May 3, 2013
From Entertainment Weekly:
'Parks and Recreation' season finale: EP Michael Schur answers burning questions
by Dan Snierson
Season 4 of Parks and Recreation concluded on a note of triumph and sweetness as Leslie Knope proved victorious in her bid for a seat on the City Council. This year’s Macklin-daddy finale, though, ended with a… What. In. Ron’s. Name. Just. Happened? Yes, Ron Swanson — the man who values an abundance of meat and a lack of government above all else — will have to rearrange his priorities now that his girlfriend, Diane, is apparently carrying his child, news that she seemed ready to drop on his lap just before we cut to commercial/summer vacation. Meanwhile, Leslie was also left hanging from a dramatic cliff as a highly motivated group of Pawnee business owners and community leaders were angling to recall her from office. And wait, is April heading out of town to attend veterinary school, a dream that Andy has been aware of for the last 20 seconds? Seeking information and clarity on these matters, EW spoke with series co-creator/exec producer Michael Schur.
• First off: Is Diane (Lucy Lawless) really pregnant, or did the episode purposely leave the weensiest bit of wiggle room at the end by not showing her delivering any news ?
Nope. Stop overanalyzing it. “There’s no ambiguity — she is indeed pregnant,” says Schur.
•Does this mean that Diane will play a big role in next season?
Schur cautions that it’s challenging to schedule guest spots for Lawless, who lives in New Zealand. “I think she really likes doing the show and we love having her, and obviously we would love to have her around as much as possible, but she’s also always in demand for everything,” he explains. “She’s going to be the mother of Ron’s child so she’s not going to suddenly disappear. And we don’t know exactly when we’ll be able to use her but we foresee at least trying to use her a lot next year… The most interesting thing about it is how it affects Ron (Nick Offerman). It’s his life that we’ve been following for five years, so that story can play out in a lot of different areas of his life. He’s going to go through a significant transformation as he prepares to do this gigantic thing, which is to become a biological father. That’s obviously going to be a big part of the year for his character, and it won’t only be in the ‘I have to read some baby books and figure out how to change diapers’ kind of way.”
• How did the writers settle on Diane and Ron as the pregnant couple? Were other options considered?
The story line was born out of discussions surrounding Ann’s (Rashida Jones) mission to have a baby. “We realized that there’s nothing really surprising about telling the story of a person who wants to get pregnant for 10 episodes and then at the end of the year they’re pregnant,” says Schur. “So it seemed funnier to have her go through her trials and tribulations and try all these different things and decide it’s going to be Chris and have them plan, and then have someone else get pregnant…. We explored all the different possibilities. We talked about it being Leslie (Amy Poehler), obviously — that would be the first idea. That’s something we want to do on the show someday but it is so disruptive to have the main character on your show get pregnant and have to be pregnant for an entire year. And Amy in real life has been pregnant for, like, 98 percent of the time when we were shooting the show, and I think if we told her she was going to have to pretend she was pregnant next year, she would murder me. So then we thought about Donna (Rhetta) just because it seemed funny and it would be mysterious about who the dad is. Then we talked about April and Andy, which seemed really fun. But at the end of the day we thought: We have this other relationship that’s been in the background of the entire season and having it be Ron would be really fun and unexpected…. It’s a big change for him and it furthers the arc of him having to make a little bit of room in his life for a woman that he cares about and her two kids, which was a big theme of the year for him. Once we decided that, it was just a question of setting everything up. We did an episode where Leslie suddenly saw Jerry’s life and was like, ‘Maybe I want more than just work in my life.’ We had Tom (Aziz Ansari) have this crazy relationship with Mona-Lisa (Jenny Slate) and that seemed like it could be a legitimate unplanned disaster that would befall them. So, slowly over the last five or six episodes, we set it up so that anyone seemed like a legitimate possibility. From there, it was just a case of trying to build the best mystery we possibly could with the most misleads and crazy left turns.”
• Will the Committee to Recall Leslie Knope get its wish when the show returns?
Schur promises that this recall movement will prove a “big part” of the beginning of season 6 and that her seat on the City Council will be in “real jeopardy.” The idea for this plot was hatched as the writers reflected on Leslie’s first (and colorful) year on the City Council, and talked about how the number of recalls at every level of government had increased over the last decade. “She was incredibly active, she was very aggressive in the way she pursued her agenda in everything from the soda tax to the comprehensive sex education,” explains Schur. “She butted heads with people a lot, not just citizens but also other City Council members. And that kind of person — even in a local government in a mildly sleepy town in Indiana — draws fire these days. So it was a very organic decision in that way to say that she probably attracted a lot of attention from people who wouldn’t like the fact that she was being this aggressive, and the fact is they would do something like recall her.”
• Will April attend veterinarian school in Bloomington next season?
Maybe. Or maybe not. But simply the act of taking initiative and applying to school was another milestone for April in her year of growth. “We’re going to have some decisions to make next year whether she goes right away, or if she defers, or she commutes or she moves to Bloomington,” says Schur. “We don’t know exactly what we’re going to do with that but we wanted to create an interesting dilemma for her that came out of her newfound desire to be more active in her life and not just kind of sit around and read magazines, bored all the time.” This much he will guarantee, though: “We won’t come back next year and have her be like, ‘Yeah, I decided not to go.’ It’ll play a role in some kind of larger story, or a set of decisions that she and Andy have to make together about their future.”
• Will retiree-turned-intern Jerry (Jim O’Heir) be a significant part of next season?
Plan on hearing plenty of Dammit, Jerry!‘s in future episodes. “We’ve got a few different ideas for how to handle the situation,” says Schur. “We haven’t picked one yet but Jim isn’t going anywhere. One way or the other his presence will be felt in a very significant and pretty constant way.”
• Will Pratt have a reduced role in season 6 given that he’ll be filming Guardians of the Galaxy?
FBI super agent Burt Macklin just might have to semi-re-retire after unretir—in short, viewers will see a little less of Pratt next season. “There are going to be some episodes in the first half of the year that he’s not in, but we’ve been working with the Marvel people as best we can to make everybody happy,” says Schur. “He’ll be in the beginning of the season and then he’ll disappear and then he’ll come back and then he’ll disappear. Hopefully we’ll be able to figure something out where no one will notice. But the reality is there will be at least a couple episodes next year where he doesn’t appear.”
• Who is the mystery man that made the offer to buy Rent-A-Swag and is now planning on opening a rival store?
Schur’s lips are sealed tighter than Ben’s hands around a Game of Thrones DVD set. ”We have an idea of who the mystery buyer is, and will reveal that next season,” he responds. “It will be a big arc for Tom in Season 6.”
• Speaking of season 6, there is going to be one, right?
While there’s no official word from NBC, signs and buzz point to a return visit to Pawnee. “I’ve been cautiously optimistic for five straight years, that’s not going to change,” says Schur. “I fully believe that we will be back next year, but until they actually make that phone call, I never like to say it’s a sure thing.”
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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May 2, 2013
Is it April who’s going to be pregnant on Parks and Rec? I LOVE her and Andy but not sure I’m ready for any of the major cast to have babies. I’m hoping it’s Mona Lisa! — Karen
It may not be what you think, Karen. In fact, I’m pretty sure you — and everyone else — is in for a big surprise. Meanwhile, I can tell you that someone’s days in Pawnee are numbered. No! They’re not joining L’il Sebastian, but there will be someone considering a moving out of Pawnee! - Source: Entertainment Weekly
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From Entertainment Weekly:
'Parks and Recreation' season finale: 11 hints from exec producer Michael Schur
by Dan Snierson
It’s time to wrap up another season of Parks and Recreation, one in which new City Councilwoman Leslie Knope found herself in soda wars (of the 512-ounce variety) and jams (of the Councilman Jamm variety). Tonight’s episode, which airs on NBC at 9:30 p.m., will boast a different feel than last year’s celebratory send-off. “Last year’s finale was very much about ending something,” says series co-creator/exec producer Michael Schur. “It was the end of her campaign and it was her victory speech, and it put this great punctuation mark on the entire season. And what I like about this finale is that this also wraps up the year very explicitly. It’s about her first year in office. She gets revisited by a lot of people whose lives she affected in different ways, but the end of the finale is about throwing balls up into the air instead of catching them. It’s about throwing forward to next season and it feels very exciting.” Schur tossed EW a bunch of teasers for season 5′s farewell episode, which you can read and re-read below.
1. “The episode starts in the most unlikely place to find everyone who works in the Parks department, which is Ron’s (Nick Offerman) cabin in the woods.”
2. “It’s been a year since Leslie (Amy Poehler) has been in office, and she channels Ronald Reagan and poses the question to the townspeople: ‘Are you better off now than you were a year ago?’ She fully expects a resounding ‘Yes!’ and a series of high-fives and pats on the back. And that is not exactly what happens.”
3. “Dennis Lerpiss (Jason Schwartzman) returns, appearing at the public forum, in an attempt to stand up for Leslie. But owners of pornographic DVD stores do not make great character witnesses.”
4. “Someone finds a piece of evidence that suggests that someone is pregnant. An investigation is launched. There’s only one man to handle such a sensitive investigation. He’s retired from law enforcement… but he just might have one more case to solve. Burt Macklin (Chris Pratt) works alone but this case is so big, he needs a partner. And for the first time in his life, he’s forced to partner up with a rookie agent.”
5. “Jerry (Jim O’Heir) stops by the office briefly, and as far as the rest of the people in the office are concerned, it’s like he never left.”
6. “Mona-Lisa Saperstein (Jenny Slate) has nothing but bad news for Tom (Aziz Ansari), including a disgusting detail of a past relationship.”
7. “Wherever Mona-Lisa goes, her horrifying brother, Jean-Ralphio (Ben Schwartz), isn’t far behind. And it continues our tradition of having him pop up in the finale of every season.”
8. “April (Aubrey Plaza) gets a phone call at the beginning of the episode, and you don’t find out what it’s about until the very end.”
9. “Tom gets an offer from a mysterious buyer to buy out his shares in Rent-A-Swag. He struggles with his decision of whether to sell and take the profit or to continue following his weird strange passion of renting his clothes out to middle school kids. He’s convinced it’s a major hip-hop mogul. What a major hip-hop mogul would be doing investing in a small business in Pawnee, Indiana, is anyone’s guess.”
10. “At one point, Leslie gets very feisty in her dealings with the media, and when her adrenaline is pumping, all she can think about is dance movies.”
11. “The biggest event in the town every year is the annual Founders Week Parade, and Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe) has a very special role to play, the importance of which is belied by the ridiculous title that he is given. He becomes a member of Pawnee royalty — but in the most embarrassing way possible.”
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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More promotional photos for "Are You Better Off?"
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Kyle Q.: I can't believe the season finale of Parks and Rec is already here! What can I expect in tonight's episode?
Somebody's pregnant! And Bert Macklin, aka Andy, is on the case to solve it, because he is the one who finds the positive pregnancy test in the trash. It's a good thing Andy's working on this mystery, because the episode is full of red herrings. And yes, we do end on a semi-cliffhanger. That's not the only big thing happening in the episode. In fact, both Tom and April get storylines set up for next season that will be verrrry interesting. Basically, it's a can't-miss finale! - Source: E!
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From TV Guide:
Parks and Recreation Finale Scoop: Who's Pregnant?!
by Natalie Abrams
Parks and Recreation's season finale will feature a mystery so large only one man can take on the case: Special Agent Burt Macklin!
Andy's (Chris Pratt) alter ego will return during Thursday's Season 5 finale (airing 9:30/8:30c on NBC) after evidence is uncovered that someone in the Parks Department may be... pregnant! Before you assume it's Ann (Rashida Jones) and Chris (Rob Lowe), who have been trying to have a baby, don't forget that there are several other female candidates that could come in as wild cards.
Elsewhere in Pawnee, (a possibly pregnant) Leslie (Amy Poehler) will reflect on her first year in city council as the town celebrates Founders Week, (a possibly pregnant) April (Aubrey Plaza) will get some life-changing news and (a definitely not pregnant) Tom (Aziz Ansari) may get the long-awaited recognition he's always hoped for. To get more scoop on the finale, TVGuide.com turned to executive producer Mike Schur:
What can you tell us about the season finale?
Mike Schur: It's very much a year-end wrap-up. In a real way and in a meta way which is to say that it's been a year since Leslie was elected to be a city council member. She's doing a lot of reflecting, thinking about her first year in office. The episode takes place during the city's Founders Week, and there's a really fun parade and there's all these fun events and outdoor festivities and stuff, but she's using Founders Week as a way to basically ask the town the question that Ronald Reagan asked in 1984, which is "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" but she says "Are you better off now than you were a year ago?" The episode is basically a referendum on her first year in office from people both pro and con Leslie who weigh in at this big public forum about how their lives are different since she's been office.
Who will be a part of that public forum?
Schur: We got to invite some of our old friends back. Jason Schwartzman reprises his role as the video store owner, and there's a lot of fun cameos by the people who Leslie really affected over the course of the year, including Marcia and Marshall Langman (Darlene Hunt and Todd Sherry), the slightly holier-than-thou moral watchdogs, Ken Hotate (Jonathan Joss), the Wamapoke chief, and the sanitation guys who were forced to hire women. I won't confirm, but I will suggest that there's a strong possibility, as per tradition, that Jean-Ralphio (Ben Schwartz) will appear.
Everyone expected that Ben (Adam Scott) and Leslie would get married in the finale, but you surprised viewers by doing that earlier this season. Is there a chance we may see pregnancy news for them?
Schur: I will say this, one of the stories in the finale involves a little bit of a mystery in the sense that one of the characters finds some evidence that there could be a pregnancy, but the person who may be pregnant is unknown. As it turns out on the show, there are many characters in the cast you might suspect could be pregnant, so that's part of the fun.
It's going to be Donna (Retta).
Schur: She is a suspect. She is investigated.
Ann and Chris have been working at getting pregnant, so I guess Ann would be the No. 1 suspect.
Schur: I would say that's true, yes. Heading into the finale, they're very hopeful that it's going to be there soon. But also remember their relationship was a little bit of a disaster. So there's just a lot of confusing and swirling feelings that pop up on both sides. It makes perfect sense for them to do this because Chris has gone on this journey over the season where he started in therapy and he's gotten a lot healthier and he's in a better place, and she's really in a good place in terms of self-possessed feelings and self-confidence.
The logline says April gets some life-changing news in the finale. Could that have to do with the baby situation?
Schur: That's certainly a possibility if that is the case. There are some big things that happen to April in the finale that will certainly affect her and Andy for the future.
What will we see for Andy in the finale?
Schur: Bert Macklin does make a special appearance in the finale which is very exciting for all of us. It takes a lot to get Bert Macklin back out of retirement since he was very happily retired. He'd left the FBI for good and he was happy with his decision, but sometimes duty calls and you have to put on the jacket and the sunglasses one more time. There is one final ride for Bert Macklin in the finale and when I say one final ride, I mean it's the final ride until we decide to have him play Bert Macklin again, hopefully next season.
Will Rent-a-Swag finally take off for Tom?
Schur: He gets some big news in the finale. His business has gone well enough and has made a big enough impression that he's attracting the notice of some bigger fish in the business community. So he gets approached in the finale. It would be like if you invented an app or something and Bill Gates knocked on your door and said that he had taken an interest in what you were doing. It's a very nice moment for him because he's only trying to knock down these doors and swim in the bigger pond and he's presented with an opportunity.
What will we see for Ron (Nick Offerman) in the finale?
Schur: Ron has a fun role that he plays in a lot of our finales, which is that a lot of people have crises in their lives, and Ron is this rock-like monolithic Buddha, who sits in his office and hopes that people leave him alone, but people just knock on his door and demand that he help them. He often dispenses his incredibly sage advice and that happens with a couple different people in the finale. That's the role that he plays for multiple people; certainly for Tom and for Andy and for Leslie. Those are the main people who seek out his wisdom.
So no major shake-up for Ron in the finale?
Schur: No. Ron has this nice Ron-ish moment where he says, "Leslie's running around asking everybody if they're better off now, but I just want to be the same. I'm the same as I was a year ago, but that's how I'm happy."
Though you haven't been renewed yet, do you guys have a plan in place for next season?
Schur: It's so early. We end the season in a way that will shake things up and that's our move. We set a lot of things in motion that would obviously have to be dealt with and have to be addressed. This is all, of course, assuming that NBC decides to pick up another season of the show. Until someone calls me on the phone and tells me I can come back to work, I don't take any of it for granted.
Source: TV Guide
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From Hollywood.com:
Parks and Recreation: The End of Jerry?
I’ve already watched Thursday’s Season Finale of Parks and Rec and it’s definitely not an episode you wanna miss — mainly because I choked on one of my gummy bears from laughter at episode’s best line. Should I reveal it? Hmm… okay! “I’m bored. Let’s go have sex in a tree. He’ll be back in eight minutes.” Mona Lisa shines in this episode, and this is my official campaign to make her a regular next season! Fun fact: Jean-Ralphio is also in the finale and yes, he’s just as amazing as always.
It’s Founders Week in Pawnee and Leslie is celebrating her first year of being on the City Council. It’s been an amazing year for our waffle-loving Knope, but unfortunately not everyone in Pawnee agrees that things are better off with Leslie in office. While Leslie and Ben are dealing with the always-stubborn citizens, Andy’s crime-solving alter ego Bert Macklin is back in town to solve the mystery of the positive pregnancy test. The suspects are: Leslie, Donna, April, Mona Lisa, and Ann, but trust me when I say the answer is going to absolutely shock you.
We saw a few episodes ago that Jerry retired, but Jim O’Heir says that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve seen the last of the person everyone loves to hate. “It’s a bit of secret. I’m not supposed to reveal too much, what’s happening with Jerry, because as we saw, he retired and then he came back and he might be back for a couple of hours here and there,” he tells Hollywood.com.
O’Heir teases there will be clues dropped in the finale for Jerry’s future plans. “I think it’s kind of obvious what’s about to happen, just in the way they opened the door for me to come back but I can’t officially say either way. But to me, people should be able to figure it out,” he says. The Parks and Rec actor also says fans definitely don’t want to miss the final scene of Thursday’s episode. “There’s a really sweet cliffhanger in the finale. I can’t reveal it now, but believe me, Jerry would be officially retired if I revealed it.” I can second that! Don’t miss it!
Source: Hollywood.com
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May 1, 2013
Is there any good news for Tom Haverford in the Parks and Recreation finale? — Beth
NATALIE: For once, yes! "Tom's business has gone well enough and has made a big enough impression that he's attracting the notice of some bigger fish in the business community," executive producer Mike Schur tells me. "He gets approached in the finale and is presented with a situation." Here's hoping Jean-Ralphio won't mess this one up! - Source: TV Guide
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April 25, 2013
From Entertainment Weekly:
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April 23, 2013
Question: “Ron Swanson versus The Banana” was probably one of my favorite episode-ending tags to date on Parks and Recreation. Please tell me you have some epic Parks scoop as one of my favorite comedies nears the end of its season. —Lauren
Ausiello: Jon Glaser’s Councilman Jamm has a “big” episode this Thursday, per exec producer Mike Schur. “Ron wants to close Pawnee’s mini-golf course because it’s publicly funded and Leslie, of course, loves mini-golf and thinks it’s incredibly important that it stay open,” Schur elaborates. ” So, she fights him on it and Councilman Jamm is the swing vote. She takes him mini-golfing and tries to woo him to her side — and then Ron comes, too, and it’s a backroom political fight on a golf course,” probably amid miniature windmills. - Source: TVLine
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April 22, 2013
From TV Guide:
Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Airs: Thursday, May 2 at 9:30/8:30c
Leslie reflects on her last year in office during Pawnee's Founders Week, for which many familiar faces (including Jason Schwartzman's adult-video store owner, moral watchdogs Marcia and Marshall Langman, Wamapoke Indian Ken Hotate and, quite possibly, Jean-Ralphio) return. Meanwhile, there's a shocking mystery to uncover! "One of the characters finds some evidence that there could be a pregnancy, but the person who may be pregnant is unknown," executive producer Mike Schur says. Plus: Burt Macklin will come out of retirement!
Source: TV Guide
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April 19, 2013
From TVLine:
PRE-FINALE EPISODES | “Career-oriented” Leslie and Ben are going to begin examining their future together outside of the workplace (i.e. baby talk), EP Mike Schur tells TVLine, while Chris and Ann will hit a bit of a snag of their own in the kiddo department. “They go into a delay tactic because it suddenly gets a little bit scary for them to contemplate what they're doing in this odd way,” he teases. “It's weird for them to have had an intimate relationship and then now to have a kid in this clinical way.” There's also a “backroom political fight on a mini-golf course” ahead involving Leslie, Ron and the icky Councilman Jamm.
MAY 8 SEASON FINALE | It's a baby-bumpin' mystery, y'all! “The big thing that happens in the finale is that someone finds a piece of evidence that suggests someone might be pregnant,” Schur reveals, “and there are a lot of suspects.” And it's not necessarily the baby-coveting Ann who's with child. “We carefully manufactured things over the last few episodes to lead to the point where it's any one of a number of different women,” says the showrunner. “So there's an investigation that happens.” Also on tap for the finale is Leslie's one-year anniversary as a city councilwoman. “She's taking stock of everything she and the town have accomplished over the past 12 months,” teases Schur. “She holds a big public forum where she asks the same question that Ronald Regan asked in 1984: 'Are you better off now than you were a year ago?' Ultimately, it's a chance for us to go back and revisit all of the big storylines from the previous year and all of the people whose lives she affected, for better or worse.” Expect to see returns from Jason Schwartzman's adult-video-store owner and “the moral-scold couple who were against Leslie teaching sex education.” Other Parks finale plans include a “huge step forward” for April's career, Ron “dispensing sage advice to people who seek it,” more Mona Lisa/Tom shenanigans and, overall, promises Schur, “an episode that feels like it's putting a wrap-up on the season we just did, but that also throws forward to more.”
Source: TV Line
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April 17, 2013
Wendie in Chesterton, Ind.: After Aubrey Plaza's stunt at the MTV Movie Awards, I love her more. Can you tell me what's next for April on Parks and Rec?
Big things are happening for everyone on Parks and Rec as the season winds down. April being put in charge of Animal Control is a nice prelude to bigger and better things for her. Unfortunately, those things might take her out of the Parks Department…for good. Plus, someone else might be leaving the government grind in an upcoming episode. But if you really think about, most of the characters are spread all over the place now, and the show does just fine including everyone. Oh, and did we mention that there's a big development coming up with one of the P-Rex couples? Shhhh, you didn't hear it from us! - Source: E!
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Is Jerry retiring on Parks and Recreation the answer to your blind item? —Betty
NATALIE: Yes indeed, but fear not: Executive producer Mike Schur promises they're not kicking Jim O'Heir off the show. "In that episode where his pension kicks in, he does intend to fully retire," Schur says. Meanwhile, the finale will give April some life-changing news, so keep an eye out for our must-see finales gallery to get the scoop on what it could be. - Source: TV Guide
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April 12, 2013
Episode description for "Are You Better Off?":
"ARE YOU BETTER OFF?"
05/02/2013 (09:31PM - 10:01PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE CELEBRATES HER FIRST YEAR AS A COUNCILWOMAN--Leslie (Amy Poehler) celebrates her first year as a city councilor. A surprise discovery leads Andy (Chris Pratt) to call the only man he knows who can help with the investigation: retired Special Agent Burt Macklin. Meanwhile, April (Aubrey Plaza) gets some life-changing news, and Tom (Aziz Ansari) debates a big business opportunity. Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Adam Scott, Jim O’Heir, Retta and Rob Lowe also star.
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April 10, 2013
Britney in Los Angeles: You've mentioned before that April might be leaving the Parks department? I don't like that. Fix it. #PREX
Well, we can't fix the plotline as we are not writers on the show (though we may or may not have dabbled in some Ben and Leslie Parks and Rec fan fiction). But we can reveal what Aubrey Plaza told us about April's future. "April is about to get some crazy news. I think that's coming up really soon," she tells us. As in, baby news?! "I can't tell you what it is. But it's crazy news and she's very surprised by it." We'd love an April and Andy baby, but unfortunately, April will be destroying the town soon so that storyline is a wash. "Also, April summons the devil and the devil destroys the town of Pawnee," Plaza reveals. Looks like the Reasonabilists from season four were right all along. - Source: E!
