There are many pieces of television that are able to connect on a massive level and capture the attention of audiences, yet for seven seasons Parks and Recreation created infectious comedy and lovable characters. A trend that took over sitcoms during the 2000s was a necessity for cynicism and mean characters, yet Parks and Recreation preaches the antithesis of this and focuses on characters that are both considerate and optimistic.
It’s this positive attitude that empowers Parks and Recreation with so much energy, but the sitcom’s casting is another major key to the comedy’s success. There is some truly sublime casting in Parks and Recreation, but there are also several roles that don’t ring as true.
10 Nailed It: Paul Rudd’s Bobby Newport Is The Perfect Opposing Dunce
The fourth season of Parks and Recreation pushes the series and Leslie Knope into ambitious new territory as she decides to run for mayor of Pawnee. Parks and Recreation pulls off some major guest casting with Paul Rudd as Bobby Newport, Leslie’s privileged, out-of-touch opponent. Bobby Newport initially comes across as one-dimensional, but Rudd pulls off the difficult task of making this spoiled antagonist come across as empathetic in an odd way. Bobby isn’t malicious, he’s just clueless. It allows a different side of Rudd to come forward, yet he’s still able to turn out the charm.
9 Fell Short: Paul Schneider’s Mark Brendanawicz Can’t Match The Rest Of The Cast’s Energy
Parks and Recreation grows into a phenomenal comedy, but much like The Office, it takes the comedy some time to find its voice and work out the kinks. Parks and Recreation’s first season is easily the show’s weakest and it gives considerable focus to Paul Schneider’s Mark Brendanawicz. Mark is teased as a love interest for Leslie, but his negative energy and checked-out attitude just doesn’t match the rest of the show’s tone. Schneider’s work can’t elevate his character and Mark becomes one of the few characters that Parks and Recreation quickly removed from the equation.
8 Nailed It: Adam Scott Turns Ben Wyatt Into The Most Lovable Dork
Later cast additions to a TV show can sometimes feel awkward or signal the beginning of the end. Strangely, Parks and Recreation begins to seriously find its footing during its third season after Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger join the cast. Adam Scott is exceptional as Ben Wyatt.
The character first comes across as a stick in the mud, but his passion for bureaucracy and order becomes one of his most endearing qualities. Scott’s passion for Ben’s hobbies is hard to deny, but it’s Ben’s endearing relationship with Leslie that pushes Scott’s performance to an even greater place.
7 Fell Short: Rashida Jones Works As Ann Perkins, Yet The Character Struggles
Rashida Jones is a strong performer and she makes enough of an impression on The Office that she’s specifically picked to help headline Parks and Recreation. The biggest problem with Ann Perkins is that she’s too normal in comparison to the rest of the characters. Ann progresses from Andy’s girlfriend to Leslie’s doted-on best friend. The unity between Ann and Leslie is always pleasant, but Ann doesn’t have enough of a satisfying arc to showcase Jones’ talents. Ann is never a negative presence, but she does begin to feel less essential and more tangential than everyone else.
6 Nailed It: Aubrey Plaza’s Disaffected Monotone Take On April Ludgate Is Classic
It’s always exciting when a relatively unknown actor can connect with the perfect role, which goes on to open up a whole career for them. Many people equate Aubrey Plaza with her Parks and Recreation alter ego, April Ludgate. April’s sarcastic, estranged demeanor immediately pops in the series, but the character is allowed to grow beyond a grim caricature. April gains real depth and Plaza never fails to rise to the challenge. As the series continues it becomes clear just how much Plaza puts into this role. Her chemistry alongside Chris Pratt’s Andy is also undeniable.
5 Fell Short: Aziz Ansari’s Frantic Energy Can Become Grating as Tom Haverford
Tom Haverford is a bit of a controversial character. The burst of manic energy that Tom brings to every scene is often appreciated, but it’s a shtick that slowly wears thin. Many of Parks and Recreation’s characters experience serious growth by the end of the series, but Tom is one of the few who feels stuck in a place of stasis.
Aziz Ansari fits into the role and so much of his own personality clearly funnels into the character. Tom is someone that would work a lot better if he was given a chance to leave before he becomes redundant.
4 Nailed It: Rob Lowe Effortlessly Embodies Chris Traeger’s Endless Exuberance
Rob Lowe’s Chris Traeger is another season three cast addition to Parks and Recreation who shouldn’t work nearly as well as he does. Chris represents authority and restrictions for the parks department. This could quickly become frustrating, but Rob Lowe turns Chris into a picture of perfection who is somehow invulnerable to criticism. It’s very difficult to properly play a character of this nature and still make them agreeable, but Lowe achieves the perfect level of gregariousness to make Chris Traeger someone who is easy to root for.
3 Fell Short: Jenny Slate’s Mona-Lisa Saperstein Is Too Much Character
Parks and Recreation does an excellent job with how it showcases the weird nature of Pawnee, especially when it comes to its fringe citizens. Jean-Ralphio Saperstein is a true agent of chaos who is typically just around to aggravate individuals like Ben. Ben Schwartz is perfect as Jean-Ralphio, but Parks and Recreation later introduces his twin sister, Mona-Lisa, who he affectionately describes as “the worst.” Jenny Slate is a seriously funny performer and she doesn’t struggle with her portrayal of Mona-Lisa’s unbridled id. She’s technically successful in the role, but Mona-Lisa is overkill, especially when Jean-Ralphio is already increasingly prominent.
2 Nailed It: Nick Offerman And His Folksy No-Nonsense Attitude Makes Ron Swanson Great
Parks and Recreation is such a soothing sitcom that’s able to work so well because so many of the main cast are such perfect fits for their roles. Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson is another example of casting that’s so appropriate that the two blur together into one. So many of Offerman’s own eccentricities make their way into parks department taskmaster Ron, yet they always feel like justified character development. Offerman is so good at portraying Ron’s closed-off nature that it’s easy to forget the naturally funny nature of Offerman.
1 Fell Short: Billy Eichner Is Too Loud And Aggressive As Craig Middlebrooks
Parks and Recreation attempts to rejuvenate itself during its sixth season when some employees from Eagleton get added to Pawnee’s parks department. One of the biggest additions to the team is Billy Eichner’s Craig Middlebrooks. Rather than take a subtle approach, Craig constantly dispenses outbursts. It’s an annoying characteristic that often feels at odds with the rest of the characters. Admittedly, Craig does become more restrained and tolerable in season seven, but Eichner’s energy and attitude come across as a misfire in this role. His exaggerated routine works in American Horror Story, but not so much here.
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