Live from Pawnee: A Parks and Recreation Fan Rewatch Podcast
por Live from Pawnee
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's suggestion and forms a Citizens Action Committee, the Parks Committee of Pawnee (PCP). Meanwhile, after resigning in disgrace, Ben decides to look for a new job. He interviews with several places, including Barney Varmn's accounting firm, and cologne maker Dennis Feinstein. Despite his impressive resume, Ben seems ultimately unsure what he wants to do next. Finally, when the gang once again receives thoughtful holiday gifts from Leslie, Ron suggests they work together to give Leslie a great gift, and they all collaborate to make her a miniature model of the Parks and Recs office, made out of candy. They are certain Leslie will love their confectionary model ... However, the gang has one last gift for Leslie waiting in the wings. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... What will Leslie's post-scandal poll numbers look like? Will Barney's accounting firm react well to Ben's sense of humor? What precisely is "salger"? Did April really kill the Black Eyed Peas? What role will Jean-Ralphio play in Ben's final decision? Where did Donna get her shiny silver M&M's? Podcast viewers, this is a fantastic episode, be sure not to miss it! Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, the often imitated but never duplicated JJ's Diner.
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 statement at the Ethics Trial, Leslie freely admits to her relationship with Ben, but insists they never did anything else wrong or unethical. Chris, however, thinks there may be more going on, and has several witnesses lined up to seek the truth. As the trial proceeds, Leslie manages to deflect most arguments brought to trial. However, rumor has it that Chris may have a killer witness waiting in the wings ... (DRAMATIC STING) As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... How many herbal supplements does Chris need to take to fight off depression? What happened to the woman in the mural who exposed her elbow? How exactly does Leslie spell out the word "YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY"? Who exactly is the killer witness? What final secret does Jerry reveal during the trial? Loyal podcast viewers, this is a big one, and the stakes have never been higher. Tune in to find out what happens! Last week's PSA went so well, Chris talked Ron into (grudgingly) doing another one this week. Be sure to tell us what you think!
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 anything she can to delay the opening of the park, so she and Ben will continue to work together, including such tactics as whipping the Pawnee townspeople into a frenzy so they protest the park. Meanwhile, Chris asks Tom and Jerry to rethink the department's visual brand ... which basically means choose a new font. The assignment is right in Jerry's comfort zone. Tom on the other hand wants to do much more, and ends up going overboard, his suggestions including the remodel of existing buildings, and a reality show. While Tom takes a stand as a dreamer, Jerry (decidedly a non-dreamer) objects and warns Tom this outlandish thinking is what doomed his company. Finally, in an attempt to improve himself, Andy plans to go back to college, starting with one class, but he's having a hard time deciding what to take. April and Ron kind of take up "devil and angel" positions on Andy's shoulders, with April suggesting something easy to get an A, while Ron suggests he take a new subject to broaden his horizons. After trying to adopt each of their approaches, Andy decides to take matters into his own hands, and choose his class at random. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Can Ann ever get a word in edgewise when trying to help Leslie? Is this truly the end of Leslie and Ben? Will Tom get Jerry to start dreaming? Will Jerry get Tom to calm the hell down? What class did Andy choose? How does Andy plan to pay for his class? Podcast viewers, this is a great episode for character development! Tune in and see for yourself! Instead of a commercial, Ron is doing a PSA for park rental needs.
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 along as friends, but when Leslie leaves a treaty meeting for a photo op for her city council campaign, Ben becomes annoyed and acts accordingly, agreeing to a treaty that excludes Denmark. When Leslie comes back, she is angry, they have words, and she ends up declaring war on Ben ... er, I mean, Peru. Meanwhile, Ron is interviewing Tom's replacement, although he really wants Tom back. Tom claims to have moved on to new ventures, but Ron knows he's working retail at Macy's. Tom joins Ron as he interviews many poor candidates, hoping to agitate Tom into returning, with no success. Finally, Chris' girlfriend (Milly Gergich, Jerry's daughter) stopped returning Chris' calls. Concerned the relationship was in trouble, he forms an impromptu think tank with an enthusiastic Donna and a very unenthusiastic Jerry, looking for advice. He asks Ann to join the mix, and although at first Ann finds it inappropriate, she agrees and ends up getting real with Chris. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Who will join Denmark's Coalition of the Willing? Why does Ron want Tom back so badly? Will the Traeger Think Tank be successful? What brilliant military strategy does Andy execute? Why does Tom not WANT to come back so badly? Just how real does Ann get with Chris? Will the Moon play a part in the escalating war? Is Tom's career at Macy's secure, or can they come to a compromise? Does Jerry lose his cool and clothesline Chris? Loyal podcast viewers, join us for a nerdy good time! Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, Flag 'R' Us - a Division of Swanson Industries.