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April 9, 2013
Please tell me that Parks and Recreation is going to get renewed! --Darren
NATALIE: I'm crossing my fingers like the rest of you, but I do have some news on the season finale: Leslie Knope will be looking back on her year in office during Pawnee's Founder's Week. As she reflects, some major players from the town will make cameos, including Jason Schwartzman's adult-video store owner, moral watchdogs Marcia and Marshall Langman, Wamapoke Indian Ken Hotate and, quite possibly, Jean-Ralphio. - Source: TV Guide
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More promotional photos for "Article Two"
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Here is the episode synopsis for "Are You Better Off?" - Episode 5.22:
Are You Better Off?
S05, E22 (First Aired: May 2, 2013)
Leslie commemorates her first year as a city councilor; April receives life-changing news; Tom considers a business opportunity.
Source: Zap2it
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April 8, 2013
More promotional photos for "Jerry's Retirement"
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April 5, 2013
Episode description for Swing Vote:
"SWING VOTE"
04/25/2013 (09:31PM - 10:01PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE TRIES TO CONVINCE COUNCILMAN JAMM TO SAVE THE LOCAL MINI GOLF PARK -- Leslie (Amy Poehler) gets upset when Ron (Nick Offerman) submits budget cut proposals getting rid of the local mini golf course. Andy (Chris Pratt) and Ben (Adam Scott) celebrate a big donation made to their charity, while, Ann (Rashida Jones) helps Tom (Aziz Ansari) with his girlfriend troubles. Aubrey Plaza, Jim O’Heir, Retta and Rob Lowe also star.
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April 4, 2013
NBC issued a press release where they changed the name of "Jerry's Scrapbook" to "Jerry's Retirement."
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April 3, 2013
More promotional photos for "Animal Control"
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Jenny in Los Angeles: Obsessed with the idea of Chris and Anne having a baby on Parks and Recreation! Any chance that will bloom into a full on romance?
No, it will be purely baby-making professional (is that a thing?) for the time being. But that doesn't mean something could change down the line, say, around the finale? For example, something could definitely change after Anne offers to do something really sweet, but somewhat odd, for Chris in an upcoming episode. - Source: E!
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April 2, 2013
Episode description for "Swing Vote" (previously known as Civility):
Swing Vote
S05, E21 (First Aired: April 25, 2013)
Ron submits budget cut proposals that upset Leslie; a big donation is made to Andy and Ben's charity; Ann helps Tom with girl troubles.
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March 29, 2013
The title of "Parks and Recreation" Episode 5.22 is "Are You Better Off?"
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Episode descriptions for "Article Two" and "Jerry's Scrapbook":
"ARTICLE TWO"
04/18/2013 (09:00PM - 09:31PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE FIGHTS TO GET RID OF OUTDATED RULES—Leslie (Amy Poehler) works to get rid of outdated laws from the original town charter that no longer make sense. Chris (Rob Lowe) gives April (Aubrey Plaza) and Ron (Nick Offerman) management training, while Ann (Rashida Jones) and Ben (Adam Scott) get in a bidding war over a present for Leslie. Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt, Jim O’Heir and Retta also star.
"JERRY'S SCRAPBOOK"
04/18/2013 (09:31PM - 10:01PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE TRIES TO COMMEMORATE JERRY’S RETIREMENT—When Leslie (Amy Poehler) finds out Jerry (Jim O’Heir) is retiring, she struggles with the proper way to commemorate the occasion. Chris (Rob Lowe) and Ann (Rashida Jones) prepare to have a baby together, while Tom (Aziz Ansari) worries he will become the office punching bag once Jerry leaves. Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza and Retta also star.
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March 27, 2013
More promotional photos for "Partridge"
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March 26, 2013
More promotional photos for "Partridge"
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Episode descriptions for "Article Two" and "Jerry's Scrapbook":
Article Two (5.19)
Original Airdate: 4/18/2013
Leslie tries to get outdated laws removed from the town charter; Chris gives April and Ron management training; Ann and Ben compete for a present for Leslie.
Jerry's Scrapbook (5.20)
Original Airdate: 4/18/2013
Leslie tries to come up with a way to commemorate Jerry's retirement; Chris and Ann get ready to have a baby; Tom worries about how Jerry's departure will affect him.
Source: Zap2it
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March 22, 2013
Here is the episode synopsis for "Animal Control."
"ANIMAL CONTROL"
04/11/2013 (08:30PM - 09:00PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE TAKES CONTROL OF ANIMAL CONTROL-- Leslie (Amy Poehler) decides to give the Animal Control Department a much-needed makeover. Ann (Rashida Jones) tries to get Ron (Nick Offerman) the medical attention he needs, while Ben (Adam Scott), Tom (Aziz Ansari) and Andy (Chris Pratt) recruit donors for their charity foundation. Aubrey Plaza, Rob Lowe, Jim O'Heir, and Retta also star.
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March 19, 2013
Here is the episode synopsis for "Partridge":
"PARTRIDGE"
04/04/2013 (08:30PM - 09:00PM) (Thursday) : BEN TRAVELS BACK TO HIS HOMETOWN TO MAKE AMENDS—Leslie (Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott) travel back to his hometown of Partridge, MN to accept the key to the city. Ron (Nick Offerman) gets served a lawsuit from councilman Jamm (guest star Jon Glaser), while Ann (Rashida Jones) and Chris (Rob Lowe) take a compatible parenting quiz. Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Jim O’Heir and Retta also star.
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March 13, 2013
What's coming up on Parks and Recreation? Something about Ron, please. - Danny
NATALIE: Although Ron punching Jamm in the face was pretty much the best part of Ben and Leslie's wedding - other than them actually getting hitched, of course - our favorite bacon-loving director of the Parks Department may come to regret that moment. "There is an episode down the line where his actions come back to affect him," executive producer Mike Schur tells me. "Councilman Jamm is not an easily forgiving person, so suffice it to say, there will be ramifications." - Source: TV Guide
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Esquire: Anything you can tell us about future episodes? We know Christie Brinkley’s coming back, so we’re going to be able to see that side of Jerry again.
Jim O'Heir: Yes, you get some more time with the Gergiches, Jerry with his wife and all three daughters. And Leslie’s there, too, and she’s witness to some stuff. I can’t say much, but after a couple of takes, we just have to stop. The laughter is too crazy.
Source: Esquire
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March 6, 2013
Today Parks is filming scenes for the season finale in Pasadena. These scenes are supposedly their most expensive ever.
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Any Parks and Rec scoop? — Diane
Next Thursday’s episode, titled “Bailout,” will reveal April’s next possible career step. The problem? She needs a letter of recommendation from Ann — and April will not be happy about what Ann wants in return. Meanwhile, there’s a big development in Ann’s search for a baby-daddy. - Source: Entertainment Weekly
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Gloria: You are my Parks and Rec spoilers queen! Spill.
Can you imagine Ron and Leslie getting it on?! You won't have to after [next] week's episode! Don't panic, it's just the porn version of Ron and Leslie. That's right, Brandi Maxxx (remember her?) plays Leslie Knope in a pornographic retelling of how the Parks department helps save a Pawnee video store going out of business. Also by the end of the episode, you'll be praying for the Parks and Rec version of "Time After Time" will be available to download on iTunes. You'll see what we mean [next] Thursday. - Source: E!
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March 2, 2013
The title of Episode 5.21 may be "Jerry's Scrapbook" instead of "Blur of Time." Both titles have been used in relation to the episode.
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February 27, 2013
Source: Maliabeth Johnson's Twitter - (The Blur of Time)
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February 26, 2013
Are Ann and Chris really going to have a child together on Parks and Recreation? — Shawn
NATALIE: Yes, but it's not like Ann will be knocked up in the next episode. In fact, there will be several hurdles for them to jump along the way, the first of which is Chris actually saying yes. "He's a much healthier and more stable human being than he was even a year ago," showrunner Mike Schur tells me. "But this is a huge step and we wanted to honor the hugeness of it by having him really consider what it means for him, and having her consider what it means for her. Obviously they're not dating, but they did once date, so they really have to hash it out and figure out if it's the right move for them." - Source: TV Guide
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Question: Any info on Jenny Slate’s Parks and Recreation guest stint, beyond her playing Jean Ralphio’s twin sister? —Lily
Ausiello: Her character, Mona Lisa Saperstein, is being brought on primarily to terrorize Ben. “One of my favorite things to do in the world is take awful people — like Jean Ralphio or Mona Lisa — and just put Adam Scott in scenes with them,” says exec producer Mike Schur with a laugh. “I have them act so horrifying and then have Adam just basically be the conscience of the show, and be absolutely blown away by how horrifying they are.”- Source: TVLine
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February 21, 2013
From Mike Schur's interview with TV Guide:
When we see Leslie and Ben go to his hometown, will his family be upset about not being at the wedding?
Schur: That's something we discuss in the opening seconds of the episode because they get very excited about the idea of getting married tonight. Then, some of the realities of what that would mean kick in and it's something that we don't dwell on too much. We've met Ben's parents (Jonathan Banks and Glenne Headly) and they're a disaster so the fact that his parents won't be there doesn't give Ben much pause, but in [an upcoming] episode where they go to Partridge ... you get the sense that they're on a little tour of their families and of the people who mean a lot to them who weren't able to be at the wedding just to say hello and share in their newlywed bliss. It's something that obviously we had to deal with because we didn't want people to think that with them getting married in a flash that they were going to end up hurting anyone's feelings, which would kind of take some the joy out of the occasion. So the subject comes up, and they kind of answer it and then they move on and we don't dwell on it too much.
What will their trip to his hometown be like since Ben essentially ruined that town?
Schur: That's very much the point of the episode. It's been 20 years since the Ice Town debacle and the town is reaching out to him to make amends and present him with the key to the city, which is something that every mayor of his town gets and that he never got because he was unceremoniously booted out of office. Leslie loves her hometown so much and she wants him to love his hometown too because that stuff's important to her, so it's about her going with him to try to close that chapter of his book.
But is the town really planning to forgive him?
Schur: What we've heard of the Ice Town disaster has not been over-exaggerated. It's not something that people in Partridge, Minnesota have easily forgotten or moved past. The real analogy of it to me is Bill Buckner in Boston. Bill Buckner made an error in the 1986 World Series, which, side note, came on the heels of like seven other terrible blunders made by other members of the team. But the error that he made happened to be embarrassing, and Boston, which is not the most forgiving town in the world, essentially never let him forget it. It was only much later, almost 20 years later, when they won the World Series that there was a sense of closure with that episode. That was the model for Ben and Ice Town and going back to his hometown.
Leslie was able to raise the money for the park, so how soon will we actually get to see that come to fruition?
Schur: The reality of large-scale municipal projects, even when it's a small park, is that it takes forever and ever and ever, and you're not going to suddenly see kids swinging on a swing set on that lot. The story of them trying to convert that lot into a park will be complete now that they've gotten the money, and getting the money means that they've gotten approval, but it's not a huge factor for the rest of this season. Going forward in a theoretical future season, I'm sure that we'll keep tabs on it and we'll see it continue to grow and we'll see it slowly get developed, but it's not like the season finale this year is going to be a ribbon cutting. These things take a really, really long time because you have to test soil and you have to do an environmental impact report and you have to have a lot of meetings with the public and do a ton of stuff. Most of which we won't see. The rest of the season is not about the Pawnee Commons project. However long the show lasts, I think it's something that we will continue to sort of see in the background and occasionally in the foreground too.
So maybe the series finale is the ribbon cutting?
Schur: Yes. The way the series will end, if I have my druthers, is that the very end of Season 19, there will be a huge ribbon cutting and Leslie and her 19 kids will all go and play on the playground. A lot happens.
Wow. Spoiler alert!
Schur: She has two sets of octuplets. She adopts three kids and that brings the total up to 19.
Well, that raises the question of where the rest of the season is headed and whether a baby might factor into that.
Schur: The really great thing about this show is that there are a lot of characters who have a lot of stuff going on in their lives. Leslie is always at the center of the show, but the show isn't only about her. It's about everybody. She's still in her first year as a City Councilor. Tom's (Aziz Ansari) got a business that he's trying to get up and running and splitting his time between the Parks Department and that. Ron's got a serious lady friend (Lucy Lawless) and there's new girlfriends and boyfriends that will come into the mix with various characters. Andy is going to be wondering what he's going to do after failing his Police Academy exam. We are never at a loss for ongoing story lines on this show. In the episode at [9/8c], we immediately jump into what's next for Andy and how he deals with the news that he's not going to be a police officer, which starts a new arc for him.
And Ben will have a new job with Sweetums?
Schur: Yes. He starts running this charitable foundation, which is a really good job for Ben. It plays to a lot of his strengths of accounting and of wanting to be still in some kind of civil service. There's a lot of interesting challenges and aspects of running a charitable foundation that he has never dealt with before.
Source: TV Guide
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February 20, 2013
Patton Oswalt will guest star on "Parks and Recreation" as a man who believes the Pawnee, Ind., town charter is perfect and should never be changed.
The comedian, who portrayed Spence Olchin in "The King of Queens" for nine seasons, will play a concerned citizen outraged by Leslie Knope's efforts to change the horribly outdated charter. He thinks life was better when the show's fictional town was founded in 1817, and regards the original authors of the town charter as geniuses whose writings should never be altered.
Source: The Wrap
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Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Blur of Time":
Hm, there is some sort of time jump. There's a montage then jump to the present. I think it may have to do with it being Jerry's last day on the job.
Instead of spending a day off together, Leslie has to get involved in celebrating Jerry's last day. Ben would rather do a couples massage.
Ann is not pregnant. She's at a fertility clinic with Chris. No idea what's going on there.
There's a new hot intern. Donna has her eye on him. Tom is being made fun of by everyone, including Andy. Maybe Tom is the new Jerry? Poor Tom.
April is the Deputy Director of Animal Control, which is now part of P&R. She's very good at what Ron thinks is the most important part of the job: keeping the more useless members of the public away.
This looks like a fun episode.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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February 19, 2013
Question: Any Parks and Recreation scoop? —Carrie
Ausiello: Patton Oswalt is guest starring in an upcoming episode (directed by Amy Poehler) as a guy who objects to Leslie making changes to the horribly outdated Pawnee Charter. Basically, he thinks life was better in 1817 when the town was founded, and that the people who wrote the charter were unimpeachable geniuses whose writings should never be altered. Elsewhere in P-town, Tom flirts with a dream — and Ann reacts to it like a nightmare — when a gal-on-the-prowl courts them for a threesome. - Source: TVLine
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What's coming up on Parks and Recreation? — Kevin
NATALIE: Besides an elegant wedding? What the French call "le threeway sex." Yes, Tom's head just may explode if he gets his way and has a menage-a-Pawnee. What's more: One-third of that saucy triangle could be Ann. We'll wait while your head explodes. - Source: TV Guide
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The title of Episode 5.21 is "Blur of Time."
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SANDRA! Ben and Leslie are getting married! Any wedding scoop for me and my fellow Parks and Rec fans? — Liv
Not on the wedding, but I can tell you that in an upcoming episode, Ron and Leslie are going to find themselves on opposite ends of a very important budget issue. And in an effort to get Councilman Jamm to vote in their favor, they may have to take their disagreement to the *battlefield for a **fight to the death.
*The battlefield in question is a miniature golf course. ** Fight to the death = This will not be fatal. - Source: Entertainment Weekly
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February 17, 2013
Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about Civility:
Apparently, Leslie and Ron are battling over getting Jamm's support for something, and their duel ends up in a duel on ... a mini-golf course?
I say this having minimal info, fwiw.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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February 15, 2013
Ryan S.: Give me that Parks and Rec goodness!
There may or may not be a threesome situation happening in an upcoming episode, and it involves Tom asking [spoiler] to join! - Source: E!
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Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about Civility:
Very little info. Mona Lisa is Jean-Ralphio's sister? She wants to hook up with Tom.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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February 14, 2013
"LESLIE AND BEN / CORRESPONDENTS' LUNCH"
02/21/2013 (08:30PM - 09:31PM) (Thursday) : THE CLOCK IS TICKING - Leslie (Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott) have two hours to complete a years-long project. Meanwhile, Ron (Nick Offerman) gets in trouble when his temper gets the best of him. Elsewhere, Leslie is literally left speechless when her planned address at a big media event is stolen. Ben starts his new job working at the Sweetums Charity Foundation, and Ann (Rashida Jones) works up the courage to ask someone an important question. Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Retta, Jim O'Heir and Rob Lowe also star.
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The title of Episode 5.20 is "Civility."
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Actors Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Aziz Ansari filming scenes on the set of 'Parks And Recreation' at the Disney Golden Oaks Ranch in Newhall, California on February 13, 2013. Making a guest appearance on the show was actor Patton Oswalt. (Article Two)
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February 8, 2013
Episode description for "Bailout":
"BAILOUT"
02/28/2013 (08:30PM - 09:00PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE TRIES TO SAVE A LOCAL VIDEO STORE—JASON SCHWARTZMAN ("BORED TO DEATH") AND JENNY SLATE ("THE LORAX") GUEST STAR—Leslie (Amy Poehler) tries to help a local video store stay in business after the owner (guest star Jason Schwartzman) is hit by the bad economy. Chris (Rob Lowe) tries to give Tom (Aziz Ansari) some fatherly advice in dealing with a difficult employee (guest star Jenny Slate), while Ann (Rashida Jones) blackmails April (Aubrey Plaza) into being her friend. Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Jim O’Heir and Retta also star.
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Two separate episodes will air on February 21 from 8:30pm to 9:31pm according to the new NBC press release: Leslie and Ben and Correspondents' Lunch. Still no episode descriptions.
"PARKS AND RECREATION"
"LESLIE AND BEN / CORRESPONDENTS' LUNCH"
02/21/2013 (08:30PM - 09:31PM) (Thursday) :
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February 7, 2013
More promotional photos for "Emergency Response"
More promotional photos for "Correspondents' Lunch"
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February 4, 2013
From Entertainment Weekly:
'Parks and Recreation': J.K. Simmons to play mayor of Ben's hometown
by Dan Snierson
After playing a white supremacist inmate (Oz), newspaper editor (Spider-Man), police psychiatrist (Law & Order), and assistant police chief (The Closer), J.K. Simmons will pop up as a politician in Parks and Recreation. The actor is guest-starring as the slightly gruff mayor of Partridge, Minn., a post that Ben (Adam Scott) briefly held when he was 18, before being impeached for developing the ill-conceived Ice Town that bankrupted the burg.
In the episode, which airs next month, Ben and Leslie (Amy Poehler) make a road trip to his hometown, where he will find… forgiveness. “The mayor is throwing a ceremony to say, ‘It’s okay, Ben. Everything’s fine now. Ice Town was 20 years ago,’” executive producer Michael Schur tells EW.
Simmons, who also stars in the upcoming ABC comedy Family Tools, isn’t the only celebrity guest in the episode: Annabeth Gish will play Ben’s sister.
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February 1, 2013
According to the NBC press release that announced the schedule for the week of February 17-23, the February 21st episode of 'Parks' will be an hour long and air from 8:30 to 9:31pm. The press release did not have an episode description listed (but I think we all know what happens in the episode.) Here is exactly what the press release said:
"PARKS AND RECREATION"
"1-HR"
02/21/2013 (08:30PM - 09:31PM) (Thursday) :
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January 31, 2013
Jason D.: Love that Ben and Leslie from Parks and Recreation are still in your Top Couples tournament! To celebrate, how about some spoilers!
Better make sure they don't get knocked out by voting your behind off! As for the spoiler you requested: Ben gets Leslie a gift so epic, so perfect for her, that you might cry tears of wetness. Want a hint? Leslie's favorite food. - Source: E!
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January 30,2013
Two posts from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Article Two":
*Very* small amount of info, but it involves Ben and Ann and someone else (no one we know) competing over a gift to give Leslie. Very cute/funny scene. Could totally be rewritten, but think about something Leslie would *love*.
A little more info came out, and it looks like the ep is a spoof on strict constructionist readings of the Constitution. It's "tradition" vs. the Pawnee charter being "a machine that would go of itself."
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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The title of Episode 5.19 is "Article Two."
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January 25, 2013
Episode description for "Emergency Response":
"EMERGENCY RESPONSE"
02/14/2013 (08:30PM - 09:00PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE IS CALLED INTO AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE DRILL - Leslie (Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott) organize a black tie gala to raise money for their park, but their plans are derailed when a city-wide emergency response drill is called. Meanwhile, Andy (Chris Pratt) prepares to take his Police Academy Exam and Ron (Nick Offerman) fills in for Leslie on Pawnee Today. Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, Jim O'Heir, Retta and Rob Lowe also star.
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Thursday, February 7 8:30/7:30c
"Ann's Decision"
Ann tries to get to know herself as Leslie meddles in one of her biggest life decisions. Meanwhile, things go south when Ben enlists the guys to help choose a caterer for the wedding. - Source: NBC.com
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January 24, 2013
Mary Anne: Parks and Rec spoilers!
Lots happening as Parks and Recreation's season winds down, and not just with Leslie. Dennis Feinstein, Tom's hero in the cologne world, returns for more shenanigans. April is thisclose to her dream job (hint: it involves animals). Chris, the healthiest human ever, has a little mishap that puts him in a cast, and Ron's health might be in danger! (Phew). Of course, all those goings-on equal Parks and Rec hilarity, so it all works out. - Source: E!
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Amy Poehler will direct episode 5.19. - Source: Hitfix
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January 22, 2013
Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Animal Control":
Episode 18: Animal Control
Not much info. They're trying to hire an animal control officer. Many hilarious unsuitable candidates including Orin (seems to be small scene--they know Orin is best in small but creepy doses). Leslie wants April to be the animal control officer. Jamm doesn't. Hijinks will undoubtedly ensue.
Dennis Feinstein is in the ep. He has a scene with Ben, Andy and Tom. Ron is sick or something, and Ann's trying to help him. Ann mentions something about her being "about to become a mom." No idea if that means she's pregnant or what.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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The title of "Parks and Recreation" Episode 5.18 is "Animal Control."
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January 21, 2013
Some of the photos from the filming of "Partridge" today in Orange:
Photo Sources: Orange County Register and I Heart Old Towne Orange
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J.K. Simmons is filming scenes for "Partridge" today.
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January 19, 2013
Episode synopsis for "Emergency Response" - Episode 5.13:
Emergency Response
S05, E13 (First Aired: February 14, 2013)
Ben and Leslie put together a black tie gala to raise money for the park, but a drill for a city-wide emergency derails their plans; Andy gets ready for his police academy exam; Ron fills in for Leslie on Pawnee Today.
Source: Zap2it
(This is the episode formerly known as "Valentine's Gala: Part 1.")
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January 18, 2013
Episode synopsis for "Ann's Decision" - Episode 5.12:
"ANN'S DECISION"
02/07/2013 (08:30PM - 09:00PM) (Thursday) : ANN TAKES SOME TIME TO DATE HERSELF - After several unsuccessful relationships Ann (Rashida Jones) makes a dramatic life decision. Ben (Adam Scott) enlists the help of Chris (Rob Lowe), Tom (Aziz Ansari) and Ron (Nick Offerman) to choose a caterer for the wedding, while April (Aubrey Plaza) has to handle one of Leslie's usual tasks. Chris Pratt, Jim O'Heir and Retta also star.
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From Entertainment Weekly:
'Parks and Recreation': Annabeth Gish to play Ben's sister
We’ve already met Ben’s parents (Jonathan Banks and Glenne Headley), so now it’s time to meet his sister. Annabeth Gish (The X-Files, Mystic Pizza) has been cast as Adam Scott’s onscreen sibling on Parks and Recreation, EW has learned.
In an episode of the NBC comedy that will film next week and air later this season, Ben and fiancée Leslie (Amy Poehler) take a road trip to Ben’s hometown of Partridge, Minn., where they meet up with his sister, Stephanie (Gish). Homecoming week should be interesting, as Ben briefly served as the town’s mayor at age 18 before being impeached.
Gish, who stars in the FX drama pilot The Bridge, has recently appeared on such shows as Once Upon A Time, Pretty Little Liars, and CSI.
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January 17, 2013
Jim Meskimen (Martin Housely) posted a video on YouTube where he talks to Nick Offerman, Jay Jackson, and James Green (Councilman Milton) on the set of Parks. There are no spoilers in the video, but Jim mentions that Nick Offerman is directing the episode. . . so Nick is directing "Correspondents' Dinner." - Source: YouTube
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January 16, 2013
whorelips: anything about Parks & Rec!
Remember when Ben became the mayor of his hometown at age 18? And then he destroyed it by putting all the money into a project called Ice Town, thus bankrupting and destroying the city? Well, it seems that times heal all wounds, because in an upcoming episode, Ben will be invited back to his hometown to receive the key to the city! Looks like all is forgiven, right? Of course not. The town has ulterior motives. Just know that the term "Ice Clown" is thrown around. - Source: E!
