Amy Poehler: 'Parks And Recreation' Inspired By Obama

Access Hollywood - March 24, 2009 12:39 PM PDT
Story photo: Amy Poehler: 'Parks And Recreation' Inspired By ObamaAmy Poehler in GQ's April issueGQAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Amy Poehler 's new NBC comedy series, "Parks And Recreation," has been shrouded in secrecy. But now, the former "SNL" star revealed to GQ magazine that President Obama has helped shape the mockumentary style comedy.

"I play Leslie Knope, the head of the parks department in a small town--and her dream is to build a new park. When Obama says, 'Okay America, let's get to work!' Leslie is the one who responds, 'Great! I have all these big ideas!'" the actress told the mag. "Government shows are usually about people making huge decisions super quickly--ya know, those big walk-and-talk shots down the halls of the White House. We wanted to explore the small ways in which people try to make a difference and fail--in a mockumentary style, like 'The Office.'"

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Amy said presidential campaign buzzwords like "hope" and "change" are explored in the upcoming comedy.

"There's something to be said for banging up against an administration keeping you down, but it's about how 'hope' translates into actual change. [Our producers] Mike Schur and Greg Daniels did research for the show and met with some city planners. To me, there's a lot of interesting stuff to be mined, character-wise, from the people that get in the way of that, or don't want to change, or talk a lot about it but have no idea how," Amy continued.

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Adding, "So I think the plan is to have the show on for 18 years and then at the very end we build a park. [deadpan pause] That would be amazing!"

Amy also laid to rest any idea that "Parks And Recreation" was connected to another hit NBC series.

"It has nothing to do with 'The Office' other than style. Our world seems a lot bigger to me than theirs, actually. But that could just be because I'm shorter than [Steve] Carell," she said with a laugh.

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"Parks And Recreation" debuts on NBC on April 9.

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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Amy Poehler - The Office - NBC - TV - Comedians

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comments 1-10 of 14  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • mddg777
    Sounds like rediculous show. Bet it will be funny. Can't wait.
    report abuseposted March 25, 2009 10:57 AM PDT
  • Ana
    WHAT UP SO IAM IN CMS AND TIFFY AND SHELBY ARE READING THIS MAGAZINE ON LIKE GAY PEOPLE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TIFFY SAID ITS PRETTY FUNNY AND THEY ARE ALL INTO IT..................AND SHELBY JUST SAID 'KISSING CAN CAUSE CAVITIES' HE HE THATS LIFE AT MC GHETTO HIGH SEE YA
    report abuseposted March 25, 2009 10:21 AM PDT
  • Brooke
    ima be famous u watch
    report abuseposted March 25, 2009 8:49 AM PDT
  • jason
    vomit
    report abuseposted March 25, 2009 7:38 AM PDT
  • Ralph
    Yes the Hollywood ELite get all their ideas from Obama it seems! This show looks like it would be horrendous....
    report abuseposted March 25, 2009 5:51 AM PDT
  • Optimus
    yuhhhh!
    report abuseposted March 25, 2009 2:58 AM PDT
  • G. W. Bush, the Decider
    I would watch it were she to do a take off on a James Bond movie. She would be the Bond girl. "I'm the Bond girl, the James Bond girl. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
    report abuseposted March 24, 2009 9:42 PM PDT
  • G. W. Bush, the Decider
    Oh, I get it. Another sitcom with one-liners and perhaps canned laughter.
    report abuseposted March 24, 2009 9:36 PM PDT
  • Stellamojo
    They have NO idea how city government keeps big ideas from taking root.
    report abuseposted March 24, 2009 8:44 PM PDT
  • Sarah Palin's 100th kid
    meh
    report abuseposted March 24, 2009 5:13 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 14  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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