‘Parks and Rec' special leaves fans feeling all kinds of feels
Five years after the series finale, the cast of Parks and Recreation reunited Thursday night to raise money for Feeding America with a special episode. Fans were given an opportunity to see how their favorite characters from Pawnee, Indiana are holding up amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode featured characters Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones), Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari), April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza), Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt), Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott), Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe), Garry Gergich (Jim O’Heir) and Donna Meagle (Retta) all communicating via video conferences while being quarantined in their homes...or shed in Andy’s case. The episode was both comical and informative as the characters discussed the importance of social distancing, hand washing, and maintaining physical and mental health. For example, Ron said “I've been practicing social distancing since I was four years old.” While Andy, as Johnny Karate, related to people’s struggles saying, “Wash your hands - and I know what you're thinkin', I'm a 38-year-old man and I've literally never once washed my hands in my entire life.” The special was a massive success, and it was the number one trending topic on Twitter for much of the night. Fans flocked to the social media site to share their adoration for the show. While the entire episode was wonderful, it was the musical number at the end that brought down the house. The characters all came together to remember their favorite local celebrity, Li'l Sebastian. The fictional miniature horse may have died in season three, but its spirit clearly lives on in fans.
Video Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
- When you travel, are you practicing social distancing?
- I've been practicing social distancing since I was four years old.
KYLIE MAR: Five years after the series finale, the cast of "Parks and Recreation" reunited Thursday night to raise money for Feeding America with a special episode. Fans got to see how their favorite characters from Pawnee, Indiana, are holding up amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Why are you in another room? Are you quarantining?
- No. Well, kind of. Locked myself in the shed. I can't get out.
KYLIE MAR: Fans were also treated to cameos from some of their favorite recurring characters. And even Johnny Karate made an appearance.
Adoring fans helped the show trend to number one on Twitter, with one person tweeting, "My serotonin levels rising after watching a new episode of "Parks and Rec" in the year 2020."
And while the whole episode was great, the highlight of the night was definitely the big musical number at the end.
- (SINGING) Bye-bye, Li'l Sebastian. I miss you in the saddest fashion.
Bye-bye, Li'l Sebastian. You're 5,000 candles in the wind.
KYLIE MAR: The silly song left to many viewers feeling all the feels. As one person tweeted, "I did not realize how much I needed a musical tribute to a dead fictional miniature horse, but this is 2020, our weirdest year."
In fact, the musical number was so good that for Leslie Knope, the quarantine was worth it.
[APPLAUSE]
- Oh! That was amazing. Someone needs to stop me before I accidentally say this is the best month of my life. Thank you, everyone!
- Bye!
- Bye, everybody! I love you!
- Bye! Bye, best friend!
- Bye-bye!
[MUSIC PLAYING]
