Park Pals: A Parks and Recreation Podcast
Park Pals is a fan Parks and Recreation Rewatch Podcast! We research every episode DEEPLY from deleted scenes to interviewing guest stars and crew that were actually on the show, all while relating it back to our real lives and delightful tangents.
Our Conversation with Ian Phillips, Production Designer!
We have a special treat today! Please welcome Ian Phillips, Production Designer to the pod! We learn so much in this episode! We talk about the difference between an Art Decorator and a Production Designer, plus the many tasks this role carries. We also discuss the pigeons in Season 1 to create the outdoor space (because I had to), the locations, new technology, and how closely he worked with the producers to create the Parks vision! PLUS, don't forget, Ian is our resident sign store owner, and we learn how closely that role resembles his real life 😂😂
Currently, he's w...
(S7Ep12) One Last Ride, Part 2!
Happy October! A new season, a new episode, a new change. :) Today, we round out the futures of the Parks gang. The swing gets fixed (without a thank you, in true Parks fashion), Ron takes an exciting new job, Chris and Ann make an appearance, and Leslie is finally ready.
Big shouts to Mike Schur and Greg Daniels for creating this show, teaching us about the importance of incrementalism, community and trying to do it with people you love. Cast and crew, we are forever indebted to you for creating our comfort show, and creating a home f...
(S7Ep12) One Last Ride, Part 1!
We made it! Today, we see the futures of many of the Parks gang, learn about the 21 shoot salute, see Garry thrive, and honestly just reminisce about all of our Parks times.
Thank you so much to Caroline Fogarty, who played Sasha Dunkirk in the "Pie-Mary" episode for your wonderful and hilarious voice memos! Such fun memories and so glad we could hear them!
We'll see you for one final ride next week
Our Conversation with Jennifer Keishin Armstrong!
Please welcome the only other lady (besides Leslie Knope) to write a book on Pawnee! Today is a great day to recap the whole series, and amazing to do it with someone who has researched more than I have! We'll talk about the trajectory of becoming a pop culture historian and how she's the real-life Shauna Malwae Tweep! We talk about how audiences and critics received Parks after the Office, Chris and Ben changing our journey, Obama-era incremtalism, feminism and yes, we do talk about Mark Brandanawicz, because I needed it. We also give huge shouts to Amy Poehler...
(S7Ep11) Two Funerals!
"Death makes brothers of us all" This episode is so full of sincere, thoughtful moments! Donna and Andy step up Ron in his time of need, Tom creates a proposal plan with Leslie, Ben has closure on Ice-Town and our boy Gary gets a huge, perfect surprise! This ending was so beautiful and just truly perfect. Well done writers! And well done Ian Phillips, the sign employee who is actually the production designer on Parks yay!!!
Thank you also to Burly for sending in fantastic emails about his last few times on set, omg!
Don't fo...
(S7Ep10) The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show!
"Karate's not about fighting, it's about knowing who you arrrrrreee!" Thank you Johnny for teaching us valuable lessons and we wish you the best of luck in DC!
Thank you also to sweet Molly Lins for reviewing this episode with us; finding disclaimer details and pointing out that the clue that JC might be... Jesus Christ? Or maybe John Cena but who cares.
If you are in Nashville, TN or Madison, WI area, please consider using Molly for her wonderful photography services! I've used Molly for all my photo needs!!
Thank you also to...
(S7Ep9) Pie-Mary!
Thank you so much to Bryon Goff of Citizens of Pawnee Podcast for joining today to review this episode! All the special moments between all of our favorite characters (April and Ron, Donna and Gary and of course, Leslie and Ben).
Men's rights is nothing and you're stupid.
Please be sure to follow Citizens of Pawnee Podcast and Parks Rec Memes on Instagram (links below!)
Citizens of Pawnee: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/citizens-of-pawnee-a-parks-and-recreation-podcast/id1554337901
IG: https://www.instagram.com/citizensofpawneepodcast/
Parks Rec Memes: https://www.instagram.com/par...
(S7Ep8) Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes To Washington!
We're headed back to DC! April deals with telling Leslie her work/future woes, and Andy, Ben and Ron try to help in the best way they know how. Except Andy, who... tries. We also get to hear bloopers and Series Wraps, which is so emotional!
