Live from Pawnee: A Parks and Recreation Fan Rewatch Podcast

As the name would suggest, this week Mark and Allen are grabbing a little of this, some of that, a bunch of who-knows-what from over there, and calling it a show ... it's a GRAB BAG!  We start off with introductions, followed by Constantine's new segment.  We then have some in-depth (well, in-depth for US) analysis on Season 4, how it compares to other seasons, and what we thought of it in general...

It's time to talk about the Parks and Recreation Season 4 Finale! That's right, this week Mark and Allen break down the long-awaited Episode where the City Council race finally comes to a end! Election Day has arrived - all the hard work, all the long nights, all the sacrifices, it's all come down to this. The gang is pumped, excited, and a little stressed, as the latest polls have Leslie and Bobb...

They're back! Join us this week Mark and Allen break down the penultimate episode of Season 4! Leslie is only 2-points behind Bobby Newport going into the last day of the Campaign. Listen as Leslie, Ben, April, Andy and Jerry board the S.S. Knope (a giant RV with Leslie's face all over it and future home of Benslie) and hit as many last minute stops as possible while avoiding Political boobytraps...

Mark and Allen had the pleasure of catching up with Emmy Award-Winning Set Decorator Kim Wannop a few backs and got a chance to learn about the art of Set Decoration including her work on Parks and Recreation Seasons 2-7. Join the guys as they chat with Kim about her work on long running shows like Parks and Recreation, Veep, The Good Place and Bones as well as movies like Fanboys and Moxie. Kim h...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode we finally see Leslie and Bobby Newport go toe to toe! The day of the debate is finally here. Ben gives everyone final assignments, and helps Leslie continue to prepare for the debate. Before the debate starts, they discover Bobby Newport is freaking out, thinking this may be good news. The debate starts. Leslie is prepared and confident, but Newport...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode that is, perhaps, the clearest homage to the West Wing in the entire series!  Learning the Parks budget is going to be cut, Leslie convinces retiring Councilman Larry Pillner to reconsider. Ben is nervous about this action since they didn't discuss the possible ramifications. Ben's nervousness turns out to be justified when Pillner decides to, instea...

This week Mark and Allen break down the first Episode where Andy is clean shaven, which is also the one and only episode written by Nick Offerman!  Leslie is preparing for an interview with famous morning show host Buddy Wood, whose interviews tend to be the lucky charm that gets candidates elected. When Buddy cancels to cover a breaking story, Ben is upset and buries himself in campaign busy work...

Mark and Allen last caught up with Ken as part of their coverage of Season Three's episode "Soulmates", which Ken directed. Check out our full interview with Ken this week, as he proves he is as good a conversationalist and guest as he is a director.   Join us as  as Ken shares a few stories about his work on Parks and The Office and a wide array of experience  over an impressive career spanning n...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we first see the great Pawnee TV show, "The Final Word, With Perd"!  Leslie is catching up to Bobby Newport in the polls, resulting in the firing of his campaign manager. Ben has Leslie try to secure the endorsement of Ned Jones, President of Pawnee Seniors United. Ned is impressed with Leslie's plan to install ramps for senior citizens all ove...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we are shown Donna's lake house, and told about her famous cousin who is an R&B singer! With Leslie's campaign eating up more and more of her time, Ron asks her to take a leave of absence. Leslie denies she is too busy, but is horrified to find out she forgot Jerry's birthday. Since 64-year-old Jerry's birthday is on February 29th, he has only...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we witness the long-awaited return of both Officer Dave Sanderson and Duke Silver! Leslie and Ben visit retiring Police Chief Trumple in hopes of winning his endorsement for City Council. While at the police station, they run into Officer Dave Sanderson, who's visiting from San Diego to attend Trumple's retirement party. Leslie invites Dave to...

Mark and Allen last caught up with Michael as part of their coverage of Season Four's episode "Operation Ann". Check out our full conversation with Michael this week, as he spins many stories and answers many questions about his long and varied career, including his humble beginnings, how he got started in the business, his first jobs, gaining notariety, the hit movies and TV shows he's been invol...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we are introduced to the Hompherman Snow Globe Museum! While hosting "Galentine's Day", Leslie realizes Ann is alone, so she asks the gang to help find someone for her. Chris, still depressed about being dumped by Jerry's daughter Milly, volunteers to DJ the Valentine's Dance they are organizing ... but unfortunately ends up playing depressing,...