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January 15, 2013
Two posts from the Leslie_Ben LiveJournal about "Partridge":
The W-word has now been used. As in L's W.
Oh, also the W-word as in Ben's W.
Oh, the plot. Ben has been invited to Partridge to receive a key to the city as former mayor. But when he gets there, he has a kidney stone that puts him in the hospital. So Leslie (aka Ben's W) has to accept the key on his behalf. It does not go well, as Partridge still hasn't forgiven Ice Clown for Ice Town.
Ben's sister is there. Her name is Stephanie (did we know that?).
Jamm sues Ron for assaulting him at L's W. April, Tom and Andy lie to protect Ron, but that doesn't sit well with him. Eventually, Jamm himself gets Jammed.
Chris and Anne undergo fertility counseling or something, and a compatibility tests shows them they are totally incompatible. Whatevs.
Ben spends a lot of time, it seems, being stoned on morphine. I don't think his presence is really diminished.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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The title of "Parks and Recreation" Episode 5.17 is "Partridge."
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January 14, 2013
More promotional photos for "Women in Garbage":
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January 10, 2013
More promo photos for "Two Parties":
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January 9, 2013
Two posts from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Correspondents' Dinner":
We have the h-word. I repeat, the h-word has been spotted.
Um, there's a correspondents' dinner, and Leslie gets into a bit of a conflict with one of the reporters. She eventually emerges victorious with the help of Donna. The h-word is just a reference, like, "according to my h-word ..."
Ann seems jealous or something of Chris and Shauna M-T, who are not a couple but having a friendly conversation.
Andy helps Ben with something work-related, and Ben is impressed. Minimal info there.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
***For those who don't know, "the h-word" is husband***
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January 8, 2013
The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.16 is 'Correspondents' Dinner.'
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January 5, 2013
Amy Poehler and Aubrey Plaza filming a scene for NBC's 'Parks and Recreation' on location in downtown Los Angeles - December 14, 2012. (Women in Garbage)
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January 4, 2013
Episode descriptions for "Two Parties" and "Women in Garbage":
"TWO PARTIES"
01/17/2013 (08:30PM - 09:00PM) (Thursday) : ANN AND CHRIS PLAN THE PERFECT BACHELORETTE AND BACHELOR PARTIES - Ann (Rashida Jones) throws a bachelorette party for Leslie (Amy Poehler) but her plans are derailed when Councilman Jamm interferes. Chris (Rob Lowe) throws a game night at Ben's (Adam Scott) but things take a turn when he realizes none of the guys ever had their own bachelor parties. Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Retta, and Jim O'Heir also star.
"WOMEN IN GARBAGE"
01/24/2013 (08:30PM - 09:00PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE FOCUSES ON WOMEN'S EQUALITY IN GOVERNMENT - LUCY LAWLESS ("SPARTACUS") GUEST STARS -- In order to get more women hired in government, Leslie (Amy Poehler) and April (Aubrey Plaza) handle a garbage route. Meanwhile, to help his growing business, Tom (Aziz Ansari) enlists the help of Andy (Chris Pratt) and Ben (Adam Scott) to teach him about basketball, and Ron (Nick Offerman) is left to watch Diane's (guest star Lucy Lawless) kids while their babysitter is out of town. Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Jim O'Heir, Retta and Rob Lowe also star.
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January 1, 2013
COMING UP NEXT | Ben and Leslie are most certainly working toward a wedding, but before they say "I Do," there's still "a lot of story to tell about their engagement," shares showrunner Mike Schur -- namely, catering woes and dueling bachelor/bachelorette parties. "Neither [party] ends up going the way they intended," he teases with a laugh. "It's fun because Ann is throwing Leslie's party... She really wants it to go well. And Chris is throwing Ben's, [which starts as] playing board games and drinking Miller Lite at a friend's house. " However, in true Pawnee fashion, things will go a bit awry. Parks fans can also look forward to seeing Ron and Diane going strong "through the rest of the season and hopefully beyond," as well as a surprising new career path for Ben and a possible rekindled romance for Chris and Ann. Hints Schur: "It's not coincidental that these two main characters on the show are on parallel self-exploration journeys." - Source: TVLine
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Sewage Joe, Perd Hapley, and Brandi Maxxxx will all appear in "Bailout."
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December 20, 2012
Jenny Slate to play Jean-Ralphio's twin sister
by Dan Snierson
Jean-Ralphio may be one of a kind, but we’re about to meet his twin sister on Parks and Recreation: Jenny Slate will guest-star in at least one episode as the same-age sibling of Ben Schwartz’s high-octane blowhard, EW has learned.
The former Saturday Night Live cast member plays Mona Lisa (!), who is hired by Tom (Aziz Ansari) as a salesperson at his new Rent-A-Swag store. Like her brother, she’s not exactly a model worker.
Slate, who had a recurring role on Bored to Death, also guested this year on Girls and Raising Hope. Her Parks episode will air later in season 5, which has featured such recognizable faces as Vice President Joe Biden, Christie Brinkley, and Lucy Lawless.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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Is Lucy Lawless sticking around on Parks and Recreation? I’d hate to see Ron’s bacon-loving heart get broken. –Suzanne
The NBC comedy just shot another episode with Lawless as Diane last week, and there could be more. A lot more. As show boss Mike Schur explains, “The idea was that through the first four seasons we’ve seen Ron in one or two OK relationships and several entirely disastrous, miserable ones. So… this was a big thing we wanted to check off, to give him a lady friend who was significant and important in his life. We certainly have a lot of plans for [Lucy] through the rest of the season — and hopefully beyond.” - Source: TVLine
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December 19, 2012
From The Huffington Post:
Jason Schwartzman is heading to Pawnee for a "Parks and Recreation" guest spot.
The Huffington Post has learned Schwartzman will play Dennis Lerpiss, the owner of Pawnee VideoDome. The video store is the only independent movie rental joint in Pawnee and it has fallen on hard times. Enter Leslie Knope.
Dennis and Leslie (Amy Poehler) team up to get Pawnee VideoDome designated as a historical landmark. The episode will air in 2013.
Source: Huffington Post
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December 18, 2012
Question: Any Parks and Rec scoop?! —Julie
Ausiello: Jerry’s retirement is on hold! “To be honest, we don’t have any specific plans for” him to pack it in, showrunner Mike Schur tells my colleague, Megan Masters. “It’s always been in the back of our head… as a chip to play, but I’m not sure we’re going to play it this year.” Hallelujah!- Source: TVLine
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December 17, 2012
"Parks and Recreation": In an upcoming episode, Tom starts a new business -- called "Rent-a-Swag," naturally. His endeavors land him on Indiana's Entrepreneur Magazine's "30 Under 30" hot list. Unfortunately, the timing is bad -- he's been lying to a potential love interest, Lauren, who only dates men over 35. Oh, and in the same episode? Get ready to meet Dong Swanson. Two words: Porn parody. - Source: Zap2it
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December 12, 2012
Christine T.: Obsessed with Tom on Parks and Rec. Can you treat yo self by giving me scoop?
Lucky for you, talking about Parks and Recreation is always a treat for us. And we have great Tom scoop! Have you been worried about Tommy's love life? Never fear, he meets someone who is really and truly into him. The catch? She's a bit older than him, and has a problem with dating younger guys. So what does Tom do? Lies about his age, of course. Oh, Tom. When will you ever learn? - Source: E!
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Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal:
There is stuff about Leslie and Ben and having kids. Ann suggests to Leslie that L/B can also get pregnant and she and Leslie can be pregnant together, but L/B haven't talked about that yet and Ann seems surprised.
I get an undercurrent based on LIMITED INFO that Leslie doesn't want to get rushed into having kids just yet. She does want them, but just not right now. The business that she bails out was around when she was a kid, and she wants it to be around when she has kids.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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December 11, 2012
From TV Guide:
Will Parks and Recreation Bring Back Treat Yo' Self for Round 2?
by Natalie Abrams
Parks and Recreation may resurrect one of its best gags for a sequel! So get ready to Treat Yo' Self!
Parks executive producer Mike Schur tells TVGuide.com that the writers have been kicking around ideas for Round 2, which would surely see Donna (Retta) and Tom (Aziz Ansari) reunite for their annual day of luxury, during which they treat themselves to the spa and shopping.
"We've certainly talked about it because it was a thing that caught on with the fans and the internet lit up, but it's very risky to do that," Schur says. "You can only do it if it's better than the first time, because there's nothing worse than a disappointing sequel."
Considering "Treat Yo' Self" is Tom and Donna's annual tradition — which first aired during an October Season 4 episode — it seems likely we would see it return sometime before the end of Season 5.
"We really loved it and we thought it was really funny and I think it's maybe the funniest that Retta's ever been," Schur adds. "It's maybe one of my favorite Tom episodes and everyone was great, but we're only going to do it if we can do it in a way that feels like it's something new and different and more fun than the first time."
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Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about Bailout (Episode 5.15):
Ep. 15 is "Bailout."
When a store Leslie likes is going to close, Leslie arranges a kind of bailout, so of course everyone in Pawnee wants a bailout of their businesses, real or imagined. Ron gets a chance to talk about how awesome capitalism is. Leslie, Andy and Ron are in these scenes.
Tom's business is doing well. He lies about his age, says that he's older, in order to date an older woman. She finds out, of course, and dumps him. Ben, Donna, Chris and Ron are in these scenes.
Ann is still trying to get pregnant and looking for a sperm donor. I'll give you 1 guess who's a candidate. It's *literally* unsurprising.
April tries to befriend Ann to get a recommendation. I have a feeling (very little on this storyline) that Ann has fun with this.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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December 10, 2012
The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.15 is "Bailout."
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December 7, 2012
From NBC.com:
Thursday, January 17 8:30/7:30c
"Two Parties"
Ben and Leslie's rival bachelor and bachelorette parties each take on a very different tune.
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December 6, 2012
Link to a Photo Gallery on the Colts' Website with lots of pictures from the filming on Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Here are few of the pictures:
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December 4, 2012
From TV Guide:
Parks and Recreation Scoop: Tammy 2 Returns!
She's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
On Thursday's Parks and Recreation, Tammy 2 (Megan Mullally) returns for another round of chaos. It's as if her ears were ringing: As soon as her ex Ron (Nick Offerman) finds a stable relationship with Diane (Lucy Lawless), the "punkass book jockey" returns to ruin things. So, how will Xena Diane handle going up against one of the Tammys?
"If you're going to date Ron, you're going to have to, at some point, confront his horrifying ex-wives. Iit's a rite of passage for anyone who's interested in being Ron's girlfriend," executive producer Mike Schur tells TVGuide.com. "We get to see what kind of person Diane is and how she holds up and what the things that worry her about Ron are."
While Schur was shy to say what kind of hell Tammy 2 would put Ron and Diane through, he notes, "She has no agenda other than her normal agenda, which is to destroy Ron."
On the bright side, it seems Diane will hold her own, considering Schur says there's a chance Lawless will be sticking around. "Lucy lives in New Zealand so it's hard," he says. "We can't always get her every time we want her, but it's so awesome that she keeps coming back because she's really good and it's really fun to see Ron with someone. You just look at them and you think, yeah, that makes sense. He's dating Xena, Warrior Princess. That's about right. That's what we need for him."
Source: TV Guide
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Thanks for all the Parks and Recreation scoop lately. What else is coming up? — Marcus
NATALIE: A battle of the sexes! Leslie and April will try to prove that women can do any government job that men can do. Unfortunately, that begins with the ladies putting in time at the Department of Sanitation. Meanwhile, Ron will attempt to babysit Diane's girls, but he'll quickly enlist Ann's help to get the job done. For someone in this bunch, it'll end with three special words. - Source: TV Guide
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From Indystar.com:
'Parks and Recreation': Men of Pawnee chow down at St. Elmo Steak House
By: David Lindquist
NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation” is set in fictional Pawnee, Ind. but the cast and crew shot scenes in real-life Indianapolis on Monday.
A festive occasion — the bachelor party for character Ben Wyatt (portrayed by Adam Scott) — provided a storyline for this Hoosier field trip. Members of the ensemble cast described the day as more fun than work.
“We’ve been looking forward to this trip for weeks,” said Chris Pratt, who portrays enthusiastic Colts fan Andy Dwyer. “This is like really our bachelor party. We feel a lot like a family.”
Set in the made-up Indiana town of Pawnee, “Parks and Recreation” stars former “Saturday Night Live” player Amy Poehler as lead character Leslie Knope, and finds humor in small-town government.
While Poehler didn’t make the trip to Indianapolis (Knope is the soon-to-be wife of Wyatt), Scott and Pratt were joined by Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Rob Lowe and Jim O’Heir.
They spent about four hours shooting scenes Downtown at St. Elmo Steak House.
The Indiana Pacers’ Roy Hibbert and Miles Plumlee made prearranged cameo appearances at the restaurant’s Tony Hulman Room, and 2012 presidential candidate Newt Gingrich made a surprise visit.
Lucas Oil Stadium is another site expected to be included in a mid-January episode titled “Two Parties.”
Pratt wore an Andrew Luck jersey on Monday, complementing the Reggie Wayne jersey Dwyer wore when he married April Ludgate (portrayed by Aubrey Plaza). Pratt said the Wayne model is a “tuxedo” and the Luck is less formal wear.
Lowe, who portrays Chris Traeger, is a close friend of Colts owner Jim Irsay. The actor stirred up the world of social media in January by tweeting he had inside information that Peyton Manning was on the verge of retirement.
“The practical net effect for Colts fans is the same: We don’t have him anymore,” Lowe said. “But I’ve never been happier to have my sources be wrong. Not only that, I think Peyton will win the MVP.”
Lowe, star of 1985 film “St. Elmo’s Fire,” said he first visited landmark restaurant St. Elmo’s as a guest of the Manning family.
“There was no ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ memorabilia, but we’ve solved it,” Lowe said. “I think there’s a picture in one of the rooms.”
D.C.? Hollywood? No, St. Elmo
Newt Gingrich walks into a restaurant but can’t get lunch because a TV sitcom has overtaken the joint.
In Indianapolis, this can only happen at one place: St. Elmo Steak House.
The former speaker of the House stumbled upon production of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” on Monday at the 110-year-old palace of beef, which has hosted simultaneous meals for Tom Brady and Eli Manning during Super Bowl week and once served entrees to Clark Gable, Paul Newman and John F. Kennedy.
“Parks and Recreation” co-creator Mike Schur quickly huddled with the episode’s writer and director to incorporate Gingrich into the script. He was in town for a meeting with Gov. Mitch Daniels.
“It was a completely random chance,” Schur said. “But you can’t pass up on an opportunity like that.”
During recent shoots in Washington, the show collected cameo appearances from Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. John McCain, Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe.
“I love, ironically, that we had to come to Indianapolis to have Speaker Gingrich,” cast member Rob Lowe said. “No, we didn’t have him in Washington. We have him at St. Elmo’s.”
Source: Indystar.com
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Lacey: You are my source for awesome Parks and Rec spoilers, so let me have them!
You know how when you watch a scene on Parks and Rec and you think: "Tomorrow morning, I will find a GIF of that moment on the Internet, and I will use it relentlessly for the rest of time." Well, in episode 14, there is a scene involving Ben, Andy and Tom that will be probably be the most GIF'd moment in PRex history. It involves basketball. That's all we're saying for right now so we don't ruin the epiceness. - Source: E!
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Another post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about Women in Garbage (5.14):
Leslie wants to prove that women can do the job of sanitation worker, so she and April work on a garbage truck for the day.
Diane appearance. She and Ron are not married, I don't think.
Tom/Ben/Andy playing basketball. Tom wants to impress the kids but he doesn't.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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December 3, 2012
With Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne, and the owner of the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium:
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There are pictures from the filming at St. Elmo Steak House on Indystar.com. Here is the caption for the photos:
Six male cast members of the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation" were in town to shoot an episode of the show. The six co-workers from a fictitious small Indiana town gathered around a table at St. Elmo's to celebrate one of the actors bachelor party.
Source: Indystar.com
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For those wondering, the filming in Indianapolis appears to be for the episode "Two Parties."
All of the male cast members will be filming at Lucas Oil Stadium and St. Elmo Steakhouse with guest appearances by Roy Hibbert, Miles Plumlee. There might even be a possible guest appearance by Newt Gingrich.
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November 30, 2012
Four more promotional photos for Ron and Diane:
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Neil: When are you going to announce the winners of the best of comedies of 2012? I want to see Parks and Rec at the top of the list! Oh, and can I get spoilers?
We will be presenting the Top 10 comedies of 2012, chosen by you guys, later today. Keep those eyes peeled. As for your spoiler request, episode 14 is titled "Women in Garbage," but no one is going to throw Leslie in the trash. At least, we hope not. Leslie will however be meeting another powerful Pawnee woman during the episode, and someone else will be getting into trouble over at the middle school. But not in a To Catch a Predator kind of way, of course. - Source: E!
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November 29, 2012
Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about Women in Garbage (Episode 5.14):
"Women in Garbage." No idea what it means.
Tom, Ben and Andy play basketball with some 12 year olds. Tom is not good. Andy is Andy. Ben is dorky.
Tom is still working on his Rent-a-Swag business.
Chris apparently is dating Shauna Malwae-Tweep?
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.14 is "Women in Garbage."
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From TV Guide:
Parks and Recreation Scoop: Will Leslie Win Back the Lot?
by Natalie Abrams
The fate of the park on Parks and Recreation is on the line!
Under the guise of assisting April (Aubrey Plaza) with a plan to turn Lot 48 into a dog park, Councilman Jamm (Jon Glaser) "jammed" Leslie (Amy Poehler) last week, making a play for the lot for his own nefarious reasons. How will Leslie respond?
Now that they have a common enemy, Leslie and April have teamed up to take Jamm down and have 90 days to do it. "Basically, they've made the agreement where they each have 90 days to come up with their plan and then they're going to present it to the planning commission and see who gets approval," executive producer Mike Schur tells TVGuide.com. "So the next five episodes or so are really about them each trying to put their plans together."
While Team Leslie and April want to finally build a park in the disputed lot, Jamm wants to use the space for another location for fast-food purveyor Paunch Burger. "Leslie and April are trying to find an architect [Bradd Hall] to design the park, and Jamm is trying to just buy off various people and get various people on his side," Schur says. Unfortunately, the architect with the great idea hails from Pawnee's rival town Eagleton, which will cause some problems.
Jamm will naturally play dirty to push through the plans for Paunch Burger, but in a surprisingly uncharacteristic twist, Leslie may also stoop to his level. "That very issue comes up in one of the episodes," Schur says. "There's an episode where he does something very sneaky and underhanded, and she reciprocates and then her guilt kind of overwhelms her and she has to undo what she did before anybody finds out about it."
Source: TV Guide
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November 27, 2012
I want some Parks and Recreation news, STAT! — John
NATALIE: Is a Pawnee progeny on the way? It would make sense, now that Ben and Leslie are tying the knot. But then why is Ann looking at sperm donors? "She's on this whole self-discovery kick and she is exploring all of her options for her future," executive producer Mike Schur tells us. Who else thinks that Jean-Ralphio will be involved somehow? - Source: TV Guide
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November 20, 2012
What's coming up on Parks and Recreation? — Nathan
NATALIE: A little birdie told me Li'l Sebastian is returning! Considering that our favorite miniature horse died, I turned to executive producer Mike Schur to get the low down. "I would only say that Li'l Sebastian is really dead," he says. "There's no miracle here. There's no 'It was all a dream, Bobby in the shower.' Li'l Sebastian is really dead and gone and so there's no fake-out, but I think it would be appropriate and realistic to say that he lives on in the hearts of the people who love him and that they're always looking for ways to celebrate his memory." Sniff. - Source: TV Guide
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From Indystar.com:
'Parks and Recreation' plans Indianapolis field trip
NBC sitcom's cast will visit in December
The civil servants of fictional Pawnee, Ind., are headed back to Indianapolis.
According to NBC, cast and production crew of NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation" will be in Indianapolis during the first week of December to film at various locations. . .
The specific roster of "Parks and Recreation" players that will visit in December is unclear . . .
Source: Indystar.com
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November 19, 2012
More promotional photos for Pawnee Commons:
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November 16, 2012
Episode description for Ron and Diane (Episode 5.09):
"RON AND DIANE"
12/06/2012 (09:31PM - 10:01PM) (Thursday) : RON IS NOMINATED FOR A WOOD-WORKING AWARD - MEGAN MULLALLY ("Will and Grace"), LUCY LAWLESS ("Spartacus") AND CHRISTIE BRINKLEY ("Ugly Betty") GUEST STAR - Ron (Nick Offerman), Diane (guest star Lucy Lawless), and Leslie (Amy Poehler) attend a wood working awards dinner, after one of Ron's handcrafted chairs is nominated, but the happy occasion is threatened by the arrival of Tammy II (guest star Megan Mullally). Meanwhile, Jerry (Jim O'Heir) hosts a holiday party at his home with his wife (guest star Christie Brinkley), and some of his friends are shocked to find they were not invited. Aziz Ansari, Adam Scott, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Rashida Jones, Retta and Rob Lowe also star.
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November 14, 2012
From TV Guide:
Parks and Recreation Scoop: Leslie's Wedding and Tom's New Business Venture
by Natalie Abrams
Parks and Recreation is getting back into the business of, well, parks and recreation.
On Thursday's episode, the infamous Lot 48, which was once the pit that Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) had been so desperate to turn into a park, will return. But it's not Leslie leading the charge this time: April (Aubrey Plaza) wants to turn it into a dog park!
The lot's return, however, won't be the only pain in Leslie's side as she begins to plan for her wedding to Ben (Adam Scott). To find out what a Leslie Knope wedding would look like, TVGuide.com turned to executive producer Mike Schur, who also dished on Joe Biden's appearance, Tom's (Aziz Ansari) new business venture and Andy's (Chris Pratt) future as a police officer. Check it out:
What does a Knope wedding look like?
Mike Schur: The idea that we have had in our heads about the character from the beginning — and certainly her wedding planning would be no different — is that it's not just about her. She's a very community-oriented person and she would want her wedding to symbolize not just her, but everyone she cares about. I'm not going to get into when it's going to happen or what the circumstances are, but the basic idea that we are thinking about is that it would be something that she would want to have be as just a celebration of the town.
What can you tell us about her bachelorette party?
Schur: Well, there is a bachelor/bachelorette party episode that will air in January and it's hard to discuss it without giving something away, but she cares about two things in her life, basically, which is her job and her friends, and there are moments when sometimes it's hard to separate those two parts of her life. I think the bachelorette party would count as one of those times. In order to try to make it Leslie-specific, they do hire a Leslie-specific male stripper, but it's a family show and nothing untoward happens at the bachelorette party that would make people afraid to watch it.
How did the Joe Biden appearance come about? And did the Vice President already know about Leslie Knope's big crush?
Schur: Yes. They were aware of it and their office had let us know that they thought it was really funny. So, when we wanted to shoot in D.C., we felt like, well, in addition to trying to get some U.S. Senators and fancy people to be in the premiere, we ought to try to shoot something with Biden, if we possibly could, that we could air later in the year after the election is over. It came together really easily. It was, obviously, subject to his incredibly busy schedule, being the second most important man on the face of the earth. We wrote the script and sent it to him and they thought it was great and we went and shot it. He was a fan of the show and the people who work in his office are big fans of the show and needless to say they thought it was amusing that there was a TV character, played by a young, attractive, blond-haired lady who had an almost oppressive crush on Joe Biden. I think that really appealed to them, for obvious reasons.
Was this something that Leslie needed to do before she got married, to meet Joe Biden?
Schur: Well, I think that's part of the fun of it. It's Ben's engagement present to her. That is the way that it's brought up. He's a good boyfriend and a fiancé and knows exactly how important it is to her to meet [Biden] someday and so he had the opportunity and he made it happen. So maybe you could think of it as a character rite of passage or something. She needs to get it off her plate.
Lot 48 is finally coming back!
Schur: Yes. That's a big plot development that is starting [Thursday]. There's a renewed interest in the lot behind Ann's (Rashida Jones) house. The episode that airs this week is about April having another idea for what to do with the lot and trying to blow past Leslie and disregard her years of work. The two of them have a little bit of a battle over the lot and then, there's some variables and wild cards thrown in for good measure, but it does kick off an arc where the idea of how to transform that empty lot into something that the community can use begins anew.
Will this be the season-long arc similar to the Harvest Festival or Leslie's Election — or the lot in Season 1?
Schur: Yeah. It is for a while. It's not going to be for the rest of the season by any stretch, but there's a chunk of episodes between this week and the end of January or early February that are about this project. They have an enemy that they're racing, a common enemy, which is also revealed on Thursday. It's like a mini arc, but it is an arc, where they're trying to figure out whether they can capitalize on this thing that kicked off the whole series.
