TV
Biden and friends: adding more stars to the Parks and Rec ticket
Vice President Joe Biden speaks to supporters gathered during a campaign rally Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium in Sarasota, Fla. He appears on ‘Parks and Rec’ Thursday.
Fresh off the winning campaign trail, Joe Biden stops for no one. Nov. 15, he will continue reprising his role as vice president by playing himself on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” This hilarious, documentary-style show stars Amy Poehler as nerdy, motivated and lovable Leslie Knope, a Parks and Recreation deputy director now serving as city councilwoman of Pawnee, Ind. The show’s five seasons have followed her move up the political ladder from local government employee, through the trials of her campaign and finally to her important role as city councilwoman. Easily the most hardworking person in politics, real or fictional (partly why Cadenza endorsed her last week for president), Knope idolizes the powerful women and men who have paved the road before her. In the newest episode, Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott), Knope’s fiance, who happens to be a campaign manager in Washington, D.C., brings Knope to meet with Biden as an “engagement present,” not surprising for a woman who wants to be the first female president and deems Biden the “sexiest man.” While it wasn’t the waffle tower she originally thought, this meeting was just as exciting.
Now that Biden has made an appearance on “Parks and Recreation,” I can’t help but wish for some other stars to make their own debuts on the sitcom; here would be my top picks:
Tina Fey – Obviously. Well-known close friend of Poehler’s, Fey would remind us how much we’ve always loved this duo. Since “Saturday Night Live,” “Baby Mama” and “Mean Girls,” when was the last time we saw the two together? I say, throw Fey in as Knope’s rival or a long-lost friend—anything to see these two in action again. Use it as a warm-up for the Golden Globes in January!
Hillary Clinton – Another idol of Knope’s. This meeting could focus more on the aspects of being a woman in politics. How can Knope deal with all the stress? She could ask Clinton, who’s been through it all, for advice.
Ryan Lochte – He’s been on “90210” and even “30 Rock.” What is it going to take to get five-medals-at-London, grill-wearing, kind-of-a-joke-Lochte to come on Parks and Rec? I suggest Pawnee open a new town pool. Have Lochte be his regular, incomprehensible, supportive self.
Jimmy Fallon – For anyone who watches “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” you know that any time Poehler visits the show, it gets ten times funnier. Fallon is witty and musical. Knope’s best friend Ann (Rashida Jones) is a “beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful musk ox” and she’s single. Fallon would be the ultimate new love interest.
Mitt Romney – Now that he is out of a job, he will be looking for some extra cash. I am sure Knope will have ideas for Romney to get back on his feet. Maybe Wyatt could act as his campaign manager for round three.