TV tonight: ‘Parks and Recreation Special’ benefits Feeding America
Pawnee reunion will raise funds for COVID-19 Response Fund
Well, this is a very welcome sight as we shelter in place: Five years after bidding farewell to prime time, the kooky citizens of Pawnee, Ind., are reuniting for “A Parks and Recreation Special” tonight (8:30 p.m. April 30, NBC).
All of the characters from the beloved series are returning in the 30-minute one-night-only event, played by original cast members Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O’Heir, and Retta. (In addition, several guest stars from the Pawnee universe are expected to pop in).
The scripted telecast was created to raise funds for Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which will enable food banks to secure the resources they need to serve the most vulnerable members of the community during this difficult time. In the spirit of Leslie Knope and do-gooders everywhere, please go to www.feedingamerica.org/parksandrec.
Tonight’s story is inspired by our trying current events – Pawnee’s most dedicated civil servant, Leslie Knope (Poehler), is determined to stay connected to her friends in a time of social distancing.
“Like a lot of other people, we were looking for ways to help and felt that bringing these characters back for a night could raise some money,” said executive producer Michael Schur. “I sent a hopeful email to the cast and they all got back to me within 45 minutes. Our old ‘Parks and Rec’ team has put together one more 30-minute slice of (quarantined) Pawnee life and we hope everyone enjoys it. And donates!”
In a conference call with reporters earlier this week, Schur discussed how the special came together and the tricky logistics involved. The show adhered to social distancing edicts and was shot on iPhones.
The fact that it even materialized in the first pace was surprising to Schur.
“I honestly didn’t think that ‘Parks and Rec’ was ever going to reunite for any reason, just because I felt like that show had a point to make, and I felt like we’d made it, and we ended the show and it just didn’t seem like there was a compelling reason,” he said. “But this is a compelling reason. This is as compelling a reason as there is.”
Collectively, NBC, the cast, writers and producers and sponsors Subaru and State Farm are giving $500,000 in matching donations through May 21. The donation site is open now.