So April is really stepping up in the Parks Department?
Schur: Yeah. Well, at the very least, I think the point is that she went to D.C. and she had some nice experiences of being part of something that was a little bit more professional than what she's used to and she is still the same person. She's not going to suddenly go and work at a consulting firm or something, but she has a little bit more ambition than maybe she did before and a little bit more of a taste for achieving things. This story line is capitalizing on that newfound excitement about actually doing something with her life, instead of just sitting around reading magazines. Again, that's something that's a slow burn that's playing out over a very long period of time, but it definitely starts this week.
How will Leslie continue the struggle with city politics and the decisions she makes?
Schur: The idea is this is her first year in this job and part of the long-term story for her is going to be figuring out how it all works and some of that is through trial and error, and some of it is through getting you're a-- kicked by other city counselors, and some of it is just by poking around and seeing how you do things. So there's a season-long education of Leslie Knope arc that we're playing where she is really settling into this new job and figuring out what to do and what not to do and this lot is part of that. The new emphasis on this project and how she can get it through or not get it through plays on that story, basically, of her trying to navigate her way through her new job.
Now that Ben's not going to be working with Jen, what will he do in Pawnee? Is he able to actually get back into city government?
Schur: Well, I believe the next episode actually deals with that exact issue. It deals with him saying, "Okay, I'm getting married now and I need to figure out what my career is going to be." He has a come-to-Jesus moment about what the rest of his life is going to be like professionally. There's a fun story line that's involved with that.
And Ben's getting pulled into Tom's new business venture this week, which seems to actually have a chance to be successful.
Schur: Yeah. I think there's every chance that it could work. He's a guy who's had a lot of really bad ideas and he also just naturally is a very consumerist-minded person, who spends a ton of his money and even sometimes money he doesn't have on fancy clothes and hats and cravats and scarves and shoes and stuff. We wanted to design a business for him that would be something that would be completely organic of who the character already is and something that wouldn't require him to buy a bunch of stuff. He's going to get a storefront and he's going to open a store and we're going to track the business, as it goes along, and see all the ups and downs of him being a small business owner on the side. The point of it was to say Entertainment 720 was nothing. That was just like we want to be rich and famous and drink champagne and have hot ladies walking around. It was not an actual business idea, but the point of this one is supposed to be that it is an actual business idea. I think that that will be reflected in the way it plays out.
And what about Andy and his quest to join the police force?
Schur: Yes. There are episodes that are leading up to that. The test, the official cop exam is sometime in January. You're going to see him prepare for it and then, actually, take the test and the results will unveil themselves at that time.
Source:TV Guide
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I'm so excited about Ben and Leslie's wedding! What's coming up on Parks and Recreation? - Ralle
NATALIE: Get ready for an amazing bachelorette party. "Leslie cares about two things in her life: her job and her friends," executive producer Mike Schur says. "There are moments where it's hard to separate those two parts of her life, and the bachelorette party would count as one of those times." Still, that's not to say it won't be a real bachelorette party. "In order to try to make it Leslie-specific, they do hire a Leslie-specific male stripper," Schur says. No, it's not Joe Biden, but it is presidential. - Source: TV Guide
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November 8, 2012
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The Vice President with Adam Scott and Amy Poehler in the episode "Leslie vs. April" airing November 15.
Source: The New York Times
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November 7, 2012
What ever happened to the lot on Parks and Recreation? — Seth
NATALIE: It'll be back in action soon once Leslie's nemesis, Councilman Jamm, tries to make a play for it — and he will play dirty. Don't worry, it's not the biggest disaster — well, it sort of is for Leslie. - Source: TV Guide
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November 5, 2012
Parks and Recreation! — Sara
EMERGENCY IN PAWNEE!! Don’t worry, it’s just a drill. But you can bet that when someone from Indiana’s Department of Emergency Preparedness comes to Pawnee in an upcoming episode, Leslie takes it VERY seriously.. Meanwhile, if you could think of ONE person who would be the LEAST qualified person to fill in for Joan on her show, who would that be? If you said Ron, you win bacon and an amazing episode. - Source: Entertainment Weekly
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November 1, 2012
jemjoven: Parks and Rec anything, pretty please.
Looks like this season's Valentine's Day episode will be a two-parter! We deduced this when we found out the episode would be called "Valentine's Gala: Part One." But we think that something bad (or just crazy) goes down during the gala, considering the head of the Department of Emergency Preparedness and the Chief of Police will be in attendance. Ruh-roh! - Source: E!
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October 31, 2012
The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.12 is "Valentine's Gala."
(This is possibly a two part episode because it is labeled as "Valentine's Gala: Part One.")
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Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Valentine's Gala":
The wedding date is May 16. . .
So, Paunch Burger is going to take over the lot. Leslie is sad. She doesn't have the money for her plan. So she is holding some sort of fundraiser. But Jamm, who is behind the Paunch Burger thing, throws a roadblock in her way: she has to go through emergency preparedness simulation scenarios that are kind of hilarious.
What I think happens is that everyone else takes over and makes the gala happen. Because this show is about making us all feel gooey in love with everyone. :)
Ben develops a new fear to go along with his fear of police officers.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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October 29, 2012
Promotional photos for Leslie vs. April:
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I don’t think it’s possible for me to love anything more than Parks and Recreation. (Maybe bacon.) And as thrilled as I am for Ben and Leslie, I’d love to know where they’re going with Ron and Diane. — Justine
I know there have been mixed feelings about this, but I like them, too, Justine! And according to executive producer Mike Schur, the idea to bring in a meaningful lady friend for our Swanson has been in the works for at least “a couple of years.” And going forward, he says, we’re going to see Ron trying to make room in his life for Diane and the girls — in his own Ron way.. “He’s a guy who probably hasn’t made any adjustments to his life in maybe 30 years in any meaningful way,” says Schur. “And he’s found a woman who’s important enough to him that he needs to make a couple of adjustments in terms of how he spends his time and what he cares about in order to make room in his lone wolf heart for two little girls and this woman he cares about. We’re going to follow that story for a while.” For Schur (and Ron, for that matter) Thursdays episode was a big turning point. “It was important for us to create an episode where he realized it was just as important in the world of manliness did something wrong as it is to be able to chop wood or make a steak.” - Source: Entertainment Weekly
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October 26, 2012
Episode description for Pawnee Commons (5.08):
"PAWNEE COMMONS"
11/15/2012 (09:31PM - 10:01PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE CALLS FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR HER PARK—Leslie (Amy Poehler) makes a public appeal for park design suggestions, but becomes suspicious when the best design comes from an architect in Eagleton. Tom (Aziz Ansari) enlists the help of the office as he sets up his new "Rent a-Swag" business, while Andy (Chris Pratt) finds a way to make his new security guard job exciting. Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Jim O’Heir, Retta and Rob Lowe also star.
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From The Hollywood Reporter:
While the series doesn't typically telegraph where its going, Schur said the union will feel like "everybody's engagement," with the lovable staff of the Parks Department each reacting and being included in different ways vs. Leslie turning into a bridezilla. . .
. . . "We realized their two characters were very good for each other and so we threw out that plan and followed what made sense, which was that they were soul mates," he said. "For that reason, I don't think that them getting married or getting engaged changes that much about the way the show is, it's just official now and we get to do stories about them planning a wedding and intertwining their lives officially and what that means for them and how it affects other people."
Up first for the couple: Leslie will get a peek into Ben's family life when she meets his parents (played by Glenne Headly and Jonathan Banks). "It's a high-stress party combined with relatives, which is a bad mix," Pohler previewed. Added Schur: "We wanted to put Leslie and Ben and Ben's parents, who hate each other, and Ben's father's girlfriend in a pressure cooker and leave them there to simmer for 20 minutes."
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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From Hitfix:
Does the proposal mean [Ben's] not going to go run Jack Scalia's campaign for governor? Or is this his way of assuring Leslie that he's in it for the long haul even as he's traveling the country?
He will not work on the campaign in Florida. Episode 7 involves him contemplating a new job in Pawnee.
Source: Hitfix
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October 25, 2012
The male cast members filmed at Gelato Bar last night, and during the day they filmed at Supperclub. Here is a picture from inside Supperclub:
For those at the Leslie_Ben Livejournal asking about the hat Adam Scott is wearing, here is a close-up of a hat I saw in other pictures:
This sign was put up on Lot 48 yesterday:
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October 23, 2012
Episode description for Pawnee Commons (5.08):
Pawnee Commons
S05, E08 (First Aired: November 15, 2012)
Leslie asks the public for park design suggestions, but is suspicious when the best design comes from an Eagleton architect; Tom asks the office for help with his new business; Andy tries to make his job as a security guard exciting.
Source: Zap2it
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Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Ann's Decision" - Episode 5.11:
I *think* Ann wants to have a baby (as a single mom).
I also very much suspect that Ben and the guys are out evaluating caterers for the W-word, though the W-word is not used.
April runs a community forum.
Return visits from a couple of recurring douche characters.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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October 22, 2012
‘Parks and Rec’ scoop: S.A.’s Joss returning to series
by Jeanne Jakle
This just in: San Antonio’s “King of the Hill” regular Jonathan Joss got the Hollywood call he was hoping for.
NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” wants the San Antonio native — most famous for the voice of John Redcorn on “Hill” — back for another episode.
Joss, an alumnus of McCollum High and Our Lady of the Lake University, will reprise his hilarious role as the chief of the local Wamapoke tribe, Ken Hotate, opposite Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope. He’ll shoot the Season 5 episode, “Two Parties,” in L.A. Tuesday. It’s unknown yet when it will air.
His “Parks” reappearance concerns the building of a Pawnee community center, he said. Newly elected City Councilwoman Knope “is taking advantage of our good relationship,” the actor explained. Joss said he has two scenes and a couple of funny lines.
Source: mySA.com
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The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.11 is "Ann's Decision."
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I’d like some Parks and Rec scoop, and if you won’t do it for me, do it for Princess Ron Swanson. — Polly
Fact: I’ll do anything for Princess Ron Swanson. Also a fact: This week’s Halloween episode of Parks very well could have been a Valentine’s Day episode. It’s THAT sweet. If it’s not Ron experiencing a major breakthrough as a member of the human race, it’s Ben and Leslie taking a huge step in their relationship. - Source: Entertainment Weekly
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October 19, 2012
Episode description for Leslie vs. April (5.07):
"LESLIE VS. APRIL"
11/08/2012 (09:31PM - 10:01PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE FIGHTS WITH APRIL OVER A DOG PARK—Leslie (Amy Poehler) gets upset when April (Aubrey Plaza) tries to get Lot 48 made into a dog park. Meanwhile, Tom (Aziz Ansari) enlists Ben’s (Adam Scott) help as he tries to launch his new business venture, and Andy (Chris Pratt) hones his crime scene investigation skills. Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Jim O’Heir, Retta and Rob Lowe also star.
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From NBC.com:
"Halloween Surprise"
Andy ropes Ron into taking Diane's daughters trick-or-treating, while Leslie holds a fundraiser for Jerry.
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October 18, 2012
Caleb in Houston: Keep the Parks and Rec scoop coming!
Lucky you, we just watched the Halloween episode and it is definitely a can't-miss for Parks and Rec fans. First of all, Leslie will be busy making plans to move in with Ben when he returns from Washington. But she hits a snag when Ben is propositioned with a job opportunity that'll take him a little bit outside Pawnee. OK, a lot outside. Also struggling with his coupledom is Ron Swanson, who is having trouble dealing with his Diane's two daughters. Finally, something happens to Jerry that leads the whole Parks department to do something actually nice for him. It's the craziest episode ever! - Source: E!
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October 17, 2012
Amy P.: You say you love Parks and Rec, but I haven't seen spoilers in awhile! Fix it!
We were too busy throwing a fit over the fact that we didn't get a new episode last week because of some kind of debate. Apparently there's an election coming up? Anyway, there is a new episode this week so our sprits are high again, which means scoop is coming at your face...now! In an upcoming episode titled "Two Parties," it sure sounds like there might be a wedding coming up! There's definitely a stripper involved, and based on what kind of stripper he is, we think Leslie Knope is the one getting the lap dance. It's a male stripper dresses as Abe Lincoln. Let that fact soak in, and join us in assuming Ben and Leslie get married and have lots of babies together. Too soon? We don't care, we are shipping them hard over here. - Source: E!
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More about Halloween Surprise at this link:
TV Guide: Parks' Riveting Episode
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October 16, 2012
Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Two Parties" - Episode 5.10:
I swear, this show's killing me with the limited nature of the info.
There are two parties. One is a years-later bachelor party for Jerry, I think. (Why, I do not know.) It's at an ice cream parlor. And the other really looks like a bachelorette party for Leslie. Ann hosts the party. There's a stripper. Leslie is the guest of honor. But nowhere do I see anything that *says* "Hey, this is Leslie's bachelorette party!" or "Hey, Leslie and Ben are engaged!"
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.10 is "Two Parties."
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Here is the episode synopsis for Leslie vs. April (Episode 5.07):
Leslie vs. April
S05, E07 (First Aired: November 8, 2012)
April tries to get Lot 48 turned into a dog park, upsetting Leslie; Tom gets Ben's help with his new business idea; Andy improves his crime scene investigation skills.
Source: Zap2it
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October 12, 2012
Episode description for Ben's Parents (5.06):
"BEN'S PARENTS"
11/01/2012 (09:31PM - 10:01PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE MEETS BEN'S PARENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME—After being warned about Ben’s (Adam Scott) divorced parents, Leslie (Amy Poehler) gets nervous as she prepares to meet them (guest stars Jonathan Banks and Glenne Headly). With the help of Jean-Ralphio (Ben Schwartz), Tom (Aziz Ansari) prepares to pitch his new business to Ron (Nick Offerman). Meanwhile, Chris (Rob Lowe) rides an emotional rollercoaster. Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Jerry O’Heir and Retta also star.
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October 10, 2012
From Entertainment Weekly:
'Parks and Recreation': Christie Brinkley to play Jerry's wife
Jerry Gergich (Jim O’Heir) may be the office punching bag, but his wife is a total knockout. EW has learned that Jerry’s oft-referenced-yet-never-seen-before spouse, Gayle — with whom he shares a lovely life — will finally make an appearance on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, and she’s being played by model/actress Christie Brinkley. (This goes a long way in explaining Jerry’s hot daughter, Millicent. As for how the Parks department’s schlemiel/schlemazel landed such a catch, perhaps it had something to do with last season’s big revelation.)
The three-time Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl and ex-wife of Billy Joel guest-stars in the season 5 episode “Ron and Diane,” which airs in late November and also features appearances by Megan Mullally and Lucy Lawless.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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From Entertainment Weekly:
Tammy 2 is never too far away! The second ex-Mrs. Tammy Swanson, played by Megan Mullally, will pop up again in season 5 of NBC comedy Parks and Recreation. Would you be shocked to learn that this does not bode well for Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), who is starting a romance with single mom Diane (guest star Lucy Lawless)? You would not.
“She does what she’s best at: trying to ruin Ron’s life,” executive producer Michael Schur tells EW of Tammy 2′s return, which was first reported by TVGuide.com. “It’s kind of the ultimate test of Ron’s relationship with Diane. And also the ultimate mission for Ron’s emotional guardian, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler).”
Mullally, who stars on Childrens Hospital, is the real-life spouse of Offerman. Her guest spot is slated to air in late November.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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October 9, 2012
From TV Guide:
Parks and Recreation Exclusive: Megan Mullally Returning as Tammy 2!
It's as if Tammy 2's ears were ringing! Just as Ron Swanson has found a possible new love interest, she comes back to Parks and Recreation!
Megan Mullally will reprise her role as the second ex-wife of Ron (Nick Offerman) in this season's ninth episode, fittingly titled "Ron and Diane," TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. Tammy will once again stir up trouble for Ron, who has only recently started a possible fling with Pawnee citizen Diane (Lucy Lawless).
Source: TV Guide
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Episode description for Ben's Parents (5.06):
Ben's Parents
S05, E06 (First Aired: November 1, 2012)
Leslie meets Ben's parents; Jean-Ralphio helps Tom prepare the pitch for his new business idea; Chris has mood swings.
Source: Zap2it
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October 5, 2012
Episode description for Halloween Surprise (5.05):
"HALLOWEEN SURPRISE"
10/25/2012 (09:31PM - 10:01PM) (Thursday) : HALLOWEEN SPIRIT IS GONE WHEN LESLIE GETS SOME BAD NEWS—LUCY LAWLESS GUEST STARS—A new job offer for Ben (Adam Scott) causes Leslie to contemplate their future. Meanwhile, Ron (Nick Offerman) and Andy (Chris Pratt) take Diane’s (guest star Lucy Lawless) girls out trick-or-treating, and Tom (Aziz Ansari) searches for a new business idea. Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Rob Lowe and Retta also star.
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Brittney: Parks and Rec spoilers, please!
We're finally going to meet Jerry's wife! And guess what? She's model-gorgeous, like Christie Brinkley gorgeous. She's also charming and gracious. We'll also meet Ian, a friend of Jerry's daughter who looks like a young Rob Lowe. - Source: E!
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October 4, 2012
Parks and Recreation meanwhile is seeking a wholesome model-gorgeous blonde in her 50s to play… Jerry’s wife Gayle! - Source: TVLine
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The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.09 is "Ron and Diane."
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October 2, 2012
Question: Anything on Parks and Rec? —Steven
Ausiello: How about an update on Ron’s love life? Showrunner Mike Schur says guest star Lucy Lawless’ character Diane (debuting this Thursday) will be “tall and striking and beautiful and commanding and very funny and charming and smart and capable… everything Ron would look for in a woman.” But her life as a single mom to two young and unruly girls, which Schur calls “a little messier than [Ron's] accustomed to,” makes him go back and forth on whether he’d like to pursue a relationship with her. If I may, Ron, a little advice: It’s Lucy freaking Lawless – take the win! - Source: TVLine
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Episode description for "Halloween Surprise" (5.05):
Halloween Surprise
S05, E05 (First Aired: October 25, 2012)
Ben gets a job offer, forcing Leslie to think about their future; Ron and Andy take Diane's girls trick-or-treating; Tom looks for a new business idea.
Source: Zap2it
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October 1, 2012
From TVLine:
A week after Amy Poehler mock-hijacked Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Emmy win, Parks and Recreation‘s leading lady is going after the Veep actress’ husband!
TVLine has learned exclusively that Louis-Dreyfus’ real-life better half, writer and sometimes-thespian Brad Hall, will guest star on the NBC comedy later this fall.
Hall, whose acting credits include an early 80s stint on Saturday Night Live and a guest appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm, will play Wreston Sarnoff, a well-dressed, talented and exceptionally gracious architect from neighboring town Eagleton who offers to design a new park for Pawnee. Of course, given Eagleton’s history of pranking Pawnee, Leslie is very suspicious.
Hall’s episode is slated to air in mid-November.
Source: TVLine
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September 28, 2012
Episode description for Sex Education (5.04):
"SEX EDUCATION"
10/18/2012 (09:31PM - 10:01PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE TRIES HER HAND AT SEX EDUCATION—An STD outbreak amongst Pawnee seniors prompts Leslie (Amy Poehler) to conduct a sex education class. Meanwhile, Ron (Nick Offerman) helps Tom (Aziz Ansari) adjust to life without technology after his gadgets are taken away, and Ben (Adam Scott) and April (Aubrey Plaza) meet Congressman Murray for the first time. Rashida Jones, Chris Pratt, Rob Lowe, Jim O’Heir and Retta also star.
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September 27, 2012
From Entertainment Weekly:
To ensure that you’re not completely at sea when it comes to upcoming developments on the show, Schur has kindly provided you with 11 teases for season 5. There’s just one catch: the names of the characters he’s talking about have been omitted. Let the guessing game begin! Oh, and don’t be a Jerry and accidentally read the answer key at the bottom of the page first.
1. “—– has a personal breakthrough thanks to a cowboy hat, and some tough love from —–.”
2. “Champion the three-legged dog may be the only thing that can cheer up —– when he has an emotional breakdown.”
3. “Will —– actually win an award for something? And more importantly, will he care?”
4. “Halloween pranks aren’t always harmless, as —– and —– will learn the hard way.”
5. “—– finds himself contemplating a big career move on the deck of a yacht.”
6. “Why in the world would —– possibly try to destroy a project idea from —–?”
7. “Episode 8 might just be the last we hear from —–.”
8. “—– grabs —–’s wrist so hard, he’ll think twice about food tray etiquette in the future.”
9. “Can —– read all of “50 Shades of Gray” in one afternoon?”
10. “Of all the people to have thrown a well-attended party, who’d have guessed it’d be —–?
11. “Was —– texting when he got into a minor car accident? How dare you, sir! He was tweeting.”
ANSWER KEY
(ANSWERS: 1. Ann/Leslie 2. Chris. 3. Ron 4. Leslie/Ann 5. Ben 6. Leslie/April 7. Burt Macklin 8. Ron/Jean-Ralphio 9. Donna 10. Jerry. 11. Tom)
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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September 25, 2012
Yesterday I was told the title of Episode 5.08 was "Architects" but today the casting sides show the title as "Pawnee Commons." So I guess the official title for Episode 5.08 is "Pawnee Commons."
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Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about Pawnee Commons/Architects (Episode 5.08):
Some architect from Eagleton wants to design a park for Pawnee. Leslie is suspicious. Ben is totally seduced by the wonderfulness of this guy. I don't know how this plays out in terms of whether Leslie is right that it might be a prank. There is a cute L/B scene about how he loves her.
I do love April. She is able to grow and still be her usual self. She is encouraging Andy in his goals to become a police officer.
Tom is pursuing his business idea. Ann, Chris, Donna and Ron are helping.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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Question: I saw that Parks and Rec has an episode coming up called “Leslie vs. April.” Context please? —Missi
Ausiello: A newly empowered April returns from D.C. determined to take on a more active role at work. There’s just one problem: The new initiative she pitches conflicts with an idea Leslie already has in the pipeline. Cue fireworks in Pawnee! - Source: TVLine
Question: Is this the season Parks and Rec will finally introduce Pawnee’s MIA mayor? —Jonathan
Ausiello: Exec producer Mike Schur remains very much on the fence about whether to introduce the man, the myth, the legend. “We’re of two minds about it; if we could find the right, perfect person and we could do a storyline that involved the mayor, we would be happy to do it,” he says. “But there’s also something to be said for never seeing the mayor. There’s something to be said for the mayor being our version of Norm’s wife on Cheers, and just saying that the mayor is just this funny figure, a shadowy person who we never really get to meet. If Bill Murray called us tomorrow and said, ‘Hey, can I do your show?’ We would write a very big, juicy episode for him to appear in. [Laughs] But we don’t want to do it just to do it… It’s just a completely accidental thing that we’ve referenced the mayor a number of times and never seen him, and now I weirdly kind of like that we’ve never seen him.” - Source: TVLine
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Episode description for Sex Education (5.04):
Sex Education
S05, E04 (First Aired: October 18, 2012)
Leslie holds a sex education class following an STD outbreak amongst senior citizens in Pawnee; when Tom's gadgets are taken away, Ron helps him acclimate to life without technology; April and Ben meet Congressman Murray.
Source: Zap2it
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September 24, 2012
There are pictures from the set today that show a ring on Leslie's finger. CLICK HERE to see the pictures.
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The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.08 is "Architects."
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The word for Season 5 is "change." Ben's got a taste and a skill for politics -- how will the outcome of the election change his relationship with Leslie? Andy gets a chance to pursue a lifelong goal, while April decides it might be time to grow up. Tom, always striving to become the Next Big Thing, flings himself into new entrepreneurial projects. Ann discovers a secret from her past that takes her on a personal journey. Chris tries to rebound from his romantic failures. And Ron Swanson... well, as long as there are steaks to be eaten and wood to be chainsawed, Ron's work is not done. (Oh, and he's still on the lookout for a woman that can handle him.) - Source: YouTube
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Though Ben (Adam Scott) is a sweet man, his father is anything but. "He's not a very nice one," Jonathan Banks tells us. "He's kind of a thug and inconsiderate and it fits perfectly." There will be some "nasty" arguments, considering Ben's dad has a new young girlfriend, and Ben's mom (Glenne Headly) isn't too happy with that. "It turns ugly." - Source: TV Guide
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September 23, 2012
From TV Guide:
Kathryn Hahn will reprise her role as Jennifer Barkley on Parks and Recreation, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.
Though we got a look at the Barkley offices in the season premiere, Jennifer was missing in action. She'll appear in at least one episode in the D.C. portion of the story line, rather than returning to Pawnee, according to executive producer Mike Schur.
