This article is the latest edition of "Second Chances," a semi−recurring feature looking at TV shows that deserve a second chance from viewers. Their ratings may be low, but their quality is high, so if you tuned out early on, here's our case for why you should give each show another try. Up this time: NBC's "Parks and Recreation."
Let me just get this right out there: "Parks and Recreation," which currently airs Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. on NBC, is the best comedy on television, and one of the best shows on TV, period. So why aren't people watching?
The series got off to a bit of a rocky start two years ago, when it aired its first six−episode mini−season. I enjoyed it, giving it a 3−1/2 star review in the Daily, but noted that it skewed too closely to "The Office" (with which it shares the mockumentary style and co−creators Greg Daniels and Michael Schur) and relied too heavily on Amy Poehler's lead performance.
Daniels and Schur seemed to be listening, for when the show came back the next fall for its second season, it hit the ground running, delivering a string of 24 episodes so solid, I'd be hard−pressed to single out a weak spot.
The third season, rather than beginning last September with the rest of the NBC comedy block, was held until January of this year. The scheduling hiatus did nothing to kill the creative momentum, though, and this season's episodes have been just as strong, if not stronger, than anything that came before.
"Parks and Rec" focuses on Leslie Knope (Poehler) and her staff at the Pawnee, Ind., Parks Department. One of the show's early problems lay in Leslie's being so overly enthusiastic about her work that she came off as naive and, simply, dumb, but Poehler and the writers have done a great job developing Leslie into a lead character who, while still a little too ambitious, is clearly smart, motivated and good at her job.
Perhaps even more essential to the show's success is the development of the supporting characters and cast. Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) was a scene−stealer from the beginning, and the mustachioed anti−government government official with a love of breakfast buffets continues to be one of the funniest characters on TV in a given week.
But now everyone else has a key role too. Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari) has his schmooze power — particularly helpful when dealing with the local media — and Ansari blends smarm and charm like no one else. Newcomers Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) and Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe) are helping the city government get back on its feet after a budget crisis, and they have meshed with the rest of the cast from the get−go. Even previously recurring characters Donna (Retta) and Jerry (Jim O'Heir) have become integral parts of the team (even if, in Jerry's case, it's not particularly wanted).
The heart of the show, though, lies in one of the most unexpected places: The romance between April (Aubrey Plaza) and Andy (Chris Pratt). April is apathetic about almost everything and Andy is a wannabe musician goofball who works as a shoe shiner in City Hall, but their slow−building courtship has done wonders at deepening both characters and providing "Parks" with an emotional core. I don't consider myself a ‘shipper (one who roots for fictional relationships), but with April and Andy, I'm in it for the long haul.
Not many shows can balance humor, plot, character development and an ensemble cast. "Community," another low−rated NBC comedy, comes close, but its desire to break the sitcom mold each week means it has some misses among its hits. "Cougar Town" on ABC is another contender, especially considering that most of the characters, when you think about it, aren't really pleasant people.
But "Parks and Rec" needs no caveats or rationalizations. It's a smart comedy that will make you laugh out loud but also gives you characters and storylines to care about. So give it a shot — you don't want to miss out on the best comedy on TV.
