It is one of the most critically acclaimed comedies of the past few years, yet “Parks and Recreation” curiously disappeared from the NBC comedy block on Thursday night. Curse you, midseason scheduling. The wait is finally over, though, as the lovable Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) continues her run for City Council, assisted by all her friends and coworkers.

The fourth season of “Parks and Recreation” has spent the bulk of its episodes chronicling Knope’s new political campaign, run by her boyfriend (and former boss) Ben (Adam Scott). But that hasn’t been the only enjoyable part of the show; Tom and Anne’s relationship has been a comedic well for Aziz Ansari and Rashida Jones to draw from, and meeting Ron Swanson’s mother (named, just like his two ex-wives, Tammy) was predictably uproarious and featured an unpredictably drunk Leslie. Drunk Leslie returned for an episode with uptight talk show host Buddy Wood (Sean Hayes of “Will and Grace”). Amy Poehler is a master at playing drunk, so let’s hope for flaming tequila shots aplenty in the show’s future.

The season’s four remaining episodes will run uninterrupted until its conclusion and will feature even more famous guest stars like Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”) as the City Council member Poehler is running to replace. Paul Rudd (“Role Models”) will return as her bumbling rival Bobby Newport, who would be an easy takedown for Knope if not for his hire of Washington hotshot campaign manager (comedienne Kathryn Hahn). Can Leslie and her scrappy team of advisers overcome the big money of Newport? I certainly hope so; her campaign promises, like “Find Gabe the Toucan” and “Free Trade with Illinois,” sound like winning solutions to me.

So settle down tonight for a brand new episode that’ll be as delectable as one of Leslie Knope’s favorite waffles.

“Parks and Recreation” is on NBC Thursdays at 8:30 CDT.