The Remote Island : Rashida Jones

Is "Parks and Recreation" Really Less Funny Than "Joey"?

Jake Kalish — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:11:00 GMT

That's what Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune says. Oof - that's rough. She does present a detailed and compelling argument, though...

People bash "Joey" as the worst example of NBC's tendency to extend its franchises well beyond what is desirable or logical. Yet "Parks and Recreation" is a more dispiriting example of the same trend, because far more talent is going to waste on this show...

For years, Amy Poehler was one of the best things about "Saturday Night Live." Clearly she has talent to spare, and the idea of her creating a comedy with writers Greg Daniels and Michael Schur of "The Office" seemed like an excellent idea.

Unfortunately that idea was not ready for prime time; Schur, Daniels and Poehler needed more time to marinate their ideas.

But NBC was bound and determined to have an Amy Poehler comedy on the air this season, and what co-chair Ben Silverman wants, he gets. The end result of all that rushing, however, is that much of "Parks and Recreation," which airs it season finale Thursday, comes off as half-baked and decidedly unfunny.

By this point in its life cycle, Daniels' version of "The Office," which also started with a six-episode tryout season, was showing quite a bit of promise. NBC has renewed "Parks and Recreation," but it's hard to see why. Then again, having forced this show on the air, executives at the network can hardly admit their mistake now.

The biggest problem is that Poehler's character, officious and dim parks bureaucrat Leslie Knope is as unappealing than she was in the first episode. Not once have I rooted for this strained character, who has more ambition than "The Office's" Michael Scott but none of his child-like charm. It’s hard to escape the conclusion that Poehler should be playing a smart if sometimes inept character --someone like Liz Lemon on “30 Rock” -- not a female Michael Scott with delusional political ambitions.

Like we, said, oof. Rough - but also a lot like what our Remote Bryan said, though he had a lot more hope in his voice.

PREVIOUSLY:

We Think "Parks And Recreation" Will Probably Get A Lot Better Than It Already Is. You?

The Rumors Are True: "Parks And Recreation" Is Probably Too Much Like "The Office" [VIDEO]

Rashida Jones + Jon Favreau ?

Rashida Jones vs. Andy Samberg [VIDEO]

Rashida Jones + Jon Favreau?

Jake Kalish — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:23:00 GMT

But not that Jon Favreau. This young sex symbol guy, who has maybe the best job in the world for picking up women...

Barack Obama's Director of Speechwriting. Imagine that, ladies. You're in a bar, and this cute 27-year old guy comes up to you. After some stimulating conversation, you ask him what he does. He says "I write speeches for Barack Obama." Game over, he wins. Unless you're Ann Coulter.

Don't know if that's how it went down with the lovely Rashida Jones, but something went down. Not to get all Perez Hilton on your heads, but here's the juicy gossip from Best Week Ever:

Rashida and Jon were hanging out in an exclusive bar in the Georgetown area (yes, D.C. does have “exclusive places”, unless you’re a WASP, as then the world is your nest.) Our tipster reports that the two were attached at the hip all evening, until they starting making out with each other at the bar. Eventually, they left with one another.

And even if just dropping the job bomb doesn't work, you gotta imagine the guy who writes speeches for Barack has some rap with the ladies, no?

PREVIOUSLY:

Rashida Jones vs. Andy Samberg

The Rumors Are True: "Parks and Recreation" Is Probably Too Much Like "The Office"

Wanda Sykes Doesn't Want To See Obama's Nipples [VIDEO]

Is Fox Right To Preempt Obama?

Rashida Jones vs. Andy Samberg [VIDEO]

Jake Kalish — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:44:00 GMT

In the Best Fight category for the MTV Movie Awards, it's Knuckle Up, for your consideration...

MTV Shows

We kind of wish this was a real movie. Mostly because we'll watch Rashida Jones in anything.

PREVIOUSLY:

Jack Black And Michael Cera Are Andy Samberg's Parents [VIDEO]

Andy Samberg, Your MTV Movie Awards Host

The Rumors Are True: "Parks And Recreation" Is Probably Too Much Like The Office [VIDEO]

Amy Poehler's New Show Now Has A Name

Jake Kalish — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:22:00 GMT

That is, if Ok! Magazine is to be believed.

