Thursdays make everything better. Why? Because at 8:30 EST on NBC, I get to watch the best comedy on TV: “Parks and Recreation.”*
I love this show for far too many reasons to count. I love this show so much that this is my second post about it. I love smart, ambitious, occasionally-selfish but fundamentally-generous Leslie Knope. I love kindhearted finance geek Ben Wyatt. I love ultra-masculine Libertarian Scotch lover Ron Swanson, douchebag-with-a-heart-of-gold Tom, sarcastic April, dopey Andy, and everyone else in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, right down to the crazies who show up at Leslie’s public forums.
What’s that, you say? You don’t watch “Parks and Recreation”? Well, I think you should! Yes, even if you watched some of Season 1 and didn’t like it. (Especially then.)
To help you figure out if it’s worth giving “Parks and Recreation” a try, here are some of my all-time favorite TV shows: “Buffy,” “Firefly,” “Community,” early “How I Met Your Mother,” “Chuck,” early “The Office,” “Arrested Development,” “Mad Men,” “Veronica Mars,” and “Freaks and Geeks.” Do you like most or all of those shows? Then you owe it to yourself to give “Parks and Recreation” a chance.
If I’ve convinced you to try “Parks and Recreation,” just follow my three easy steps for falling in love with the show. You’ll be quoting this quirky, wonderful gem before you know it.
Step 1: Figure out how to watch old episodes of “Parks and Recreation”
Americans: Do you have Netflix? You now have access to Seasons 1-3 of “Parks and Recreation” on streaming video. Do you have Hulu Plus? You have access to every single “Parks and Recreation” episode! Brits/Canadians: You may need to rent the DVDs.
Step 2: Forget Episodes 1-5 (this is a CRUCIAL step)
A number of smart people with excellent taste gave up on “P&R” in the first season. The show hadn’t quite figured itself out yet and there were some pretty cringe-inducing episodes. But trust me: it gets better. A lot better.
If you are a P&R newbie or someone who bailed during that rough first season, I suggest starting with either the last episode of Season 1 (“Rock Show”) or the first episode of Season 2 (“Pawnee Zoo”). “Rock Show” is my personal favorite entry point — it’s their first genuinely successful episode, it sums up everything important about the relationships between the characters, and it introduces a recurring joke, Pawnee rock anthem “The Pit.” But if you’re renting the DVDs it might sound a bit silly to rent all of Season 1 just for the single episode. Skipping right to Season 2 is perfectly fine as well.
Step 3: Watch “Parks and Recreation”, Seasons 2-4 (Season 4 is currently in progress)
If going in order doesn’t appeal to you and you’d rather start with the high points of season 2 to find out if the show is for you, watch the following episodes:
“Practice Date”
“Greg Pikitis”
“Hunting Trip”
“Tom’s Divorce”
“Sweetums”
“Summer Catalog”
“The Master Plan”
“Freddy Spaghetti”
If you’re not in love with Leslie Knope by the end of “Practice Date” (Season 2, episode 4), I will be shocked.
Anyone else want to help me sell new viewers on “Parks and Recreation?”
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* It definitely doesn’t hurt that it’s in a time bloc with the 2nd-best comedy on TV, “Community” at 8:00 EST on NBC.
Good to hear…I might have to give it another try. We stopped after watching two or three of the first season.
Okay, your list of “likes” has convinced me to give it another go.
For season 2 I also like Galentine’s Day for April’s plot.
All you hesitant people, one of the best things about this show is how kind it is. Everyone pretty much likes each other (except for Jerry and he has a very fulfilling life outside of the P&R dept to keep him happy). I think Leslie started a bit too much like Michael Scott but they retooled her to be a) supercompetent at her job and b) very HAPPY to be working where she is. It’s by far my favorite show on tv!
I too gave up after the first few episodes, but I’ve been loving it this season. I need to watch seasons 2 and 3, apparently.
(Three cheers for Community, too!)
1. I love that you didn’t include Ann.
2. Greg Pikitas may be my all time favorite episode. I wish he would stage a return.
3. The show is populated with extras who come back again and again. It’s so rich and layered. I love that it really feels like a town where you know everyone.
4. Which one was the sex scandal episode? That one is maybe my second favorite.
I actually have it on my Netflix queue because you recommended it.
Apparently it’s time for me to start watching Parks & Rec because we have at least an 80% overlap in tv preferences.
@Jenny, Sarah, Trisha, BB — Oh, please do give it a (or another) shot! It’s so funny and warm and brilliantly written. But seriously, don’t forget Step 2. Episodes 1-5 will ruin the Parks-and-Recreation-loving process.
@Kaitlyn — I also love “Galentine’s Day” for that nice moment between Ron and Leslie. They are the best platonic couple on TV.
@craftosaurus — Seasons 2 and 3 are absolutely worth your time! Season 2 starts well, gets really good right around “Practice Date” and finishes with a streak of brilliance. Season 3 is brilliant from start to end.
@Rachelle — “Christmas Scandal”! I love “Christmas Scandal.” I should have included that one, and also “Ron and Tammy.” Man, Season 2 was so good.
Hello post from 2011!
Although the show has come to a close the passionate love for it that I have witnessed from many a tumblr has convinced me that I need to watch it and that I will probably love it. But my god, I could not subscribe to the first few episodes of season one.
This post is the first thing that comes up when I google “I want to watch parks and recreation where should I start?” So I would like to thank you for the very clear starting point. As soon as I hit send on this comment I will press play and see where it takes me!
You’ll have to tell us what you thought after “Rock Show” and parts of Season 2! I still miss Parks & Rec months after its finale. Seasons 5 & 6 take a dip in quality IMO, but Season 7 is wonderful.
I followed your guy’s advice and started watching from Rock Show. S2 really hits its groove and I love the show now. I’m almost through S3 and and I am so trilled that I didn’t give up on it just because of S1! Thank you so much for the help! I would have hated to miss out on such a great show!
The only downside is that now I’m having to pace myself. My on demand service only has up till S5 because of licencing in my country.