Parks and Recreation - Page 15

Both shows are aces. My only comparison is in terms of character likeability.

 I agree with Schwartz analogy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwartz 

...peanut butter doesn't need to suck in order to enjoy chocolate.

Disagree. Peanut butter is a delicious treat, much like chocolate, but when comparing the two, it's so obvious that peanut butter is the more heartfelt of the treats. Chocolate's too intelligent for its own good.

Holy hell, has the internet begun its backlash against Community already? I thought something had to be popular to get backlash.

In all seriousness Parks and Rec is an amazing show that's been consistently getting better every year. Community is also an amazing show, but it's definitely not always as "fun" as Parks and Rec.

I should also mention that these are the only two television shows I watch with any regularity anymore. I love them both that much.

I like how 30 Rock lost points for that one dude a few posts up by virtue of, you know, not being on at the moment.

just saw last week's episode of Community...pretty good.

What's impressive about Parks is that it keeps getting better with each season. It started out as a show that I was close to giving up on to becoming one of my favorites. The other NBC Thursday night comedies are still decent enough (The Office is coasting on the good will engendered by its characters, 30 Rock has plateaued, and Community is showing signs of fatigue), but if you were to chart the quality of Parks, it would be on a graph with a line pointing straight up. Next season will have to give out free handjobs to keep the trend going.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLassiter 

Holy hell, has the internet begun its backlash against Community already? I thought something had to be popular to get backlash.

 

In all seriousness Parks and Rec is an amazing show that's been consistently getting better every year. Community is also an amazing show, but it's definitely not always as "fun" as Parks and Rec.

 

I should also mention that these are the only two television shows I watch with any regularity anymore. I love them both that much.

As much as I like Community, my issue at the moment is the constant "These people are horrible, oh but by the end something has happened to make them realise their issues". It's not my issue that the show does that, it's that it feels like it's constantly doing that and for a show that was so fresh as 'Community' it's a dangerous sign of fatigue. 

Another great episode. 

Adam Scott's facial structure actually makes him look pretty fat in the Batman costume.  Poor Ben...

Really enjoyed the Tom/Donna duo.  It kinda reminded me of Troy and Abed.  Good to see that they haven't forgotten to involve Donna in all this.  Looks like April and Andy were pushed to the background this time.

Love that Jerry's now starting to get creeped out by Chris. 

Also... Jerry's huge penis did a good job.  I wonder how far they'll go with this Chris/Jerry's daughter storyline.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnooj82 
Really enjoyed the Tom/Donna duo.  It kinda reminded me of Troy and Abed. 

Their 'Treat Yourself 2011' song has exactly the same melody as 'Troy and Abed in the Morning.'

Biggest laugh for me was the 'They'll never cancel Game of Thrones!  It's a crossover hit!' mini-rant.  Otherwise this episode felt kind of flat to me.

Yea.  Community brought the big laughs tonight.  But I can never find a P&R episode (after season 1) flat.  The last one I found the closest to flat was probably the Twilight episode from last season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fafhrd 

Their 'Treat Yourself 2011' song has exactly the same melody as 'Troy and Abed in the Morning.'

 

Biggest laugh for me was the 'They'll never cancel Game of Thrones!  It's a crossover hit!' mini-rant.  Otherwise this episode felt kind of flat to me.

Completely agree.

I still fear they aren't using Tom enough or correctly.  His entrances are getting better and better but I dont know how long they can keep this up.  It literally feels like they are forcing him into every episode now.

I feel like I'm out of sync with the rest of the world right now, since I loved this Parks and wasn't enamored with Community tonight.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fazer 

I still fear they aren't using Tom enough or correctly.  His entrances are getting better and better but I dont know how long they can keep this up.  It literally feels like they are forcing him into every episode now.

I actually disagree. I think they've found something really good with the Tom/Ben dynamic, and I've probably enjoyed Tom more this season than I ever have in the past.

Adam Scott in the batman costume LITERALLY had me bent over in laughter. When he starts crying, I just lost it. Ben was on fire this week:

"They would never cancel Game of Thrones!"

"This is the most stressed out I've ever been."

