# "Community" or "Parks and Recreation"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 8, 2020, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340 "2020-04-08T12:40:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/21 "2020-04-08T16:10:00Z")
Parks and Recreation for me, although I did enjoy Community. Community had some great characters, but Ron Swanson could take any of them with both hands tied behind his back. And while Community had Annie’s Boobs, Pawnee had Little Sebastian (RIP). > [@](#): > > _Pawnee has had its ups and downs, its highs and lows. We’ve had both wonderful heroes and miserable villains. We’ve had triumphs and we’ve had plenty of failures. Our history is the history of America itself, and if you choose to come spend some time with us you will leave a changed person. So drive on down Route 37 and see what we have to offer. Don’t stay in Bloomington. They’re a bunch of snobs._ > > –Pawnee: The Greatest Town In America ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/22 "2020-04-08T16:13:38Z")
Parks and Rec isn’t anything like It’s Always Sunny, IMO. Not at all a cringe humor show. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/23 "2020-04-08T16:15:50Z")
Although Community lost steam and became repetitive and unnecessarily absurd after a couple of seasons, it was much better than P&R, that show almost never had a smile on my face. Also, Amy Poehler is not that funny. She’s the discount Tina Fey. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/24 "2020-04-08T16:21:23Z")
_P-n-R_ is an okay _The Office_ clone. _Community_ is one of the favorite shows I’ve ever dean. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/25 "2020-04-08T16:22:49Z")
She’s really not much like Tina Fey, other than that she’s a women and was once on SNL. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/26 "2020-04-08T16:24:38Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Which season’s episodes of Parks & Rec did you see? Because the show really didn’t find its footing until after the first season. I don’t remember the actual episodes, but I think one of them was the very first (I know you can’t judge a show by S1E1). For what it’s worth I did enjoy the few I saw. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/27 "2020-04-08T16:25:09Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > She’s really not much like Tina Fey, other than that she’s a women and was once on SNL. I always get the “when I grow up I want to be Tina Fey” vibe. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/28 "2020-04-08T16:26:52Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > _P-n-R_ is an okay _The Office_ clone. _Community_ is one of the favorite shows I’ve ever dean. Honestly, Parks & Rec started as a spin-off of The Office, but from the beginning it was different, except for the addressing-the-camera bit. It’s really not a clone (any more than Modern Family is a clone). ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/29 "2020-04-08T16:30:43Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > I always get the “when I grow up I want to be Tina Fey” vibe. I don’t. UCB is a tremendous accomplishment that has effected comedy for a while now. I don’t think she needs to grow up at all. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/30 "2020-04-08T16:36:22Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > She’s really not much like Tina Fey, other than that she’s a women and was once on SNL. Maybe not, but it’s natural to think of them together, since they are good friends and have often worked together. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/31 "2020-04-08T16:38:56Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Honestly, Parks & Rec started as a spin-off of The Office, but from the beginning it was different, except for the addressing-the-camera bit. It’s really not a clone (any more than Modern Family is a clone). If I remember right, Parks and Rec S1 was only half a season, and it was originally more cringe-y style humor like the Office. Then they retooled for S2 and made it a little more warm-hearted, but kept the talking head documentary style. But things didn’t really get rolling until late S2 or early S3 when they brought in Rob Lowe and Adam Scott. (Whatever happened to Mark Brendanowitz anyway?) ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/32 "2020-04-08T16:40:39Z")
He does a lot of indie films. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/33 "2020-04-08T17:20:22Z")
