Parks and Recreation Is a New Brand of Televisual Femininity

Analysis

The television show, Parks and Recreation, is formatted as an ***“episodic series” which maintains primary characters who are present weekly, it follows under the category of “chapter shows” (Campbell, Martin, & Fabos, 2012, p. 159).*** The episodes are shot as a mockumentary, in which the television show is filmed as a documentary style. The diverse cast of Parks and Recreation consists of characters from various racial groups, along with personality quirks, and age differences. Each episode consists of different storylines that revolve around the main characters of the Parks Department in small town Pawnee, Indiana. Most of the problems encountered are centered on politics and the relationships built within the department. For example, recently elected City Councilwoman Leslie Knope goes to Washington in attempt to discuss her proposal with the Department of Interior. The trip was a failure to which Leslie returned home with her good friend and employee Andy, he then proceeds to give her advice or encouraging words, which inspires Leslie. The show concludes with Leslie taking the personal initiative to clean up the lake. Each episode maintains a similar structure to this. For example, during the same episode of Leslie in Washington, Ron Swanson, Leslie’s boss, is forced to throw the annual summer picnic. Unfortunately, Ron chooses to only cook meat. Therefore, as a result of series of events the picnic is a failure. Chris Traeger, Ron’s boss, discusses with Ron the importance of recognizing the employees, Ron brings in the meat, thanks the department, and everyone is happy.

Parks and Recreation focuses on the relationships of the cast and the structure of the political system through the mockumentary. The protagonist of the series is Leslie Knope, can be identified as ambitions, hard working, and warm-hearted. Each episode she tries to help others while building relationships amongst her co-workers. The concept of working in the Parks Department in a small town allows for viewers to take an alternative perspective of the politics that occur within the bureaucratic government for instance, when Leslie attempts to teach sexual education to senior citizens she is halted because of pro-abstinence candidates. This allows for Leslie to question her ethics and duties as City Councilwoman in order to make a better environment for both parties involved. A consistent pattern viewed within the television series is the ability to overcome the complications, which are presented in each episode. Each member of the cast is presented as having internal and social struggles, for instance Chris Traegar is intended to be intelligent, attractive, and athletic but has relationship issues, which builds his depressive antics. Ron Swanson, is a manly man, he only eats meats, buys what is required of him, and knows how to build with his hands, his character is also seen as giving

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