Parks and Recreation and The Office are two of the most successful mockumentary-styled sitcoms. As such, there are ongoing debates to this day about which show is better. Some people say that The Office walked so that Parks and Rec could run. Some fans beg to differ, wholeheartedly believing that The Office is a superior series to Parks and Rec.
One thing’s for sure; both shows are legendary, heart-warming, and wildly hilarious. They are both unique in their own way. But there’s one intriguing thing that Parks and Rec did much better than its predecessor.
Parks and Recreation Delivered a Better Developed Ensemble Cast
Both Parks and Recreation and The Office showed the immense potential of workplace comedy. They played with the idea of a serious workplace becoming a place of endless inside jokes, puns, and awkward but funny situations. That’s why the choice of the ensemble cast was crucial for the success of both sitcoms. And there’s no denying that both Parks and Recreation and The Office had a talented cast and strong characters. However, Parks and Rec took their characters to another level, allowing them to grow as individuals and explore their interests. The show owes much of its success and legacy to the growth of its characters. They have all gone through major life changes, career milestones, and personal development throughout the seven seasons, making them a better-developed ensemble cast than The Office.
Also, Parks and Recreation had an unbelievable cast. While The Office helped both Steve Carell and John Krasinski cement their status in Hollywood, other cast members didn’t have the same success after the show. On the other hand, Parks and Rec introduced to the world some of the most successful actors and comedians working today. Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, and Aubrey Plaza are all acting legends. Rashida Jones finally got her time under the spotlight in this show as compared to her time in The Office. Rob Lowe also regained global attention popularity after his time on Parks and Rec. Amy Poehler also proved once again why she’s one of the best comedians in the business.
The Show’s Guest Stars Helped Parks and Rec Make Its Mark
The Office had some terrific celebrity cameos throughout the show’s nine-season streak. Legends like Will Ferrell, Amy Adams, Idris Elba, Ray Romano, and Ricky Gervais all made guest appearances. However, many viewers agree that Parks and Recreation was much more successful in that aspect, welcoming iconic guest stars like Andy Samberg, Fred Armisen, and Will Arnett, but also some prominent political figures like Michelle Obama and Joe Biden.
Parks and Rec did a much better job with their guest stars and character additions. For instance, nothing could top the addition of Adam Scott and Rob Lowe to the main ensemble. The moment they joined the cast, they immediately fit like a glove. Also, unlike in The Office, there were more recurring guest cast and characters in Parks and Recreation who got their time to shine. Actors like Ben Schwartz, Jenny Slate, and Paul Rudd helped the show make its mark and go down in history as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.
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