Parks and Recreation goes into its seventh and final season embracing good old-fashioned American optimism.
WhenParks and Recreationfirst aired in 2009, it seemed like one of the least original shows on television.
*Not literally, but nine good years on Saturday Night Live gets you more than a Peacock giftbag.
Then it morphed into something much better, something special.
Ad content continues below
The transition to this happier, funnier show began with its star.
The forceful, positive personality of Amy Poehler quickly turned Leslie into a worthwhile leading character.
Leslie is driven, which is unsurprisingly something a comedy needs from its star.
Andy is essentially a golden retriever that can play the guitar.
Ann learned to value friendship and built a family.
And Chris is almost a parody of the shows own spirit.
*Ice Town Costs Ice Clown his Town Crown.
April is a dark, dark individual.
But she loves Andy and she loves animals.
Donna can get it.
Television post-Letterman has traditionally been a cynical place that distrusts any and all sentiment.
ButParks and Recdeserves the television communitys eternal respect for taking a different path, and arguably a harder one.
Its easy to tear something down.
Its harder to create something from scratch especially a believable Midwestern town where everyone follows their dreams.
Leslie best explains the appeal ofParks and Recas only she can: with waffles.
Look Im not crazy.
I know Pawnee isnt Paris or London or Chicago.
But its a great place to live and work.
And serving the goof balls in this town is an honor and a privilege.
Why cant it be, indeed.
