.
These characters, while still largely one-note, are starting to develop. Tom is still the lazy sleazeball, but Ansari makes him likeable and funny. Ann is Leslie's loyal friend, but she isn't putting up with Andy anymore. Mark, April and Ron need some more room to grow, but having them interact outside of Leslie's world seems promising.
The new season of "Parks" seems to be using ripped-from-the-headlines plots — gay marriage, and in the second episode, possible racial profiling reminiscent of the Henry Louis Gates, Jr. controversy this summer — and so far, it is working. The show is carving out its niche, fleshing out its characters, and showing audiences that it is more than just an "Office" carbon copy. The show is allowing organic storylines to grow and, all around, things are looking up for "Parks."
Although it didn't find the viewership it sought last year, "Parks" still has a prime spot in the NBC Thursday night comedy lineup and, with a few more episodes, it seems like it will be as solid an entry as "The Office," "30 Rock" and newcomer "Community." The talent has always been there, and now that the writers seem to know where they're going, the laughs should keep on coming.