Thank you to Herbert Russell for sending in fantastic voice memos explaining working with Nick Offerman and more! So lovely!
https://www.instagram.com/herbertrussell/?hl=en
Thank you so much to our theme song writer and friend, Sean Trainor for joining us this week! Please be su...
(S7Ep7) Donna and Joe!
Donna and Joe are getting married and it's so special! Ben makes a huge decision and Tom moves forward with Lucy. Also, yay Jen Barkley coming back!
Thank you to Jamison Reeves (Turk, Donna's family member) and Louisa Abernathy (Dr. Callahan, Donna's mom) for sending in FANTASTIC voice memos about your time on set! We LOVE!
If you'd like to help with the mission that Louisa is a part of, please check out "Genevieve's Garden" which is a ministry at the Parish of Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood. They serve the homeless Mondays through Friday from N...
(S7Ep6) Save JJ's!
On today's agenda: saving JJ's!, Tom and Donna in Beverly Hills, Tom finding romance, introducing Jonathan Karate!, and a brilliant ending to the question we've been waiting to have answered since the first episode of this season! When Leslie and Ron work together, with Ben as their paperwork extraordinaire, they can do anything!
Thank you so much to Dalon J. Holland (Percy Cattube, the intern) for the incredible memories from the Gryzzlbox episode and thanks to Kamala Jones (Trish) for sharing what it was like to be on a rooftop bar shooting in Hollywood!
Rest in...
(S7Ep5) Gryzzlbox!
The robots are here! Leslie laughed at Ben's novel when he said it was coming, but it's true! Today, we talk about the dangers of social media, AI, how data mining isn't always illegal, but how it's definitely NOT CHILL. We also get a fantastic Ben moment with standing up for Pawnee and owning up to his actions, we love you Ben! Plus fantastic deleted scens of scared-Ben-on-TV, Andy and Morris, you weirdo. 😂
Leslie works on getting Ron on board to take down Gryzzle, while also holding one of the best town halls. Tom uses his crying for...
(S7Ep4) Ron and Leslie!
One of our favorite episodes and most deep, heartfelt episodes of the series. We discuss all the therapy/psychology of this relationship, from heartbreak and grief of losing a friendship to making an FBI-style murder board to figure out where it went wrong. We do understand Ben probably got a babysitter, we just had to break it down. :P
Plus, we acknowledge the fantastic camera angles leaving Ron alone and Leslie and Ron isolated together as well. Fun fact: this is the only episode where they do not speak to camera in the "mockumentary" style. So great, w...
Re-Share: Our Conversation with Vincent Jones! (Theme Song Writer!)
Journey back with us to 2021, where we talk to the co-writer of our favorite show's theme song! He co-wrote this song with Gaby Moreno, and I can't wait for you to listen (or re-listen) to the awesome story AND you might hear him play a little bit. :D
Thank you, Vincent Jones!
Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe!
Support the show
Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
Follow us @parkpalspodcast on Instagram!
Or email us at parkpalspodcast@gmail.com
(S7Ep3) William Henry Harrison!
Mama's going graspin'! Today, Leslie and Ron drift even further from their morals as they fight to gain leverage over the Newport land. We truly learn SO much about William Henry Harrison and his many museums (yeah, there are real museums AND the tin ball is real and started the phrase "Keep the Ball Rolling"!!) Plus, we're introduced to VP of Cool New Shizz, Roscoe Santanglo (Jorma, who has directed twice on Parks!) and Ron sides with Bloosh??! Also poor Ben, stuck in notary Hell.
Thank you to Dan Gilvezan for sending in an amazing voice memo...
(S7Ep2) Ron and Jammy!
Iconic episode alert! Madi teaches us about the Cubs (Mike Schur and the writers are wizards, regardless of what they say), we learn about the Geneva Conventions and we see humanity come back to Leslie and Ron to save their colleague Jamm. And special thank you and "see you later" to Yvans Jourdain (Councilman Howser), Kevin Symons (Councilman Dexhart), and Megan Mullally (Tammy 2), all of their very last episodes of the season!!! What a service they provided and I'm just so grateful! Plus Natalie Morales (Lucy) comes back, yay!
Don't forget to rate and review!
So...
(S7Ep1) 2017!
Back for the final season! The writers do a great job of dropping us in, 2 years after Season 6, where we see that Leslie is in a feud with someone who used to be her favorite person! We also find out some cool BTS details, like when/how this aired on original network TV, when they shot this series and some super cool deleted scenes. Check it out to see where the rest of the Parks gang landed in 2017. :)
Don't forget to rate and review!