> [@Lantern](#): > > Both shows are great. If I had to split them I would say Community has higher peaks while Parks has a higher average quality. The best dozen or so episodes of Community: paintball, the Goodfellas parody, Dungeons and Dragons etc are some of the best comedy every created IMO but if I had to watch a random episode I would probably pick Parks. Pretty much this. But know that I think 30 Rock and Always Sunny are worthless, so you might want to discount my vote because of that. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/34 "2020-04-08T19:06:02Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Also, I hadn’t realized Ken Jeong was in Community. That is a gigantic negative for me. In fact, it might have prompted me to vow never to watch it. The support I see here may persuade me to give it a try. > > So, Community lovers…Ken Jeong annoys the hell out of me. Should I still give it a go? As stated Jeong’s character, Chang, is supposed to be annoying. The study group isn’t really all that much of a fan of him. But he has some amazing scenes (his scene in the first Paintball episode had me rolling!). Community basically made Ken Jeong’s career (well The Hangover came out the same year, so helped make his career?), so that may be a strike for you, I dunno? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/35 "2020-04-08T19:19:47Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Honestly, Parks & Rec started as a spin-off of The Office, but from the beginning it was different, except for the addressing-the-camera bit. It’s really not a clone (any more than Modern Family is a clone). Huh? How is Parks and Rec a spin off of The Office. If anything, they’re little more than very similar shows with a similar format. They’re both produced (and heavily influenced by) Michael Schur, who played Mose on The Office. He’s also responsible for Brooklyn 99. A lot of other shows as well, but B99 is similar to the other two. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > So, Community lovers…Ken Jeong annoys the hell out of me. Should I still give it a go? I just started Community about a week ago and I’m into the second season. I wouldn’t write off the show just because you don’t like him. It would be like not watching Saved By The Bell because you didn’t like Mr Belding. He’s a big part of the scenes that he’s in, but he’s only on screen for a few minutes of each episode. I still regret not watching Schitt’s Creek because of Chris Eliott. I’m glad I started watching sometime around the 3rd(?) season or so. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/36 "2020-04-08T19:30:24Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > He’s a big part of the scenes that he’s in, but he’s only on screen for a few minutes of each episode. Some of the later episodes [might be more of a problem](https://youtube.com/watch?v=mJ_HhT-tneA). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/37 "2020-04-08T20:56:03Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > Honestly, Parks & Rec started as a spin-off of The Office, but from the beginning it was different, except for the addressing-the-camera bit. It’s really not a clone (any more than Modern Family is a clone). > > Huh? How is Parks and Rec a spin off of The Office. If anything, they’re little more than very similar shows with a similar format. They’re both produced (and heavily influenced by) Michael Schur, who played Mose on The Office. He’s also responsible for Brooklyn 99. A lot of other shows as well, but B99 is similar to the other two. It’s described in the [Wikipedia article on Parks and Recreation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parks_and_Recreation), “Immediately after Ben Silverman was named co-chairman of NBC’s entertainment division in 2007, he asked Greg Daniels to create a spin-off of The Office. Daniels co-created Parks and Recreation with Michael Schur, who had been a writer on The Office. The two spent months considering ideas for the new series and debating whether to make it a stand-alone rather than a spin-off. According to Daniels, they eventually abandoned the original spin-off plan because they ‘couldn’t find the right fit’. They considered a series about a local government official trying to rebuild a political career following a humiliating public spectacle. They eventually abandoned the idea, though it did end up being incorporated into the backstory for Ben Wyatt late in the second season. After Amy Poehler agreed to play the lead, they decided the series would revolve around an optimistic bureaucrat in small-town government.” ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/38 "2020-04-08T21:03:16Z")
OK, I just watched the first 3 episodes of Community. Love it. Ken Jeong didn’t bother me at all, he was actually pretty funny. And I typically reflexively dislike Chevy Chase - asshole that he is - but he really is good in this role. I’m in. > [@](#): > > “He has Aspergers” > “Did he say Ass Burgers?” > “It can’t be a serious disease, otherwise they would have named it meningitis” (paraphrasing) mmm ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/39 "2020-04-08T21:05:22Z")
I voted for _Community_. For a idea of the show at its best, [Abed and Dean Pelton in a Honda Commercial for Community](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmKvSHkquho) (a real commercial using the show’s characters) is a good start. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340/40 "2020-04-08T21:19:57Z")
I love the way that _Community_ integrated product placement into the show, like their very subtle use of KFC and Subway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-or-parks-and-recreation/851340.md?page=3)