Parks and
Recreation pulled out all the stops for its season six finale, with an
imposing cameo from none other than Michelle Obama and Madmen’s John
Hamm.
America’s
First Lady appeared early in the hour-long special, playing herself as a
keynote speaker in the National Parks Conference.
After
bumping into Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) in the corridor Mrs. Obama
encourages her to take a new job with the National Parks Service in
Chicago.
Imposing cameo: First Lady Michelle Obama made a guest appearance on the season six finale of Parks And Recreation
‘You
know how I feel about Chicago,’ said the President’s wife/ lawyer and
writer, 50, who was dressed in a fetching high-necked polka dot dress.
Completely
star struck and physically dwarfed by Mrs. Obama Leslie bumbles through
the conversation: Nervously shouting and instigating a cringingly
embarrassing high five.
‘I agree with you on all things, throughout history and until the end of time forever,’ gushes Leslie, nodding inanely.
Touch and go: Amy Poehler's Leslie Knope was a bit star struck by the First Lady
Words of encouragement: The 50-year-old made sure to inspire the local politician
‘Well
I hope you take the job,’ replies Mrs. Obama, whose ‘Let’s Move’
fitness campaign was incorporated into the script of the widely-popular
NBC comedy.
‘Change happens one person at a time,’ she adds, with the gravitas of a presidential speech.
The show opens with Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari) gunning to launch his potentially ill-fated restaurant, Tom’s Bistro.
Things
go catastrophically wrong when Jerry ‘Larry’ Gergich (Jim O'Heir)
prints pictures of his dog’s rectum on the menus by accident.
Taking a breath: Leslie tried to remain cool under pressure upon meeting her hero
Telling it like it is: Mrs. Obama drove her point home with her public speaking skills
Further
comic disasters bring work-shy Tom close to quitting. Instead he calls
reinforcements – in the shape of his oversexed ex girlfriend Mona Lisa
(Jenny Slate) and her crazy convict brother Jean-Ralphio (Ben Schwartz).
Happy
Days legend Henry Winkler also makes a return visit for the bistro’s
opening night – enjoying the Italian food so much he offers to become an
investor.
The majority of the plot was based in the hilly San Francisco region, where the conference is taking place.
In
a bid to win free Wi-Fi for Pawnee father-to-be Ben (Adam Scott) and
Andy (Chris Pratt) visit ‘Gryzzl’ a trendy Bay Area tech start-up.
Reeling: Knope needed to take a breather after the encounter
Meanwhile: Tom Haverford seeks investment in his restaurant from guest Henry Winkler
After chatting with a barefoot tech hippy type (Blake Anderson of Workaholics) they’re refused the request.
‘We don’t like to say no in this company…so let me just say nah bro,’ said Blake Anderson’s infuriating character.
‘How is that better?’ asks Ben incredulously.
After the initial disappointment they launch into a game of Cones of Dunshire betting for a second chance.
Last minute cameo: Jon Hamm made a bumbling appearance at the end of the episode
Making a fool of himself: Hamm made to sure to ham it up for his cameo
As
inventor of the complex game Ben naturally wins - with a convoluted
move from his ‘humble farmer’ to the ‘central cone’ gaining free
Internet for the town.
Struggling
with her ‘Merger She Wrote’ presentation (to meld Pawnee with its
neighboring municipality Eagleton) Leslie was accused of being
‘cavalier’ with her timeline.
This
sends her tobogganing into another tizzy over her conundrum to either
take the coveted Chicago gig or stay in her beloved Pawnee.
Unable to commit, Leslie pontificates and flip-flops like a true politician.
Services no longer required: Leslie fires Hamm from her office
Big decisions: Leslie struggles with a new opportunity that take her from Pawnee
‘I am going to be paralysed by hypotheticals until I die,’ she blusters in exasperation.
On
the edge of the redwood forest Ben persuades her to take the big job –
which didn’t match a quote her co-workers had inscribed on a plinth in
her honour.
‘Only a moron would live anywhere other than Pawnee, Indiana.’
After
much planning Pawnee Eagleton Unity Concert was peppered with some big
names in music including Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy as the Scott Tanner
character.
The
Decemberists, Letters to Cleo and Ginuwine perform as themselves with
Yo La Tengo hitting the festival stage as Bobby Knight Ranger singing
‘Sister Christian’.
Benefit concert: The episode also features a benefit concert with many famous musicians
Reunion: Mouse Rat returns for the finale
Parks executive producer Donick Cary is reportedly friends with Yo La Tengo, arranging the cameo for kicks.
‘He
emailed them and said, ‘Hey, do you guys want to play a band called
Bobby Knight Ranger that dresses up like Bobby Knight and plays Night
Ranger songs?’ and they said, ‘Yes, we do!’ his co-executive producer
Michael Schur told Entertainment Weekly.
‘They’re on camera for like 20 seconds, and it was so cool of them to fly in and do this ridiculous thing,’ Schur told EW.
As
night falls on the concert Andy Dwyer’s band Mouse Rat (led by Chris
Pratt) reunite for a ballad. Duke Silver, Ron Swanson's jazz saxophonist
alter ego, then steals the show with a solo.
New persona: Andy transforms into Johnny Karate
Ron (Nick Offerman) Leslie’s spiritual mentor, congratulates her on her new career, but has other ideas for her future.
‘With your courage and small frame you’d make an excellent coal minor,’ he said.
In
a heartwarming finale the entire team congregate to petition for Leslie
to take the Chicago job – but move the office to Pawnee.
‘Leslie
should stay here and if you don’t agree with us it’s nine against one
and we can make you disappear forever,’ says April Ludgate (Aubrey
Plaza) with her trademark stony-face.
The future: The episode ends with a glimpse into what is to come
Flash-forward ‘three years later’ to a bustling Pawnee office, with a bizarre cameo from Madmen’s John Hamm.
Confident in her new role, and now the mother of triplets, Leslie aggressively sacks Hamm’s character – named Ed.
‘Ed you are a nice guy but you are literally the most incompetent person I have ever met,’ she barks.
As Ed makes his grinning exit Ben, April and Andy arrive - bringing Leslie’s young kids.
So whatever Parks and Rec’s seventh season may bring it’ll definitely be fortified with these major relationships.
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