One of the most popular new sitcoms of the last few years, NBC’s Parks and Recreation, will come to the end of their second season tonight with a cliffhanger that will keep fans talking all summer long. The series was recently picked up for a third season, which they have already begun shooting but unfortunately due to programming will not begin airing until 2011. The cast, including star Amy Poehler (Leslie), Rashida Jones (Ann), Aziz Ansari (Tom), Nick Offerman (Ron), Aubrey Plaza (April), Chris Pratt (Andy), Jim O’Heir (Jerry), Retta Sirleaf (Donna), and guest stars Adam Scott (Ben) and Rob Lowe, joined series creators Michael Schur, Greg Daniels and editor Dean Holland at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater in North Hollywood last night to premiere tonight’s season finale and talk a bit about the future of the show. On hand to moderate the event was Saturday Night Live cast member and Amy Poehler’s former partner on Weekend Update, Seth Meyers.
After a brief introduction by Schur the audience was treated to the season finale of the show. Fans of the series know that as of last week the government of the fictional town of Pawnee had been shut down thanks to budget cuts, leaving the jobs of many of our main characters in jeopardy. While we can’t give away too many details about tonight’s finale we can say that it revolves around the cancellation of a children’s concert in the park. When Leslie finds out that the budget cuts have forced the cancellation of children’s musician Freddy Spaghetti, for which the episode was named, she decides to take matters in to her own hands and rallies her former colleagues to save the day. At the same time, romance and heartache build for several of our main characters including April, Andy, Ann, Tom and Ron. Fans of the series are sure to not want to miss the closing credits as it introduces an interesting cliffhanger that will carry on into the show’s third season.
Before you go feeling all sorry for the Parks and Recreation gang’s scheduling setback, heed our advice…don’t. Because we think a brilliant little bald man by the name of George Costanza put it best: “Stuff your sorrys in a sack.” (Are Seinfeld references outdated? No way!)
Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman and the rest of the cast is doing just fine, and asks one thing of you—tune into tonight’s high-larious finale, will ya?
“We really believe in NBC’s promise that they’re going to find a good home for us,” Amy tells us, as sweet as always. “We’re really excited about the season we’ve had and the show’s we’ve shot. I’ve very confident we’re going to find a good home.”
“As long as we are still coming to work and there are sandwiches, I’m OK,” says Nick, aka Ron Swanson incarnate. Adds Aziz: “It’s obviously not ideal. All we can control is making the show and making it great, and we’re coming through on that end.”
That doesn’t meant the P-Rex crew doesn’t appreciate the fan support. “Apparently, there’s a bit of a public outrage taking place. It makes us feel good,” Nick tells us. The ridiculously funny Chris Pratt (Andy) adds: “We’ve got a lot of great fans. You go to work and you do your best and hopefully enough people watch it.”
And in case you didn’t know it, the guy is ambitious. “I know this is a long shot,” says Chris, “but I’d like to do Parks and Recreation for a hundred seasons.” A totally reasonable goal.
Not to rain on any new NBC sitcom parades, but Nick thinks maybe fans of Pawnee won’t have to wait very long. “We’re shooting six episodes that were meant to be in the fall and might still be. You never know how TV plays out.” Either way, Aziz knows we’ll love what we see. “People are going to be psyched over the new episodes. It’s the best stuff we’ve done, and I’m excited to come back whenever we do.”
We were lucky enough to see tonight’s season-ender, “Freddy Spaghetti,” and the cast is not steering you wrong. In fact, after watching the finale, the idea of having to wait a minimum of six months before we get to see if Adam Scott’s Ben and Leslie Knope get together, or what will be between Andy and April (Aubrey Plaza, who tells us things between the two “come to a head” tonight.”) is a little gut-wrenching. But we digress.
“Leslie goes into the summer in season two not knowing if she has a job,” explains Amy. “It’s really fun because Adam and Rob Lowe play guys that come in and freeze our money.” [Editor's note: Rob is the finale standout!]
And as for good ol’ Ron, Nick only has this to say of his season-two sendoff: “He is going out and down with a bang.” Boo-yah!
From E! Online
Parks and Recreation
Cop Out
I Love You, Man






































