Parks and Rec Raises Money For COVID-19, Challenges Classic Production Styles

Parks and Rec fans got a treat early into US quarantine when the sitcom returned for a special new episode that was filmed via video chat. Amy Poehler announced that the cast and creators will match $500,000 in donations made towards Feeding America‘s COVID-19 Response Fund. NBCUniversal, as well as sponsors State Farm and Subaru of America, will also match the amount of donations. By mid-May, the special raised $2.8 million dollars in donations for the response fund.

The entire main cast returned, including Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Aziz Ansari, Jim O’Heir, and Rhetta, in addition to other special guest stars for an original episode set during the current COVID-19 pandemic. NBC provided the cast with the necessary equipment for them to perform as their characters from home, as well as the writers providing them with an original script. The filming process of this special and other productions working around COVID-19 has opened up new creation possibilities in the world of film: actors individually filming from home as the new future in creating content.

The possibility of filming on a set this year with an ensemble cast is also unlikely to happen, as studios have been forced to close for quarantine. The creativity behind the content people are creating in their homes is impressive, yet the lack of actors not being on a set together, takes away the natural chemistry needed for audiences to grow connected with the characters on screen. Parks and Rec remains to be a celebrated show because of how well each actor physically interacts with one another, so this new style may only fare for this special edition episode.

The ever-charming Leslie Knope returns in this new episode when she takes it upon herself to start a video chat line that will allow her and the former Parks Department team to stay connected with each other while also quarantining in their homes. Her ability, as well as the rest of the cast of popular performers to jump back into character five years later demonstrates the comedic talent of the ensemble. The episode concludes on a comforting musical number with Andy (Chris Pratt) and the rest of the cast, singing the Lil Sebastian tribute song, “5,000 Candles in the Wind”. The show’s return couldn’t have come in a more desperate time when folks at home are in need of some good laughter, especially in the form of a tiny horse.