In another world, Amy Poehler didn’t play Leslie Knope inParks and Recreation.Parks and Recreation, one ofthe best sitcoms of all time, focuses on the residents of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, and the employees of the titular government department. Other than Poehler as the incredible and passionate Leslie,Parks and Recreation’s best episodesalso include the likes of Rashida Jones as nurse Ann Perkins and Nick Offerman as the stern Ron Swanson.
FromMichelle Obama’sParks and Recreationcameoto potentially ending up as the President, Leslie’s journey throughout the show was a wild one. However,there was a time when Amy Poehler almost didn’t portray the iconic Leslie Knope,the leading lady ofevery season ofParks and Recreation. Thankfully, a last-minute behind-the-scenes alteration changed the fate ofParks and Recreation.
Amy Poehler Almost Didn’t Play Leslie Knope
The Actress' Pregnancy Nearly Stopped Her From Playing Her Most Iconic Character
In a recent episode ofGood Hang with Amy Poehler, Poehler chatted with fellow sitcom legend Mike Schur. The pair discussed howthe show originally began as a spinoff toThe Officeas well as thefakeParks and RecreationTV show,Philly Justice. However, during this conversation, they also spoke about howParks and Recreationwas almost very different.
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The two recalled a conversation between Schur andGreg Daniels, the co-creator ofParks and Recreation,The Office, and loads more.Poehler was originally set to play Leslie Knope, but she had to turn the role down because she was pregnantand due to give birth the same week the show was supposed to start shooting. Schur and Daniels realized that only Poehler could play Leslie, and so to ensure that still happened, they made an incredible sacrifice.
Parks And Recreation Gave Up Episodes & The Super Bowl Slot To Keep Amy Poehler
Parks And Recreation Made The Ultimate Sacrifice
Schur explained that “[Parks and Recreation]was given a guaranteed 13-episode order” and that upon speaking with Poehler, she’d said she was “theoretically interested in this.” However, the actress quickly called back and explained that she was pregnant. Because of how the dates lined up, Poehler wouldn’t have been able to shootParks and Recreationseason 1. Of course, as she was preparing to give birth to a child, Poehler couldn’t have also starred as the lead in a brand-new sitcom.
Two weeks later, Schur and Daniels realized that nobody other than Poehler could play Leslie. They called NBC and said: “If we can’' get Amy for this, we will give up seven of the 13 guaranteed episodes.” Because of Poehler’s pregnancy and changing the schedule, they were only able to film six episodes.Another huge sacrificeParks and Recreationmade was giving up the Super Bowl slot,with an episode airing immediately afterThe Office. This was a massive risk for the show, but it ultimately paid offand ensured that Poehler would play Leslie.
Parks And Recreation’s Cut Episodes Could Explain Leslie Knope’s Character Problems In Season 1
Parks And Recreation Giving Up 7 Episodes Resulted In Less Screen Time For Leslie
Schur confirmed that Poehler began shooting a mere three months after she gave birth to her son, Archie, who she shares with her ex-husband Will Arnett. It is wild how much Poehler achieved during this time, but it might also explain some of the problems withParks and Recreationseason 1. WhileLeslie undoubtedly became a much better character as time went on,she was at her weakest in season 1. However, the cut episodes could have played a part in her character development.
With an incredible seven lost episodes of season 1, there isn’t enough time for audiences to truly understand who Leslie was.Leslie Knope also resembles another sitcom characterin her earlier episodes, specificallyThe Office’s Michael Scott; considering Daniels and Schur were heavily involved in the show, it was no surprise. Additionally,it could be assumed that Leslie initially had more scenes in the episodes that were shot,but as Poehler was recovering from childbirth and caring for an infant, they were probably cut so she wasn’t overworked.
Leslie Knope became one of the greatest sitcom leads ever, despite the unexpected changes made inParks and Recreation’s first season. Naturally, as it was the first season, the show overall was also finding its feet. But despite all the hiccups and interruptions, Amy Poehler nailed her debut asParks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope, and they didn’t impact the show’s fate as a legendary sitcom loved by many.
