A Parks and Recreation Special
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 30, 2020
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 5 out of 36

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User Reviews

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  1. damien_k98
    May 2, 2020
    6
    I'm a bit mixed on this one. I really thought that maybe they were planning to drop a Parks and Rec revival series on Peacock this summer so they decided to release the first episode on TV kinda like how NBC (or is it CBS?) drops the first episode of an upcoming show on YouTube for free. To me, while the special retains the spirit of the show via a Zoom meeting, some of the performancesI'm a bit mixed on this one. I really thought that maybe they were planning to drop a Parks and Rec revival series on Peacock this summer so they decided to release the first episode on TV kinda like how NBC (or is it CBS?) drops the first episode of an upcoming show on YouTube for free. To me, while the special retains the spirit of the show via a Zoom meeting, some of the performances and jokes make me feel like I was walking through the line of a Parks and Rec ride and everytime you enter a new room, another returning cast member is there to greet you, I mean the episode even ends like a ride (most specifically the Despicable Me ride) everyone gathers around and the most iconic song plays (for DM it was that Pharell song). Overall, it's quite a nostalgic experience, but it isn't a strong one.… Expand
  2. Antiquecardboar
    May 3, 2020
    5
    As a fan of the series this special is very forgettable. Not worth your time. I don't know what the critics watched that gave this a high rating. All the actors did a good job...it just wasn't very funny or entertaining. Maybe I am just sick of video conferencing in general...and that is all this episode is.
  3. Vikn01776
    May 3, 2020
    7
    Decently funny. Joan, Jean-Ralphio, Jamm and Bobby Newport all elicited a laugh/chuckle from me. Feels like they're trying very hard to recreate the magic from the show with some success. Felt a little forced in some places. Overall worth a watch.
  4. xicoweh829
    May 7, 2020
    0
    I wish I could give a lower score. Did the critics see the same episode as I did? Yeah I understand, COVID-19, but that was NOT FUNNY. I'm not talking about giggles. I did not even smile. Waste of your time.
  5. podaddy
    Aug 10, 2020
    3
    Love the show and thought I'd love seeing the gang, but there's really no reason to watch this. It is clumsy, awkward, and, most unfunny. The love it's getting seems to be often prefaced with commentary about how nice it was to see while being shut in during a shut down that was triggered by Covid-19. That's not a valid reason to like the show. Great that it was for charity, but that isLove the show and thought I'd love seeing the gang, but there's really no reason to watch this. It is clumsy, awkward, and, most unfunny. The love it's getting seems to be often prefaced with commentary about how nice it was to see while being shut in during a shut down that was triggered by Covid-19. That's not a valid reason to like the show. Great that it was for charity, but that is also not a reason to say the special was, well, special. I feel like the 3 I'm rating it is a bit generous, but since it was for charity and all, I guess I'm feeling a bit charitable.… Expand
  6. JDDallas
    May 3, 2020
    9
    Wow!..well done guys..I know you're actors and don't know me from Adam..but it was like seeing old friends again..thank you

    ..very clever how you made the whole Zoom quarantine thing work..cuz SatNiteLive tried it just a coupla weeks ago and it failed miserably (IMO) Also, IF you've not seen Parks&Rec and looking for something to binge whilst "hunkerin' down" this series would be a    Wow!..well done guys..I know you're actors and don't know me from Adam..but it was like seeing old friends again..thank you

    ..very clever how you made the whole Zoom quarantine thing work..cuz SatNiteLive tried it just a coupla weeks ago and it failed miserably (IMO)

    Also, IF you've not seen Parks&Rec and looking for something to binge whilst "hunkerin' down" this series would be a winner..cuz the special DID have a lot of "you had to be there" jokes that only longtime fans of the show could really appreciate One little tip though: maybe skip the first season (only 6 episodes)..it wasn't til the 2nd Season that P&R found it's groove and became the series I love so much    … Expand
  7. Davrosdaleks1
    May 4, 2020
    7
    This charity special was made in response to COVID-19. This was a generally entertaining special.

    All the original main cast as well as most of the popular recurring characters are back and no one has dropped a beat when it comes to performances. Overall, this special is fairly funny. There are a couple of great bits, particularly near the end, but the jokes as a whole are mostly just    This charity special was made in response to COVID-19. This was a generally entertaining special.

    All the original main cast as well as most of the popular recurring characters are back and no one has dropped a beat when it comes to performances.

    Overall, this special is fairly funny. There are a couple of great bits, particularly near the end, but the jokes as a whole are mostly just decent. One reason being that the script had to work with all the actors performing from their own homes. Another reason is that the story is a little heavy on reliving nostalgia from the original series

    Overall, I recommend this if you're a big fan of the original Parks and Recreation, but this shouldn't be your start-off point.    … Expand
  8. a6efightermasn
    Jul 3, 2020
    9
    A welcome escape from our current circumstances - I was pleasantly surprised with the end product, especially considering the remote production and filming that occurred. For a moment I was transferred from my house where I've spent so much time recently - back to Pawnee with some of my favorite characters and stories.

    They did a great job of presenting the story in a high quality manner,    A welcome escape from our current circumstances - I was pleasantly surprised with the end product, especially considering the remote production and filming that occurred. For a moment I was transferred from my house where I've spent so much time recently - back to Pawnee with some of my favorite characters and stories.

    They did a great job of presenting the story in a high quality manner, whilst still retaining some of the magic and storylines of the original show. My only criticism would be that I wished some characters had made appearances but didn't. But overall a welcome escape from our current world!    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best TV Season of 2020
63
#63 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020
44
#44 Most Shared TV Season of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. The Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Kristi Turnquist
    May 1, 2020
    90
    The “Parks and Recreation” special made the most of its brisk running time, packing in lovely moments for the characters, and gently delivering the message that we need to take care of our emotional and mental health as we quarantine during these anxious times.
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  2. Vanity Fair
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    May 1, 2020
    80
    Parks and Rec delivered to its fans what the show is famous for: Hope, sweetness, enthusiasm, and light comedy.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    May 1, 2020
    80
    The commercial parodies are funny (particularly a lonely Jean-Ralphio begging people to call him), and there are a few inspired jokes about life at a remove from one another. ... Mostly, though, Schur and company lean on what we already know about the characters.
    Read full review
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