Sources:
https://web.archive.org/web/20141203195019/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it...
Our Conversation with Brady Smith (aka Grant Larson)!
The man who brought back Power Rangers!!!!!! Thank you to Brady Smith for spending so much time talking about Parks, the Goddess Michelle Obama, working with Amy Poehler, writing and illustrating kids graphic novels?!, and so much more!
We also go on tangents about celebrity parasocial relationships (because he gets recognized as Grant, of course), and I remind him of the other projects he's been on that he doesn't always remember the details of LOL
Please check out his artwork, his novels and follow Brady on Instagram for information on his work! Gift "Maxwell Dark" t...
(S6Ep22) Moving Up: Part 2!
THE END IS HERE! (of season 6 anyway!)
So many amazing cast interviews, band interviews, finding out what Bobby Knight Ranger is, and again - all the cut scenes! Did you know the dummer of Mouse Rat was also the drummer of Letters to Cleo?! (Shouts to Mark Rivers!) More trivia like that, coming in hot during this episode!
Thank you all SO much for listening and having a blast with us! This truly was so fun to research and watch. Don't forget to rate and review, and we'll see you for Season 7!
SOURCES:
...(S6Ep21) Moving Up: Part 1!
You guys, this is the big one. SO MUCH HAPPENS!!!! Cut scenes, replaced scenes, BTS from the cast themselves, Michelle Obama?! AND the Department of the Interior's Resident Bad Boy stops by, I mean..... this is truly a Parks and Rec DREAM. Thank you, writers, cast and crew, for this gift of an episode. :)
Thank you to Joe Souza for sending in WONDERFUL voice memos, no one knew you were sick, and you were perfect! ahhh!!!
SOURCES:
Vanity Fair Article: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/04/parks-and-recreation-finale#:~:text=a%20coy%20hin...
Re-share: Our Conversation with Cooper Thornton aka Dr. Harris!
Support the show
Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
Follow us @parkpalspodcast on Instagram!
Or email us at parkpalspodcast@gmail.com
Re-Share: Our Conversation with Kevin Symons aka Councilman Dexhart!
Today's episode is an AMAZING rerun and if you haven't heard it yet, you're in for a treat! The best!
Dexhart is an amazing guest and I have a feeling some of you haven't heard it yet! Please enjoy how excited we are by how excited HE IS about this show! We love when someone on the show is as big a fan as we are! Please remember you can ask him for personal messages via Cameo!
Kevin's YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEQdbINKqPfzDhm7LFMG_2g
Social Media: @thekevinsymons
Get a personalized m...
(S6Ep20) One in 8,000!
Did you know Mike Schur doesn't love Hawaiian Pizza? Such an informative, jam-packed episode and this is just the beginning of the end! (Of Season 6) ALSO the similarities I found between Friends (the TV show) and Parks is kind of hilarious!
Deleted scenes, a TON of blooper reel scenes, surprises (and reproductive information) at the doctor's office, Keegan Michael Key AND guest star voice memos?! WHAT A DAY! Plus, the writers did such a great job showing us the amazing love and balance that Leslie and Ben share.
Thank you so much to Teresa Reilly ak...
(S6Ep19) Flu Season 2!
(Most of) the parks crew heads to the winery, and Ben and Leslie get a WILD surprise!!!!!! and Chip McCapp (Bo Burnham) is finally here, omg we've been waiting!!!!!
Thank you so much to Steve Tom and Rebecca Klingler for sending in amazing voice memos about your time on set, WE LOVED THEM!!!!!! So forever grateful! Check out their information below to follow!
Rebecca Klingler:
Teaching: https://www.uclaextension.edu/instructors/rebecca-klingler
https://www.instagram.com/klingler.rebecca/?hl=en
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0459779/
Steve To...
(S6Ep18) Prom!
We're going to Prom, you guys! Leslie panics about the future, Ron helps ground her, and Alison is stuck in the middle. We learn about locations, uses for helium and more!
Thank you so much to Piper Major from the Galentine's Day episode, Brittany Oaks, Carrie Alexander, and Reece Kirk for sending in incredible voice memos! We are OBSESSED with all the behind-the-scenes details! Please check out all their wonderful projects below!
