Problems With NBC's Parks & Recreation
By Nikki Finke on Mon, Mar 23rd, 2009 at 12:17AM

There's more trouble for Jeff Zucker and Ben Silverman. NBC's upcoming Universal Media Studios sitcom Parks And Recreation was supposed to be a real winner since the mockumentary comes from Greg Daniels and Michael Schur of The Office and stars Amy Poehler. I say "supposed" because there are problems galore in the rough-cut pilot, according to a March 18th-dated "Consumer And Market Intelligence Research Summary" which I saw this weekend. Considering the show starts airing April 9th, can Parks And Recreation get fixed in time? You be the judge: here are some excerpts from the 12-page report (9 are charts and graphs):

• PARKS AND RECREATION’s overwhelming resemblance to THE OFFICE caused many viewers to simply see it as a “carbon copy” of a successful show. The pilot was seen as “predictable” and lacking in character development, even for a pilot. PARKS AND RECREATIONS needs to differentiate itself from THE OFFICE; otherwise it runs the risk of being seen as “derivative,” “forced,” and “unoriginal.”

• Expectations for this show are very high, especially among OFFICE viewers. Many had seen the promos and were expecting an “OFFICE-type mockumentary” with the same tone, but felt the pilot was too close and similar to the OFFICE. However, many OFFICE fans were quick to point out that THE OFFICE did not become their favorite show overnight. For many, the show grew on them overtime and viewers expect a similar pattern with PARKS & RECREATION and, given their excitement for the show, most are willing to give it a longer commitment than they would another new comedy. This goodwill is stronger than usual, but viewers will expect to see the show to be as good as THE OFFICE soon. Furthermore, labeling the show as being “from the producers of THE OFFICE” adds credibly to the show and helps raise viewers’ expectations.

• Focus needs to evolve away from the pit — consider showing Leslie [Amy Poehler] and her team dealing with various parks and recreation duties. There is a lot of interest in exploring the comedy potential in a government office. The bureaucracy that exists at this type of local government is “very believable” and viewers hoped it could provide for some quirky and silly situations. Based on the promos that are currently airing, most expect storylines to take place in parks around the city.

Characters
• Although many saw her as the “Michael Scott character [from The Office]”, Amy Poehler was well liked. SNL fans felt her character Leslie was a bit “too serious” and “too low-key” and many expected her to have more energy and enthusiasm, especially when she is getting drunk at the end of the show. Viewers appreciate her “big heart” and the fact that she is trying to help Ann and Andy.

• The show could use a genuinely likeable male lead. The lack of quality male characters was evident in both the Dial Test and Focus Groups. While Leslie, Ann and April are good characters; all the men in the show were seen as “sleazy” in one way or another. Because there are no “datable” men in the cast, there is little “romantic tension” or “interesting relationship potential” in the show.

Execution & Tune-out
• The beginning of the show needs to better explain the setting and situation. Many were confused as to the reasons and motivations behind the “documentary.” Many asked if it was about Leslie or Ann or the pit even given that the show opens on Ann and Andy and not Leslie.

• Pacing was seen as “slow”. 40% of Viewers felt the “pace of the show was too slow.” This was especially evident during the scenes in the conference room or offices of the municipal building.

• Good positive spikes in the opening scenes and during the classroom open forum session but positive spikes flatten during the scenes in Leslie’s office and when she meets Mark out on the patio (Approx Mins 8:30-9:30).

• Highest positive spike comes from Leslie falling into the pit.

• The last 6:30 (approx) suffer from lower positives and higher negatives as “slower” and “more tedious” scenes are featured. Ron’s opinion on the role of government and his discussion with Mark received low positives throughout. The conference room discussion about the committee’s name as the tag was “too long” and “too much of the same joke” for many viewers.

• High tune-out during the opening 4 minutes, especially during Ron’s description of public forums. Tune-outs resume after the classroom forum scene when the action takes place in Leslie’s office and out on the patio during her discussion and testimonials with Mark.

