Diane Haithman is contributing to Deadline’s TV coverage.
NBC’s quirky comedy Parks And Recreation, which just wrapped production on its fourth season over the weekend, shot two versions of the season finale. It is not a case of the producers prepping both a season and a series finale as NBC is yet to make a renewal decision on the comedy starring Amy Poehler but a creative decision tied to this season’s story arc. A major focus of the ongoing season of Parks and Recreation has been the city council campaign of Leslie Knope (Poehler), a deliberate parallel to the presidential election year. At tonight’s PaleyFest panel featuring cast members and producers of the show, co-creator/executive producer Michael Schur revealed that the production team shot two versions of the season finale: In one, Leslie wins the election. In the other, she loses.
It was partly “in case we changed our minds,” and partly to throw outsiders “off the scent.” Schur said, adding that there were some 200 baffled extras on the set who were told to whoop it up to celebrate Leslie’s win, then change the mood when “we did the same scene but she lost.” Schur confirmed that the season will not end it a cliffhanger, but he would not reveal which scene will air. “No one outside the production really knows,” he said. Poehler added that both the acceptance speech and the concession speech were touching for her and “brought on the waterworks” because “both ended the same way, thanking everyone for their hard work.”


I truly believe that this is the best written comedy on television. The show has provided an abundance of laughs with enormous amounts of heart. On another night without direction comparisons to The Office, Parks would have a chance to find a new audience. NBC, please give it that chance. This cast/writing staff is too good to let slip through your fingers.
Save the Parks
Funniest show on TV. It has to come back.
The first time I saw Amy Poehler was in a dusty black box theater somewhere downtown. There were maybe five people there. The commitment that she brought to performing all those laughs that night, she may as well have been in a long foregone Broadway hit on opening night. She can do anything, and whatever she does she’ll always do it with grace, style, completely invisible craft, and most especially heart. A luminous generosity of spirit lifts all. There’s a great dramatic actress in there too. The definition of special in my opinion. One of a kind.
It’s a good show. But do they really think anyone cares that much? Five people watch this thing. Harvard hubris.
Right, but this isn’t the USA Today website, so the target audience for readers isn’t going to be the general public, it’s going to be industry buffs (both fans and staff inside the industry)–and the show has received pretty consistently good critical reception and praise from industry peers.
Amy went to Boston College, thank you very much.
One of best shows on television in a while.
It’s nice that the 200 people who still watch Parks & Rec can all find each other on the internet every single time something about the show is posted.
Further proof that the Nielsen system is inaccurate. How is it 15 years ago Seinfeld was the number one comedy yet today any actual quality comedies with a bit of wit and intelligence can’t crack the top 20? The 18-34 demo takes advantage of the ability to seek out content through access channels that suit them which clearly isn’t broadcast TV. Nielsen is not accurately capturing the actual number of viewers. Seinfeld wouldn’t crack the top 20 if it was on the air today.
It’s nice that the 200 people who still watch Parks and Rec can all find each other on the internet every single time something about the show is posted.
it’s nice that internet trolls find happy stories and happy comments to snark on. Back to your bridge you troll, you. Get thee back!
AP is adorable.
Parks is the best. A comedy that inspires actual laughing. But I hope Leslie loses so they don’t break up the parks office.
Parks is the best. A comedy that inspires actual laughing. But I think I hope Leslie loses so they don’t break up the parks office.
In last week’s episode, they laid the groundwork for Leslie still remaining within the Parks and Recreation department if she wins the City Council seat. When talking to Ron about the need for additional staff members during her campaign, Chris said something to the effect of, “Leslie’s already cut back her time in the Parks department for the campaign, and, if she wins a position on the City Council, she’ll be focusing equally on both.”
I think it might be fun to see Leslie in both worlds, especially given how much she’s grown since the start of the series. It would be a nice pay off for her and for the audience. For me, the best possible outcome would be her winning the election and Adam Scott’s character being brought back to the Parks department to supplement her job when she’s not there, which would keep him in the fold with everyone in the office. Once the campaign is done, I can’t think of any other way for them to do that.
Besides Modern Family and 30 Rock I have not found a show as funny as Parks and Rec that truly make me belly-laugh! Hope it goes on for at least another year or two.
SNL hasn’t been funny since she and Tina Fey left.
I don’t know what a few are you are thinking, this show is incredibly popular. It is rightfully so, the comedy and cast is amazing.
I don’t think there’s any need for concern about P&R. I’d be more concerned if I were part of the cast and crew of The Office, Whitney and Chelsea.
The show has been so so great. The Ron/ April relationship is amazing, as is Andy/April. But please break up Ann and Tom. Please.
Several of the commenters above are right. This is perhaps the best show on television, but since it’s lower rated no one should talk about it – ever – and I should stop watching. I’m glad they have showed me the error of my ways by posting here. Good job!
The Office hasn’t been nearly as good this year as P&R. P&R is a great show and I think Whitney is a hilarious show.
Whitney started out dreadfully but has gotten better each week. Hope it makes the cut.
Every single episode of P&R has been a home run this season! However, the only redeeming factor I can see in the office at all is Rainn Wilson and Creed Bratton. Stop rehashing unused Michael storylines on Andy!
i love parks n recreation!!! it needs to come back next season!!! best show ever!!!!