Parks and Recollection
Treat yo’ self! Join Jim O’Heir - a.k.a. Jerry Gergich - and writer Greg Levine as they *literally* break down every episode of Parks and Recreation. From Ron Swanson’s love of various meats to Leslie Knope’s unwavering commitment to the people of Pawnee (and waffles), each week Jim and Greg relive their municipal glory days with exclusive behind-the scenes stories from the set and writers’ room. And along the way, they’re joined by cast members, writers, and friends of the show - people like Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Aisha Muharrar, and Jon Glaser. Whether this is your first time watching or you feel like a Parks Department regular, grab your favorite Sweetums snack and let DJ Roomba drop the beat!
Episodes
It’s the war of the Wyatts! Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine break down every jab in this week’s walkthrough of “Ben’s Parents.” In this episode, Leslie presents a unity quilt to Ben’s divorced parents (Jonathan Banks and Glenne Headly), Tom and Jean-Ralphio aim to make Ron a ground-level investor in Rent-A-Swag, and Chris goes on a rollercoaster of emotion.
Plus, Greg talks about writing his first solo episode of Parks and Rec: everyth...
Rolling Stone’s chief TV critic Alan Sepinwall joins Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine to break down the “fart attack” heard ‘round the world and Ben and Leslie’s heartwarming proposal. Plus, Alan discusses the joys of sitting in on the Parks writers room, the challenge of writing a negative episode review for a show that you love, and the satisfaction of gleaning a wildly successful career out of watching television.
STDs, paper iPhones, and a robotic congressman—Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine discuss it all in this week’s walkthrough of “Sex Education”. In this episode, Leslie Knope launches a safe sex initiative for Pawnee’s senior citizens, Tom goes on a technology detox after crashing his car while texting, and April and Ben try to decipher if Congressman Murray is actually a robot. Plus, Darlene Hunt (The Big C) joins Jim and Greg to discuss h...
You just got JAMMED! Jon Glaser (Jeremy Jamm himself!) joins Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine in this week’s walkthrough of “How a Bill Becomes a Law” to break down Leslie Knope’s first encounter with the Pawnee councilman we love to hate, the 311 hotline that leads Ron Swanson to find the love of his life, and the reason Ben and April can’t make it out of the parking garage. Plus, Jon reveals the origin story of his character’s iconic q...
Broadway star Mary Faber joins Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine to discuss her recurring role as Pawnee’s Restaurant Association member Kathryn Pinewood. In this episode, they discuss soda cups large enough to hold a liquified toddler, the first cries for Leslie Knope’s recall, and the underlying attraction between Pinewood and another one of Leslie’s nemeses, Councilman Jamm.
Got a question for the Pawnee Town Hall? Send us an email at P...
Senator cameos, D.C. location shoots, AND a live pig named Tom—Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine break it all down in this week’s walkthrough of “Ms. Knope Goes to Washington.” In Parks & Recreation’s season five premiere, Leslie is off to the Capitol to visit Ben and apply for a federal grant to clean up Pawnee’s riverbed, leaving Ron Swanson in charge of the The Leslie Knope Employment Enjoyment Summerslam Grill Jam Fun-Splosion.
Adam Scott (Ben Wyatt himself!) joins Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine to discuss his character’s surprising plot twist in Parks & Recreation’s season four finale: “Win, Lose, or Draw”. Plus, the instant connection he felt to Amy in their first scene together, the ballroom dance lessons he took with Jim, and the cryptic note Aubrey Plaza passed him during his first table read.
Got a question for the Pawnee Town Hall? Send us an email at...
The writer most compared to Leslie Knope, Aisha Muharrar (Parks and Rec, Hacks, The Good Place) joins Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine to discuss “Bus Tour”. In this episode, Aisha breaks out her Parks notebook recounting the time Amy Poehler helped her out of a jam, the logistics of maneuvering a full-sized campaign bus through a small Los Angeles neighborhood, the hidden sweetness of April Ludgate, and just how many pies to the face Ji...
Dust off your podium - Jim O’Heir (Jerry Gergich himself!) and writer Greg Levine are back to discuss “The Debate”! In this episode, Jim and Greg break down Leslie Knope’s face-off with a slew of Pawnee’s City Council hopefuls (including local porn star Brandi Maxxxx and Sweetums heir Bobby Newport), Andy Dwyer’s one-man reenactment of the movie “Roadhouse”, and Ron Swanson’s scaling of a telephone pole. Plus, they dive into which ...