According to OK! the show, which is not exactly an Office spinoff, will be called Public Service, and it'll debut April 9th at 8:30. As previously reported, the show-which-may-be-named Public Service, in which Poehler plays a mid-level government official, will go like this:

In the show, Leslie (Poehler's character) attempts to improve her town and advance her career by helping a local nurse (Rashida Jones, "The Office") turn a construction pit into a park. They're opposed by defensive bureaucrats, NIMBY neighbors and developers. She's helped and hindered by Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari, "Human Giant," "Scrubs"), another government official.

In the process, Leslie hopes to inspire her bored college intern (Aubrey Plaza) and reach her goal of becoming the first female President of the United States.

So now we seem to finally have it pieced together. Phew.

PREVIOUSLY:

"Office" Spinoff: Amy Poehler Has A Sidekick, And Her Name Is Aubrey Plaza

New Mama Amy Poehler Is Psyched About Her New Sitcom...And Her Kid.

Rashida Jones Joins New Amy Poehler Sitcom

New Mama Amy Poehler Is Psyched About Her New Show . . . And Her Kid.

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:45:00 GMT

Amy Poehler is kind of awesome. Remember her last Weekend Update rap (what you know, Eskimos?), that perfectly delivered gansta Palin? Silly question, how could you forget? Poehler broke it diz-own at like 8 and a half months pregnant. Now, two seconds after the birth of her son Archie, and her SNL departure. Amy is ready to talk about her latest venture: Her new show!!! (Multiple exclamation points should convey puppy-like excitement/mild leg humping).

Amy will start filming next month, working on a yet to be named NBC sitcom from the producers of The Office. She describes the show as:

"like Tina Turner in [1985's Mad Max] Beyond Thunderdome. I am a boss; I have an office. It's a whole different world. It's not a spin-off, it's a whole different place. [The Office's] Rashida Jones plays my friend." (people.com).

We are ready. Bring on Rashida. Bring on Poehler. Maybe there’ll be rapping!!!

Oh, almost forgot. Poehler spoke with People Magazine about her other venture: mommyhood. Talking about her new two-month-old son, Amy says, “He’s a sweet boy. Archie’s the best.” Cute. But, can he rap?

Previously:

Amy Poehler To Join "Office" Not Spinoff

Rashida Jones Joins New Amy Poehler Sitcome

Rashida Jones Joins New Amy Poehler Sitcom

Bryan Christian — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:17:00 GMT

In other news, we didn't know our brains could get an erection all on their own. Guess we're wearing hats this winter.

[via Variety]

Preview the New "Office" Webisodes

Ben Kallen — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:50:00 GMT

One of the best things about The Office is that the supporting characters are every bit as funny as the stars. So while it's great news that Steve Carell has signed on for another three years of the show -- and that Rashida Jones is set to head up a proposed spinoff -- it's also nice to know that we're getting new Internet mini-episodes featuring Oscar, Darryl and Kevin starting July 10. From the following preview, it's clear that Kevin needs a loan, and may or may not be going into the ice-cream business. Check it out:

Photo: NBC

Sarah Silverman, Norm MacDonald Sign Up for New "Match Game"

Ben Kallen — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:50:00 GMT

Some actual big-name stars have signed on as panelists for TBS' remake of Match Game, the campy '60s-to-'70s game show in which contestants had to guess how celebrities would fill in the blanks of a sentence. In addition to Sarah Silverman and Norm MacDonald, the pilot episode will include Rashida Jones, Kids in the Hall's Scott Thompson, Bob Einstein (also known as Super Dave Osborne) and Reno 911!'s Niecy Nash.

The original Match Game helped make household names of such "personalities" as Brett Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Nipsey Russell and Fannie Flagg. No doubt these modern celebs will be encouraged to continue in their tradition of answering with salty double-entendres -- especially since the show is being produced by Robert Smigel, best known for creating Saturday Night Live's "TV Funhouse" and Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog.

Below, a racy episode from 1974:

Photo: Comedy Central