In these dark times of social distancing, sheltering-at-home, and essential workers risking their health to help keep the rest of us safe, every bit of good news counts. Well, for fans of the hit NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, there’s a lot of good news. The original cast will be back for a special 30-minute episode set in the current day as a means of raising money for the charity Feeding America.
Leslie Knope wants to let you in on a secret… On April 30, #ParksAndRec is returning to NBC for “A Parks and Recreation Special”. Our workplace proximity associates, along with our neighbors at @StateFarm, are raising money for @FeedingAmerica. Join us! https://t.co/YuyWBTYmrH pic.twitter.com/ZId6Lq3rkJ
— Parks and Recreation (@parksandrec) April 23, 2020
The cast of “A Parks and Recreation Special” includes Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O’Heir, and Retta, i.e. everyone in the core cast. The story will focus on Leslie Knope working on contacting all her friends as they maintain social distancing. All the actors shot their scenes from their own homes.
“Like a lot of other people, we were looking for ways to help and felt that bringing these characters back for a night could raise some money,” executive producer and co-creator Mike Schur said in a statement. “I sent a hopeful email to the cast and they all got back to me within 45 minutes. Our old Parks and Rec team has put together one more 30-minute slice of (quarantined) Pawnee life and we hope everyone enjoys it. And donates!”
The special will raise funds for Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which aids food banks across the United States. State Farm, Subaru of America, NBCUniversal and the show’s writers, producers, and cast members will match donations up to $500,000.
“A Parks and Recreations Special” airs on NBC on April 30, 2020.