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This photo that NBC posted on their website shows Amy Poehler and Mike Schur in the Office of the Vice President in the Old Executive Office Building.
Here is a link to what the Vice President's office looks like - just for comparison's sake.
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September 20, 2012
From Entertainment Weekly:
Lucy Lawless on playing Ron Swanson's new love interest
by Dan Snierson
Good news: Ron Swanson is ready to love again! Better news: Her name is not Tammy 3! Lucy Lawless will guest-star in multiple episodes of NBC’s Parks and Recreation as Diane Lewis, a middle school vice principal who becomes the object of Ron’s affection (he’d probably hate that expression), and you can get your first look at this coupling in the photos below. When the city starts a 311-type community hotline, “Diane is ringing up about a pothole in her driveway, and Ron (Nick Offerman) finally takes it upon himself to go and fix the hole because of course he’s such a man, he can fix anything,” says Lawless. “So he’s going to fill my pothole, if you know what I mean.” (He might like that expression a little better.)
What does Ron see in Diane? “She’s tough, funny, and shops at Food and Stuff,” says the actress, who was pursued by producers for an earlier conception of Tammy 1 last year but was tied up filming Spartacus overseas. “She’s the perfect woman.” Well, almost perfect. There are several hurdles for him, and two in particular: Diane has a pair of young daughters who enjoy dressing up as little princesses. “You want to see Ron in terrible pain and this is it,” says Lawless with a laugh. “They’re not terrible kids, they’re just all wrong for him. But the course of true love never did run smooth, and that’s how it’s going to be for Ron, I’m afraid.” But don’t think that Diane wields the same frightening power over Pawnee’s Parks director that the two Tammys did. “This is his first mature relationship — she doesn’t pervert his nature in any way,” she says. “This is the sort of woman that you might want to see him with, and yet it’s going to be damn near impossible for him to stay in it.”
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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From Vulture:
Sex-Crazed Seniors and Political Warfare: A Visit to the Parks and Rec Set
By Denise Martin
“Does anyone know what we risk when we have unprotected sex?” Amy Poehler, as new city councilman Leslie Knope, asks a few dozen assembled senior citizens. They pipe up immediately: “Heart attack.” “Broken hip.” “Falling in love.” After a couple of takes getting through the list (there are more replies from the crowd), Chris Pratt, Retta, and Rashida Jones can’t help themselves and begin to laugh. So does Poehler. “I could listen to you guys do that on a loop for the whole day,” she tells the geriatric cast. She’s in the midst of shooting season five’s fourth episode, which finds an outbreak of chlamydia among Pawnee’s senior citizens, and Leslie is trying to curb it with sex education. Back in character, she begins demonstrating how to put a condom on a banana when a senior named Marvin raises his hand. “That’s all fine and good, but what if the banana is soft and mushy … ” The episode’s writer, Alan Yang, cracks up quietly while watching the monitors. Moments later the lesson is interrupted by the town’s morality watchdogs, who show up to remind everyone about Pawnee’s “Abstinence Only” Sex Education Law.
The botched operation is just one of several initiatives that Leslie will have trouble enforcing in Parks and Recreation’s fifth season. In tonight’s premiere (9:30, NBC), she and Andy visit Ben, now a congressional spin doctor, and April, who decided to go as his intern, in Washington, D.C., where Leslie also has plans to personally apply for funds to clean up a river in Pawnee and quickly discovers her needs aren’t exactly a priority. “She realizes what a country mouse she is, what a small fry in terms of big-time politics,” says Poehler. “D.C. can make people feel that way.” In the second episode, she’ll attempt to pass a tax on soda to help stave off obesity in kids (an unlikely gamble in Sweetums-proud Pawnee) and in the episode shooting today, "Sex Education," it looks like she’ll be thwarted again in her plea to teach contraception to the senior citizens. Poehler says the frustration is palpable. “Leslie’s not sure how to do everything as a city councilwoman, her boyfriend’s out of town, she’s trying to do it all and nothing’s really working. She got this dream job that she fought for and now she’s wondering if it was the right move.”
“Sex Education” is a standalone story, meant as a “straight-up comedy” break from the focus of Leslie’s tangled new reality in which she’s flip-flopping between her city council and parks department jobs. (“If I had been tweeting while reading that script,” Retta says, “I would have written, ‘Donna’s found the nursing home that she’s gonna be in when shit slows down.’”) Yang says making this self-contained episode was a deliberate decision. “We wanted to reassure viewers it wasn’t going to be a whole new show in season five,” he says. Especially since there have been major changes to the show, which at times has been confusing. “It sometimes seems like all the characters have a lot of different jobs now,” concedes Yang. In the scene currently being filmed, for example, Ann, Andy, and Donna are there to help Leslie with the seniors, even though Donna and Ann don’t technically work for her in her city councilwoman capacity. (“Obviously this is not a parks department situation,” Retta says. “But everyone there is always going to be supportive of Leslie no matter what, because she’d always be supportive of us.”) And back on the set at the CBS Radford lot, Leslie’s city council office has been set up within spitting distance of her parks department office. “Leslie’s new office can see directly into her old one, which is kind of funny, and she struggles with that. Even me, Amy, I miss my old office.” Seated next to her, Rashida Jones nods and says with a surprisingly authentic wistfulness, “I miss your old office too. So many good times there.”
And there have been other adjustments, too. Adam Scott hasn’t been around because Ben is working in D.C. “We really haven’t done any scenes together at all so far,” Poehler says. But the lovebirds do Skype, and as Poehler describes those scenes, she and Jones veer off into a tangent about what would improve the Skype and Facetime experience. (Jones suggests that the programs come with a lighting kit so everyone looks better and Poehler thinks a black and white filter would also be good. “Things would look very serious,” Poehler says. “Like if you went, ‘Amy, I have to tell you something,’ and then switched on the black and white option!”)
But before the two actresses can file a patent for these ideas and become tech billionaires, they must get into a more contentious head space, as they are about to film a blow-up between besties Leslie and Ann.“This is a rare sighting,” says Poehler. “You’re seeing Leslie and Ann fighting. It does not happen. [They’re] the second love story on the show.” In the scene, Ann is dressed in a cowgirl outfit with braids, the byproduct of dating a cowboy, and Leslie calls her out for losing herself in yet another relationship. “Ann’s sort of the full-blown version of what she has been for the past couple of seasons,” Jones says. “She’s having a little bit of an identity crisis and it incites some big questions that she’s needed to ask herself for a long time about how she approaches relationships.” Poehler nods and laughs. “There’s some crazy stuff coming out of Ann this season.” (Good news for those who have felt the habitual straight woman hasn’t had enough to do to distinguish her character.) “Like, good crazy funny stuff. And it’s not just her. Everyone’s lost their bearings.”
Chris hasn’t exactly bounced back from having been dumped by Jerry’s daughter and rejected by Ann. Turns out his fling with Jennifer Barkley (Kathryn Hanh) didn’t stick either, and the loneliness is about to catch up with him. “He has a lot of existential angst,” Lowe says, “which always made me laugh. That right underneath that unrelenting exuberance is just a bit of despair. This is the year he’s going to try and fill that pit with something different than just exercise and positivity. Nobody can keep Chris Traeger down. Not even Chris Traeger.” Then there’s Andy, who will hit some bumps on his way to the police academy. “It was terrible,” Pratt says of shooting the episode two scene in which Andy will try to train for a two-mile run. Compounding the problem was Pratt’s new diet; the actor’s trying to gain a lot of weight for a movie he’ll be shooting later this year. “It was like Mars hot. At one point I take off my clothes and lay down on the track and I am breathing really heavy and I just breathed in all this track dust and rubbed it in my eyes,” he says. “It was just not a good day.”
But back to the task at hand, which is to have fun with these seniors. “We have been trying to break an episode about safe sex for a while and we kept trying to do it with teenagers but never really found an angle,” Yang says. Not until, that is, they found inspiration in something real. “I forget who brought it into the writers room, but there was some actual newspaper article about outbreaks of STDs in senior centers. We didn’t make it up.” Now at the mic, Leslie is half-heartedly driving home a new no-sex message from a pamphlet titled, “So You Think You Know More Than God.” Andy butts in. “Really, just don’t have sex. Just don’t do it. It’s gross.”
Source: Vulture
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From The Hollywood Reporter:
'Parks and Recreation' Boss Offers 5 Things to Know About Season 5
by Lesley Goldberg
Pawnee will be missing two of its best and brightest when the fifth season of NBC's Parks and Recreation kicks off Thursday on NBC.
Newly elected city councilwoman Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is headed to Washington, D.C., where she'll visit her now long-distance boyfriend Ben (Adam Scott) who headed off to work in to the nation's capital in the fourth-season finale.
Meanwhile, Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) will attempt to hold down the fort sans Leslie, April (Aubrey Plaza) and Andy (Chris Pratt), who will join the D.C. trip to see his wife, who's keeping busy working for Ben.
The Hollywood Reporter turned to showrunner Mike Schur to get the scoop on what to expect from Parks' return and what the biggest challenges are for Leslie and Ben (hint: Don't expect to see Louis C.K.'s Dave take advantage of the couple's distance). Here are five things to expect from season five.
Leslie is a little fish. While she may be Pawnee's top dog now that she's an elected official, her visit to D.C. will be a bit of a wakeup call. "She's feeling pretty good about herself because she won and Ben is off running this congressional campaign -- she feels like they're a real power couple and compares them to the Roosevelts and the Clintons," Schur says. "When Leslie gets to Washington and sees there is a very stark difference between her success in her medium-sized town in Indiana and Ben's life, which includes U.S. senators and super PACs -- real national politics -- and starts to feel like she's not such a big deal anymore." The first chunk of the season will see how the couple negotiates their relationship and the divergent ways that their lives are going.
Ben will face some big decisions. After moving from managing Leslie's campaign to the big leagues, he's taking Washington by storm, and that will take some getting used to for him. "His challenge, in addition to navigating his long-distance relationship, will be managing a giant team the way he is in this new job, which is something he's never done," the showrunner says. "That's a challenge for him, in addition to where this leads once the campaign is over -- he has some big decisions to make about what the future of his professional career is going to look like."
Ben and Leslie's real test: distance. While Louis C.K. popped in last season in an attempt to woo Leslie away from Ben, don't expect to see Dave return anytime soon. "Dave does not swoop in and make a move on Leslie," says Schur. "We felt like adding another man or a woman to the mix and trying to pass that off as a legitimate threat would seem silly because it doesn't seem like either Leslie or Ben are very wavering in their love of the other person. The real obstacle for them right now is distance."
The odd couple returns.Ann (Rashida Jones) and Tom (Aziz Ansari) will start the season still together. Sorta. "We do resolve her relationship with Tom in the premiere," Schur says cryptically. "The very first time that you meet them in the premiere, at least on the surface, they appear to be together. That's the simplest way to put it."
Ron will step up.With four members of the Parks Department off in Washington, someone will have to step up and lead the team and you know it won't be Jerry (damnit!). "Ron has never been a guy who cared very much about how much got done in his office, so he's not afraid of not getting things done, but there is one duty that Leslie did that he has always believed he could do better than she did it: run the employee appreciation barbecue." The event will mark the first time Ron will step up and really attempt to put himself out there and take charge of a Parks' event -- at least since Leslie has been working there. "And it goes perfectly smoothly. Actually … it doesn't." Schur says with a laugh. Also in store for Ron: going toe to toe with Xena's Lucy Lawless, who given her character's name (Diane), it's a safe bet she won't last for too long. "We were extra sure not to have the name Tammy be anywhere near her character," Schur adds.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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Article from TVLine:
Fall TV Preview: Parks and Rec Gives Leslie and Ben a 'Gut Check,' Realizes Andy's Police Dreams
by Megan Masters
If you thought Leslie Knope’s election was (hilariously) tough, wait ’til you hear what Season 5 has in store for Pawnee’s newly crowned City Council Queen.
Parks and Recreation returns tonight (NBC, 9:30/8:30c) and some major changes are afoot. Namely, our leading lady is now reeling from both her long distance relationship with a Washington-bound Ben and the realization that her small town politics are… small town compared to her man’s D.C. dealings.
Elsewhere in the department, Andy is on a mission to become a cop, Tom has matured (and maybe ditched Ann?) and Chris is embarking on a top-secret “little journey.”
Here, Parks showrunner Mike Schur elaborates on what he and his trusty team of writers have mapped out for our beloved Pawnee denizens in the comedy’s fifth season.
TVLINE | Where does Season 5 pick up?
A little time has passed, enough to get Ben to Washington and starting his new job on this congressional campaign. He’s taken April with him as his intern, so when we pick up, Leslie and Andy are going to visit them. The first few episodes actually play out over several months, beginning in roughly mid-June and then we’ll catch up in real time around the actual national elections.
TVLINE | How long will the D.C. footage be sprinkled throughout the season?
Ninety percent of what we shot there is stuff for the premiere. But we also just ran around the city and followed Chris Pratt around for awhile — which is always a good idea. [Laughs] He just ran around Washington and did insane things, and we caught them all on video. We thought that we could sprinkle them in throughout the first few episodes or just put them on the DVD.
TVLINE | If you’re telling the story timed to the real election, will Ben be back in Pawnee around November?
The storyline of the first six episodes is that he runs this campaign and does a good job, so he gets the opportunity to do more work for Jen Barkley, Kathryn Hahn’s character. And he and Leslie, together, have to make this decision. They do pretty well; the long distance thing provides a challenge for them, but they hang in there. Around the time of the election, there’s a decision that happens and he has to decide what his next move is.
TVLINE | So, we’ll definitely see Kathryn Hahn back on the show?
It’s so crazy how busy she is! [Laughs] You watch every show on TV and every movie, and there she is. We do have plans to shoot an episode with her; one of the D.C. storylines involves her.
TVLINE | You say Ben and Leslie handle a long distance romance fairly well. What then, if anything, will cause strain on their relationship?
The story of the first chunk of episodes is that it’s not just the distance. Leslie is feeling very happy and self-confident because she won her election, and when she sees what Ben’s life is like — he’s working for a legitimate U.S. Congressman — and the world he’s traveling in, it’s pretty far above the world that she’s traveling in. Although she’s really happy for him and proud of him, it’s kind of a bummer for her; it’s a reality check. That’s the reason we got three U.S. Senators to be in the premiere. We have a lot of fun scenes with them where she slowly realizes that while she’s trying to clean up the crappy river that runs through her town, Ben is casually chatting with Barbara Boxer about the Kennedy Center. So, it’s a gut check for her in terms of her own life and accomplishments and goals.
TVLINE | Talk a little about Tom’s journey this year.
There’s actually a really nice story for him. I don’t want to give too much of it away, but the idea going into this year is that we really wanted to show that Tom is growing up a little and that he’s learned from his past mistakes. He’s going to have the same insane, entrepreneurial spirit that he’s always had. But he’s a little smarter now and when he has an idea that he likes, he’s a bit better about putting things together.
TVLINE | Will Tom and Ann actually move in together?
That is dealt with in the premiere. You get the full story about what happened later that night when she drunkenly agreed to move in with him. Their story in the premiere sort of wraps up that whole storyline.
TVLINE | It wraps up their entire romantic entanglement?
For the most part, yes.
TVLINE | What’s on the horizon for April and Andy?
They’re a bit of a parallel story to Leslie and Ben because they are also dating long distance. Leslie leans on Andy a bit because she’s having a hard time and she’s [wondering] how he’s so OK with it… We’ve been doing a slow grind with April since the beginning of the series, where she’s slowly but surely becoming not a kid and learning responsibility. We never want to do anything with her that feels forced or false, and we never want her to give up what makes her special… But the experience of being in Washington and working with Ben does have some benefits for her. She doesn’t necessarily change her behavior, but she can see doing it down the line. [Laughs]
TVLINE | How does Chris fit into the story now that the election is over and Ben’s out of town?
City Manager, which is his position, is chosen by the city council, so part of the fun of this for Leslie is that when she’s on city council, she’s Chris’ boss, and when she’s in the Parks Department, Chris is her boss. So, there’s a funny oscillation; they have to juggle their relationship a little bit. We’ve also come up with a storyline for Chris that I don’t want to spoil because there’s just a one-sentence explanation for it. [Laughs] But in one of the first episodes, Chris is helping Andy train to become a police officer, which is part of Andy’s arc this season — Andy has to run two miles in 25 minutes, which he thinks is a typo. [Laughs] Something happens when Chris is training Andy that sends him on a little journey. It’s something he doesn’t understand that’s been explained to him by Tom and Andy.
TVLINE | Let’s end on some fun Jerry and Donna scoop.
If you follow Retta on Twitter, there will be a nice storyline that you will appreciate. I think it’s in the fifth episode. And in the same episode, there’s a big Jerry story. We set up in the pilot that Jerry was closing in on retirement, and at the end of this year he’ll be eligible for that. So, that’s a tiny thing that we’re going to trace through the course of the season.
Source: TVLine
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Lucy Lawless Hits Parks and Recreation
After barely surviving two types of Tammy love on Parks and Recreation, Ron Swanson is about to fall for a different kind of woman. Meet Diane Lewis (Lucy Lawless), a middle school vice principal with a pothole in her driveway that Ron (Nick Offerman) tends to. The one thing he can't fix: the fact that she's a single mom with two little princesses for daughters. "He's been inveigled into my children's world, and that's anathema for Ron Swanson, of course," says Lawless, who will appear in at least two episodes, the first of which airs Oct. 4 on NBC. "While Diane might be the perfect woman for him, her life is messy, and he doesn't like mess." - Source: Entertainment Weekly
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September 19, 2012
From TV Guide:
Parks and Recreation Scoop: Leslie's About to Get a Rude Awakening
by Natalie Abrams
What would Hillary Rodham Clinton do in Leslie Knope's situation?
When Parks and Recreation returns, the newly elected city councillor of the great city of Pawnee, Ind., may have to turn to her political idol for inspiration in order to deal with navigating the idiosyncrasies of small-town government, the increased responsibilities — seriously, rivers can't clean themselves, people! — and the unexpected stresses that come with her new position. But will Leslie Knope cope or crack?
"She realizes really soon that it's a lot harder and more confusing than she thought," Amy Poehler tells TVGuide.com. "She's lost her bearings and she doesn't really trust her instincts anymore. She's in a club that she doesn't know the rules of yet and her boyfriend is many, many miles away in Washington, D.C."
Since the beginning of the NBC comedy, Leslie Knope has been foolishly optimistic about how to get things done in small-town government. (The original proposed park is still an empty lot! Well, at least it's no longer a pit.) Fresh off her successes with the Harvest Festival and the election, the wide-eyed city councillor will struggle with the bureaucracy of bigger government.
"Leslie learns that even the smallest, most innocuous bills take a really long time and have a lot of people who fight against them for really ridiculous reasons," Poehler says. It won't help either that Season 5 will also introduce a new nemesis for Leslie, Councilman Jamm (comedian Jon Glaser). "She starts running up against the inner politics of City Council, the different councilmen and the different weird little laws and things that keep her from getting to do what she wants."
As if that weren't hard enough for the usually chipper public servant, Leslie's trip to visit Ben (Adam Scott) in Washington, D.C., will depress her further. "Leslie has to come off of winning this big election and then going to Washington, D.C., and realizing how small her town is and how small she feels when she plays with the big dogs," Poehler says, noting that in comparison, Ben and his new intern April (Aubrey Plaza) are "big shots" now in D.C. And when they take her to a party attended by real-life U.S. Senators John McCain, Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe, Leslie "gets tongue-tied around all of them," Poehler reports. Definitely not something that normally happens to the great Leslie Knope.
But she'll return to Pawnee a changed woman, trying to figure out how to balance her old job at the Parks Department with the difficulties of being in office. "She's going to have to start to figure out now that she has a tiny amount of power — what does she want to do with it?" Poehler says.
But Knope will persevere throughout, thanks to the help of boyfriend Ben and Skype. "They don't like the distance," she says says. "It's not easy for either one of them." Prepare to avert your eyes because Leslie will take advantage of the video chatting to soothe her spirits — if you know what we mean.
And really, even though Leslie's dealing with the burdens or her job and heartache, at least she'll always have waffles. Knope, not all is lost.
Source: TV Guide
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From Aubrey Plaza's interview with The Huffington Post:
Can we expect any April/Andy parties this year? The wedding and Halloween party -- it's always fun when creepy Orin shows up.
Oh yeah, there's a ton of parties. I mean, one thing about the cast and characters on our show is they like to party. If you watch the show then you know this. There's many times where we're all getting wasted and dancing celebrating something. That's definitely going to happen in Season 5. In fact, we've already just filmed a very special party, but I can't really tell you what it was in honor of.
Source: The Huffington Post
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From Nick Offerman's interview with The Huffington Post:
[Lucy Lawless] is in how many episodes?
I'm not sure, honestly. I know at least three or four. I'm not positive because it's an ongoing -- we make it up as we go along. I'm not sure what her contract says, but hopefully 28. [Laughs.]
What's it been like shooting? It's a new dynamic for Ron.
It is, honestly. Having Ron have a chance at something real actually made me kind of nervous in the scenes because it was a new side of Ron that we haven't explored. I felt like a high school kid at a dance or something, maybe asking a young lady to dance for the first time because usually when he gets involved with a woman, it's because he can't control himself and there's some sort of impulsive sexual mania taking him over. But in this case, they sort of meet and see in each other the possibility of something through much more down to earth, realistic means and so it was really quite fun. It was really fun also to just have someone who has such a statuesque presence. Lucy is such an incredible leading lady that I haven't had the opportunity in my entire career to stand next to someone like her and speak dialogue, so it's pretty exciting. [Laughs.]
Can you tell me two truths and a lie about Season 5?
We have not seen the last of the Tammy flavor in the Pawnee goulash ... Ron makes a new friend who he might rather eat than shake hands with ... Tom and Ann fall in love and stay together and it's purely sexual.
What's the dynamic like in the department now that Leslie is on Pawnee City Council?
The dynamic in the department is pretty shaky because not only is Leslie busy elsewhere in her new role as City Councilwoman, but April has gone to Washington, DC with Ben to assist him and his work managing a campaign there. Ron is being looked to to pick up the slack and actually get something done for the first time ever because he's always had Leslie covering his fanny. There's a bit of stumbling, there's a bit of a slipshod quality to the department because we're slapped in the face with just how much Leslie got done. It takes three of us to make up for what she accomplished. Beyond that, just the fact that April is absent makes Ron very sad because there's no one to protect him from people trying to get into his office and ask him for things.
Source: The Huffington Post
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September 18, 2012
Are Tom and Ann together when Parks and Recreation returns? — Susan
NATALIE: Tom and Ann did decide to move in together, but that idea was actually worse than the creation of Entertainment 720. "At the beginning of the season, it's them immediately realizing they made a horrible mistake and getting out of it," Aziz Ansari says. Still, people, the party line is that they're still together, and don't forget that! - Source: TVGuide
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Question: Anything left to offer on Parks and Recreation? If not, I’ll gladly take something on 30 Rock. Thanks. – Leah
Ausiello: Thursday’s Parks opener will answer the age-old question, “Is Pawnee big enough for two pigs named Tom?” Also, a couple breaks up in the premiere. (Kind of.) And Leslie and Ben do dirty things on Skype. - Source: TVLine
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September 17, 2012
Post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Leslie vs. April":
ORIN!!!!
Ben is working with Tom on his latest business idea. He's trying to help Tom promote it.
Leslie and April are having some sort of conflict over a dog park.
Very little info out there.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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Link to pictures of the cast preparing to go on set.
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The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.07 is "Leslie vs. April."
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“There’s a little bit of art imitating life for my character this season,” Parks and Recreation’s Retta reveals to Vulture. In case you weren’t aware, the comedian, who plays the parks department employee Donna, has become famous on Twitter for telling like it is when it comes to what she’s watching on TV. Jezebel has already dubbed her The Best TV Recapper on the Internet, and series boss Mike Schur told us that the writers cooked up a storyline inspired by Retta’s very popular real-life ramblings (available at @unfoRETTAble), which are eagle-eyed and merciless when it comes to prime time’s dodos. And so, Donna’s getting a Twitter account. Several episodes into Parks’ new season (premiering September 20), she will sound off about a new (fake) movie 140 characters at a time. Retta says her alter ego has questionable taste. “I’ve watched the movie [she will be tweeting about]. It’s really bad, but Donna loves it,” she says, adding that she's pretty excited to come up with the colorful tweets. “The writers are gonna let me do some of my own lines. People who know me will think it’s hilarious.” Sadly, there are no plans yet for Donna’s Twitter account to exist in the real world. - Source: Vulture
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September 16, 2012
From USA Today:
Leslie visits Ben in D.C., and "although she has fantasies about the being this big power couple, like Hillary and Bill Clinton, the reality is more like Roger and Bill Clinton," series co-creator Mike Schur says. Fitness-obsessed official Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe) helps dimwitted office hand Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) train for his police entrance exam, and former nightclub owner Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari) latches on to a legitimate business venture, but "has to fight his instincts to be a carnival showman," says Schur.
