Parks and Recreation’s Reunion Special Brings Some Much Needed Joy to Our TV Screens

The need for social distancing has shut down production of most major television series, either forcing a long hiatus or causing them to end their seasons sooner than planned.

Several shows, however, are finding innovative ways to stay on screen. Talk shows are able to do this well thanks to technology, as is Saturday Night Live. 

But if there was ever a character we could all agree we’d want to return to television in a time of crisis, it’s Leslie Knope. 

As a way to raise money for Feeding America, the cast members of Parks and Recreation reunited virtually for A Parks and Recreation Special, and it’s everything any fan of the popular comedy series could have ever asked for.

The special episode proves how important entertainment really is. Simply seeing the cast reprise their roles as these characters is enough to lift one’s spirits, but the levity, the laughter, and the nostalgia make it that much more meaningful.

Of course Leslie Knope would be concerned about keeping in contact with all of her friends from Pawnee during this pandemic. And of course, she’d be working extra hard and creating committees. It’s really the perfect setup for a virtual episode.

Years after the series finale, we find these characters spread out across the country, but still very much in touch with their friend Leslie, who wouldn’t have it any other way.

Amid the pandemic, Leslie is laser-focused on checking in on everyone and staying connected. She’s organized a phone tree that ensures everyone hears from one of the members of their friend group each day, and that’s largely what we see on this special.

Granted, there have to be some creative explanations for why some of the couples aren’t in the same place during these calls. For Leslie and Ben, it makes the least amount of sense, but I can buy that it’s about Leslie working so hard. 

The funniest explanation is for April and Andy, which is that Andy has accidentally locked himself in the shed.

The most believable and realistic, as well as the most touching, really, is Chris and Ann. Ann is a nurse, so she’s self-isolating away from her husband and children to be safe. 

As hilarious as most of this special is, it’s also very pointedly speaking to its audience in a supportive way about the current situation. Support and appreciation for healthcare workers, the importance of social distancing, and a focus on mental health are all part of it — and all things I’m more than happy to hear Leslie Knope offer words of encouragement about. 

The special isn’t only focused on the phone tree. We also see clips of characters appearing on Perd’s new virtual show (this is a real treat), and there are appearances from Jean-Ralphio, Jeremy Jamm, Joan Callamezzo, and Dennis Feinstein. Oh, and let’s not forget who opens the special episode: Paul Rudd as Bobby Newport. 

The details throughout are spot-on, too. Naturally, no one wants to call Garry on the phone tree (and no one is surprised that he can’t figure out those filters). He’s also still Mayor of Pawnee. Donna’s doing amazing, Tom has a fun virtual background, and Chris Traeger is still literally one of the healthiest people around.

April has her perfectly dark sense of humor, Andy’s pretending to be Burt Macklin, and Ben? Ben’s got an idea for a claymation movie about The Cones of Dunshire. 

There’s also one instance where we’re able to see two characters together, and it’s one of the funniest parts of the whole thing: Tammy Two has wound up on Ron Swanson’s property! Imagine!

It’s remarkable how well all of these characters are able to jump back into their roles, especially knowing that they are doing so from their own homes. It feels authentic and as though not much time has passed at all. And it truly is comforting to hear from Leslie Knope at a time like this. 

In true Leslie fashion, though, she’s so worried about everyone else that she’s not as focused on herself as she should be. That’s where Ron comes in. 

Much like Leslie wanted so badly to have a chance to get all of her friends in the same room together on the Parks and Recreation’s series finale, now, she just wishes she could talk to everyone at the same time. 

It’s not hard for Ron to convince everyone to make that happen for their friend. They all surprise her with a call that includes everyone, and then… Andy starts them off singing “Bye, Bye Li’l Sebastian.” As if we weren’t emotional enough over this reunion already! 

It’s heartening to see the cast all on the screen at the same time, singing this silly, iconic song from the original series. That song carries a deeper meaning here — one of community and one of hope. 

Thanks to technology, this group of friends is able to be there for one another, and they’re also able to be there for us — and to remind us how important it is to stay connected to the people we care about right now.  

The special episode isn’t just here for our entertainment or to bring us that levity, though. As I mentioned earlier, A Parks and Recreation Special was created to raise funds for Feeding America. Here’s some more information about the fundraiser:

About the fundraiser:

The telecast was created to raise funds for Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which will enable food banks to secure the resources they need to serve the most vulnerable members of the community during this difficult time. To donate, go to feedingamerica.org/parksandrec.

State Farm and Subaru of America will each make matching donations of $150,000 and, combined with NBCUniversal and the writers/producers/cast of Parks and Recreation, a total of $500,000 in matching donations will be made through May 21.

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What did you think of A Parks and Recreation Special? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

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