Parks and Recreation

In an attempt to beautify her town — and advance her career — Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, takes on bureaucrats, cranky neighbors, and single-issue fanatics whose weapons are lawsuits, the jumble of city codes, and the democratic process she loves so much.

Parks and Recreation (2009-2015) is an American network sitcom created by Michael Schur and Greg Daniels for NBC. Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope, an irrepressibly earnest mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, who wants to beautify her town and advance her career. Her quest runs into lawsuits, tangled city codes, cranky neighbors, and single-issue fanatics. Around her orbit a sardonic libertarian director played by Nick Offerman, the scheming Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford, the deadpan April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza), and the perpetually confused Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt). Each episode is built from a small civic project, a council vote, or a petty feud, while the seven-season run keeps a loose thread of workplace relationships moving. Shot as a mockumentary with confessional talking-head interviews, the show balances relentless optimism with dry, deadpan awkwardness. Its tone is warm, wistful, and affectionate toward its misfit ensemble. Fans of The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Veep will find resonance in its mix of political satire and found-family comedy.

Viewers broadly acclaim the series as a warm, joke-dense workplace comedy whose ensemble and optimistic lead carry it across seven seasons.

• The Office (US)mockumentary workplace comedy, quirky civic government satire, found family ensemble
• Veepsmall town government comedy, optimistic civic-minded protagonist, ensemble sitcom
• Brooklyn Nine-Ninerelentlessly upbeat workplace sitcom, earnest protagonist, warm ensemble friendships
• Ghosts (US)mockumentary format, eccentric small community, deadpan comedy

Created by

Michael Schur, Greg Daniels

Release Date

2009-04-09

Episode runtime

22 min

Rating

8.6 / 10 (1955)

What is Parks and Recreation about?

An irrepressibly optimistic mid-level bureaucrat in Pawnee, Indiana tries to beautify her town and win over a deadpan, rules-loving staff.

What is Parks and Recreation like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Parks and Recreation as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Parks and Recreation violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Parks and Recreation.

What did critics think of Parks and Recreation?

Viewers broadly acclaim the series as a warm, joke-dense workplace comedy whose ensemble and optimistic lead carry it across seven seasons.

Which shows are like Parks and Recreation?

Shows with a similar feel include The Office (US), Veep, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Ghosts (US).

How long is Parks and Recreation?

Parks and Recreation: 7 seasons, 122 episodes.

Is Parks and Recreation still running?

No, Parks and Recreation has ended.

Where can I watch Parks and Recreation?

In United States, Parks and Recreation streams on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus.