The very short first season was a disappointment. With the creators of The Office and the comedic talent in front of the camera, it simply did not live up to its pedigree. That being said, I was rooting for the show throughout the season, and there were certainly glimmers of hope and was worth watching. The episodes were very inconsistent, but Amy Poehler can make anything worth watching.

Parks and Recreation has soared above and beyond The Office creatively and comically wise. Amy Poehler is perfection as Leslie Knope and Aubrey Plaza is a scene stealer as April Ludgate. If you didn't like it at first, check it out once more. It has improved tremendously. You have to watch this show!

A comparison with The Office is completely understandable since both shows are filmed in a similar way. Amy Poehler is a comedic genius surrounded by a cast that definitely know their art and know how to be supporting actors. I can understand that this type of humour is not for everyone but I can honestly say that this show is one that keeps you coming back and has you asking for more.

How can this even be classed as comedy? Clearly a cheap rip-off of The Office (as with nearly all 'mockumentary' shows). I can understand the premise behind it but if people were actually this inept at what is supposedly their job they wouldn't work for more than a week at best in any job. I can't watch a full episode, it's just cringe-worthy stuff

This show is amazing. Beyond amazing. This show is the best comedy on television. Bow down to the queen, and for once, I don't mean Tina Fey. Amy Poehler kills it. The supporting cast kills it. Ron Swanson might be the best supporting character on television. Every week this show is solid. I hope it goes on forever. I want to grow old with this show.

I used to love this show when it came out all through the last season. It was funny and campy and it had a very small-town feel to it. It was just about a woman trying to make a difference in her community.

Sadly, the show in the currently running season, has turned into a game of partisan politics. It's essentially about mercilessly savaging strawmen of one side of American politics. I am sure that if you have a brain between your ears you can figure out which side of the political spectrum this show is assailing.

It was still mildly funny at first, but after a while this became the central theme of the show. It's very much about 'wow look at how stupid and domineering and vile this side is!' and is turning into a real circle-jerk where certain types of people are going to watch is and get giddy that their political beliefs are (yet again) reflected so accurately on the big screen.

Shame to see this happen to a genuinely good show.… Expand

Next to Bored To Death, this might be the funniest show on television. Nearly every character is a riot, and the writing keeps getting better and better.

The first season of Parks and Rec. doesn't make justice to the tv show. After season one, the other four season are HILARIOUS, best sitcom I have seen for a long time. If you start seeing this tv show don't give up one the first season, because the other seasons are a masterpiece

Parks and rec is vastly superior to the office in every way. This show is absolute perfection and comedic genius. You really must give it a chance, and if you are a fan of TV which i know you are, you will do yourself a favor and watch this. Great acting, writing and just plain hilarious this show has everything going for it.

Parks and Rec is incredibly well-written, acted, and produced. It is hilarious. The characters are great, and the actors that play them our outstanding. I'm so glad NBC brought this show back.

'Kay, here's the deal: if you like intelligent comedy featuring more than two female characters who *gasp* don't exist solely to provide naked scenery, you will probably love Parks and Rec. If you want something more Married With Children, go watch Married With Children.

Each show gets better and better. The show is hilarious. In fact, I may even find it funnier than The Office (I know, blasphemy). People should ignore the initial reviews, and really give this show a chance!

This is a very poor rip-off of The Office. It's mostly unfunny with a few moments of actual comedy interspersed throughout. I'll be surprised if this is back for a full second season.

A show with one of the most talented and well-scripted ensembles ever and certainly the best of running comedies! With each episode, nearly all members have improved their performance and added depth to their character.

Amy Poehler proves without a doubt that she lacks any true acting or comedic skills. One must conclude that the staying power of this show thus far has more to do with her network of NBC brass than with talent or viewership.

I think in the two episodes I've seen, I've laughed twice.

I've watched both episodes, and I tried to like it, and did not succeed. The problem I found was that it's too quiet, there's not enough going on to keep you interested. Another issue was the characters- they aren't characterized well. They have surfaces - character archetypes - but I failed to find any depth. Amy Poehler is out of her element here, she's supposed to be tough, not wishy washy. If only her enthusiastic optimism was gung-ho fervor instead, then her character would be interesting. One excuse I have heard for high ratings is that it's going to get better- but this is a review of the show right now. Any show could fluctuate at any time. Potential and promise are insufficient reasons for a high score, only a mediocre score. I did not see any potential other than if the characters were rewritten.… Expand

I decided to watch this show because I really enjoy Amy Peohler's comedy and my son 's impro teacher is on the show. ...But I will not watch it again unless the writers stop their stereotyping of people over 60. I consider my self a fairly attractive 60 yr. old who exercises and does not need naps in the middle of concerts. I am employed as a Special Education teacher and keep up with all the younger staff. Perhaps NBC doesn't care about the baby boomers. What about Hillary Clinton, Amy?… Expand

Only really watchable because of the shows surrounding it.

absolutely hilarious, gets better each ep. this show needs to stay right where it is!