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, reporter Shauna Malwae-Tweep shows interest in Ben. Leslie panics and attempts to dissuade Shauna from pursuing Ben. Meanwhile, Tom and Jean-Ralphio's company, Entertainment 720, is nearing its end. The two decide to spend all their remaining money on an "End of the World" party since the lease is not up until the following day. They go all-out, Tom using his skills to produce the most perfect party ever, including VIP rooms, Executive VIP rooms, Snake Juice ice fountain, craps table, roulette table, pirate ship bouncy castle, a Bengal Tiger, and more!!! Finally, bored with their usual routine, and maybe as a slight precaution to the world supposedly ending, April and Andy decide to shake things up, and complete as many things on Andy's bucket list as possible. (Yeah - Andy has a bucket list.) As the day progresses, we experience the lottery, grilled cheese sandwiches, armfuls of money, and more, until, finally, there is one... big... item... left. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Will the world end at dawn as predicted? What task does Tom give to Indiana Pacers Center Roy Hibbert? Is there such a thing as stupidity momentum? Does Shauna Malwae-Tweep continue to flirt with Ben? Who finally shows up at the party that makes Tom's night? How does Bert Macklin and Janet Snakehole figure into all this? What in the world is Ron doing at the vigil? Is E720's "End of the World" party considered a success? What is the final item on Andy's bucket list? Podcast viewers, join us for road trips, music, tigers, lizards, and more! We're saving a seat for you. Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, Mr. Mustache Musical Emporium - a division of Swanson Industries.
This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we meet the one and only Martin Kernston! Leslie hires Entertainment 720 (and by extension Tom) to organize a meet and greet for her and Pawnee business owners, including Pawnee Chamber of Commerce president Martin Kernston of Kernston's Rubber Nipples, hoping to court their votes for City Council. Leslie is annoyed to discover the meet and greet is one big Entertainment 720 advertisement, with hardly any mention of her. Things continue downhill when Tom pulls Kernston away from Leslie to discuss Entertainment 720, and even more when Tom interrupts Leslie's speech with a huge promotional presentation for Entertainment 720. Meanwhile, Andy and April are throwing a Halloween party at their house, but did not think to inform Ben. As the party progresses, we see several things happening: [a] Ben decides to be passive-aggressive instead of confronting them. After Ben refuses to tell Andy what's urking him, Andy wrestles with him and puts him in a headlock, refusing to let go until Ben talks. [b] Ron finds several things broken within the house, and decides to occupy himself making much needed repairs, eventually asking a hesitant Ann to assist (she has small hands). [c] Chris is dating Jerry's daughter Milly, but decides to not bring her to the party because he knew Jerry would be there. However, Jerry insists he doesn't mind, and to go ahead and ask her to come. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Will Leslie ever forgive Tom? Can Andy force Ben to confront why he's angry? Will Kernston ever meet with Leslie? Does Ron end up fixing everything in the house? Can everyone fit in the Entertainment 720 Limo Hot Tub? Will Jerry regret telling Chris to invite Milly? Podcast viewers, this one has the good, the bad, and the ugly ... join us as we break it down for you! Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, and the newest class at the William Percy Rec Center, entitled "Swanson Handyman In Training".
This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we are introduced to Tom and Donna's annual "Treat Yo Self" trip! Ron leads a Boy-Scout-esque club called the Pawnee Rangers, with Andy as assistant. Five years ago, a girl was turned away because the club is for boys only, so Leslie created the girls-only Pawnee Goddesses, with Ann and April as assistants. Leslie is determined to avenge the past rejection by proving her club is better, and arranges a Goddesses camping trip at the same time and place as the Rangers. As the weekend progresses, the Rangers become increasingly jealous of the Goddesses, who are having a lot more fun inside a decorated cabin, with crafts/pillow fights/candy/prizes, while the Rangers remain outside, are told to make a shelter with virtually no materials or training, and have beans-in-a-can. At one point, one of the Rangers actually goes so far as to try and defect over to the Goddesses. Meanwhile, when the Rangers and Goddesses take off, Donna and Tom decide to also take off on their annual "Treat Yo Self" trip, where they spend a day pampering themselves and spending extravagantly on things they don't need. Although typically a Tom and Donna thing, Donna notices Ben seems stressed out and really down, and convinces Tom (just this once) to let Ben join them, hoping it will lift his spirits. As the day progresses, it becomes clear that Ben is wound tight, and Tom and Donna's ideas of how to relax may not be exactly what Ben needs. Finally, with everyone else gone, Jerry is the only one left in the office. When Chris sees this, he gives Jerry the day off. An appreciative Jerry invites Chris to have lunch with him and his daughter Millicent, or "Milly". Chris politely declines, but when Milly comes to the office, Chris sees how attractive she is, "retroactively accepts" Jerry's offer, and goes out to lunch with both of them. During lunch, it certainly seems as though Chris and Milly are hitting it off. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Will Leslie and the Goddesses allow the boy to join their club? Can Donna convince Ben to warm up to acupuncture? How many Facebook Interest Groups do Chris and Milly share? Can Ron demonstrate all the practical uses for a tarpaulin? Can Tom convince Ben to buy more than a pair of plain white socks? Are there potential sparks in the air for Chris and Milly? Does Leslie have a public forum with Ron and the Rangers? What extravagant purchase does Ben finally land on? How does Chris interact with Jerry, realizing he is Milly's father? Loyal podcast viewers, please join us in watching this episode that encapsulates the good, the bad, and the ridiculous. You won't be sorry! Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, SWANSONS - Troup #001.