Join us for a our first "Where Are They Now" special edition episode. Up this week: Jim O'Heir! Check out our exclusive interview with Stephen Kogon the creator of "The Groad Show". This quirky comedy series stars Jim O'Heir (Jerry to Parks and Recreation fans) as Groad, a bottom-of-the-rung minion from Hell who's sent to Earth to ruin someone's wonderful life. With a premise like that, what more...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode that introduces us to Ricky's Rock and Roll Bowling Alley! Leslie witnesses a focus group participant named Derek say he won't vote for her because "she doesn't look like someone he could go bowling with". Despite Ben urging her to not let it get to her, Leslie obsesses over winning Derek's vote in particular, even going so far as to have her campaig...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode that introduces us to the heir to the Sweetums candy fortune, Bobby Newport!  Bobby Newport, heir to the Sweetums candy fortune, enters the City Council race (despite a complete lack of political interest or experience) and is immediately WAY ahead of Leslie in the polls. Since Bobby refuses to debate Leslie, Ben pushes for a negative campaign attack...

Mark and Allen are (mostly) taking the week off to take care of our families and some related housekeeping after some recent losses for both (Allen's Mom and Marks Mother-in-Law). But, the guys did not want to leave you hanging and decided to put together a special mini-Episode featuring their favorite Top 5 "Commercials" to date! If you know the show, then you know that we frequently have Ron Swa...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode that introduces us to Champion the three-legged dog! Leslie and the gang are planning a comeback for her campaign, and despite Ben's experience, Leslie fears he may remind voters of the scandal, so Ann is asked to be campaign manager. The gang organizes a rally at the Pawnee Sports Building. However, as they drive a large truck with their supplies to...

Mark and Allen last caught up with John as part of their coverage of Season Four's episode "Citizen Knope". Check out our full conversation with John this week covering his span as Barney Varmn over six seasons of Parks and Recreation and even hear a little about his other works including Star Trek and The West Wing!  Listen this week to hear the entire interview with John as we speak to him from...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode that introduces us to Barney Varmn's accounting firm! Trying to keep busy during her two-week suspension, Leslie attempts to sneak work out of the office to do at home ... unsuccessfully. She then attempts to focus on her City Council campaign, but her advisors tell her to lay low until post-scandal poll numbers come back. Finally, Leslie acts on Ben...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where Leslie and Ben officially reveal their relationship!  When we last left our heroes (i.e. last episode), Leslie and Ben decided to tell Chris about their relationship. When they do so, Chris reluctantly, but stoicly, launches a full investigation and prepares an ethics trial for the two of them, with Leslie's trial first. During her opening stat...

In this classic episode of the show AND the podcast, Mark and Allen break down the Episode that not only introduces Galentine's Day, but also Dennis Feinstein's unforgettable perfume line!  When Leslie's boyfriend Justin hears a story from Marlene (Leslie's mom) about Frank "the one that got away", Leslie and Justin track him down to reunite them at the Valentine's Day dance at the Senior Center....

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we are finally made aware of Jerry's real name! As Leslie and Ben near completion on their project to build the Smallest Park in Indiana, Ben tells Leslie he plans to have Chris take over Parks and Rec business while he focuses elsewhere, because being around her is too much for him to deal with. In response, and in desperation, Leslie does any...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode that gives us our first glimpse at the Pawnee City Council Chambers! Leslie is asked to lead a session of Pawnee Central High School's Model UN club, tasked to solve a global food crisis. Leslie takes Denmark, and she invites Ben (Peru), Andy (Finland), and April (South Africa and ... the Moon, LOL) to join her. Leslie is glad she and Ben can get alo...

This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode that witnesses the official end of Entertainment 720! Local Pawnee group/doomsday cult "the Reasonabilists" predicts the end of the world is coming ... again. Leslie lets them hold an all-night vigil in the park, and Chris wants Leslie and Ben to help him monitor the vigil, making them uncomfortable due to the recent break-up. While interviewing them...