What I’m Watching: Parks & Recreation

Parks & Recreation: Season 4, Episode 12 “Campaign Ad” (B+)

This show likes to keep it in the extended family with its network of guest actors, and who better than Paul Rudd, who has costarred in both “I Love You, Man” and “Our Idiot Brother” with Rashida Jones, to play Bobby Newport, Leslie’s number one opponent for city council? Like many of the guest characters on this show, he didn’t show much in the way of brainpower, but like his family name, everyone seemed to love him in spite of it. Ben’s desire to do an attack ad was countered wonderfully by Leslie’s ill-fated attempt to run a positive ad, and I like their compromise, which involved a ten-year-old Leslie explaining why she wanted to run in extremely similar terms to those used by Bobby currently. Bobby’s whiny request for Leslie to drop out so that he could win was pathetic, and she’s now going to have a good time taking him down. Chris trying to befriend Ron was delightful and hilarious, particularly when Ron said no to a lunch invitation and then ended up at lunch with him after Chris laughed. His notion that Chris wanted a new friend inspired the amusing suggestion of Kyle, the guy even Jerry doesn’t like, and got Chris to reveal that he’s looking for Ben’s professional replacement. Andy and April’s discovery of medical insurance was even better than their first encounters with Bed Bath and Beyond and adult education, highlighted by Andy sneezing and smacking his head against the wall and then running into an ambulance while trying to flee April’s dental bill. Going to see 100 doctors to avoid appointments for the next ten years was also a brilliantly poor idea.