Photo: Courtesy of NBC
After seven seasons, NBC's Parks and Recreation called it quits last night. Let's look back at some of the reasons we'll miss this endlessly GIF-able show.
GIFs via, y'know, the internet.
10. The Bulge
Pawnee’s only gay bar, The Bulge, was rarely seen but it had a lasting impression, especially on Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler):
9. Craig Middlebrooks
Billy Eichner's Craig is passionate, perhaps to a fault, but if he's guilty of anything, it's caring too much. Way, way too much.
8. The Imitable Swag of Tom Haverford
A big (albeit pint-sized) fish in a tiny pond, Tom (Aziz Ansari) was too stylish for the likes of Pawnee — finding more in common with the folks of neighboring Eagleton — but he managed to spread his unfailing fashion sense like so much Tommy Fresh cologne in the wind.
7. Jean-Ralphio
Tom's best friend, Jean-Ralphio (Ben Schwartz) provided the necessary foil to his grand schemes, though he often proved more of an obstacle than anything else.
6. Ron Swanson’s Mustache
A true thing of beauty.
5. Joan Callamezzo
Legendary trainwreck and hostess of Pawnee Today, Joan Callamezzo (Mo Collins) is ‘90s Jenny Jones slowly drowning in Kathie Lee Gifford's Today Show cup of morning wine.
4. Treat Yo Self
Tom and Donna’s (Retta) annual swagfest was an ode to self-love and self-appreciation, which quickly devolved into an excuse for Pawnee's most fabulous citizens to really just ball out of control. TREAT YO SELF!
3. Chris Pratt
Parks & Rec may be best remembered for giving us national treasure Chris Pratt, whose career exploded after being cast as lovable half-wit Andy Dwyer. Originally, Andy was only supposed to be a temporary character, but Pratt proved impossible not to love and the rest is sitcom history.
2. Amy Poehler
A shining beacon in primetime, Poehler never got the recognition she deserved (namely an Emmy, despite racking up an impressive 5 consecutive Lead Actress nominations), but her Leslie Knope stands as one of the best and most memorable characters to grace our television screens since NBC’s TV was still “Must See.”
1. Tammy 2
Megan Mullally is a gift from the comedic gods and her deranged Tammy II, the ex-wife of Ron Swanson (Mullally’s real-life husband, Nick Offerman) — allowed her to go balls to the wall, providing the show’s funniest, craziest and just plain best moments.
A version of this article by Les Fabian Brathwaite, first in friendship, fourth in obesity, originally appeared on Out.
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