Piper Major: https://www.instagram.com/piperemajor/
Brittany Oaks: https://www.instagram.com/itsbrittanyoaks/?hl=en
Carrie Alexander: https://w...
(S6Ep17) Galentine's Day!
Leslie is on the hunt for a new best friend, and sadly uses the sacred holy Galentine's Day to rank the people she knows...
Ben and Tom learn that Jerry/Larry is a powerful paperwork beast! ...but never shows it.
And yay Ann is back and we get to meet Oliver! Plus our tent guy is here! Deleted scenes, summaries and more.
(S6Ep16) New Slogan!
How to help Minnesotans: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
How to find your representatives and tell them to STOP FUNDING ICE: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
___________________
Thank you, Devin Sidell and Bonnie Bailey-Reed for sending incredible voice memos in, about the kindness of Nick Offerman, Amy Poehler and more! Such detailed and incredible information. This week, we discuss where the Pawnee/Eagleton park is located, how Leslie feels that she's lost control, and Tom's Bistro may become a reality. Plus Andy deleted scenes, so good.
Sources for the episode:
F...
(S6Ep15) The Wall!
Today's agenda!
-Amazing voice memos from Josh Breeding (our vegan restaurant store owner from the Anniversaries episode)
- Amber Friendly (our reporter who has Mike Schur's favorite character name)
- Requirements for state parks vs national parks
-We discuss how in the heck Leslie could leave the Parks department behind!
-The origin of Tom's Bistro!
Sources:
Jen Statsky interview: https://ministryofpopculture.substack.com/p/hacks-co-creator-jen-statsky-on-getting
State Parks Vs National Parks:
https://vamonosoutside.org/es/whats-the-difference-between-a-national-forest-and-state-park/
https://www.publiclands.com/blo...
(S5Ep14) Anniversaries!
Game of Thrones replica! A horse-drawn carriage with Jerry!? The birth of the UNITY CONCERT!?!? So many amazing stories in this episode! Plus, the amazing Debra Mooney and Peter Bonerz join the cast, holy star studded show.
Thank you to Christopher Wolfe for exchanging emails to follow up, and thank YOU all for commenting/liking our videos and letting us know information you know! (Like how Adam Scott *had* directed before) It honestly is so fun to share this with you!
Don't forget to rate and review, and talk soon!
Support the show
<...(S6Ep13) Ann and Chris!
Tbh, this episode should be called Ann and Leslie, but we get it :( What a beautiful send off for our Ann and Chris - the parties, the groundbreaking, the headlocks, all of it! Thank you writers, Aisha Muharrar and Mike Schur and director, Dean Holland, for making this such a magical moment for the fans to say farewell and see you soon.
(S6Ep12) Farmers Market!
Adam Scott's directorial debut, Chard Bodies, Connies Cabbage, Whine and Cheese Club, and of course Leslie and Ben's quest for balance at home and at work. "You can't escape city hall, fool!" Omg, plus, the birth of the name/character, JOHNNY KARATE! So many amazing stories and beginnings :)
PS - pregnant ladies, did you have cravings and what were they? Tell us!
Don't forget to rate and review!
Support the show
Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
Follow us @parkpalspodcast on Instagram!
Or email us at parkpalspodcast@gmail.com<
Re-share: Our Conversation with John Balma!
We love John Balma, our fav accountant! What a true treat for US to experience his presence! We talk all about his start in Hollywood, his sort of typecasting (you've seen him in Friends and Scrubs!), his pivot to a career in dog care (OMG George Cluny is his sweet dog’s name and we are HERE FOR IT), living in San Francisco and we also hear the FUNNIEST story about his time on Star Trek. Please join us and please support his dog business below! Thank you so much John, you are and always will be a friend of...
(S6Ep11) New Beginnings!
Who are we without the Parks department?! Leslie finds out as Tom takes over a new project. Plus, Ben has his first day as City Manager and gets pranked by the Parks team, which I can't decide how I feel about.
Thank you to Bob Bancroft and Ben Begley for sending in INCREDIBLE voice memos! So funny and informative, we love! Bob played "Frank" in the Cones of Dunshire (the frank accountant, get it?) and Ben plays one half of the couple in the jewelry store with Ann and Chris!
Ben Begley: https://www.imdb.com...
(S6Ep10) Second Chunce!
