Tired of superficial reality shows? Looking for a laugh because you’ve seen too many shows about lawyers and crime? Or perhaps you are an Amy Poehler fan and miss her work on “Saturday Night Live.” Either way, in an interview with The Eagle, stars Poehler and Aziz Ansari answered questions as to why we should tune in to the second season of their comedy “Parks and Recreation,” a mockumentary that satires a local government in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.
The eccentric bureaucrat Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, strives to beautify the town of Pawnee and aims to ultimately become the first woman president. According to Poehler, Knope would “create a Central Park in every city” as well as “mandatory dance parties in public schools.”
“We’re all just kind of figuring out what Leslie’s motivations are... [and] enjoying the crazy world that Leslie creates for herself and all the people that are in it,” Poehler said of this upcoming season. If you’ve watched any of the episodes from the first season, it’s no surprise that Leslie seems to overlook how other people view her and is the ‘loveable loser’ type of character.
“I think that Leslie has good intentions but no game... she’s not dumb, she just isn’t suave,” said Poehler. “So I have to straddle the line between figuring out what she actually knows about a situation but how she doesn’t have many skills as how to play it ... we’re all kind of figuring out who we are and where we’re supposed to be.”
Poehler also recognized the change in switching from sketch comedy to a sitcom.
“It’s been awesome to be able to just settle in and play someone and really kind of figure out where they’re coming from and how they would act and behave,” she said. “The great thing... about SNL is how versatile you get to be in that show. But the characters can be very transient and the experience can be very temporary; it starts anew every week. And so it’s been nice to settle in and play someone who I could believe would actually maybe exist in the world.”
Aziz Ansari plays Tom Haverford, Leslie’s sleazy coworker. Tom tries to use the little political power he has for his own personal gain.
“[Tom] always kind of gives [Leslie] the skinny on what’s really happening in real life,” said Poehler.
“But he’s still a douchebag most of the time,” replied Ansari.
“For Tom, you know, it’s always fun playing a guy that you would hate, like so it’s kind of a fun attitude to just play this, like a prick dude,” said Ansari.
Season two will give us more insight into the characters and their lives, Ansari said. “There’s still so much to find out about these characters. [As] the people in the office start digging up dirt on each other... we find some really interesting things about everybody.”
This season will also point out how different the show is from “The Office,” which “Parks and Recreation” is often compared to. The show will branch out and focus not just on parks, but also include gay penguins, Tom and Leslie judging a beauty pageant, marijuana growers and a romantic interest for Leslie.
“This season she’s trying to get over an unrequited love and turn her face towards a better and perspective future,” Poehler said. “Leslie just kind of decides she’s over Mark and this guy Dave (played by Louis C.K.), he comes in, and he really likes her... I hope that good things happen, but it’s up to the writers and Jesus Christ.”
Season two promises more development with Tom’s character, who, despite having a wife, flirts with various women.
Tom and Leslie’s friendship will also develop in the upcoming season. “You see Tom kind of being more of a real person and telling Leslie that she ... deserves a good guy in her life,” said Poehler.
“I don’t think he’s a mean-spirited guy ultimately,” said Ansari. “I think he enjoys poking fun, but I think he does care about Leslie.”
Guest stars this season will include Paul Sheer and John Benton. Poehler also joked that popular band Coldplay would be in every episode.
Don’t miss the premiere of the second season of “Parks and Recreation,” which airs this Thursday, Sept. 17 at 8:30 p.m. on NBC. You’ll also be able to catch Poehler appearing on a few “Weekend Update” skits on “SNL” this month.
You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.
