Parks and Recreation

While not admitting to being one, and better for it, this “remake" of the Ricky Gervais’ The Office, instead of paper pushers, picks fun at local government, bureaucracy and life in general. The would-be “documentary approach" and would-be “we take everything deathly seriously" style of humor remains unchanged. Furthermore, it has maintained a high level of quality (or in fact the level is constantly rising, since the first two seasons were the weakest, although not actually bad, just a bit shaky). Despite the really pleasant casting full of full-blooded characters, the series mainly leans on Amy Poehler who luckily thoroughly enjoys playing her central, incompetent, ambitious, optimistic politician who annoyingly observes the rules to the letter (and also rather a naive dumb blonde). And where Carrel is eccentric, she is nicely down-to-earth and, as a result, much funnier. In any case, if you didn’t like the humor of the original Offices, you will dislike this two-fold. It’s non-confrontational and in essence nicely friendly and you will more likely find the corners of your mouth turning up into a smile, rather than bursting into involuntary fits of laugher. (15/09/2014)

Perhaps because the Pawnee Rangers annoy as many people as unconditionally love them, it cannot be described as anything other than essential. Such an achievement comes once in a television generation. Unlike other ensemble companions, it is not afraid of occasionally expanding or narrowing the main cast; on the contrary, thanks to such a change since the transition from the second to the third season, it becomes an inimitable gem out of a very pleasant spectacle. But from the very beginning (from the yes, in my case, disliked first season), it wins me over with one fundamental thing. Even though it initially seems impossible, there is no one extra in this office, no one extraneous, no one who bothers me, and yet surprisingly, at the same time no one outdoes any of the others. For a while, I like Andy the most, then Ben, then Ron, then Chris, and so on in a loop. Likewise, at the beginning, I thought there would be too many of Aziz Ansari's grimaces and affected expressions, but I soon looked forward to his next marketing idea or well-planned scheme. And those running gags (Ron's doors, Tom's smile, Leslie excessively pointing out Ann's "promiscuity", Ben's inability to understand local folk specifics), those unexpectedly emerging and returning supporting characters, I cheer joyfully at each of their cameos (Jean Ralphio, Mona Lisa, Tammy 2, Bobby Newport). Simply put, I don't know if I have ever been so disappointed that I missed catching a series while it was still airing. On the other hand, the feeling of having multiple seasons ahead and not being afraid of its cancellation every year also has its charm. I love my job, but I would head to this office immediately. (01/11/2020)