Parks and Recreation (TV Series) Canvassing (2009) User Reviews

Clear that the show is trying to find its way

[vixxverlice · 6/10 · 28 December 2023]

It's clear that the show is still trying to find its way in this episode. I think Leslie became more likable here, I didn't like her in the pilot, but she is a bit more funny in this episode.

The overall plotline of this episode is just meh, not a ton is happening which makes sense for a show just starting out like this. I think this helps to flesh out the characters and atmosphere of the show a little more.

Some laughs here and there, but I think this was still just a bit slow in terms of pace among other things. Some shows like this just deliver funny scene after funny scene, but so far Parks and Rec does not do that. Despite this, I am enjoying the show so far and I think the more it goes along, the better it will become.

I really like the roles of both Chris Pratt and Rashida Jones, and I hope that they get quite a bit of screen time throughout the show. Pratt's character makes for some especially funny moments.

An episode full of growing pains.

[brenbella · 5/10 · 24 July 2018]

As a die-hard fan of Parks and Rec, it pains me to say negative things about the show and to give episodes low ratings. With that being said, I undoubtedly believe that Canvassing is one of the weakest episodes in the entire series. Allow me to explain.

It isn't necessarily a terrible episode or poorly written or anything. There are still some good laughs, but the show just doesn't feel like the show it will eventually turn in to in the next season. The show is created by Greg Daniels and Mike Schur (2 comedy legends as far as I'm concerned). Both of, at the time, had just come off of massive success writing for The Office (US). Now, despite similarities between both workplace comedies, Parks and Rec will eventually become its own unique and amazing series, separate from The Office. However, in episodes like this one, it feels too similar to its predecessor.

A perfect example of what I am talking about is the scene towards the end at the town hall meeting. Now, we will see many more town hall meetings to come in this show. They are some of my favorite scenes in the entire series, but the type of humor that is displayed in this particular meeting is very different than the later ones. This one feels more cringy and awkward, a little too much like The Office. Where the later ones are more satire-based and a little more goofy than these ones. The Pawnee citizens were just too harsh and cruel. Not that big of a deal, but just an example of why I believe the writers have not gotten the tone right just yet and episodes like this one are some of the weakest in the series.

Door to door

[vivianla · 19 March 2022]

Canvassing means to go door to door. I didn't know that.

Leslie takes her committee to interview residents in the neighborhood on what they think about a park. Leslie offers sunscreen to everyone except for the brown man.