Random Things You Didn't Know About Parks and Recreation (21 items)

(#3) Andy Dwyer Was Supposed to Be a Guest Star

The character of Andy Dwyer was only ever supposed to be a guest starring, six or seven episode role, as Ann's jerk boyfriend. But viewers couldn't resist the great Chris Pratt!
Bonus trivia: Pratt's character on Everwood was also only supposed to be a guest star.
Source: Pajiba
(#13) Ryan Gosling Might Have a Crush on Aubrey Plaza

Plaza has reportedly shot down everyone's pretend boyfriend more than once. The first time was at a Jamba Juice, when she supposedly didn't recognize him, and the second time when he invited her to a magic show(!).

She couldn't go because she already had plans to attend a charity event for Amy Poehler.

Source: Jezebel
(#15) Pawnee Parks is Based on New Zealand
Christchurch, New Zealand, is not just the most absurd name for a town of all time. It is also the source of the actual map for the so-called Pawnee Parks. If you look closely at a Pawnee Parks Map, which Ron Swanson surely doesn't, you will see that it is the same as the Christchurch map, without all the street names.

Source: Reddit
(#9) The Theme Song Was Selected Via a Contest

The Parks and Recreation theme song is notably cheery and perfectly captures the sitcom's tone. You can thank BMI, the music royalty and management leader for the awesome tune. In an unusual move, BMI sent out a mass email to composers saying they had five days to submit an entry.

The prize? $7,500. The winners? Gaby Moreno and Vincent Jones.

Source: Movie Music for Dummies
(#5) Nick Offerman's Favorite Guest Star is Tammy Two

Which is a good thing, because she's played by Megan Mullally, Offerman's real-life wife.
Source: Indiewire
(#18) Leslie Knope's Life Comes From The Contender
According to the show's producer, The Contender is a comparison that the writing staff will often note. They frequently reference that movie because Joan Allen plays a dramatic character similar to the Amy Poehler's comedic Leslie Knope. Much like The Contender, the NBC sitcom centers around a female politician who is under scrutiny and "trying to make her way in a man's world."

Source: Hitfix