This week we are joined by amazing Kris Carr to talk all things Second Chunce! First, we start with amazing voice memos from Rob Kerkovich and Stacy Allen, who were guests in The Cones of Dunshire episode!
Then, we turn to the 100th episode of Parks, Second Chunce, where we hear wonderful memories from the cast. Ben gives Leslie the amazing gift of a consult with Jenn Barkley so we can break through our limiting beliefs and really understand that Leslie can and WILL do better things out of the Pawnee city council. DREAM BIGGER!
Jo...
Our Conversation with Jay Karas (Director!)
Today, we're talking to the director of Doppelgangers, Jay Karas! We cover a broad range of topics, like working with the amazing superstar cast of Doppelgangers, how the camera operators are characters and how he got started in the industry! I loved hearing the stories about Sam Elliott and Billy Eichner! Plus, Jay also directs Abbott Elementary, Ghosts AND is the producing director of a new show called Best Medicine on Fox, in January! Keep your eyes open for that!
Thank you so much Jay for all your words of wisdom, such a great conversation!
Be...
(S6Ep9) The Cones of Dunshire!
Yay Cones of Dunshire! What an iconic piece of Parks and Rec lore!!!!! We discuss Leslie's reason for wanting the lockbox so badly (and how Jamm is unstable), Ron sells his cabin to an unlikely buyer and Ben is so hot when he's confident and nerdy!!!!!! I call ledgerman!
Sources:
https://www.thegamesteward.com/products/the-cones-of-dunshire-board-game
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3305414/
Support the show
Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!
Follow us @parkpalspodcast on Instagram!
Or email us at parkpalspodcast@gmail.com
(S6Ep8) Fluoride!
"I say T, you say Dazzle!"
H2Flow, sparkle points, plain blue t-shirts, oh my!
Today, we talk all about fluoride and learn a lot about how it's safe, good for you, and a great accomplishment in public health. We also see an amazing arc for Tom and discover a deep relationship with April and Donna. Plus, Chris and Ron hang out!
Plus, we get an amazing voice memo from Jay Tapaoan who plays "Frasier" at the baby store! Learning how to say that chemicals name, working with Rob Lowe/Nick Offerman and mor...
Re-share: Our Conversation with Brian Stack!
We love Brian!!!! I loved this conversation so much!!!!! Full disclosure, we kept thinking of things to talk about, so enjoy our many "endings" that turned into other stories LOL
Brian Stack played Ted in Article Two, and the jeweler when Ann and Chris go to the jewelery store, BUT he was a writer on Conan for 18 years, he currently writes for Stephen Colbert and I talked his ear off about it all! We discuss his beginnings in Second City in Chicago, how he knew Amy Poehler, and advice for young sketch performers. I ask 800 questions about h...
(S6Ep7) Recall Vote!
Oh dear, it's Recall Vote day, and we are all emotional. Ben and Ann set up a task force to help Leslie stay distracted, Tom makes some great entrepreneur decisions and we get introduced to Bloosh!!!
It's so interesting to see the parallels between Tom and Leslie, and the inspiring way they bounce back. And om em squee, we love destructive Ben and Leslie.
Plus, we hear from Craig Stepp, who played the Eagletonian supporting Leslie (even though they weren't going to vote for her.... ugh) 😂 Thank you so much for the great voice memos, so coo...
(S6Ep6) Filibuster!
Today, Leslie fights for our voting rights!!!!!!!
We talk about the history of the filibuster, the (early) 90s vibes, and get an awesome location breakdown for the skating rink, which is now a resource of the unhoused in the Los Angeles valley (follow the links below)!
We also have a tangent regarding Orphan Black starring Tatiana Maslany, who plays Nadia, (check that out when you can, it's on Netflix now!) Also, we come up with a new friendship name of "Ronna" for Donna and Ron spending time together! Love!
Sources:
Hope of...
(S6Ep5) Gin It Up!
Today on the pod, we're back to basics with Parks romance (Tom and Nadya "whatever-her-last-name-is"), Parks coworker relationships (Donna and Leslie), and Ron being Ron, not quite understanding he has a family now and needs a will. :)
We discuss details about the importance of having a will, how social media mishaps do happen and we learn what the phrase "Gin It Up" actually means. Full disclosure, gin the drink isn't involved (at least how it's used these days).
AND we introduce Nadya and Typhoon, so good! Yay!!!!
Thanks for listening!
Support the...