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Parks and Recreation: Poor audience test results are normal, NBC's Ben Silverman says
Mar 23, 2009, 07:01 PM | by Tim Stack

Reports of poor test results for NBC's new sitcom Parks and Recreation hit the web today but NBC Entertainment co-chair Ben Silverman tells EW these kinds of negative responses are not unusual for a new series. "All of the research we do around initial rough cuts is negative," Silverman says. "If you had seen the initial research on all of ours and our competitors' successful shows, it tends to be like that." Silverman says he has "no idea" how the test reports were leaked.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bazookka Joe,

That Ben Silverman is the spinmaster I tell you what!

I heart Amy so I am still going to watch.

wow Ben Silverman, no wonder NBC is in fourth place

quote:

"All of the research we do around initial rough cuts is negative," Silverman says. "If you had seen the initial research on all of ours and our competitors' successful shows, it tends to be like that." Silverman says he has "no idea" how the test reports were leaked.

And this explains why Knight Rider, Kath & Kim, Howie Do It, among others, managed to make it on the air? BTW, which successful shows at NBC is he talking about? He wasn't around at NBC when most of the good ones started, so how the hell would this clueless dolt know? He's living off The Office. His track record for running a network matches that of Dawn Ostroff at the CW. How these people remain employed is beyond me.

The promos for this show look absolutely horrible! It looks almost as bad as KATH & KIM.

If NBC wants to crawl out of fourth place then they need to take a gamble...like they did in the '80s with "The Cosby Show," "Cheers," "Night Court," etc.

People are sick and tired of seeing the same old comedies and dramas with white people. I think the time has come for a major shakeup on network (scripted) television. Bring more diversity to the table.

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleD:
The promos for this show look absolutely horrible! It looks almost as bad as KATH & KIM.

I'll second that assessment. The three or four commercials I have seen for it have all been horrible. I guess I am one of those old- fashioned viewers who prefers to laugh during comedies and I'm not finding anything funny thus far about this show.

As for those test results, if a highly touted show such as this one makes it to the air as well as other dreck the network has shown in recent years, I would hate to see the results of shows that failed to make it. Do respondents walk out of those screenings or throw items at the screen or fall asleep?

I think we need to start a death watch for Silverman's job.

I am with the Forum Moderator Boomer in that NBC definitely needs to be bold and gamble a little as they did in the 80's and even in the 90's too. There is something that NBC Television Division is doing wrong because things are getting worse, not better. 30 Rock continues to have weak ratings and for all their awards to be weak in ratings, should be telling Jeff Zuker that he needs to clean up the Television leadership or change it and put people in position that can bring back Must See TV back to NBC and its glory years!

Ratings will determine the success/failure of Parks and Recreation, to be sure. And it will not take but a few episodes into the first season to decide the fate. This show must come out of the gate fast and furious!

Remember...everyone was shi**ing all over "The Office" when it was going to air too. People were up in arms that NBC would try to remake a "classic" British show.

I never judge a show after one episode anyways. I remember it took me a couple episodes to get into the style of "The Office" too.

I'm of the "let's wait and see" philosophy.

When the previews to this started airing, my first reaction was, "Amy, you should have stayed on 'Saturday Night Live' ". But I still plan on giving it a go b/c of the talent involved. The behind-the-scenes problems don't surprise me.

Eh, The Office and 30 Rock had horrible early reviews. And quite honestly their pilots were pretty bad too.

I'm not concerned because they have good talent, both on an off screen. The only part that concerns me is that the show needs to differentiate itself from The Office. I'm confident they can, just the pilot looks like Office 2.0

And 30 Rock may still have "horrible ratings" but it's currently NBC's #2 scripted show in the demo... beating Heroes every week now. Even "low" ratings for Parks and Rec might end up being ok for NBC.

I'm concerned with the fact that this thing looks practically like "The Office" but outside and with a female lead. The show could become more refined, but I don't see ti getting past being seen as 'The Office's bastard child.

Before anyone make comparisons to the original BBC version of "The Office" and the American one, it doesn't apply, since the original 'Office' was unknown to American audiences.

I think the show looks alright. Because of the talent involved, I'll give it a shot.

It doesn't look that bad too me either.

Anyone here actually seen the pilot?