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'Nice Girls TV' wrote up a summary of the casting sides for "Soda Tax" (5.02):
In Pawnee…
Looks like someone with an unhealthy love of a hunky NYPD detective is helping out in the P&R office. She’s putting Leslie a little off her game.
We see a quick peek of a wife and his henpecked husband. He’s no longer wanted because of a Sweetums product.
There’s a public forum attendee who has/had (?) a job that Leslie can only dream about.
We meet a taxpayer that re-defines the words ‘taking advantage of public buildings”.
…And another (somewhat older) taxpayer that has definite ideas of just what to tax.
…And yet another meeting attendee who may not understand the taxes that already exist.
There might also be a purse snatcher around. Although he just seems nosy.
Did you know that Pawnee has lobbyists? Well, one shows up in this episode and she seems to be fighting for consumer rights. They also seem to be about ridiculous products.
Meanwhile, in Washington, DC…
Ben tries to bond with some of his new interns and realizes he’s a bit out of touch. When a young man agrees to join in on a group sports activity, Ben finds out what they really think of him. There’s a handmade piece of evidence that comes from a very likely, familiar, and frightening source. That source terrifies this new character. (There’s talk of a melon-baller.)
From what I can tell, the main storyline in this episode pulls it’s subject matter straight from the headlines! Of course, it takes things to a completely absurd place, but isn’t that what Parks & Rec is all about?
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Picture of Jonathan Banks on the set last week:
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September 14, 2012
Episode description for "How A Bill Becomes A Law" (5.03):
"HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW"
10/04/2012 (09:31PM - 10:00PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE HELPS HER LOCAL SWIM TEAM GET MORE TIME IN THE POOL—LUCY LAWLESS ("Spartcus") GUEST STARS-- Leslie (Amy Poehler) negotiates with her fellow councilmen to pass a new law extending the community pool hours. When Chris (Rob Lowe) comes up with a new idea to solve people’s problems around the city, Ron (Nick Offerman) finds himself filling a pothole for a local mom (guest star Lucy Lawless). Meanwhile, Ben (Adam Scott) and April (Aubrey Plaza) decide to take a road trip to visit Leslie and Andy (Chris Pratt). Aziz Ansari, Jim O’Heir and Retta also star.
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Giles: Parks and Rec scoop, thanks in advanced!
You don't think Ron Swanson is the kind of guy who'd miss anyone, but in the season premiere, we'll see ol' Ronnie pining for his old assistant April. "He's just missing her sorely right now, because she ended up going to Washington, D.C. with Ben Wyatt to assist him," Nick Offerman tells us. "So the only thing we see of that relationship is a few times we see Ron looking balefully out at April's desk while somebody walks into his office unhindered." - Source: E!
Katie in Miami: Parks and Rec spoilers, and I won't be mad if it's about Ben and Leslie, the cutest couple in cuteville!
We're gonna go ahead and absolutely agree with you on that. As for their status this season, we can reveal that PRex shot an episode recently where champagne was being toasted to celebrate some good news befalling someone(s) in the gang. Engagement? Babies? Promotion? We're just speculating here, but we hope to Swanson it means Ben and Leslie are going to be planning a grand Indiana wedding this season. - Source: E!
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September 12, 2012
From TV Guide:
Glenne Headly Tapped as Ben's Mom on Parks and Recreation
by Natalie Abrams
Ben's parents are coming to town — and boy, will that be eventful!
Glenne Headly has landed the role of Ben's mother on Parks and Recreation, TVGuide.com has landed exclusively.
Julia is described as a warm and charming woman who appreciates art and literature, but who also has a bit of a dark side when provoked. While Leslie (Amy Poehler) makes a good impression, Julia won't necessarily be in a good mood when Ben's (Adam Scott) father Steve (portrayed by Breaking Bad's Jonathan Banks, as first reported by Hitfix.com) shows up with his much younger new girlfriend.
Headly and Banks are slated to appear in the sixth episode of the new season, fittingly titled "Ben's Parents.
Source: TV Guide
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From Hitfix:
'Breaking Bad' co-star Jonathan Banks to guest star on 'Parks and Recreation'
The character actor will play Ben Wyatt's father
By Alan Sepinwall
Mike Ehrmentraut is coming to "Parks and Recreation."
In an episode of the fifth season of "Parks and Rec," Jonathan Banks from "Breaking Bad" will play the father of Adam Scott's character, Ben Wyatt.
"We were working the character description of Ben's dad," explains "Parks" co-creator Mike Schur, "and I said aloud, 'He should act like Mike Ehrmentraut. So somebody said, 'Well, why can't we just get Jonathan Banks?'"
Schur is a huge "Breaking Bad" fan, as are the rest of his writers.
"To me, at this exactly moment in time, he's everyone I know's favorite actor," says Schur. "After that arc" — which I spoke to Banks about here — "he's the actor about which we've spent the most time talking in the room over the last year. It's awesome. He's going to be here at 2 p.m. today and everyone's geeking out. A lot of the writers are coming up with reasons to be down on the set today."
Banks' episode will likely be the season's sixth.
Source: Hitfix
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From The Insider:
When season five of Parks and Recreation returns (on September 20), Leslie and Andy take a multi-purpose trip to the nation's capital. Leslie not only wants to visit her boyfriend, but, as Adam Scott reveals, "Leslie's here to go to The Department of The Interior to make her own proposal to get funding for one of her projects." And the expression, Little Fish, Big Pond doesn't even begin to describe what Leslie experiences.
"You see that dichotomy of her small town thing she's trying to accomplish and [Ben] running with the big wigs a little bit," Adam reveals. "That creates a series of issues." Amy Poehler adds, "Leslie Knope is a City Councilwoman in Pawnee and we have to figure out if her dream job is [actually] her dream job."
The status quo is also thrown for a loop by Ben's choice of assistant: April! "All I know is that April's in DC and she has to deal with Ben," Aubrey Plaza says. "That always stirs up some crazy scenarios because Ben and April have a really weird relationship."
In addition to every relationship being tested, some famous political faces pop up in the season premiere (shot on location in Washington, D.C.) -- and you can see the cast filming in and around the historic buildings in this behind the scenes video!
Link to Video
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From the Los Angeles Times about Sex Education/Abstinence (5.04):
It's early morning on set at NBC's "Parks and Recreation" as a bleary-eyed crew adjusts the sound and lighting in a faux courtroom on a Burbank soundstage. Aziz Ansari, who plays the fashion-savvy, ladies-man wannabe Tom Haverford, stands on the sidelines intently reviewing the script on his smartphone. Which is funny because in the scene Ansari is about to do, his character is charged with "driving while tweeting" and sentenced by a judge to "a week without screens."
"Wait … nooo!" Ansari pleads in character at the scene's end. He fidgets on the witness stand like a drug addict in withdrawal and maniacally attempts to maneuver one last tweet before his phone is confiscated. "Hit send, bailiff! Send!"
Alan Yang, who wrote the episode for the show's fifth season, chuckles from behind the director's monitor each time Ansari delivers the line. He and the show's other writers often mine Ansari's life for material and know that the comedian, who regularly tweets about his pop-culture obsessions (he has more than 2 million Twitter followers), would recoil at even a day without screens.
Between takes, Ansari suggests jokes to Yang and at one point asks Craig Zisk, the episode's director, "Can we try it with me saying, 'Please, your honor, tonight's the season finale of "Suits" on USA!'"
There's a collective burst of laughter; the idea flies.
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September 11, 2012
From The Hollywood Reporter:
'Parks and Recreation': Ben Schwartz's Jean-Ralphio Back in Business With Tom
by Lesley Goldberg
The "House of Lies" star will return for at least one episode to help Aziz Ansari's Tom Haverford launch a new business.
Entertainment 720 is back in business.
Ben Schwartz has booked a return to NBC's Parks and Recreation, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Schwartz, who stars on Showtime's House of Lies, will return to Pawnee for at least one episode where he's set to reprise what showrunner Mike Schur calls "the world's worst human being," Jean-Ralphio.
"Tom as the beginning of the season is struggling a bit because he hasn't had any good entrepreneurial ideas in a while and he's running short on cash and he strikes what could be the first ever actually legitimate business idea that he has ever had -- and he invites Jean-Ralphio into the mix to be his business partner again," Schur tells THR.
"There's an arc that starts around Episode 5 for Tom where he's trying to start a new business but he's grown up a bit and has learned from his mistakes in the past so it's about him trying to turn over a new leaf and take what he thinks is actually a good idea for once and turn it into a legitimate business," he says.
While the showrunner was mum on just what the evil genius comes up with, he teased that it comes organically to the wannabe entrepreneur.
"It's not like a flash of inspiration for the sky where he suddenly gets an idea for an imaginary product and tries to invent it; it's something that comes very naturally out of everything that you already know about Tom, which is why it feels like a legitimate idea," he says.
Schwartz's episode is tentatively slated to air Nov. 1.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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Adam in San Jose, Calif.: All caught up on Parks and Recreation and now I need scoop. Help!
First of all, you shouldn't be behind on Parks and Rec, so how dare you? Kidding! This season, Parks and Recreation will be partaking in the grandest of TV traditions: a Halloween episode! In the episode, titled "Halloween Surprise," we'll go somewhere we haven't gone yet on PRex: Florida. Because nothing says Halloween like sunny skies and yachts. Did we mention there is a yacht involved? There is. - Source: E!
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Here is the episode synopsis for "How A Bill Becomes A Law" (5.03):
How a Bill Becomes a Law
S05, E03 (First Aired: October 4, 2012)
Leslie tries to pass a law extending the community pool hours; Chris thinks of a new way to solve people's problems around the city, which leads to Ron fixing a pothole for a local mother (Lucy Lawless); April and Ben plan a road trip.
Source: Zap2it
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September 7, 2012
Episode description for "Soda Tax" (5.02):
"SODA TAX"
09/27/2012 (09:30PM - 10:00PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE FIGHTS OBESITY IN PAWNEE WITH A NEW SODA TAX-Leslie (Amy Poehler) engages on her first mission as city councilor: passing a city-wide tax on giant sodas. Chris (Rob Lowe) helps Andy (Chris Pratt) get in shape to prepare for his police entrance exam. Meanwhile, Ben (Adam Scott) struggles to connect with the interns in his office. Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, Jim O'Heir and Retta.
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September 6, 2012
Would love a little scoop on how Ben and Leslie’s newfound careers are going to affect their relationship on PARKS AND RECREATION? — Linday
The TV Addict: Well, if absence makes the heart grow fonder, Ben and Leslie shippers are in for a real treat during the show’s Halloween episode. An episode, which according to sources, will serve as a reunion of sorts for the two when Ben finally moves back to Pawnee following a brief stint in the nation’s capitol. - Source: The TV Addict
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From Entertainment Weekly's Fall Preview Issue:
Pawnee meets D.C. in the premiere, as new city councilwoman Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) visits beau Ben (Adam Scott) and stumbles upon some real life senators, including John McCain, at a cocktail party. At the Smithsonian, where Andy (Chris Pratt) reunites with his wife/Ben's assistant, April (Aubrey Plaza), "April and Andy immediately start making out while Leslie's looking around at the amazing pieces of American history," says exec producer Michael Schur. Chris (Rob Lowe) battles his own brain while training to climb Mount Everest, Tom (Aziz Ansari) searches for a viable business venture, and Ron (Nick Offerman) romances a single mom (Lucy Lawless). "She's not named Tammy," says Schur, "and thus it has an actual chance for success."
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From TVLine:
COMING UP NEXT | 'Benslie' will struggle to cope with their long distance love, while April (who has also moved to D.C., as Ben's assistant ) and Andy (who is looking to enter the Pawnee police academy) make cross-country romance look simple(r). Also, did Tom and Ann move in together? You'll find out!
TVLINE BONUS SPOILER | Parks will celebrate Halloween this year with a movie night at City Hall, where everyone will dress up in costumes and watch a campy, late '80s horror flick. Also: Tom/Ann isn't the only cohabitation question on the table.
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September 4, 2012
What's coming up on Parks and Recreation? —Harold
NATALIE: Let's all mourn the loss of Entertainment 720 one last time... done? Good, because Tom has moved on. "We're going to have a new business that he starts this season," Aziz Ansari tells us. "That one will go a little bit better because he learned so much from the mistakes that he made with Entertainment 720, of which there were many." Here's hoping this means Jean-Ralphio (Ben Schwartz) will be back to help! - Source: TV Guide
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Post on Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Ben's Parents" (5.06):
Just got confirmation that it's planned for Marlene to be in the episode.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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Question: How long will Ben be in D.C. on Parks and Recreation? Not thrilled with the idea of him and Leslie being apart! —Pete
Ausiello: Although Ben’s out-of-town gig was supposed to last six months, I have to imagine that he and Leslie will be hand in hand (and all hands on deck!) when we’re introduced to his parents. Mom’s a Stockard Channing type, classy and educated —with a bit of bite underneath. For Dad, think Barry Bostwick — a grownup preppy with a Hawaiian girlfriend half his age. - Source: TVLine
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"Parks & Recreation": The sixth episode of the season is titled "Ben's Parents." Yes, we'll meet Ben's dad, Steve, and his mom, Julia, as Leslie bends over backwards to make a good impression. The reunion goes a little sour when Julia meets Steve's much, much younger Hawaiian girlfriend. Her name, Ulani, means "cheerful." She isn't. - Source: Zap2it
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September 1, 2012
It looks like they changed the title of Episode 5.02 from "City Councilor Knope" to "Soda Tax."
Episode description for Soda Tax (5.02):
Soda Tax
S05, E02 (First Aired: September 27, 2012)
Leslie passes a city-wide tax on huge sodas in hope of combating obesity in Pawnee; Chris helps Andy prepare for his police entrance exam.
Source: Zap2it
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I just read Ben’s parents are going to be in an episode of Parks? True? – Beth
Indeed. The episode, aptly titled “Ben’s Parents,” will find the parentals – and dad’s girlfriend! – joining our happy couple for dinner. And if you think it starts off tense, just wait till you see what happens after someone comes clean about their [spoiler!]. - Source: Entertainment Weekly
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August 31, 2012
From the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about "Ben's Parents" (5.06):
Ben is in Pawnee in this episode. Ben and Leslie are still a couple. There's a lot of talk about uniting families. NOT the marriage word. Just "unity" and "uniting." Not sure what that means.
Also, Jean Ralphio! Yay! (Not with Ben and Leslie, though.)
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
Leslie is the one obsessed with the idea of uniting the families (not in a way that makes Ben unhappy). It's just how Leslie is.
(I really wouldn't be surprised if a proposal had happened, but I must say, there is NO EVIDENCE.)
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.06 is "Ben's Parents."
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Episode description for Episode 5.01:
"MS. KNOPE GOES TO WASHINGTON"
09/20/2012 (09:30PM - 10:00PM) (Thursday) : LESLIE AND ANDY HEAD TO WASHINGTON D.C.—SENATORS BARBARA BOXER, JOHN MCCAIN AND OLYMPIA SNOWE GUEST STAR—Leslie (Amy Poehler) and Andy (Chris Pratt) visit Ben (Adam Scott) and April (Aubrey Plaza) at their new jobs in Washington D.C., and Leslie feels overwhelmed by the city -- especially after meeting two of her idols (Senators Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe). Meanwhile, Ron (Nick Offerman) throws a "thank you" barbeque for the entire Parks and Recreation staff. Aziz Ansari, Rashida Jones, Rob Lowe, Jim O’Heir and Retta also star.
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August 30, 2012
Susannah: Parks and Recreation scoop would be lovely, thanks!
Parks & Rec is going meta, y'all! If you're like us, you are obsessed with star Retta's tweets about TV (she's currently watching Buffy for the first time). In a season five episode, Donna gets into a bit of trouble with some Pawnee residents because of her tweets. Love. It. - Source: E!
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Vulture
Try Solving This Parks and Recreation Mystery!
By Denise Martin
Parks and Recreation is in the middle of filming episode four. On Wednesday, Vulture dropped by to watch. What we saw was too good to be spoiled — at least not until we're closer to the September 20 premiere — but we’ve been sanctioned by Pawnee officials to offer you a glimpse at the prop list for yesterday’s scene. Here it is, verbatim:
Bananas
Deck of cards
Oxygen tank
Lots of condoms
Large 64 oz. drinks
Pineapple
Wheelchairs
Oranges
Leslie’s bag
Keyboard on stand
Source: Vulture
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Another picture from Darlene Hunt's Twitter:
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August 28, 2012
Here is a comment from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about Episode 5.05:
Episode 5 is called Halloween Surprise. I am positive that when spoiler people talk about it, they will play up the Leslie-Ben issues and freak people out. Ben is supposed to move back to Pawnee, but I guess he maybe gets sucked in to stay in DC longer working for Jen (who seems to be in the ep). Leslie is bummed.
There IS NO FURTHER DEFINITIVE INFO but I would bet money that the ep ends with Ben rejecting DC and coming back to Pawnee. I have a feeling Ben is going to become disgusted with himself for becoming Jen-like.
Looks like April is back in Pawnee in ep 5. Btw, someone tells Ben in one of the first episodes that everyone thinks April is his daughter, so I am pretty sure there's no flirting.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.05 is "Halloween Surprise."
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Please give me some Parks and Recreation scoop! — Cam
NATALIE: Now that Leslie Knope is a city councilor, she'll be getting a new office. But don't worry, she's not really moving away — seriously, it's, like, around the corner from her Parks Department pals. But she's still a little lonely. So she comes up with an ingenious way to get Tommy Fresh to come hang out with her. - Source: TV Guide
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From Darlene Hunt's Twitter:
Episode 5.04 - Darlene Hunt and Todd Sherry
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Episode description for 5.01:
Ms. Knope Goes to Washington
S05, E01 (First Aired: September 20, 2012)
Leslie is overwhelmed when she and Andy visit Ben and April in Washington, D.C.; Ron throws a barbecue for the whole staff.
Source: Zap2it
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'Parks and Recreation' Season 5: Adam Scott on Leslie and Ben's relationship -- can it withstand Washington?
By Jen Harper
In the "Parks and Recreation" Season 4 finale, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is on her way to her new seat on the Pawnee City Council and her boyfriend, Ben (Adam Scott), is on his way to a new job in Washington, D.C. But as it turns out, he won't be the only one missing his significant other back in Indiana -- April (Aubrey Plaza) will be right there with him.
"I live in DC now with April, Aubrey's character. We're working on a congressional campaign there," Scott tells Zap2it. "So it's kind of the strains of long distance relationships both with me and Aubrey's characters with our people back in Pawnee. For my character, it's a big deal because I'm in the major leagues as far as politics goes. And Leslie coming to visit and feeling a little bit like a country mouse puts a little bit of strain on the relationship."
We already know that Ben and April will be mixing it up with onscreen with U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer, John McCain and Olympia Snowe when they filmed in the nation's capital for a few days earlier this summer, but can fans expect any other politicos to make a special appearance on this season of "Parks and Rec"?
"I don't know," Scott says in a sing-song voice that means he totally does know. "We shall see."
Speaking of things Scott doesn't know, how long can we expect Ben and April to be in Washington?
"I don't even know. It might be all season," he says. "We've only shot two, three episodes. But I don't know how long I'll be there. But it's cool. They have this great, beautiful new set with these fancy offices in D.C."
Source: Zap2it
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August 26, 2012
Article from TV Line:
Parks and Rec Exclusive: Meet Leslie's Nemesis!
by Megan Masters
Leslie Knope’s plum new city council gig comes with one major drawback: a nemesis. TVLine has learned exclusively that comedian Jon Glaser has joined Parks and Recreation‘s fifth season, playing a town councilman — one of two the audience has yet to meet. (We have in seasons past been introduced to the lecherous Councilman Dexhart and the reasonable Councilman Howser.)
Parks showrunner Mike Schur tells us that the longtime Late Night with Conan O’Brien writer’s character, a local orthodontist, “basically becomes Leslie’s nemesis. He doesn’t find her interesting or charming at all, and doesn’t care about her bright-eyed, bushy-tailed attitude toward making the town better… He just doesn’t like her.” Knope’s new foe, as well as the other “extremely old,” Strom Thurmond-like politician, make their respective debuts in the third installment of Season 5, which bows Thursday, Sept. 20 at 9:30/8:30c.
“They’re going to be around a lot,” shares Schur. “Certainly not in every episode, but… they’ll float in and out as we need them.” A successful sketch comedy series writer, Glaser currently stars in his own Adult Swim creation Delocated.
Source: TV Line
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August 24, 2012
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Any clues as to how Leslie Knope will approach her first term as city councillor on PARKS AND RECREATION? — Lisa
The TV Addict: Have you seen PARKS AND RECREATION? For better or worse, expect Leslie Knope to not shy away from any issue that affects her constituents. Case in point, an early episode of season five appropriately titled “Abstinence” will see councilwoman Knope attempt to teach safe sex to the rather randy residents of the local Pawnee senior’s home. Trust us, it’s far funnier than it sounds. - Source: The TV Addict
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August 23, 2012
Parks and Recreation‘s Leslie will run afoul of Pawnee’s morality watchdogs when she, Donna and others are caught behaving badly with bananas – meaning, they offer a safe sex seminar in a town that proudly preaches abstinence to its youth. - Source: TVLine
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Pictures from the filming of "How A Bill Becomes A Law" yesterday:
"Zoe" with Lucy Lawless - ("Zoe" is the daughter of "Diane")
"Zoe" with Nick Offerman
"How A Bill Becomes A Law" was written by Dan Goor, and Jon Glaser will play a councilman in the episode.
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Amanda: I'm finally caught up on Parks and Rec and I am desperate for scoop!
We're just going to dive right in and tell you that we already have our favorite episode of the new season, judge solely on the title: "Sex Education." It's bound to be epic, right? But first, PRex will take over Washington when Leslie and the gang crash the Capital to visit Ben in the season premiere. "They're really country mice in the big city and we got to work with Senator [John] McCain and Senator [Barbara] Boxer and Senator [Olympia] Snowe, so it was really cool," Amy Poehler tells us. So what's it like to work with John McCain on a comedy series? Awesome, according to Poehler. "I got the chance to work with him at SNL many years before and he's a hoot," she says. "He really has a sense of humor about himself. He's a blast." - Source: E!
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August 21, 2012
I'd love some Leslie-centric scoop on Parks and Recreation! — Jennifer
NATALIE: In her quest to pass her first bill, she'll need to persuade an old-as-dirt councilman to vote in her favor — but he'd rather just make out with her. Naturally, Leslie Knope won't stand for those shenanigans, so he ends up in the hospital. Oops, lost that vote. Speaking of accidents, Tom will be in big trouble after he crashes Ron's car this season. - Source: TV Guide
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FYI, "Sex Education" is being used as an alternative title for Episode 5.04. I'm not sure which will end up being the official title, "Abstinence" or "Sex Education."
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Picture of "Mason" and Aziz Ansari during the filming of Episode 5.03.
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August 20, 2012
Not a spoiler, but here is a picture from the table read last week.
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August 19, 2012
From Vulture's article, The Adam Scott Files:
But lately [Adam Scott's] been hard at work on Parks’ fifth season, which opens with Leslie floundering in Indiana as Pawnee’s newest City Council member while Ben is in Washington, D.C., working on a congressional reelection campaign. “The perceived importance of what they’re each doing” puts a strain on the relationship, says Scott. “That, and Ben is surrounded by hot brunettes in power suits.” - Source: Vulture
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August 17, 2012
The title of 'Parks and Recreation' Episode 5.04 is "Abstinence."
Also, Congressman Murray is being cast for this episode.
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August 15, 2012
Lucy Lawless has been cast as a love interest for Ron Swanson:
A Little Ditty About Ron and Diane
Xena and Ron Swanson? Lucy Lawless, who portrayed the iconic warrior princess Xena, will play a potential love interest for Ron (Nick Offerman) on NBC's Parks and Recreation this fall. Lawless, who is also a star of Starz's Spartacus series, will appear in two episodes beginning Oct. 4. She will play Diane, a single mother who meets Ron and Andy (Chris Pratt) when they are assigned to help her with a small problem in her neighborhood. - Source: USA Today (Print Edition)
You can see a scan of the article at LucyLawless.net.
