Amy Poehler announced Thursday that the entire cast of Parks and Recreation will come together for a one-night special for charity.
Poehler will be joined by Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, Rob Lowe, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Jim O’Heir and Retta. The Hollywood Reporternotes that co-creator Mike Schur and several Parks and Rec writers have also collaborated on the half-hour special, which will find Leslie Knope (Poehler) determined to stay connected with her friends and colleagues as the nation practices social distancing.
Talk of a Parks and Rec reunion goes as far back as 2018 when Poehler said on Ellen, "I'll speak for everybody and say we would all do it. I think we would all do it someday. It would be amazing." That same year, Pratt was enthusiastic about getting the band back together, saying, "I hope so, yeah! I've heard rumors. I'd be down. Let's do it! Yeah, that'd be great!"
Schur, however, considered the possibility of a reunion unlikely when the cast came together to celebrate the show's 10-year anniversary at PaleyFest LA last year. "Everyone on this stage — and like six other people — would have to feel like there was a story that needed to be told," he said.
With most of the nation on lockdown, all Hollywood productions on hold, and a premise based on the coronavirus pandemic, all the stars seemed to align for a Parks and Rec reunion that will raise money for Feeding America's COVID-19 Response Fund.
"Like a lot of other people, we were looking for ways to help and felt that bringing these characters back for a night could raise some money," Schur said in a statement. "I sent a hopeful email to the cast and they all got back to me within 45 minutes. Our old Parks and Rec team has put together one more 30-minute slice of (quarantined) Pawnee life and we hope everyone enjoys it. And donates!"
Check out Poehler's announcement below.
The Parks and Recreation reunion special will air on April 30.