"I'm more of a rare coins guy"

Loved the Swansons ad at the end. "Do you march to the beat of your own drum? Did you make the drum yourself?"

Jerry had two great facial expressions this episode. The first when Chris hugs him and he looks mildly annoyed, then really satisfied that someone at work is actually showing him affection. The second is, of course, his reaction to Chris at the end. Loved that there was more Jerry (and Donna for that matter) in this episode.

"1. Be a Man."

The little girls debating Leslie's hypocrisy, and Leslie's "70/30" reaction of annoyance and pride... just perfect.

I could quite easily watch a whole series of Benman going about his tedious daily duties. The cape flap while fixing the router was just perfection.

Great stuff. Testing Leslie and Ron's relationship is a story goldmine that never runs dry.

Adam Scott crying in a Batman costume is perfection

From the customer reviews on Amazon's page for Leslie's book... here is the single 1-star review for the product:

Of course Macklin would be unconcerned.  As part of her security detail, he's likely in on the whole conspiracy.

He's just busy protecting the president's jewels!

Burt Macklin? But I thought he was dead!

So did the President's...enemies.

Okay, am I the only one that was kind of emotionally affected by Ben's crying jag and Leslie placing that ad for a new Swanson troop at the end?

Each episode has been better than the last this year. And I DIED at Andy's puppy cackle.

Flat? I felt this was the best episode of the season so far. I LITERALLY laughed out loud several times. Tom and Donna's look of horror/glee with Ben walked out of the dressing room in the Batman costume was aces. The only continuing storyline that falls flat for me is Anne and her quest to be included in the gang.

Treat yo self 2011!

Here my womanly roar, "YAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Sad potato.

Really wasn't digging this episode, i guess i expect more out of halloween episodesa  The whole E 720 was over the top, a bit more over the top then the over the topness they were going for. Thought the halloween party and Ben being upset thing was sort of weak.

Best line of the night : “I know more than you.”

Worst line of the night: Jerry, I have decided to take your daughter home, and we may be having intercourse.”

My favorite part of the episode was Anne and Ron bonding over home repair. 

Also enjoyed the Andy/Ben story.

It was obvious what was going on with Entertainment 720, but Tom was still totally punch-worthy in this episode.

This episode was just ok.

Poor Jerry.  He asked for it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstraw80 

Worst line of the night: Jerry, I have decided to take your daughter home, and we may be having intercourse.”

I didn't love this line, but for some reason, reading it on here makes it seem hilarious.

The shot of Ron basking in the glory of fixing the tap fighting a possible smile from coming through absolutely slayed me.

Aubrey Plaza looked hot when she was talking about their Halloween party. Not the most intelligent thing I've written, but true never the less.

I liked it. Nice bonding moments with new pairings in the group: Rona and Ann, Andy and Ben, Leslie and Tom. Missed Donna. This seems like an ep where she could shine. April was on fire. And I gotta say it, I've grown tired of Chris. He's good in small bits. They are just going overboard with his weird personality quirks. My favorite running gag was April's creepy cousin blending in the background of the party scenes. I do wish they played up how creepy is he though (he was creepy enough to freak out Chris at April and Andy's wedding!).

Didn't Chris actually end up creeping out that kid with his sunny optimism?

Yes he did and it was funny. Lately Chris's niceness has been creepy. I think that is why April took his keys. She was pissed at him for telling Jerry EVERYTHING he was doing with his daughter.

Wasn't the craziest about last week's ep as if felt just a bit too mean but tonight's episode was the goods.   I really love how the cult is treated somewhat like the Masonic Lodge and there's a bemused acceptance of them in the community.   Also you gotta love that the end of the world is caused by a God that has a volcano mouth and uses your body for fuel.

Dammit, that ending choked me up.

"I'm trying to find some way to be annoyed by this but... I'm comin' up dry."

And then: "Where are the faces?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead 

Dammit, that ending choked me up.

 

"I'm trying to find some way to be annoyed by this but... I'm comin' up dry."

 

And then: "Where are the faces?"

That might be the best description of how it feels to stand before the Grand Canyon.  It really is an amazing sight to behold in person.

