TV REVIEW: Parks & Recreation, "Jerry's Painting" episode
BY Robbie Woliver
NBC's Thursday night comedy lineup often proves worthy of the weekly high anticipation many of us have for it, despite recurring disappointments. The three main shows, The Office, Parks & Rec and 30 Rock, have all had their brilliant moments, but all three have also had incredibly uneven episodes, often jumping a whole school of sharks, especially 30 Rock, which can breach from pure genius to cartoon-silly in a second. Last night's episode was a perfect example--there were so many superclever over-the-top-of-our-heads references along with just plain over-the-top silliness that turned the episode quickly into a sometimes disappointing shtickfest (a talking bag? please). The Office has had a particularly strong season this year, and last night's tender and moving farewell was one of its best and most memorable. The wickedly underappreciated Parks & Rec had a hard act to follow with Michael Scott's heart-ripping, teary departure, but it more than lived up to the task.
The writing was so strong, the directing so precise, the comic acting was so in tune, and the story was both funny and topical, turning an important social issue (censorship of the arts) into a relatable and accessible storyline. 30 Rock also tried to deal with a topical issue--North Korea--but with more cartoonish and unrealistic results (although get that guest Emmy nomination ready for Margaret Cho's inspired turn as Kim Jong Il.)
The "Jerry's Painting" episode of Parks & Rec was outstanding, one of the series' best. Hapless Jerry (Jim O'Heir in P&R's Toby/Office role) painted a piece of art featuring Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler, as in, I'm so in love with...) as a bare-breasted centaur. The episode had several strong storylines, but one had me laughing so hard, and rerunning on my DVR so many times, that it deserves a special shout out.
TV's most dysfunctional couple, April, the Parks Depratment sullen indie-girl secretary (Aubrey Plaza who is really growing on me) and her ebullient new hubby Andy (the fantastic Chris Pratt) take in a new roomie, straight-laced Ben (Adam Scott). But before Ben signs on, April informs him that there are some house rules he must follow:
1. You can't use the front door. You have to climb in through the back window.
2. No personal phone conversations.
3. If you ever speak to me in Spanish, please use the formal usted. (This was not only the funniest line of the episode, but maybe even of the season.)
4. No electricity after 6 p.m.
5. If you ever watch a sad movie, you have to wear mascara so we can see whether or not you've been crying. (This would have been a perfect test for any of us during the preceding Office episode.)
6. There's no noise allowed on Monday.
7. No TV after breakfast.
Add to this, a smart storyline, the wonderful continuing growth of Poehler's Knope, an hysterical turn by Nick Offerman's Ron Swenson as he reluctantly introduces an art show, Rob Lowe's perfect recurring guest turn, and smart joke after joke, and "Jerry's Painting" easily shows what a strong contender Parks & Rec can be in its imposing Thursday night nest.
IN OTHER WORDS: Leslie Knope as a topless, braided centaur? 'Nuff said.
PARKS & REC RATING: 10/10
JERRY'S ART SKILLS RATING: 10 therapy sessions/10
APRIL'S HOUSE RULES RATING: Awesome/10
BYE, MICHAEL SCOTT RATING: 96 tears/100
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