Image Credit: www.imdb.com
Commonly known as Parks and Rec by its dedicated viewers, the show follows the sometimes unfortunate, but almost always hilarious shenanigans of the parks and recreation department in small-town, Pawnee, Indiana.
It includes a most excellent performance from Nick Offerman (21 Jump Street, The Kings of Summer) as Ron Swanson, head of the department and general hater of all things government. Ron's determined to fit every stereotype of the "manliest" of men by being a hardy woodsman, professional chairmaker, and the guy who orders a slab of meat with every meal. Don't let him fool you, though... Ron puts up a rigid front, but he's a wise one with a soft spot for those select few in which he sees potential.
GIF Credit: www.reddit.com
The show also stars Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy, The LEGO Movie) as Andy Dwyer. Andy's character acts as the slapstick comedy component of the show. He's a half-witted almost-musician with little to no direction in life who starts off the show by falling into a giant pit. It should also be noted that Pratt often adds his own flavor to the show by throwing in impromptu lines from time to time. For example, his line in the scene below was totally unscripted, and I'd venture to say that it is one of the best one-liners in the entire show.
Video Credit: Nailed It, YouTube
And how could one continue without mentioning the spectacular portrayal of Leslie Knope by Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live, Mean Girls). Leslie's character is convinced that Pawnee is the greatest city in the world and enthusiastic doesn't even begin to describe how passionate she is about upholding that standard of hope in her hopeless community. Poehler has done amazing work with this character by fleshing her out into a full-fledged, dynamic woman in politics.
These are just a few among many fantastic performances by Aubrey Plaza (my personal fav), Aziz Ansari, and others who join in as the seasons progress. Parks and Recreation was easily my favorite binge of winter break. It's humor is clever, often satirizing current events, politics, and the atmosphere of the midwestern small-town. It won my heart forever and I will be sad to say goodbye to its current run on television. Rating: 4.5/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.
