Review by C.J. Bunce
Jim O’Heir’s affable Jerry (also known as Garry or Larry) might not be the first character you think of when you think of the seven-season, fourth wall-breaking, star-studded sitcom Parks and Recreation, but he’s going to be there eventually. You’ll really get a look at the actor, his lovable office-bound character, and insights into making a major network sitcom in O’Heir’s new book Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation, now available here at Amazon. Yes, the reviews from his castmates may be the funniest part of the book, but the series has a fanbase like that of Community, and anyone who loves the show will probably be happy to finally get a book about the award-winning Amy Poehler show with a heart.
The biggest takeaway from the book is that O’Heir and his character seem like the same guy. O’Heir wears his heart on his sleeve, and most of his anecdotes are the kind of self-effacing knocks his character received in episode after episode from the staff of the Pawnee, Indiana, Parks and Rec department. O’Heir and castmate Retta, who played Donna Meagle, became fast friends, both having those familiar second tier roles like Sulu and Chekov in the original Star Trek. The fact that the show was originally pitched as a spin-off of The Office actually comes through in the real-life O’Heir’s challenges in trying to keep good humor as other crew members came and went over the show’s seven seasons. Showbiz is like every industry–someone new always comes along with new direction (here that was literally new episode directors) and you’re never sure whether the job is going to be there next week, let alone next month or next year.
O’Heir shares his history getting cast for the role (he originally auditioned for Ron Swanson!) and he fills in the blanks with interview excerpts from key show creators Greg Daniels, Mike Schur, Greg Levine, Allison Jones, plus co-stars Chris Pratt, Retta, and Adam Scott.
Fans will appreciate all the appropriate name-dropping of guest stars on the show, including Joe Hamm, Kristin Bell, Joe Biden, Justin Theroux, Lucy Lawless, Heidi Klum, Bill Murray, Michelle Obama, and Christie Brinkley–as Jerry’s wife (also Pam Grier, who wasn’t in Parks and Rec). One section discusses how Rob Lowe taught O’Heir how to kiss on TV. Another finds O’Heir recalling stumbling upon an encounter with co-star Rashida Jones’ parents Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. Even as an actor, when O’Heir met Mary Tyler Moore he froze up and couldn’t speak, like many a fan meeting their favorite celebrity. Yes, an actor can be a fanboy, too.
And of course O’Heir has anecdotes to share about his friendships with cast members, some insight into acting styles, and who he got along great with (and who he didn’t).
Fans of Parks and Recreation won’t want to miss the opportunity to learn more about the cast and the horse who played Sebastian. Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation is available now available here at Amazon.