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August 14, 2012
The show is filming at LAVC at Monarch Stadium today. Rob Lowe, Aziz Ansari, and Chris Pratt are in the scenes being filmed.
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August 12, 2012
"Of her character on NBC’s Parks and Recreation [Aubrey Plaza] told The Hollywood Reporter, “Let me just say that in the next season, she takes on a lot of new responsibilities so you kinda see her grow up a little bit more.”" - Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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August 11, 2012
The title of Episode 5.03 is "How A Bill Becomes A Law."
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August 9, 2012
Another picture from yesterday.
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August 8, 2012
Today the cast filmed at Lake Balboa.
Picture of "Ranger Patrick" with Rashida Jones and Aziz Ansari
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August 7, 2012
Some Parks and Recreation scoop would be nice. — Sally
NATALIE: It sure would, and wouldn't you know it, I have some! Ben is having a hard time fitting in with his cabal of young, male interns. You would think April, who will be working with him in D.C., would stick up for him, but she's actually the cause of many of his problems -- in particular, the drawings she's making of him with a stick up a certain orifice. - Source: TV Guide
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Question: I’d love anything you have to offer on Parks and Recreation or Community. Thanks! –Leah
Ausiello: Parks and Rec it is! The plot of Season 5’s second episode may or may not involve the town adopting a soft drink ban (similar to New York City’s proposed measure). Naturally, several Pawnee residents are less than thrilled about that idea. Meanwhile, Ben’s got a super -preppy intern named Devon whom we’ll see in several scenes of the same ep. - Source: TVLine
(The casting sides for this episode underwent some revisions including changing the character name of Devon to Ellis, FYI.)
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Tad: I won't watch Parks and Rec next season if Jean Ralphio isn't on it.
Wow, that is a bold statement if we ever heard one. But lucky for you, we got Ben Schwartz to confirm to us that Jean Ralphio will indeed be back in Pawnee next season. And not just for a quick one-episode appearance. "I'm super excited to get on there, it's really fun," he tells us. "And there's enough time for me to play him, before House of Lies starts, for a couple episodes." - Source: Watch With Kristin
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August 4, 2012
Here is a post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal:
Episode 2 is titled "City Councilor Knope." No B/L action. Leslie is dealing with a controversial vote in Pawnee (she calls for a public meeting to discuss it--always hilarious). Ben is trying to win over his interns in DC. April is alternately unhelpful and helpful in her usual way. Looks like a typically funny episode.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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August 2, 2012
Episode 5.02 of Parks and Recreation will be called "City Councilor Knope" - Source: SpoilerTV
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Casting sides for Episode 5.03 came out yesterday. Two roles were listed: "Milton" and "Tina"
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August 1, 2012
The following is a post from the Leslie_Ben Livejournal about the casting sides for episode 5.01:
Hi all! First, I'm going to post-non-anonymously so you know when stuff comes from me. I posted a lot of this sort of thing last season. I'm the one who posted the Tom-April stuff--sorry if I was a PITA about spoiling it.
I've read these, and there is a scene in DC. My guess is they're filming it in an interior set because it's just an office scene and doesn't need to be filmed in DC. All the DC stuff must be expensive, so they probably did only the bare minimum there.
The Ranger is a Pawnee employee.
Very minimal stuff, btw. Leslie in DC, feeling unimportant, and Ron in Pawnee being Ron.
Source: Leslie_Ben Livejournal
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July 31, 2012
Casting sides for episode 5.01 came out yesterday. There were two small roles listed for the episode: "Lucinda" and "Ranger Patrick."
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July 30, 2012
Here are a few more pictures from the filming in Washington, D.C.
Inside the Hay-Adams Hotel:
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Ben Schwartz confirms he will be returning to NBC's Parks and Recreation for at least two episodes. - Source
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July 25, 2012
The New York Times
Official From Pawnee, Ind., Buttonholes Senators
By BILL CARTER
Prime-time television’s most committed political enthusiast, Leslie Knope, stood on the hotel balcony with her back to a view that would surely set her public servant’s heart racing: the postcard-ready front of the White House, bisected above roof height by the alabaster needle of the Washington Monument and, looming above, the imposing dome of the Capitol.
Leslie’s gray power suit was appropriate for the occasion, but the cherry-red Keds gave the game away. This was Amy Poehler, who once memorably played Hillary Rodham Clinton on “Saturday Night Live” and who now plays Leslie, who worships Ms. Clinton, on the NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation,” shooting a scene on location: a balcony on the ninth floor of the elegant Hay-Adams Hotel. (The camera frame made sure not to include her footwear.)
The cast and crew of “Parks and Recreation” had come to Washington and its sweltering July heat for the glorious location shots and, more important, its senators. Barbara Boxer, Olympia Snowe and John McCain were on the way to take part in an episode set in Washington — “as long as Afghanistan doesn’t invade Kyrgyzstan,” said Michael Schur, the executive producer who runs “Parks and Recreation.” “We just found out they already had a vote today, so we’re just hoping they can actually take a break and show up.”
Nobody was anticipating the guest stars more than Ms. Poehler, who said she hoped Mr. McCain would remember “the time we shot a scene in the shower together.” That was on “SNL,” when Mr. McCain hosted the show in 2002. It hardly seemed like a moment anyone would be likely to forget, but Ms. Poehler said, “It’s all a beautiful, hazy blur what happened in there.”
She punctuated the remark with one of her signature high-pitched, two-note cackles. Ms. Poehler and her cast mates Adam Scott, who plays Leslie’s boyfriend, Ben; Chris Pratt, the dim but irrepressible Andy; and Aubrey Plaza, his inscrutable, socially subversive wife, April, were clearly having fun. It was their first real chance to escape the Hollywood sound stage that usually stands in for the fictional Pawnee, Ind., where Leslie is an ingenuous but ever hopeful small-time politician. But there were impediments to full enjoyment of the experience. First, the heat. Then Ms. Poehler’s aching feet. That accounted for the Keds. When she was forced to slip into black heels for other scenes, a makeup aide first covered her blisters in Band-Aids.
And it was Emmy-nomination day. The news that morning was disappointing. Though Ms. Poehler and Mr. Schur received nominations for writing, they had hoped that “Parks and Recreation” would also make the shortlist for television’s best comedy. It didn’t.
“That might have really helped us,” Mr. Schur said, noting that marginal ratings for “Parks and Recreation” have left it “permanently on the bubble.” (Last season an average of 3.5 million viewers tuned in each Thursday, which gave it an overall ranking of 152nd in terms of initial viewers.) To win another sliver of recognition might have made some difference next year at renewal time.
Squeezed into her heels, Ms. Poehler rehearsed a scene with Mr. Scott and two stand-ins playing Senator Boxer and Senator Snowe. The premise of the episode is that Ben has gotten a job in Washington with a congressman, and Leslie begins to feel she is insignificant to the functioning of American democracy. By the time she is introduced to the two senators, she has totally lost her self-confidence.
The actors had the scene down by the time the two officials arrived, both wearing suits in shades of blue. Ms. Boxer and Ms. Snowe, who have known each other for three decades, each had a couple of lines.
The scene went smoothly. Both senators delivered their lines flawlessly, allowing Ms. Poehler to land the jokes.
Afterward Ms. Boxer, a Democrat who represents Hollywood (among other California communities), related her experiences in playing a version of her senatorial self: in the film “Traffic,” in Larry David’s series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” in the old sitcom “Murphy Brown” and in the comedy-drama series “Gilmore Girls.”
She approved of ”Parks and Recreation.” “It’s a cute show,” she said, “and it’s related to my work — a little bit.”
For Ms. Snowe, whose constituency is in Maine, the guest shot represented her first foray into acting — unless you count the time she had to fake her way through her speech at the 1992 Republican National Convention because air jets designed to cool the speaker were placed too high and fogged up her contacts, rendering the prompter a useless blur.
But she didn’t see that much difference between political performance and entertainment performance: “I said to Barbara, ‘It’s from one theater to another.’ ”
The senators’ scene finished, all that remained was what the cast and crew clearly viewed as the day’s main event: John McCain’s arrival. That riveted even the corps of extras milling around the ersatz green room.
He made straight for Ms. Poehler. His first words to her: “Do you remember when we shared a shower together?” That elicited another cackle of delight.
In Mr. McCain’s scene he tries to get his coat from a coat room as a disconsolate Leslie keeps her back to him, not recognizing the former Republican presidential nominee. Mr. Schur had said he knew Mr. McCain had a good comedic sense but worried about his reputation for wanting to shoot only one scene or two.
“Parks and Recreation” got four takes out of him. “He’s a pro,” Mr. Schur said.
Later Mr. McCain answered coolly when asked why he accepted the cameo. “Because they asked me,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite shows.” He also suggested it was “very popular,” which was accurate only when talking about critics.
He did offer up a theory about the similarities between politics and acting, saying, “You’ve got to have a reliable routine.”
The day went so well that Mr. Schur began considering a rescheduling of the episode. NBC had announced it would be the second of the new season, set for Sept 27.
“I don’t know,” Mr. Schur said. “This may feel so special we’ll have to use it as the season premiere.”
Source: The New York Times
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July 24, 2012
Politico: Hill staffer enjoys some ‘Recreation’
”I was used in four different scenes, that I would guess, comprise 5-10 minutes of the actual show, but took six hours to film! We did between three and five takes for every scene, and then the cameras, lights, mirrors, microphones, and everything else had to be relocated for the next shot. There was certainly a lot of ‘hurry up and wait.’ We finally wrapped up at 8:00 p.m.”
Barnea said she was cast as one of eight “female aides” that appear in a scene at the Hay Adams Hotel.
“My job was to walk around in the background and look as if I was mingling and networking at the reception. Because of my government employment and signed commitment to uphold certain ethics rules, I refused to hold the wine glass prop (actually filled with grape juice), and instead held my BlackBerry in my hand. I didn’t want to take any chances, and I think a real-life staffer is as likely to be holding a BlackBerry at a reception as he or she is a glass of alcohol!”
“In my scenes, Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) is trying (and failing) to fit in with the D.C. crowd. One line I recall her saying was, ‘Look around this room. It’s like C-SPAN and Nieman Marcus had kids!’ Other regular characters in my scenes were April Ludgate (played by Aubrey Plaza), Andy Dwyer (played by Chris Pratt) and Ben Wyatt (played by Adam Scott). Chris’s character provides some comic relief in one of the scenes by stealing other people’s appetizers off their plates and eating them himself.”
Source: Politico
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July 23, 2012
The Washington Post
On-set with ‘Parks and Recreation’: Challenges ahead for Ben and Leslie?
By Jen Chaney
Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza were recently spotted making out on the floor of the National Museum of American History.
As I wrote in this report for Saturday’s Style section, it was purely for show, specifically for their show, “Parks and Recreation.” Members of the “Parks and Rec” crew — including Pratt, Plaza, Amy Poehler, Adam Scott and executive producer Mike Schur — were in town last Thursday and Friday, ping-ponging between national monuments to shoot scenes for an upcoming season five episode titled “Ms. Knope Goes to Washington.”
I spent several hours on-set last Friday, watching Pratt crawl around on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Poehler bask in the pointy glory of the Washington Monument and, yes, watching Pratt and Plaza (in character, of course) go at it in front of a historically significant steam train.
Here what that experience revealed.
Some important show details:
As Pawnee loyalists recall, the “Parks and Rec” season four finale revealed that — spoiler alert — Leslie Knope (Poehler) had been elected to the Pawnee City Council, while boyfriend Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) was offered a short-term job working in Washington on a congressional campaign.
As Schur explained Friday, Ben does indeed head to D.C., bringing April Ludgate (Plaza) — a young woman with a bad attitude who gets lots of job opportunities, making her a beacon of hope to the unemployed — as a campaign assistant. In “Ms. Knope Goes to Washington,” both Leslie and Andy Dwyer (Pratt) come to the nation’s capital to visit their significant others.
While the majority of the footage shot in Washington — at locations that included the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Hay-Adams hotel, the White House and the American History museum — will be used in that second season-five episode, airing Sept. 27, Schur confirmed that D.C.-based scenes will be sprinkled into other episodes. Ben will remain in Washington for five episodes of the season, Schur said.
The future of Ben and Leslie:
No one from “Parks and Rec” specifically said the relationship is in “jeopardy.” And the scenes I witnessed suggest they remain very much in love, if a little bummed about the distance. But both Schur and Scott said a few things that suggest Pawnee’s cutest couple may eventually have a big decision to make.
Schur said that after becoming a councilwoman, Knope will have to consider whether she wants to “take it to the next levelof American politics.”
As for Ben, Scott says: “I think that this is his lifelong dream, to be here [in D.C.] doing what he’s doing. So I think that if anything is going to pull him away from Pawnee, this would be it. Which would potentially be very sad.”
The scene on set:
Some fans lingered around the perimeter of the “Parks and Rec” shooting locations, but most seemed content to snap cell phone photos from a distance. A few joggers and oblivious tourists wandered into a few shots, although — in a jarring demonstration of how reality and Hollywood fiction can easily become blurry — it was sometimes hard to distinguish the real tourists from the extras dressed up as tourists.
And then there were those who did not grasp the magnitude of having Knope in their midst.
“Is this van going where Amy is going?” a “Parks and Rec” crew member asked our driver before we headed from the Lincoln Memorial to the Museum of American History.
“Is Amy the star?” the driver asked.
Yes, sir. She is.
Chris Pratt is super-excited about being a dad.
During that van ride, Pratt and I had a long conversation about parenthood; he and wife Anna Faris are expecting their first child, a boy, in October.
“She’s doing so great and just impressing me every day with how much tougher than me she is,” he said of Faris. “She really hasn’t complained or even remarked about how hard it is or how uncomfortable it is. If I was pregnant, every day, I would use it as an excuse to get something done for me. I’d be like, ‘My legs are sore. Get me a soda. Honey, I’m pregnant!’”
The actor sounds eager to have more kids — “I’ve got the name picked out for my upcoming boy, and if we have another son, I have that name picked out, and if we have a daughter, I have that name picked out ,” he said — and he also seems to have his family priorities pretty straight.
“I see these people who are grandparents like my mother- and father-in-law or my mom and dad,” he said. “They’ve got all of this life around them that sprouted from them. That is a huge source of their happiness. It’s an investment — you give up the spontaneity and the ability to go travel the world on a moment’s notice or stay out late and have fun and be wild and irresponsible. That’s all fun stuff. I love doing that stuff. But I’m willing to give that up if it means that the third third of my life will be filled with all the life and love that comes with [family].”
What happened at the Smithsonian
Of course, about an hour after that conversation, the candidate for “Parks and Rec” Expectant Father of the Year Award was making out with his onscreen wife, Plaza, during multiple takes that grew increasingly more ridiculous and, as previously noted, eventually led to Mr. and Mrs. Andy Dwyer taking their action to the floor.
In between scenes, Poehler and Scott both spoke glowingly about their experience the day before, when they shot a cocktail reception scene that featured cameos from Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).
“Everybody knew their lines really well,” Poehler said. “It makes you realize how politicians prepare and how actors don’t.”
“I was very impressed,” said Scott in a separate interview. “I think all three of them were better than I was in any of these scenes. No, I can guarantee it.”
Plaza said she got to meet the senators but didn’t shoot any scenes with them.
“I didn’t get to pull any weird April moves on them,” she said. Man, what a missed opportunity.
“I know,” she said. “I know. It would have been fun.”
Source: The Washington Post
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From Washington City Paper:
Highlights From Friday’s Parks and Recreation Shoot in D.C.
Pratt (who plays lovable oaf Andy Dwyer) and Plaza (who plays the deadpan intern-turned-personal assistant April Ludgate) were shooting the show's infamous talking-head segments. The shoot consisted of Aubrey and Andy reeling off quips in front of different backdrops. Onlookers close enough to hear would have been treated to a firsthand look at the show's creative process: According to a producer, the actors' lines were heavily improvised with a little tweaking from director and crew.
Here are some highlights from Dwyer's bit, which I struggled to transcribe accurately with my flagging pen:
- Pointing to the Washington Monument: "Right here's the Space Needle. I'm sure the Statue of Liberty is around here somewhere."
- "Not many people know there's a secret underground society in Washington D.C. involving George Washington. Every president since has been buried underground."
- Pointing to the beasts adorning the Grant Memorial: "Right here are the lions from Universal Studios, and this is Washington's tribute to Crocodile Dundee."
- Referring to the lions again: "Right here is something very important: D.C.'s tribute to The Lion King."
- "True fact: National Treasure is awesome!"
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July 21, 2012
Here are a couple more links to Tumblr with pictures from filming yesterday:
http://crossoverhit.tumblr.com/post/27677032768/adam-scott-and-aubrey-plaza-filming-on
http://crossoverhit.tumblr.com/post/27676460383/filming-promos-at-the-capitol-building
http://sourfruitlyman.tumblr.com/post/27653607040/shooting-at-the-department-of-the-interior
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July 20, 2012
Chris Pratt shot scenes alone at the FBI building and the Navy Memorial.
Adam Scott getting ready for scenes near the Newseum
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Article from The Washington Post:
‘Parks and Rec’ stars, filming in D.C., engage in some monumental foolishness
By Jen Chaney
It’s a typical Friday afternoon in July at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Tourists in khaki shorts haul their digital camera gear from exhibit to exhibit. Security guards keep mindful, silent watch. And Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza, two of the stars of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” passionately make out on the floor a few feet from the famous Southern Railway 1401 steam locomotive.
Hey, they were just doing their jobs. And their jobs during a two-day shoot in D.C. that bounced to five downtown locations — including the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Capitol, the Hay-Adams Hotel and various sections of the American History museum — sometimes involved making monumental idiots of themselves while surrounded by monuments.
“I don’t think we were supposed to” do that, Pratt said earlier in the day, after a scene in which his character — the affably empty-headed Andy Dwyer — lay belly-down on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and picked up discarded gum. “But we did.”
Pratt, Plaza and their fellow “Parks and Rec” stars Amy Poehler and Adam Scott were in town to shoot scenes for the Emmy-nominated series’s fifth season, specifically an episode that brings Dwyer and Leslie Knope (Poehler) from Indiana to Washington to visit Ben Wyatt (Scott), Knope’s congressional campaign strategist boyfriend, and April (Plaza), who piggybacks on his temporary Washington assignment by becoming his assistant.
According to executive producer Michael Schur, the episode is an opportunity for Knope, now a city council member in fictional Pawnee, Ind., to consider whether she wants to go to “the next level of American politics.” It’s also an opportunity for perhaps the biggest political nerd on prime-time television to geek out over the Washington Monument and the first ladies’ dresses at the Smithsonian. While Scott’s and Plaza’s characters will remain in Washington for five episodes, Schur says there are no plans for production to return.
During Friday’s shoot, onlookers kept their distance from the cast, largely opting to stay out of the way and shoot cellphone photos from afar. But Poehler says some “Parks and Rec” fans definitely made themselves known.
“We saw a guy yesterday that, independently, was wearing a Mouse Rat T-shirt,” she says, referring to Dwyer’s band on the show. “Like, on his own.”
Source: The Washington Post
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You can view 12 pictures of Chris Pratt and Amy Poehler at the Lincoln Memorial at this link:
Celebrity Gossip Express: Chris Pratt And Amy Poehler Film At The Lincoln Memorial
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The call sheet information for the extras that filmed as part of Leslie's tour group earlier today were told to wear clothes for hot weather because the scene was supposed to take place during the Summer in D.C. So it might be significant that the scene Leslie and Ben filmed looking at the White House yesterday morning required the extras to wear coats. I am going to speculate that that scene filmed yesterday will be shown in an episode a little later in the season.
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Here are some Tumblr links for pictures from filming today:
http://nikkisugarslam.tumblr.com/post/27648320879
http://crossoverhit.tumblr.com/post/27645971442/guys-this-is-in-front-of-my-eyes-right-now
http://crossoverhit.tumblr.com/post/27646074080/aubrey-filming-a-talking-head-ben-offered-me-a
http://king-of-marigold.tumblr.com/post/27641532140
http://catsandtv.tumblr.com/post/27642740504
http://obriensharman.tumblr.com/post/27644470093
http://obriensharman.tumblr.com/post/27645010744
http://sourfruitlyman.tumblr.com/post/27653607040/shooting-at-the-department-of-the-interior
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Around the Mall - PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes with “Parks and Rec” at the Smithsonian
The article isn't spoilery at all, but there are a few pictures from the filming done at the Smithsonian today.
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Couple of links:
Two pictures of Amy Poehler and Adam Scott taken yesterday
Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza pictures from yesterday
Jen Chaney from The Washington Post will be on set today, and she has already posted a picture of Amy Poehler at the Lincoln Memorial on her Twitter account this morning. - Link
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July 19, 2012
Source
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Source
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From The New York Times:
An episode shot on location in Washington will include guest-starring roles for three sitting senators: Barbara Boxer of California, Olympia Snowe of Maine and John McCain of Arizona. The three senators were at the Hay-Adams hotel in Washington on Thursday shooting a cocktail party scene with the stars of “Parks,” Amy Poehler and Adam Scott.
Fans of the comedy know Ms. Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, was elected to the city council in Pawnee, Ind., during last season’s finale, while Mr. Scott’s character, Ben Wyatt, moved to Washington to join the staff of a congressman. In the Washington episode, Ben introduces a wide-eyed Leslie to the senators at the party.
NBC has scheduled the episode for Sept. 27, which would be the second episode of the new season. But Michael Schur, an executive producer of “Parks and Recreation,” said the show may decide to move the episode to the season premiere a week earlier.
Source: The New York Times
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From Entertainment Weekly:
"Ben and Leslie won’t be the only Parks characters seen inside the Beltway. Andy (Chris Pratt) has joined Leslie on her trip to visit his wife April (Aubrey Plaza), who is working with Ben.
Season 5 will begin Sept. 20 on NBC. The D.C.-based episode will air on Sept. 27."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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From TV Guide:
"NBC's Parks and Recreation is traveling to Washington, D.C. this month to shoot an episode inside the Beltway. The show will feature cameos from U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-California), John McCain (R-Arizona) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).
"Ms. Knope Goes to Washington" (the episode's title) will follow Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), fresh off her election to the Pawnee city council, as she travels to D.C. to visit flame Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott). As they attempt to make their long-distance relationship work (you may recall that Ben, having successfully managed Leslie's council run, accepted a job to run a congressional campaign), Ben invites Leslie to a cocktail party attended by high-powered politicians — where she runs into Senators Boxer, McCain and Snowe." - Source: TV Guide
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From TVLine:
"As we first told you a few weeks ago, some of the NBC comedy’s forthcoming fifth season will take place in Washington, D.C. We can now add that U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (California), John McCain (Arizona) and Olympia Snowe (Maine) will play themselves in a D.C.-set scene when they appear at a cocktail party attended by Ben (Adam Scott) and Leslie (Amy Poehler)."
"While we can’t see Ms. Knope packing it up and leaving Pawnee for good, our original intel was that Ben’s Washington stint might last a while – and as such, the show planned to go on location to shoot footage that could be used in the Sept. 20 opener and beyond. The D.C.-shot, senator-stuffed episode is slated to air Sept. 27; who knows what other Beltway bounty Ben’s new gig will bring?" - Source: TVLine
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Article from 'Heard On The Hill': Infiltrating Parks and Rec (includes a few pictures)
"Torres said he’s headed back to a TBD hotel near 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue tonight to film some sort of reception sequence. “I think we’re pretending to be lobbyists or something,” he suggested."
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The title of the Season 5 premiere is "Leslie Goes To Washington."
This title was given to me by an extra. TV Guide is reporting the title to be "Ms. Knope Goes To Washington". I really don't know which one is 100% accurate. Also, I am now confused about whether this is the title of the premiere or Episode 5.2.
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Okay, so some of the cameos being filmed are Joe Biden and John McCain. At least, I think Joe Biden will have a cameo because he met with the cast.
The source for the two photos above of Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza can be found on Tumblr by CLICKING HERE.
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"If you’re a fan of “Parks and Recreation,” you might find some spoilers on the streets of Washington this week. There were Andy and April (actors Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza) bantering in front of the White House Thursday morning. For the most part it appeared to be a loose and casual shoot — the Emmy-nominated NBC sitcom about small-town bureaucrats is done mockumentary-style — with crew simply warning passers-by they might end up on TV rather than clearing them away."