Jim and Greg are pressing pause on Parks and Recollection until the SAG-AFTRA strike is resolved. Please stay subscribed to this feed, and follow @teamcocopodcasts on socials for the latest news on Parks and Recollection!
Jim O’Heir (Jerry Gergich himself!) and writer Greg Levine are here to discuss a very “West Wing” episode of “Parks & Rec!” “West Wing” super-fan Greg walks us through all the references, from the episode’s title to the appearance of guest star Bradley Whitford. They also discuss working with animals, Greg’s tours of the “West Wing” Oval Office, Ron Swanson’s reluctant yoga journey, and much more.
How “Lucky” are we? Jim O’Heir (Jerry Gergich himself!) and Greg Levine are back to discuss Season 4, Episode 18 - it’s “Lucky!” They discuss the return of Ron’s post-coital polo shirt, Jerry’s mechanical envelope-stuffing method, Andy’s Women’s Studies exam, why it’s so fun to see Sean Hayes play an asshole, and much more. And stick around for an interview with our friend, Hadley Hall Meares, discussing her time as Amy Poehler’s s...
Rob Lowe returns to talk “Campaign Shake-Up!” Rob and our hosts Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine discuss this episode’s appearance from the legendary Carl Reiner, how a magazine cover altered the character of Chris Traeger, the comedic talent of Kathryn Hahn, and much more.
This episode was recorded on July 13, 2023.
Parks writer Norm Hiscock (whose illustrious writing credits include King of the Hill, Saturday Night Live, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine) joins Jim O’Heir and Greg Levine to discuss “S4E16: Sweet Sixteen” (written by… Norm Hiscock!). They discuss Jerry’s leap year birthday, R&B star Ginuwine, the joys of a simple plot, Wheels for Meals on Wheels, and Jim’s emotional backstory for this episode.
Jim O’Heir (Jerry Gergich himself!) and Greg Levine are here to discuss “Dave Returns!” They discuss Adam Scott’s tour de force performance in this episode, the triumphant return of Mouse Rat, Jim and Greg’s shared love for “We Are the World,” what if Jerry had a Duke Silver-style alter ego, and much more! Treat yo’ self and give it a listen!
Got a question for the Pawnee Town Hall?
Send us an email at ParksandRecollectionTownHall@g...
Happy Galentine's Day! This week, Jim O'Heir and Greg Levine are talking "Operation Ann." Leslie Knope makes it her mission to find Ann Perkins a Valentine's date, Ron Swanson proves himself to be a master puzzle-solver, and, for one beautiful moment, Chris Traeger contemplates a life with Jerry Gergich. It’s an excellent Valentine’s Day episode - treat yo’ self and give it a listen!
Comedian, actor, and writer Kevin Dorff (known for his work with Conan O'Brien and his appearances on shows like The Office, 30 Rock, and White House Plumbers) joins Jim O'Heir and Greg Levine to discuss his role as Derek in “Bowling for Votes.”
Yes, this is the episode where Ben Wyatt punches a guy. It’s also the episode where: Jerry Gergich gives a stranger his social security number, Tom Haverford stumbles upon the most effectiv...
Jim O’Heir (Jerry Gergich himself!) and writer Greg Levine are back to discuss S4E12 of Parks and Rec - it’s Campaign Ad! Jim and Greg discuss the arrival of Bobby Newport, Paul Rudd’s method acting, the Better Better Business Bureau, Greg’s brief turn as a film star, and so much more. Treat yo’ self!
Got a question for the Pawnee Town Hall? Send us an email at ParksandRecollectionTownHall@gmail.com!
Writer Mike Scully (The Simpsons, King of the Hill) joins Jim O'Heir and writer Greg Levine to talk about one of our favorite Parks episodes: it’s S4E11, The Comeback Kid (written by Mike Scully)! They discuss one of the all-time funniest Parks & Rec bloopers, Ben Wyatt’s descent into madness, a delightful three-legged dog named Champion, and, most importantly, that chaotic scene on the ice rink. Give it a listen and treat yo’ self...
Jason Mantzoukas joins Jim O’Heir (Jerry Gergich himself!) and writer Greg Levine to discuss “Citizen Knope” and his role as the Fragrance King of Pawnee: Dennis Feinstein! They discuss Jason’s various roles in the Schur-verse (Parks and Rec, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place), a major change in Leslie’s political campaign, Jerry’s perfect Christmas gift, Barney Varmn's accounting firm, and much more.
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