I really enjoy 30 Rock and The Office (US), but this show is just not funny. I really can't get into it after several attempts.

Awful. Everyone is trying way too hard. The jokes are a sort of mimicry of The Office sense of humour, but they fall flat. Not funny. The 4 is only because at least it's not another "Lame father and mother with backtalking kids" sitcom clone.

Greg Daniels, creator of 'Parks and Recreations,' must have thought that creating an original and funny sitcom would be as easy as bringing an already successful British show (The Office) to America. The problem is: he was wrong. 'P and R' presents a mix of mediocre and good talent with a poorly written pilot episode. The faux-documentary style and mix of slapstick with embarrassing social unawareness worked well with both the British "Office" and the American version, but does not work in "P and R." As much as I like Amy Poehler, she does not make this show worth watching. Please watch some old repeats of "The Office" or watch the original British series. Don't waste your time.… Expand

A little too similar to The Office at times, but at the same time has a personality and heart all it's own. A funny concept, well executed and very entertaining.

This show is a wonderful example of postmodern values: creating a satire of what we view modern politics as, pushing a non-traditional view of personal interrelationships, and gives us great irony and paradox with Amy's character. It is a pleasure to watch and laugh at!

I've never watched "office" so I a virgin to this comedic genre. Nevertheless, after watching a few shows the characters are funny quircky,amusing and I enjoy all their personalities. Although I don't see him much but, the City Manager(Offerman?)is my favorite. I'm always looking forward to his out of right field(ultraconservative)extreme dialogue.

Candidly, It's just not that good of a show. It has all of the promise of being good, but fails to really establish any genuine interest in it's characters. IMO, you can watch it, but there are at least a hundred things I'd rather be watching.

The show has amazing potential. While it's very "The Office" I'll have to echo the critics in saying that it will surely find its own voice in the upcoming episodes. And with the immense talent of Amy Pohler, we just may have another great prime time comedy.

I think that its a good thing that the show is office style. I wouldn't say its a copy just the same the redone differently. We have had these "laugh track" comedies for to long these types of shows are the future for comedy in my opinion.

This show really hits its stride later on. I suggest starting with Season 2, then watching Season 1. It's impossible to not draw comparisons to The Office since they're practically identical in format and share writers, but the formula works as beautifully in a public works setting as it did inside a stuffy office. Each of the characters in this ensemble cast are funny and unique; Ron Swanson and April Ludgate possibly being the funniest of the bunch. Watch this show!… Expand

Liked it immediately. The cast is well-chosen and the comedy they present to the viewer is maybe something of an acquired taste for some (considering the negative reviews), but still, to me it's very funny in its own left-field way. The Ron Swanson character is a future cult-classic. Other favourite series (for reference): Arrested Development, Community, Curb Your Enthousiasm, Louie, 30Rock, ...

This is simple one of the best show i ever watch! Every character is so well done. I think a lot of people is judging the show just for the first season. But the beauty of this show is that every season gets better and better! 10 / 10 !

I started out watching this show thinking it was an Office rip-off, and in the first few episodes it definitely feels like that. I mean, many of the people who worked for The Office migrated to this show, and it's got the same talking head format. So of course I made that immediate comparison, which turned me off to it initially. But the places they have taken all of the characters, and the stories they've woven around them are just fantastic, engrossing and entertaining. After a while you feel like these people are your good friends and you're peeking in on drama in their lives. That's how it was with The Office at first, but ever since about the end of the 4th season it all started feeling really contrived and I stopped caring about the characters, and they haven't been developing them with the kind of depth that they are developing the characters in Parks and Rec. I love everyone in this cast! Ron and April really stand out to me. Also, while we're making Office/Parks comparisons, one thing that stands out about Parks is that they don't focus on just one central character like in The Office with Michael. I mean, Leslie is the central character but she does not dominate like Michael does. It really feels like an ensemble cast, rather than a lead actor and supporting actors. SO! If you were put off by the first few episodes, or even just the first season, give it another chance, you will NOT regret it.… Expand

My wife and I started the show early on. I quit for awhile but the current material is so much better. The quirky ongoing inside jokes such as 'little sebastian' the horse, Ron Swanson's ex wife Tammy 2 and Ron's fear of the Government make she show very funny for followers. The dark humor of April is a special jewel for the show. Definitely check this out.