'Parks' plugs along in ratings, makes big creative strides

Aziz Ansari and Amy Poehler in "Parks and Recreation." (NBC)It's been encouraging to watch NBC's "Parks and Recreation" (8:30 tonight, WPXI) improve consistently in its second season. With tonight's episode, the show takes a giant leap forward when it comes to its supporting characters.

From the start in the spring, the "Parks" writers did a less than satisfactory job developing and differentiating the supporting characters. But in this week's episode, each one gets a moment. It may be just that -- a moment -- but it's enough that they each feel distinct.

In this episode, Leslie (Amy Poehler) plays host to the the parks and rec. department from Boraqua, Venezuela, led by Fred Armisen ("Saturday Night Live"). The foreign delegation denigrates poor Pawnee. This leads Lelise to look to her inspiration, Hillary Clinton, who she calls, "The strongest, smartest punching bag in the world," for guidance on how to react.

The only bummer about the evolution of "Parks" is that not enough viewers are watching. Come on, folks, the show is much better than it used to be. Give it another shot.


Posted Oct 15 2009, 12:23 AM by Rob Owen

Comments

Mweezy wrote re: 'Parks' plugs along in ratings, makes big creative strides
on Thu, Oct 15 2009 10:55 AM

I love this show!! My favorite part was Leslie rapping "Parents Just Don't Understand". I am very happy with Thursday nights on NBC except for Community it just didn't pull me in.

Tuned In Journal wrote Comedy revival: 'Community' and 'Parks and Recreation'
on Thu, Oct 29 2009 6:48 AM

One of the great joys (and surprises) of the Fall 2009 TV season is that after years in the TV desert