"But when stars Amy Poehler and Adam Scott (as Leslie and Ben) took their places on set, the extras suddenly had to be bundled up in coats. Hmm — so the action jumps to the winter months? Well, that’s something. Word on the set was that filming moved over to the Old Executive Office Building. Hmmm — Joe Biden’s digs? The veep is a running joke on the show. No word from his office, though." - Source: The Washington Post
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July 18, 2012
Question: Do you happen to know when Parks and Recreation will be going to Washington, D.C.? I live there and I want to stalk, er, observe them shooting on location. -Diego
Ausiello: You didn't hear it from me, but Amy Poehler and Adam Scott (and possibly a third actor) are headed there this week. - Source: TVLine
(
"Doug Smith, the NBC sitcom's D.C. contact, told The Huffington Post on Wednesday that four of the show's stars -- Amy Poehler, Adam Scott, Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza -- are "about to land" in D.C., to film the sitcom's fifth season opener." - Source: The Huffington Post
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Scenes will feature the characters touring DC and talking about relationships. - Source
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Recap: 'Parks' will be filming July 19 and 20 in Washington, D.C., and filming will begin in Los Angeles in early August.
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July 17, 2012
From Dan Goor's interview with Hollywood.com:
But nominations or not, the show must go on and Season 5 offers up a bevy of big questions. Most pressing for the series’ fans is likely regarding what will happen to Ben and Leslie now that Ben's going to Washington, D.C.. “We’re actually taking a different turn and he will be wearing the Batman suit and fighting crime in Washington,” jokes Goor. In actuality, that divide will be a big part of next season. “We’re going to have them have experience the stresses of a long distance relationship and hopefully try to find some comedy in that. We’re going to try to play that story,” he teased.
How far might “that story” go? Leslie has always had big dreams — just look at the veritable women’s history museum/inspiration board that is her office wall — and with Ben in Washington, could we eventually see our Pawnee heroine contract the federal bug? “That’s a thing that we talk about in the writers room a lot … Leslie loves Pawnee and that’s such a critical element of who her character is … she’s not going wind up being the secretary general of the United Nations this season,” he assures us. “She’s a big dreamer but she also lives in a small town and loves living in a small town and we’re not running away from that.”
But fans’ reactions to another Parks heroine and her on-again, off-again beau hasn’t been so warm. The Tom (Aziz Ansari) and Ann (Rashida Jones) dilemma has had many fans scratching their heads (and some shaking their fists in anger in Zorp’s general direction). Chill out, anti-shippers — Goor promises us it’s all in good fun. “We said all along that we were playing it as a comedy relationship and I think people reacted to it because they thought we were trying to play it for more than a comedy relationship, but that was really never the intention,” he says, adding, “I think people will be happy with what we do with it this season.”
Season 5 also dangles the prospect of finally meeting the Pawnee mayor in front of us; now that Leslie is moving up the ranks in local government, could we finally meet the elusive politician? Goor didn’t confirm it, but he did mention a few names he’d like to see take the role. In addition to the much whispered about option — Bill Murray, whom Goor says is everybody’s top choice for mayor — he’d love to see former president Bill Clinton or Game of Thrones star and Emmy-winner Peter Dinklage as mayor. “He’d have to come out as [his Game of Thrones character] Tyrion. Tyrion would be a great mayor. Though I kind of like the idea that Joffrey is the mayor,” Goor jokes.
Source: Hollywood.com
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July 13, 2012
"The filming will take place next Thursday and Friday, taking place mostly up and down Pennsylvania Avenue NW and the National Mall, according to the D.C. Office of Motion Picture and Television Development. At various times, the Parks and Recreation crew will shoot near the White House, the Newseum, the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool." - Source: DCist
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July 12, 2012
Politico: 'Parks and Rec' seeks hot Hill staffers
Leslie Knope is jumping from the city council of Pawnee, Ind., to the big leagues.
Or, at least, the show about her is: NBC’s “Parks & Recreation” is scheduled to film in Washington, D.C., on July 19 and 20, according to local casting agency Pat Moran + Associates.
The show is looking for extras of all ages and ethnicities, plus a woman 60 years or older to play an “older woman tourist” and tall, brunette women in their 20s and 30s to play “very attractive” Washington staffers.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78437.html#ixzz20QU1DIIK
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July 6, 2012
Source: TVLine
Parks and Rec Poised to Shoot Premiere On Location in Washington, D.C.
Parks and Recreation wasn’t kidding about shipping Ben off to the nation’s capital in the Season 4 finale. When the show returns with its fifth season on Sept. 20, there’s a good chance Adam Scott‘s up-and-coming political strategist will literally be in Washington, D.C.
Sources confirm to TVLine exclusively that the NBC comedy is looking to shoot scenes on location in D.C. for the premiere and perhaps beyond. Parks‘ leading lady Amy Poehler is also expected to make the trek, presumably so Leslie can help her beau get acclimated to his new city.
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July 3, 2012
Thanks for the scoop on Parks & Recreation. Now that Ben is away, any chance we'll see Dave back? —James
NATALIE: We posed that very question to Parks boss Mike Schur, who says Louis C.K.'s return is not out of the question. "We set up a thing in his last episode where he was applying for this job as the police chief, and we didn't answer the question of what happened with that," he says. "If it were up to us, we would just stash him in a closet and drag him out and make him be in every episode." - Source: Mega Buzz
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July 2, 2012
From Mike Schur's interview with TV Guide:
Parks & Recreation Boss on Season 5: How Will Ben and Leslie Fare Apart?
How will the show change now that Leslie is in office?
Schur: The No. 1 most important thing is to make the show feel the same even if she has a new job or a new part-time job. I don't want anyone to tune in and feel like they're watching a different show, but you also have to honor the fact that the character has this big change in her life. You have to say what her new job is like and how it affects her life. We're going to end up concentrating part of the time on her role as a City Councilor and part of the time on her old life in the Parks Department where she still works, and part of the time seeing how the two intersect, and how they affect each other. That's the general idea. Going forward I imagine there are many episodes where if you didn't know that she is a City Councilor, you would not learn it from the episode.
Leslie has always dreamed of being in office. Do you think it will be all that she hoped for, or is that the fun of next season in seeing how it's not?
Schur: That's a big part of the fun of it is seeing what the reality is. The reality is her old job isn't all wine and roses, it's a lot of frustrating stuff and she has to press forward with her eternal optimism all the time just to do the kind of things she wants to do. I don't think that's going to get any better as a City Councilor. She's not a dummy. I don't think that she has any misgivings about how difficult the road ahead is because she's pretty experienced now as a person who works in government. I think part of the real charm of the character, especially the way that Amy portrays her, is that she doesn't care if she runs into obstacles, she just puts her head down and plows through them. It will just be that the obstacles are slightly bigger and more important.
How will Leslie deal with Ben off in Washington?
Schur: The decision to move Ben to Washington at the beginning of the season was in part because it's very hard to come up with realistic ways that their relationship can come under stress and strain, as all relationships do at some point, because they're so gooey and mushy and in love with each other. As far as how long they're going to be apart or anything like that, we certainly don't know that yet, but we want to make it real. We don't want to have it be that in the premiere all of a sudden he's back. That would be pointless. He's going to be gone for a while. It's also a little bit like the way that Tom (Aziz Ansari) was gone at Entertainment 720 where we still found ways to work him into the show and he was still an important part of what was going on.
You have mentioned before that you didn't think you could ever break up Ben and Leslie. Is that still the case?
Schur: Anything is possible. I would never say never. They're not Ross and Rachel. They're not a mismatched pair where their relationship is based on this hot friction. They are made for each other.
Because Ben is working with Jennifer Barkley, do you expect to see Kathryn Hahn return?
Schur: We certainly hope so. She's an in-demand actress. Say she wanted to be in Anchorman 2 or whatever and then she disappears; well that screws that up. We're looking into that literally as we speak and we're hoping that it all works out.
If last season was about the election, have you guys figured out what this season is gearing up towards?
Schur: We've got a bunch of different ideas. The fun of these characters is that they're all always looking for something new and interesting to do with their lives. Like Tom Haverford is the best example. He's not content with his life, he always wants to strive for bigger and better things and I think that that's true most of the characters.
We dropped a hint during the tag at the end of the finale that Andy's (Chris Pratt) been talking about. Andy's in love with police officers, FBI agents, and CIA agents for a pretty long time. There's a career that he could have as a police officer in Pawnee, and he was excited about that prospect.
Burt Macklin really needs to be a regular character on Parks.
Schur: I love Burt Macklin so much. I was also just completely blown away by Chris Pratt last year personally. I know that I'm biased because he's on my show, but I feel like if there were any justice in the world he would get nominated for an Emmy. I don't think he will because the award shows work in mysterious ways.
If we decide to go with that story line, the point of it would be to see the whole process: from applying to the academy to training to figuring out whether it's even what he wants to do. It would be a more concerted effort and dedication that he's ever shown to any one thing in his life. So I do not think it would be a totally easy pass to glory for him.
Considering Ron (Nick Offerman) helped Andy with college, would he also get involved?
Schur: Yeah. That's a nice little unexpected aspect of that show that we certainly never planned on, but grew organically. Ron doesn't have kids of his own and he has adopted April (Aubrey Plaza) and Andy as his children and has, despite his best efforts, become emotionally attached to them in some way and wants to see them grow and change and become better people and stuff. I think he would certainly continue to play that role for both of them going forward.
Speaking of April, with Leslie focusing on the campaign last season, it really provided an opportunity for Aubrey Plaza to step up. Will we see more of that next season?
Schur: Yeah. We really want to keep moving in that direction with her in figuring out what her future is. She's entrenched in the Parks Department and she's getting interested in the possibilities of this life, and just growing up in general and getting some responsibility at what it's like to be married and want to be an adult. I don't ever want to lose the essence of April because the essence of April is what made me fall in love with Aubry Plaza as a performer originally.
Tom and Ann (Rashida Jones) are such an odd pairing. Can you talk about the reaction in the writers' room when that was first pitched?
Schur: Well, it was debated heavily. I imagine this is what Friends was like when they were like, "Maybe Monica and Chandler should get together!" Anytime you do any move like this, you know it's risky and you know it could backfire. It was a guarantee that there would be people who didn't like it, but we really didn't care. We talked about it a lot and we just decided to keep this super casual and not try to turn it into something it would never be. It was just a comedy relationship for 99.9 percent of the time.
But she agreed to move in with him in the finale!
Schur: Yeah, but she said it when she was super drunk and so was he. That's another thing that we're debating right now, whether it happened and then the next day she was like, "What the hell am I doing?" or whether they are living together. The important aspect of that scene is that they were so drunk the chances of them actually remembering that it even happened the next day are pretty slim.
You promised at PaleyFest that we'd see the Tammys — Megan Mullally, Patricia Clarkson and Paula Pell — again at some point. Have you already started planning?
Schur: They're certainly such an important part of Ron Swanson's life, and he is such an important part of the show that I'm sure we'll try. The question is how, and I don't know. I think that the last episode where there was all three of them was such an epic conclusion to the trilogy that we would need to maybe go in a different direction and show them in a different way. They can't all be battling each other all the time.
Maybe they could team up?
Schur: Oh, possibly. Like an Avengers situation!
Chris (Rob Lowe) was in a major funk last season. Will he be out of that next year?
Schur: [Jen Barkley leaving without saying goodbye] did affect Chris, but I think the point of that story for Chris was that he had just had a crummy year, he had hit a lot of romantic road blocks and he was in a funk. He found his salvation in this torrid goofy two-day long affair with this dragon lady who just snapped him out of it and said it doesn't all have to be so serious. That complete detachment that she had as a character probably helped him. Next year obviously we'll want to tell a different story with him, because I don't think we want to repeat ourselves, so I think he'll be a happier person, or at least a person in a different emotional space.
Is there anything you wouldn't do on Parks and Recreation? For example, getting Ron and Leslie together.
Schur: That's what leapt to mind that we would never do that, but I think saying never is a terrible idea. Because you say never to something and then you have it in your head that it's impossible, and then if it comes up organically as a good idea, you've already declared that it's impossible and then you're fighting yourself for no reason. Ron and Leslie getting together is a thing that feels like it wouldn't work and that we're betraying the interesting platonic relationship that they have together. I would never say that we will never do it. If Ron and Leslie getting together is the best possible idea of the millions of ideas we toss around every year at some point in the future then we'll do it, because why not?
Source: TV Guide
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June 25, 2012
Not a spoiler, but Nick Offerman will direct an episode in Season 5:
"The plan is for me to direct one this year, then I'll wait until we see how that goes, and if it goes well, then I will ask Mike if in the following season I can write one and direct it." - Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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June 22, 2012
From Mike Schur's interview with The A.V. Club:
AVC: Setting up Ben’s six months in Washington, what challenges do you foresee in writing those stories for season five?
MS: We’re taking a huge main player and moving him to a location where he’s not going to be right in the middle of everything, which is challenging. We did it with Aziz [Ansari] with Entertainment 720, and we still found ways to work him into the main episodes. And I think that’ll be our goal for Ben, too—we’re not just going to put him off on an island where you don’t know anybody. We have to figure out how to keep him as the same, vital part of the cast that he’s been for the past two-and-a-half years. Also, we have to figure out how much this tries Ben and Leslie’s relationship. How serious of an issue is it? How much strain does it put on them? What are the consequences of these two lovebirds being apart for however many episodes we keep them apart? And how seriously should we play that struggle?. . . [The writers'] main, headline-y issue is going to be sorting through that and figuring out how we should play it and for how long.
Source: The A.V. Club
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June 21, 2012
For those wondering, I have heard that filming for Season 5 will begin on August 6. Information about the premiere episode (such as the title, casting sides, and other tidbits) will probably start appearing the week prior to that date.
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June 12, 2012
Parks and Recreation, please! — Randy
NATALIE: Leslie has always dreamed of being in office, but now that she's there, it may not be what she hoped for. "The fun of it is seeing what the reality is," executive producer Mike Schur tells us. "The reality is, her old job isn't all wine and roses, it's a lot of frustrating stuff and she has to press forward with her eternal optimism all the time just to do the kinds of things she wants to do. I don't think that's going to get any better as a City Councillor." - Source: Mega Buzz
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June 10, 2012
From Nick Offerman's Interview With BuzzSugar:
BuzzSugar: How is the dynamic going to change in the Parks and Rec department now that Leslie won't be working in the office?
Nick Offerman: Well, I'm really curious to see how that's going to change as well. I know they're going to have her working on the city council part-time and still working as the deputy director in the office part-time, and one thing that will be funny is that sometimes she'll be Ron's superior in the government, and then she'll come back and work underneath Ron in the office. So I'm sure that'll create some really great conflicts between the two of us.
Buzz: Do you think his relationship with Leslie is going to change a lot?
NO: I'm sure Ron will find himself in some situations where he's chewing on his mustache because he's frustrated with things that Leslie will make him do.
Buzz: What else are we going to see for Ron next season?
NO: Well, I heard a rumor that we might see some more of a romantic life for Ron. Whether that means a lady partner or perhaps a new source of meat or a firearm, I don't know, but there'll definitely be some new love in his life.
Buzz: Where is the direction of Ron's life going next season?
NO: I think that the writers are looking to see Ron in a more domestic situation. There's a lot of talk about what kind of woman would Ron be able to actually have a lasting, healthy relationship with. We know that the relationships that he's had have not worked out too well, and so I think it would be fun to see what kind of compromises Ron has to make in order to get along with a lady in a lasting way.
Source: BuzzSugar
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From Mike Schur's Interview With Entertainment Weekly:
Ben (Adam Scott) is off to Washington to work on a congressional campaign. How much of that will we get to see? Will most of it take place during the hiatus?
When you do a big move like having someone agree to take a new job or move in with someone, you need to follow through on that. And that was something that came from the office when Jim (John Krasinski) moves to Stamford at the beginning of season 3. It was like, ‘If were going to do this, he’s gotta be there for awhile.’ If five minutes into the season premiere he was like, “I miss Scranton,” and went back to Scranton, then it’s like, “Why did you move him? What’s the point?” Our plan is to have him in Washington for a few episodes. I don’t know how many that’s going to end up being. We’re committing to him being in D.C. for at least a little while.
Any chance you’ll shoot on location?
We’re certainly talking about it. I think Leslie Knope in Washington, D.C., would be a delightful thing to see, you know? We learn in the finale that she has 50 scale models of the Washington Monument that she gives out to people. She obviously has an incredible love and admiration for government and for Washington specifically.
Speaking of new opportunities, there was a twist at the end of the episode for Andy (Chris Pratt). Will he definitely become a police officer next season?
He’s going to make Bert Macklin a reality — not quite at the federal agent level, but as a member of the Pawnee police force. That’s our plan as of now, obviously subject to change. Our plan is to have him spend a year training and then become a cop. He’s not moving backward. And I like that the idea came from April (Aubrey Plaza). That was a nice pitch from one of the writers, that she was the one who figured out a way that he could take this goofy energy that he has and put it toward something.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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From Mike Schur's Interview With Hitfix:
You made a point of reminding us a few times that the city council is a part-time job, and that Leslie would be continuing in the Parks Department. How much do you see the new position changing the show? Will we be splitting time between the two gigs, or will the focus still be on parks, with the occasional storyline here or there about something involving the council? The cast is very big already; would you be adding anyone on the city council side of things, or would they just be recurring characters like Perd and Sewage Joe?
This is the most exciting, and scariest, aspect of the win/loss decision, to me. I don't 100% know. I know she'll be splitting her time -- we'll do some Parks Department episodes, and some City Council episodes, and some that cross over. But as for the specifics -- that'll be the biggest thing for us to tackle in the writers' room. It was a big factor to me in having her win -- there will be new settings, and maybe new characters, and new conflicts, without it being a new show. That's exciting, to me.
Similarly, have you figured out yet how you're going to work the Leslie/Ben long-distance relationship? Do we return very close to the end of that campaign? Will Adam be appearing via Skype a lot? And did you know when you guys wrote the premiere that Ben's gesture to Leslie (putting her dreams ahead of their relationship) would be bookended with her doing the same for him?
We did not know that at the beginning of the year, but when we were breaking the finale, it seemed like such a natural conclusion. (And it's certainly well within Leslie's character that she would've kept the box Ben put the Knope 2012 pin in, and that she would re-present it to him.) As for the long-distance relationship, we have some idea of how it will work. We like to move characters around in the world, like Tom at Entertainment 720, for chunks of episodes at a time. Our plan as of now is to have Ben in Washington through the actual calendar date of the Congressional elections, which is November, obviously, but that could change.
You spent a lot of time this season showing April becoming an adult, but it was a very slow, gradual build. Did you plan that as a character arc, or did it sneak up on you the way it did some of us? And if April grows and matures while Andy's the same juvenile idiot as before, what, if anything, does that do to their marriage?
Greg and I had this idea early on -- like, "shooting the pilot" early on -- that one day April would turn into Marlene (Leslie's mom). But around the middle of season two, I started to feel like maybe April will someday become Leslie. Not entirely, of course, and not nearly as enthusiastically, but that her growth would be in that direction -- less ironic, more grown-up, more open, more enthusiastic about things she cared about. This season pushed her in that direction. As far as her marriage goes, Andy probably needs to grow up a little as well, to keep up, which we'll get into next year.
On the subject of Andy's growth and what April realizes about his dreams, is part of the thinking behind having Andy pursue a career in law-enforcement that it would be an excuse to bring Louis CK back again? Or just a logical extension of the Burt Macklin fantasy?
More the "logical extension." Andy is on a kind of Horatio Alger-type life arc, starting jobless and living in a pit and slowly making his way up through legitimate society. We want him to keep striving for better things. Without getting any smarter or less funny.
(I will say that the potential continued appearance of Louis is an added bonus, though.)
Source: Hitfix
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From Mike Schur's Interview With Vulture:
If this is the midpoint of Leslie’s story, have you given any thought to what the end would be several seasons from now?
Well, I’m not 100 percent sure. The big question we have to answer now is: What is her experience like as an elected official? I think elected politics in America are incredibly seedy and discouraging for a lot of people. We try to hint in the episode with Bradley Whitford that the actual job wasn’t going to be all wine and roses. Now we have to show what happens to Leslie when she’s presented with the harsh realities of being an elected official and making tough decisions, making compromises and sacrifices in a way she’s never had to do before.
It’s possible we would tell a story where she just really eats it up and devours it and loves it and loves problem-solving at this level. It’s also possible that she would think maybe this isn’t for her and she’d go in a different direction. Now that she’s achieved this goal, this first rung on the ladder, the question is whether she considers it to be a ladder worth climbing.
As a city council member, how will she split her time between city council and the parks department?
We’ll see how they collide and interact. A big selling point for us, and I think it will be really fun, is having her simultaneously being Ron’s boss and Ron’s employee. How will it work when she helps to pass city ordinances that Ron completely disapproves of and then goes back to her old job in the parks department and Ron refuses to enact them? It’s a new world for us, a very exciting, scary new world.
Ben’s going to D.C. Will the show pick up while he's still there? Will we be treated to Leslie and Ben “doing it all over Washington”?
[Laughs.] I don’t think we’ll actually see them doing it all over Washington, but yeah, that’s the idea. This is something we learned from The Office: When you make a decision like this to end a character some place, you have to commit to it. We did it in season three of The Office when Jim was hired in Stamford … That’s important because I don’t think audiences like it, or at least I don’t like it, when a big change is hinted at or committed to and then one second later everything’s fine and goes back to the way it was before. So as of now, the plan is to do a number of episodes where Ben and Leslie are having to navigate long-distance waters, which is something many people are familiar with. He’ll go on his own journey in Washington and see how he likes it and how it affects his relationship.
Are Ben and Leslie in it for the long haul?
I think they’re in it for the long haul. That’s my instinct now. I think they’re pretty well-matched as a couple. When Greg Daniels and I were designing the show originally, we thought instead of putting Leslie in one significant relationship, we were going to have her date a lot of different people and learn different things from different types of guys. It’s why we introduced Louis CK’s character and Justin Theroux’s character. We wanted her to date guys who were different shapes of wrong for her and learn slowly what kind of man was right for her. And then Adam Scott was cast and we put them on-camera together and we thought, well, we’re not going to beat this. Part of the point of moving him to Washington certainly is to introduce a new challenge to their relationship. It may not all be perfectly smooth and easy-going, but I do feel like they’re in it for the long haul.
Bert Macklin rising! So, Andy’s going to train to be a cop — should we be nervous or excited for Pawnee?
It’s a good question. Maybe both. We had the idea of him becoming a police officer a while ago and we dropped it into the finale. Andy’s on this long-term arc. We had a joke in our writers' room very early on that when he was living in the pit that he would go from that to someday being mayor of the town. He’s so likable as a human being and even though he’s not the smartest guy, he has a lot of qualities that make him appealing. One of them is that he is very interested in self-improvement. He took college classes, he found a woman he loved and got married, he was homeless and then a shoeshine guy and loved it, and then he was Ron’s assistant and Leslie’s assistant. He’s sort of on a long-term Horatio Alger trajectory. This is the latest chapter and the plan next year is he’s going to train to become a police officer and hopefully join the Pawnee PD. It’s a natural outcropping of his actual interests. That’s why we had him solve the mystery of the pie. He doesn’t actually prevent the crime from taking place, but he does crack the case!
Do you have plans to keep your “Ron and Tammy” franchise going?
I like that those characters are in the world. We’ve now done three of these episodes, and Megan Mullally has appeared in more than those. I don’t want to do it again unless we have a really great idea. I don’t want to do it just because we always do it — that’s the rational side of my brain. The emotional side of me is saying if you can get Patricia Clarkson and Megan Mullally back for any episode of your show, you should do it because they’re awesome.
Adam Scott tweeted hours before the finale that the Low-Cal Calzone Zone would be opening November 3. Can you confirm that for Vulture?
[Laughs. A lot.] I will say this: There is an idea that has been floated for the future, which I don’t want to get too into detail about because it may never come to fruition, but there is definitely an idea for a possible future story line that would involve the reemergence of the Low-Cal Calzone Zone. The idea of Ben getting excited about opening a homemade calzone restaurant made us laugh in the writers' room for many, many months. And we did come up with a theoretical way that it could come back.
Source: Vulture
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Huffington Post Interview With Mike Schur:
"Usually, what we like to do in our finales is throw a lot of balls in the air and then meet over the summer and figure out how to catch them. That's what we'll be doing. The plan right now is that Ben Wyatt will be in D.C. for a number of episodes. We don't know how many. There's a lot of potential storylines and possibilities and we don't know where we're going to go yet. We'll figure it out."
Could viewers see President Leslie Knope one day?
"I don't think the show will be on the air long enough," Schur said. "Season 21 -- if we beat 'Gunsmoke,' then maybe she can be president. She's an ambitious person and she's trying to move up the ladder in her chosen career path so I don't think she's going to be content just being a city councillor forever."
Source: The Huffington Post
