‘Parks and Recreation’: You be the critic
‘Parks and Recreation’
7:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning tonight (April 9) on NBC (Channel 5)
Grade: incomplete
I’m stuck on the fence about “Parks and Recreation.” In limbo, or possibly denial. Wanting it to be better; hoping it will get better; wondering if, maybe, the comedy from executive producers Greg Daniels and Michael Schur of “The Office” is actually better, funnier, than I thought it was on two viewings of the premiere.
I should be able to embrace this show. Love “The Office”? Check. Adore star Amy Poehler? Check. Crazy for dry, whimsical, awkward humor? Check, check, check. But “Parks and Recreation” somehow managed not to make me laugh, and you know what a comedy that doesn’t make you laugh is — not a comedy.
But “Parks and Recreation” has a pedigree that suggests it could soar. “The Office” started slow; either that or it took awhile even for people who became its biggest fans to adjust to its awkward tone. “30 Rock” (created by and starring Poehler’s “Saturday Night Live” pal Tina Fey) was weak to the point of near-disaster in its first few episodes, only to rebound brilliantly.
So I’m withholding final judgment on “Parks and Recreation” until I see at least one more episode. If I gave it a grade today, that grade would be C. After you watch tonight, ponder what your grade would be and let me know here. PS: Remember, if you’re gonna be a critic, you actually have to watch the show.


Amy is terribly miscast. She’s a wisguy sparkplug, not an affect-less, benighted idealist.