Parks and Rec might never have become the beloved sitcom it is today if not for a gutsy move made behind the scenes. At the center of it all was Mike Schur, a figure known for crafting smart and heartfelt comedies like The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and The Good Place.
Just as the show was getting off the ground, Schur and his co-creator Greg Daniels made one crucial decision during the show’s development that could’ve cost them everything. They sacrificed nearly half a season’s episodes just to sign one actor. And maybe that’s why the beloved sitcom became a comedy classic with Amy Poehler as the lead.
Mike Schur risked Parks and Rec to land Amy Poehler
On a recent episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Amy Poehler and Michael Schur looked back on the unusual and risky beginning of the NBC sitcom Parks and Rec. Originally conceived as a new project by The Office creators Schur and Greg Daniels, Parks and Recreation had a guaranteed 13-episode order and was set to debut immediately following The Office‘s post-Super Bowl episode.
Everything was lining up perfectly until Poehler dropped a surprise. She was “theoretically interested” at first, but then she called back and said,
Actually sorry, Preggo.
She was set to give birth during the show’s planned shooting schedule, and initially, it seemed she’d have to pass on the role of Leslie Knope. For many creators, that would’ve been the end of the conversation. But Schur and Daniels weren’t willing to give up. They had a realization that the show couldn’t work without Poehler. Schur recalled,
I went to Greg’s office and… I was just like, I don’t think there’s anyone but Poehler who can do this, and he was like, ‘I had the same thought last night.’
The pair approached NBC with a risky offer. If the network allowed them to wait until Poehler was available, they would forfeit 7 of their 13 guaranteed episodes and give up on the post-Super Bowl premiere. It was a huge gamble, especially for a brand-new show, but NBC agreed. Poehler began filming just three months after giving birth to her son, Archie.
Mike Schur said sticking with Poehler for Parks and Rec wasn’t a tough choice
That decision may have impacted the early tone of the show. Leslie initially drew comparison to The Office‘s Michael Scott in season 1, but she quickly found her voice. It was worth every sacrifice. Amy Poehler‘s portrayal of Leslie Knope became one of the most iconic performances in sitcom history, and Parks and Recreation went on to run for seven seasons, gaining a passionate fanbase and critical acclaim. Looking back, Schur said it was an easy choice:
Getting Amy Poehler on your show is a long-term decision… The Super Bowl slot is a short-term decision… It doesn’t last…very rarely determines the fate of a show.
For Poehler, the reward was clear. Parks and Rec proved to be “the most satisfying creative experience” she had ever had. Well, not more than her own podcast.
It’s rare to hear about someone in the industry taking a gamble that puts people over network priorities, especially at such a crucial launch moment. But Schur and Daniels knew the show’s success depended on the right lead, not just a marketing slot.
Turns out, choosing heart over hype was the smartest move they could’ve made. And now, fans have a whole new reason to love Parks and Rec, and the guy who helped make it happen.
Watch Parks and Recreation on Peacock now (USA).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
