One of the four tv duos is the team of Parks & Recreation and The West Wing as the Primetime Politicians.
In all of television, the ensembles of Parks & Recreation and The West Wing stand at the top of the comedy-drama mountain.
Add in the fact that these shows use politics as their workplace settings, and there’s your recipe for a terrific twosome.
Parks & Recreation deals with local politics in Pawnee, Indiana and follows the actions of the Parks Department Staff. Unlike The West Wing, which rarely ever leaves the orbit of The White House, Leslie Knope (Amy Poeler) and the Parks Department are usually shown working alongside Pawnee’s residents.
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The West Wing focuses on the daily activities of The White House Senior Staff.
Shows like Friday Night Lights can generate motivational, soul crushing, or humorous moments similar to The West Wing. However, Friday Night Lights can use the football stadium, locker room or even Matt Saracen’s (Zach Gilford) house to bring out those emotional moments. The West Wing delivers the same range of emotions purely through Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue and the performances of the tremendous cast.
Cast Crossover Between Primetime Politicians
Rob Lowe and Nick Offerman played characters on both shows.
Rob Lowe joined the cast of Parks & Recreation as Chris Traeger near the end of the 2nd season through the show’s 6th season. In The West Wing, Lowe received his Emmy nomination for his role as Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn. He left The West Wing as a series regular during the 4th season.
Nick Offerman was a series regular on Parks & Recreation throughout the show’s 7 season run as Ron Swanson. Offerman’s stint on The West Wing wasn’t nearly as long. He played the role of Jerry in one episode during the 1st season. His character was part of a group trying to get financial support for a wolves only highway.
Memorable Quote from The West Wing
Three swimmers from the men’s team were killed, and two others are in critical condition, when, after having heard the explosion from their practice facility, they ran into the fire to help get people out. Ran into the fire. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They’re our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we’re reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars.
President Josiah Bartlett
Job Title isn’t Everything
In both shows, the character that takes care of business isn’t the one with the highest title.
Josiah Bartlett (Martin Sheen) is the President of the United States in The West Wing. However, even Bartlett admits on more than one occasion that White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer) “runs the country.” Since Leo is responsible for hiring the White House Senior Staff, there’s a stronger sense of gratitude, comfort and fear for Leo than for President Bartlett.
In Parks & Recreation, Ron Swanson serves as “Director of the Parks Department,” but views government as a waste of taxpayer money and shouldn’t exist, let alone take action within the community. Deputy Director Leslie Knope believes local government’s involvement in the community is crucial. Ron tries, but is ineffective at stopping Leslie.
Ron’s not the only authority figure overmatched against Leslie. Chris Traeger and Ben Wyatt’s (Adam Scott) initial goal in Pawnee is to slash the town’s budget, but Leslie is able to overcome their cost-cutting efforts. Leslie is a bulldozer, which is a subject the show tackles head on during the series.
Memorable Quote from Parks & Recreation
I am very angry. I’m angry that Bobby Newport would hold this town hostage and threaten to leave if you don’t give him what he wants. It’s despicable. Corporations are not allowed to dictate what a city needs. That power belongs to the people. Bobby Newport and his daddy would like you to think it belongs to them. I love this town. And when you love something, you don’t threaten it. You don’t punish it. You fight for it. You take care of it. You put it first. As your City Councilor, I will make sure that no one takes advantage of Pawnee. If I seem too passionate, it’s because I care. If I come on strong, it’s because I feel strongly. And if I push too hard, it’s because things aren’t moving fast enough. This is my home. You are my family. And I promise you. I’m not going anywhere.
Leslie Knope
What do you think about the Primetime Politicians as a fictional tv block?