A really sweet episode.  Totally saw Jean Ralphio's true intentions about calling Tom's ex to the party.  STILL SWEET.

"Will you take a check?"  ;D

Looks like Chris' hair is back to 'normal.'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead 

Dammit, that ending choked me up.

 

"I'm trying to find some way to be annoyed by this but... I'm comin' up dry."

 

And then: "Where are the faces?"

Also, I've always thought Aubrey Plaza was cute but the way they shot that and the look on her face was the first time I really thought she looked beautiful.

I wish I could remember the name of the always-excellent That Guy actor who played the cult leader (imdb was no help). But I was thrown off by how much age has made him and Harrison Ford look and sound almost identical, and then I kept seeing Harrison Ford in the role as some very weird and uncredited stunt casting, and couldn't shake it.

Cracked up when Shawna laughs and touches Ben's arm --

Ann: "Oh God, I know that move."

Leslie: "They're gonna have sex in five minutes"

The "Producer's Cut" on Hulu adds a good six minutes of jokes and great little character beats. Highly reccommend it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trav McGee 

I wish I could remember the name of the always-excellent That Guy actor who played the cult leader (imdb was no help). But I was thrown off by how much age has made him and Harrison Ford look and sound almost identical, and then I kept seeing Harrison Ford in the role as some very weird and uncredited stunt casting, and couldn't shake it.

That's Robert Pine, Ponch and Jon's sergeant from CHiPs. But I kept thinking he was Geoffrey Lewis.

"Nickels.  I want nickels.  A BILLION NICKELS!!!!"

"Remember when you danced so hard that you broke one of your ribs?"

"It never healed properly.  Hahahahaha.  Every breath is agony!  Ahahahahaha-stop!"

"Why does the cult call themselves the Reasonablists?"

"Well, they figure if people criticize them, it'll seem like they're attacking something reasonable."

"That's... weirdly brilliant."

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Pathetic 

Also, I've always thought Aubrey Plaza was cute but the way they shot that and the look on her face was the first time I really thought she looked beautiful.

 

Oh I completely agree with you! She is definitely that!

this was such a great episode on so many levels.

In the burgeoning friendly rivalry of Tom vs. Andy for best scene stealer in any given episode of PARKS AND REC...this day belongs to Andy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead 

That's Robert Pine, Ponch and Jon's sergeant from CHiPs. But I kept thinking he was Geoffrey Lewis.

He's also Chris Pine's dad. Weird ol business this Hollywoodland.

I'm really loving how they've handled Tom this season. He's such a broad character, and there were times last season where it seemed like he was almost getting out of hand, but they've done a tremendous job with his arc this season. The friendship with Ben is a great pairing, and everything about E-720 was aces. Last night was an amazing capper on that storyline, and I love that we've gotten to see more of the cracks in Tom's carefully constructed persona.

Mick Jagger's Abandoned Gas Station would be an awesome band name.

So much fun. That End of the World party looked epic. Totally agree that they finally figured out how to utilize Tom. I hope the end of Entertainment 720 doesn't mean less Jean-Ralphio ("you had me at last $10000").

And I totally third the Aubrey love. That last scene really made her stand out more than I've ever scene her. Beautiful shot, but she looked stunning.

 I also have a crush on Aubrey too. Its not just how cute she is, its also her sarcasm.

 I want to live in Pawnee. It looks like a fun place filled with weird, but likeable people.

 It was funny that the cult thinks they're putting one over on Ron by buying for flutes with a check. As if Ron Swanson could be played!

Natalie Morales needs to be in more things.

And I loved Ron explaining the origin of the Reasonableists to Chris in the producer's cut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fafhrd 

Natalie Morales needs to be in more things.

Agreed.  Funnily enough, I was watching the season three opener with some friends the other day, and remarked that I missed her character.  Naturally, I was delighted to see her turn up this week.

I also wanted to chime in on the Aubrey love.  I'm not sure if it's a deliberate choice on the show, or just the actress naturally maturing, but this season there's been a noticeable change from April as the "cute girl" to "absolutely gorgeous woman."