(S02E10) This episode is nice, because Leslie finally gets what she's wanted since the very beginning of the series: to be one of the guys. I know I talk about this a lot, but it's just because the writers have done such an exceptional job: I love how Leslie is actually competent in some areas, instead of being the bumbling fool they wrote her as at the beginning of the first season.
When she says she's an excellent hunter, it's not just self-delusion: she's actually an excellent hunter. Well, we really don't see enough to determine whether or not she's "excellent," but she totally bagged a quail on her first try and she didn't shoot Ron in the head, so she's at least pretty good compared to the rest of her hunting party.
(S02E09) It's nice to see an episode where everybody in the office (and Ann) is working together. They're usually broken up into their own smaller storylines, so people like Donna often get shoved into the background, if we see her at all. This time, she was front and center, along with Jesus Greg Kinnear, and Indiana's pride, Michael Jackson. Speaking of which-- American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert was born in Indianapolis, so he totally could have helped round out the table.
Jerry, another mainly background character, generally serves as the show's whipping boy, which I find really funny -- especially in the episode where they were all trying to dig up dirt on each other, and he found out he was adopted. Granted, that's pretty bad, but I still laughed. This time though, where they ridiculed him and dismissed his mural, it didn't really work for me.
(S02E08) All I'm saying is that it's about time someone took down those smug bastards in the library system. What, with their providing citizens with books and resources for free and their stupid desire to turn abandoned lots into more branches where they can sling their literacy propaganda at an unsuspecting populace. Disgusting.
I loved seeing Megan Mullally on primetime again. After the disastrous In the Motherhood (of which she was by far the best part), it's great to see her in a show I actually enjoy. As Tammy, she gives further credence to the theory that Leslie Knope isn't actually crazy: City government in Pawnee, Indiana really is as dog-eat-dog and cut-throat as she seems to think it is.
(S02E07) Pikitis! I loved this episode. After hitting a real low for me two weeks ago, last week's episode was an improvement, but this week's really lived up to its potential. Even Andy, who I haven't been completely thrilled with as a character this season, was hilarious ("I'm not crying; I'm just allergic to jerks!"). It's also really nice to see people on Leslie's side. How awesome was Dave with her? I wasn't so sure about him when he first showed up, but he's becoming more and more fun every episode he's in.
So we find out that Leslie's mortal enemy is a high school kid who just happens to have a name that's a lot of fun to yell in anger. Which, of course Leslie's mortal enemy is some 16-year-old punk. I will say this though: he's good: Between hiring the fake mom off of Craigslist and his janitor disguise that he used to break into the Parks office, maybe Leslie wasn't being completely ridiculous when she classified him as a James Bond-type criminal mastermind.
(S02E06) No more pit! I figured that the giant hole would eventually be filled in, but I had a feeling that it would take much longer than this. But after only 12 episodes of the entire series, Ann now sees a dirt lot when she looks out of the window of her home. Oh, progress.
Speaking of progress, I haven't been the biggest fan of Andy, but I enjoyed him in this episode. Before, when he turned up, it was mostly just to show how pathetic he is, but this week, in addition to that, he actually helped move the plot along in a big way. He gave up $100,000 for Ann, which honestly, seems like a terrible idea to me. I understand that he's in love with her and all, but there's no guarantee that she's going to get back with him, and a hundred grand is a hundred grand, you know?
(S02E05) Wow. I cannot wait to see what you guys have to say about this episode. I've been of the opinion that Parks and Recreation started off shaky, but consistently got better until the season finale, which is when I truly became a fan. Then, the first four episodes of this season were not only hilarious, but allowed the characters to grow and develop.
And then this episode happened.
I really want to give the benefit of the doubt to shows I like, so I'm just going to say that, hey, maybe there's a really important, deep message about Venezuelan/US relations that I just did not get. That is why we had 30 minutes of Fred Armisen insulting both America and really, the people of Venezuela simultaneously. Yeah, that's the ticket.
(S02E04) Last week, I talked about how I was beginning to identify with Leslie Knope. This week, I have to say that I identify with her a lot less, but that's mainly because my dating life hasn't been anywhere near as awesome as hers. I have never downed Ambien instead of Tic-Tacs, I have never had a dude show up for a date with another woman, and sadly, my sleeve (or any other clothing item) has never caught on fire. All this says to me is that I haven't lived, man.
I also really like what they're doing with the Dave character. I was afraid that they were making him kind of stupid, but that wasn't evident in this episode. He was just kind of bumbling and charming again. Plus, it was super-sweet how he wasn't scared away when she showed up to his house drunk. Because really, if you can't show up at some dude's house and ask him if he's impressed that you remember it's a bathroom and not a whiz palace, then what's the point of life?
(S02E03) This is how I know Parks and Recreation is growing as a show: Leslie Knope has not only stopped being a one-dimensional season one Michael Scott impression, but she has grown into a character with whom I can identify. If I ever found myself judging a beauty contest with a chick in a hooker dress talking about how if it were up to her and her family, it would be called "Ourmerica," and not "Theirmerica," I would have a difficult time holding my brains inside of my head.
