Parks and RecreationPilot
Original Air Date: April 9, 2009
PG Ignacio – Associate Editor
pg@thetwocentscorp.com
Tonight we are introduced to the world of small town government in the style of “The Office.” Amy Poehler plays the lead role in this new comedy produced by Greg Daniels and Michal Schur. Even though it’s a completely different theme, it may be difficult not to draw comparisons to its hit show predecessor.
So, how did the Pilot episode go? Let’s see…
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[photo: NBC]
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Parks and Recreation
ReplyDeletePilot
Original Air Date: April 9, 2009
PG Ignacio – Associate Editor
pg@thetwocentscorp.com
Tonight we are introduced to the world of small town government in the style of “The Office.” Amy Poehler plays the lead role in this new comedy produced by Greg Daniels and Michal Schur. Even though it’s a completely different theme, it may be difficult not to draw comparisons to its hit show predecessor.
So, how did the Pilot episode go? Let’s see…
Leslie Knope (Poehler) works for the parks and recreation department. She takes great interest and pride in making sure the community is happy with the…well, the parks and recreation in Pawnee, Indiana. For example in the beginning of the episode we find Knope trying to rid a children’s slide of a drunkard with a broom in front of the local parents and children.
The episode gets moving when Knope is given the task of holding a town forum at a local school. She is accompanied by Tom, a younger co-worker in her office who doesn’t seem that interested in his job. Just when the forum begins in the school theater, the lights get turned out. The meeting commences in a small classroom with a fairly large turnout. The people of Pawnee voice their opinions of several issues including graffiti, public use of profanity, and incorrect incarceration.
The voice that gains Knope’s attention most is that of nurse Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones). Perkins voices her dissatisfaction with an unfinished pit that was dug near her home in which her boyfriend fell in, injuring both his legs. Tom thought it was a good opportunity to not so subtly make a play on Perkins…even though he is married…and she is way out of his league.
Feeling the pressure of the town people rallying behind Perkins, Knope not only promises, but pinky promises, that she will fill the hole AND put a park in its place. When she visits the pit for herself, helmet and all, she ends up falling in. After viewing it herself, she is even more determined to start a subcommittee to fill that hole. She begs her boss for the approval of a subcommittee for Lot 48, The Pit, and continues to bug him for the decision.
Mark, a city planner, assists in her quest for approval by approaching Knope’s boss, Ron, to give her the project as repayment of a favor Ron owed to Mark. It’s unclear whether or not Mark is genuinely helping Knope for her own accomplishments or for his own enjoyment, to see her possibly fail.
When she finds out she the subcommittee has been approved and she can work on Lot 48, she celebrates with Ann, Mark, and Tom by toasting with champagne in the office. Tom reveals to the cameras that he enjoys getting Knope drunk with intentions of making a fool of her. The episode ends with Knope and Ann declaring to the camera their intent on beatifying The Pit. Oh yeah, and they’re pretty tipsy.
This pilot has some funny moments, but its really hard not to look at Poehler’s character as the female Michael Scott. Don’t get me wrong though, Poehler does a great job. Rashida Jones’ character may be the only normal person on the show. All the other characters have some kind of quirkiness to them. The show also has the talking-head scenes (interviews) with each character, just like The Office. I don’t know if there is room for another mocumentary comedy. We will have to see how the show does next week.
What did you think of this new show?
I actually thought it was pretty funny!! I'll def watch it and see how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes I am a die hard Office fan.