Mike Schur Knows 'Parks and Rec' Would Have Seemed 'Naive' Post-Trump
When Parks and Recreation first premiered in spring 2009, we were all living in a different world. Wide belts, baker boy hats, and multi-colored tights were all the rage. Everyone was worried about swine flu. And a charismatic politician named Barack Obama had just been inaugurated as our first Black president. For many, it was a time of hope. It’s no wonder Amy Poehler’s unforgettable public servant Leslie Knope and her many, many eccentric neighbors and colleagues stole our hearts.
Parks and Rec might’ve faced a shaky reception during its first season on NBC, but it didn’t take long before the long-running sitcom became inescapable. Most of its core cast have become famous in their own right—Adam Scott, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Rashida Jones, and even smaller players like Ben Schwartz and Jenny Slate. Part of that success might have to do with the show’s organizing mantra, known internally as “The Poehler Rule.” The directive, said co-creator Mike Schur, was always to hire the funniest possible person for any given role—whether it was a bit part or a season-long arc.
“It seems so obvious, but a lot of shows don't always do that,” Schur told The Daily Beast’s Obsessed during a recent conversation about the show’s legacy and longevity. “They have some other criterion that they think is more important. It turns out, there's nothing more important for comedy than just being funny.”