NBC comedy Parks and Recreation has been named sitcom of the year by men's magazine GQ — and I couldn't agree more. The dark horse comedy has earned the praise: despite a slow start, the show has found its groove in the second season.
"It just takes time," Rashida Jones told me in an interview a couple of months ago, and she nailed it — Parks and Rec is just now finding its own humor and utilizing each actor to his or her best.
To see my reasons why Parks and Recreation has come into its own this season, just read more.
- Four words: The pit is gone.
- The writers have found the humor that works best for each character. Amy Poehler's Leslie Knope is probably most improved. Now sweet and funny (and a feminist!), Leslie no longer acts like a direct mix of Michael Scott and Liz Lemon.
- It has the advantage of being established but still young. The characters and humor are fresher than that of its Thursday night counterparts — currently, 30 Rock and The Office are both wearing out their well-worn schticks.
- The rest of the cast members have proved themselves beyond expectation. Aziz Ansari is relentlessly funny, Chris Pratt is a adorable despite being a borderline stalker, Aubrey Plaza is delightfully droll, and Nick Offerman is great as the office regulator, Ron Swanson. Rashida Jones even took a character that could be boring and made her realistic and multidimensional.
Add to that some amazing upcoming guest stars, and I can only see this show getting better and funnier. What do you think? Does Parks and Recreation deserve to be called sitcom of the year?
Photos courtesy of NBC
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1Why do all you TV writer types hate the pit? It was this generation's "Who killed Laura Palmer," which also ended early because of a network's impatience.
2I have to agree. Every single episode of P & R this year has been amazing.
3Wait... you think the humor on 30 Rock is wearing thin??? Have you SEEN the past few episodes?! I don't dislike P & R, but I wouldn't be heartbroken to miss an episode. It still feels like The Office II to me.
4I have to disagree. I've tried giving Parks and Rec a fair shake, but mostly it just seems painfully unfunny. There are a few bright spots of laugh-out-loud humor, but for the most part I don't like it. I think most of the supporting actors aren't much good.
5The supporting actors are what make the show. Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, and Aziz Ansari are absolutely hilarious.
6I'd give P&R most improved for the season, but don't think it's the best at all - it's finally getting funny, but I think there's a mean streak through it that puts me off. I like the cast and want it to succeed, but I wouldn't vote it a winner yet.
7Community started out strong and has held up, and 30 Rock is still strong.
I love Parks & Rec, but I think it's unfair to compare new comedies with ones that have been on the hair for a few years. 1st-2nd seasons are always the best as the show has found its humor and is still so fresh with jokes. The Office may be a little, I still like it and 30 Rock is still my favorite comedy.
8I also find P&R painfully unfunny. Modern Family is the sitcom of the year and there are many others I would put in front of P&R: The Office, 30 Rock, Better Off Ted, heck, even Cougartown.
9Oh man, and how could I forget HIMYM and BBT!
10I don't get the appeal of Parks and Rec. To be honest, the whole "comedy of the year" thing is becoming very tired. 30 Rock, Community, Modern Family and now Parks and Rec have all seemed to have a month where they are deemed the best comedy of the year. Comedy goes through cycles! Sometimes one show will be funnier than another, and then it will reverse...thats just how it is. I think we need to enjoy it a little more and evaluate once the year is actually over. (I get the year is now coming to a close...but I feel like people talk about it starting in April!)
11Watched a few more episodes of P and R, and still finds it mostly unamusing. It did improve a bit, but it's either too subtle or just not LOL enough. 30 Rock still kills, especially episode 7....gives a new definition to High-Definition. Second place for me will be Cougartown, with Courtney Cox going all out and succeeding. Have to watch more Modern Family, but it was quite good the few episodes I've watched. A bit disappointed about Community
12I definitely agree with this. I am an office junkie, but I think this should definitely be it's last season. The annual christmas episode used to bring me so much joy... but now? Ugh, it feels more like a chore.
13For the Amy Poehler fans out there we released a playful photographic portrait of her at Hideout Gallery. Enjoy!!
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