"A Parks and Recreation Special" | |
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Parks and Recreation episode | |
Episode no. | Episode 126 |
Directed by | Morgan Sackett |
Written by |
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Original air date | April 30, 2020 |
Guest appearances | |
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"A Parks and Recreation Special" is a special episode of the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation and the 126th episode overall. It was originally broadcast on April 30, 2020, on NBC. It was written by series co-creator Michael Schur with Megan Amram, Dave King, Joe Mande, Aisha Muharrar, Matt Murray, and Jen Statsky, and was directed by Morgan Sackett. Set during the COVID-19 pandemic, the episode shows Leslie Knope and her friends as they handle life during quarantine.
The special served as a fundraiser for Feeding America's COVID-19 Response Fund. While the series had originally ended with no plans for a reboot, Schur decided to create a new episode in response to the pandemic. The show's main cast members, along with several recurring characters, returned for the special. It was produced in three weeks, with all work done remotely and the cast recording their parts individually.
In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by 3.67 million viewers and was the highest-rated program of the night in the 18–49 demographic. It received acclaim from critics, particularly for its heart and comforting nature, and raised at least $3 million for Feeding America.