I don't think I would have an elaborate, laminated scorecard with a section for the "Naomi Wolf effect," but I could definitely see myself in a room arguing with my fellow judges about the brains of the other contestants. And Like Leslie Knope, I probably would have lost. Such is life.
(S02E02) This week's episode wasn't as great for me as the premiere was in terms of story, but there was still some really nice character development. I mentioned last week how it was nice that Leslie was becoming more than a one-dimensional bumbling fool, and that continued this week. People are actually treating her as a person instead of just someone to mock.
Some of the best comedy in Parks and Recreation has come from Leslie and Tom's interaction. Aziz Ansari and Amy Poehler are the funniest people on the show by far, so every time they get together is golden. What was so great about this episode though, is it wasn't just Tom making fun of her. The stakeout gave them the opportunity to get to know each other as people, instead of just annoying co-workers.
(S02E01) Parks and Recreation started out kind of slowly for me in its first season, but by the time we got to the finale, I was totally hooked. Going into the season two premiere, I had a good feeling they would keep up the momentum. This good feeling was confirmed in the cold open, when Leslie (Amy Poehler) started rapping the DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince classic, "Parents Just Don't Understand," nearly unprompted, accompanied by Tom (Aziz Ansari) on beatbox. All of a sudden, I loved this show.
What's beginning to make this show great (other than late 80s rap, of course) is that Leslie is finally becoming more than a one-dimensional figure. For whatever reason, she fell into the same trap that Michael Scott was in when The Office premiered. When a character is nothing more than a bumbling fool, he or she quickly becomes boring.
I'll have to check some past episodes, but I think this is one of the first times if not the first time I've laughed out loud at something from Parks and Recreation. It features Amy Poehler turning something her boss says into a reason to sing an entire rap song.
I love how it goes on a little longer than you expect and gets a bit surreal. Making the coffee in the middle of it is a nice touch.
NBC has been leaking like a sieve for weeks, so other than a few on-the-bubble cancellations, there aren't any huge surprises in their official upfront announcement. The big change is that they're doing two official seasons. A lot of the networks have been doing this unofficially, but NBC seems to be one of the few that is putting a label on it.
Gone:Life, Medium, My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim, Kings, Knight Rider New:Trauma, The Jay Leno Show, Parenthood, Community. New for mid-season:Day One, 100 Questions, Mercy, The Marriage Ref Not reflected on the schedule, but will be returning in the summer:America's Got Talent, Friday Night Lights (which will once again be aired first on Direct TV).
Watch this space for more details on the new shows...
(S01E06) Ah, so that's how they're going to do it. While the pit was still the underlying thrust of the episode, the stories were more about the characters and relationships. And realizing even more what a big dumb sap Mark is. It's really more a testament of Leslie's own insecurities and issues that she's so hung up on him because he is even more lame than Tom. At least Tom is charismatic and charming, in his own creepy way. Mark is just creepy, a lot older than he seems to think and kind of a doofus.
Do the American people really like watching their favorite shows this way? Assuming you have more than one or two shows you enjoy following, this week is daunting to say the least and beyond exhausting. Just last night I had a three-hour finale of The Biggest Loser and that awesome Fringe finale. In the past few days we've said goodbye to The Amazing Race, The Apprentice, Cold Case, The Unit, Brothers & Sisters, The Big Bang Theory, House and Castle. And that's just on the major networks.
Over the next two days we have America's Next Top Model, Lie to Me, Lost, Bones, My Name Is Earl, Smallville, Parks & Recreation, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, Hell's Kitchen, The Office, Supernatural and even CSI: NY on a special night. And it goes on through the weekend. In an era where ratings are slipping, how can it make good business sense to put all of these finales on against one another all within a few days of each other. I know they've always done that, but I just don't think it makes sense anymore.
(S02E10) This episode is nice, because Leslie finally gets what she's wanted since the very beginning of the series: to be one of the guys. I know I talk about this a lot, but it's just because the writers have done such an exceptional job: I love how Leslie is actually competent in some areas, instead of being the bumbling fool they wrote her as at the beginning of the first season. 
(S02E04) Last week, I talked about how 
NBC has been leaking like a sieve for weeks, so other than a few on-the-bubble cancellations, there aren't any huge surprises in their official upfront announcement. The big change is that they're doing two official seasons. A lot of the networks have been doing this unofficially, but NBC seems to be one of the few that is putting a label on it.
Do the American people really like watching their favorite shows this way? Assuming you have more than one or two shows you enjoy following, this week is daunting to say the least and beyond exhausting. Just last night I had a three-hour finale of The Biggest Loser and that awesome Fringe finale. In the past few days we've said goodbye to 
The TV Squad Podcast: The Prisoner, '80s TV, soap news and more
Let's talk about spoilers ...
The Prisoner -- An early look
