It’s true! Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza Retta, Jim O’Heir and all our other old pals are getting back together for a special, one-time scripted TV special that will catch up with the dogged citizens of Pawnee in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. As NBC has it “Pawnee’s most dedicated civil servant, Leslie Knope, is determined to stay connected to her friends in a time of social distancing.” Leslie! Tom! April! Ben! Ron Swanson!
Executive Producer Michael Schur said getting the gang back together was pretty easy (it’s not like they’ve got a lot going on). “I sent a hopeful email to the cast, and they all got back to me within 45 minutes. Our old Parks and Rec team has put together one more 30-minute slice of (quarantined) Pawnee life, and we hope everyone enjoys it. And donates!”
Yes, donates. The special will be raising money for Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund, helping hard-hit food banks take care of “the most vulnerable members of the community during this difficult time.” The cast will be matching viewer donations, up to $500,000.
The special will air 8:30/7:30 CST on Thursday, April 30 — marking the first time the show has returned since 2015, when it bowed out after seven of the most consistently funny, heartwarming seasons of the era.
So, good cause, good show, old friends and no real excuse to do anything besides watch.
