the wait for parks & rec comes to an end

i have been in a bad mood all day because i forgot to correctly set up my dvr to tape amy poehler's new show "parks & recreation" last night. i've been looking forward to this show for months, ever since i heard that the creators of the office were working on a new show with amy. the office and amy poehler, two of my favorite things, how could it go wrong?

anyway, after fuming all night because i missed the show (because i was at yoga!) i just sat down to watch last night's premiere ep online and i really, really liked it. i think it shows great potential.

traditionally, pilot episodes are tricky. they have to introduce all of the characters and the show's theme and still manage to be funny and endearing...in 22 minutes for a 30-minute sitcom. although i only laughed out loud at one point during the whole episode -- at a picture of amy poehler's leslie knope falling down into a pit -- i could see where the comedy will develop for future episodes.

the comedy of parks & recreation is subtle and subversive, exactly the way the office is. the comedic timing of the office's voice comes through very clearly. there is also an awkwardness that pervades both shows, and i have always found the awkward parts to be the most fun parts of the office. i also enjoy that both shows are shot in a pseudo-documentary way and the characters are allowed to speak to the camera in "confessional" type set ups.

parks & recreation is the story of leslie knope, a small town bureaucrat who works at the parks & recreation department. her crack team of fellow city workers include her right hand man, tom --played by human giant comedian aziz ansari -- , her bobby knight-loving government hating boss and a love interest city planner dan, who fills in the "jim" character from the office. all dan needs is the smirky looks at the camera, although i think office alum rashida jones will probably get that smirky look job. she plays a nurse who is helping leslie fill in a pit next to her home, which they hope to turn into a park. i love rashida, and i hope her character gets to expand and become funny!

the pilot hinted at some drama to come, with possible storylines focusing on the potential romance between dan and leslie, an inevitable blow out between rashida jones and her bum of a boyfriend and leslie's tendency to get drunk and do stupid things.

i'm looking forward to seeing where the show goes. i think it might end up being very, very funny. now excuse me while i go program my dvr.