This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we finally learn Leslie's full name! Leslie wrote the book "Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America" and is promoting it on Pawnee Today, hoping Joan Callamezzo will put her book club sticker on it, which would increase sales AND help Leslie's campaign. Before the show, an anonymous source claims an inaccuracy in the book, which Leslie enlists the gang to find, trying to avoid Joan revealing it on air. When Leslie goes on Pawnee Today, Joan reveals the inaccuracy: Leslie "Born & Raised" Knope was NOT BORN IN PAWNEE, and because she lied, Joan refuses to put her book club sticker on it. Meanwhile, Leslie has hired Entertainment 720 (and by extension Tom) to get that book sticker. Tom is confident he can talk Joan into it because he always playfully flirts with her. But things get more complicated when Joan makes it known that she is divorcing her husband, and warns Tom not to make any promises he can't keep. Finally, when Leslie asks the gang to help her fact check the details, Ann is teamed up with Ron and April. Although Ron and April are traditionally stoic and silent, ESPECIALLY to her, Ann is determined to win them over with kindness and get them to actually have a conversation with her. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Where was Leslie actually born? Will Tom convince Joan to give Leslie's book the sticker? Can Ron finally whittle alone in silence, the way God intended? Who is the anonymous source that provided the tip? How many drinks does it take for Joan to refer to Tom as "an adorable hunk of caramel"? Does Ann have a secret weapon up her sleeve? Podcast viewers, this Joan-tastic episode is one you won't want to miss! Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, "Pawnee Public Radio's Newest Show: 3Qs and 2As".
This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we finally meet Ron's mother! When Leslie discovers Ron is busy preparing for a tax audit served to him by Tammy 1, she rounds up April and Andy to help sort through Ron's assortment of receipt odds-and-ends. Horrified at Ron's recordkeeping, Tammy 1 demands access to every part of his life for the audit. Over the next week, Tammy 1 moves back in with Ron and assumes complete control over him. Ron shaves off his moustache, becomes kind, refuses to do anything without Tammy 1's approval ... basically becoming a neutered wimp. Meanwhile, Tom asks Ben to look over the Entertainment 720 finances, at which point Ben discovers Tom and Jean-Ralphio are wasting huge amounts of money on a state-of-the-art office, high salaries with full benefits, paying NBA players to play basketball all day ... all despite having no income. Ben becomes alarmed, and is determined to make sure they understand the situation they're in. Finally, Ann wants to update the Health Department's Public Service Announcement for diabetes. When Ann asks Chris if he would like to help her make a new PSA, he excitedly agrees, and drops everything to help. Unfortunately, Chris is overly-enthusiastic, his OCD turning something Ann hopes will take 1-2 hours into something that lasts over a week ... Ann is so bored and miserable, she wonders why she even dated him in the first place. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Can Tom and Jean-Ralphio turn things around by printing their own money? Does Chris have the same wardrobe as the Spice Girls? What is Swanson Family Mash Liquor? Why DID Ann ever date Chris in the first place? What exactly is "the party switch"? What do you do if Godzilla attacks the city? Loyal podcast viewers, this episode is truly one of a kind. Come enjoy it in all its Tammy-colored glory! Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, 'Tam-Away'.
This week Mark and Allen break down the Episode where we finally learn Ron's full name! Picking up where the Season 3 finale left off, a couple of things happen later that night: Leslie tells Ann about the political scouts and her agreeing to run for office, although she is conflicted due to her relationship with Ben, which could cause a scandal. In addition, upon learning that Tammy One has arrived in town, Ron grabs an emergency survival bag and flees to live in the wilderness. THREE WEEKS LATER ... Ron is still MIA, Leslie still hasn't broken up with Ben, and a penis is emailed to all female employees (and Jerry). Chris and Ben investigate, while Leslie does media damage control via televised interview with Perd Hapley. The interview goes so well, the political scouts decide to use the momentum and move Leslie's announcement up by three months. This causes Leslie to go into a panic about Ben. Meanwhile, Ann informs Chris the genitals in the email show symptoms of mumps. Proud of Ann's diagnosing abilities, Chris announces Ann's discovery to everyone ... causing the male employees to fill Ann's inbox with pictures of their junk, afraid they caught the mumps as well. Finally, despite resigning from his position in the Parks Department, Tom visits the gang multiple times with lots of promotional material and swag from his new job at Entertainment 720. Tom ends up offering Andy a job, which causes Andy to have some rare moments of introspection, wondering if working for Tom would be a good move, and in a more general sense, if there's something more for him out there beyond shoe shining. As always, we tackle the tough questions, such as ... Will Ron ever return from his remote cabin in the woods? Do Chris and Ben find out who sent the initial penis email? Does Andy accept Tom's job offer? Can Leslie manage to break up with Ben? Will there be a mumps outbreak at City Hall? Can Tom's Entertainment 720 magnet truly wipe out the debt on Andy's credit card? Whatever happened to Tammy 1? Folks, this is a great start to a great season ... So sit back, relax, and enjoy it with us! Many thanks to our amazing sponsor, Pawnee Computer Pros (PCP).