After all his TV work, Michael Schur decided in 2022 to release a book, How to be Perfect. The book takes a page out of his latest show, The Good Place, and tries to answer difficult moral and ethical questions while keeping that same humor and wit that was a central part of all the shows he wrote and created.
There is a very distinct Mike Schur voice present in his book and in all his television shows. In particular, the two network mega-hits Parks and Rec and The Office have very similar sensibilities and even sometimes storylines. There are a number of episodes from the show that share similar and hilarious story beats.
“Niagara” (The Office, 6.04 & 5) And “Leslie And Ben” (Parks and Rec, 5.13)
The wedding episode is a staple of television sitcoms. Audiences love to see the “will-they-won’t-they” on-screen couple finally confirm seasons worth of romance and usually some hurdles to overcome. Mike Schur writes both the wedding episodes for his lead characters in the show very similarly.
For one, both episodes actually take place over 40 minutes, or two network episodes. Parks and Rec is less formally structured over two episodes, but it’s important to watch the lead-up show to understand the story. Also, both couples get married in a much less traditional way than is planned. One under Niagara Falls and the other in Leslie’s office.
“Moving On” (The Office, 9.16) And “Leslie Vs. April” (Parks and Rec, 5.07)
Pam Beasley and Ben Wyatt may be looking for jobs for different reasons in this episode, but their journeys are similar. Both characters are on this search for someone else besides themselves. Ben is actually helping Tom when he gets his offers, and Pam is doing it because Jim asked her to.
More importantly, both characters seem like they’ve found something of a perfect fit with the new job. But after some soul-searching, both characters, with some uncertainty. Pam and Ben decide that they don’t want these new jobs and instead decide to go another way.
“Booze Cruise” (The Office, 2.11) And “Hunting Trip” (Parks and Rec, 2.10)
Both The Office and Parks and Rec take place most often in the respective areas of work. The employees of Pawnee work for the city and so would consider the city their general place of work but rarely does the show spend an entire episode outside the workplace.
In these two episodes, the bosses, Michael Scott and Leslie Knope, lead their teams away from the office and what amounts to corporate getaways. Both getaways are ill-conceived and Leslie and Michael make fools of themselves one way or another. Add in the beginnings of romantic subplots for April and Andy and Pam and Jim for another similarity.
“The Convention” (The Office, 3.02) And “The Set Up” (Parks and Rec, 2.13)
Pam Beasley and Leslie Knope spend the early seasons of their respective shows dating around Scranton and Pawnee. Some relationships last, and some, like the blind dates in these episodes, crash and burn miserably.
Both of these dates are set up by friends and are bad matches from the start. Leslie’s Will Arnet date is much worse of a person, but Pam’s date is not without his weird quirks, drawing a noticeably unfunny cartoon on the dinner napkin. And, of course, both dates make at least one unwanted advance that is as clumsy as it is immediately declined.
“WUHPF.com” (The Office, 9.11) And “End Of The World” (Parks and Rec, 4.06)
While the day-to-day life of the Pawnee Parks Department and Dunder Mifflin may not always look like the most exciting place to spend every day, there are two similar episodes that showcase something that anyone would love to be invited to. And they both looked like the show spent a significant amount on the production budget.
In “WUHPF.com”, Dwight Schrute puts together a giant farm-inspired “Hayplace” which, while perhaps a bit motivated by ego, still looks like it took a long time to put together and where any kid and probably some adults would love to visit. Tom Haverford and Jean-Ralphio spend the significant remaining amount for their “End of the World” party, and the Parks and Reccrew must have spent a huge amount on creating an actually fun-looking party.
“The Deposition” (The Office, 4.12) And “The Trial Of Leslie Knope” (Parks and Rec, 2.09)
It seems Mike Schur found a good way to create mini chamber dramas in both his shows. And this is by sticking his main characters in the middle of a courtroom for an episode. This allows for a different sort of show for one night with more serious dialogue.
Both episodes involve the main characters, Michael Scott and Leslie Knope, being called to testify in hearings that are somewhat unfair in how they proceed. Both shows poke a lot of fun at courtroom antics but also leave space for two dramatic moments when Leslie realizes she may lose her job, and Michael learns he is not as respected as he has always wanted.
“Local Ad” (The Office, 4.09) And “Operation Ann” (Parks and Rec, 4.14)
All of the characters in Michael Schur shows go through love and heartbreak cycles throughout the series run. Ann Perkins and Dwight Schrute get the most focus, particularly on their heartbreak, and it’s generally played for laughs.
That’s why it’s great to watch these two episodes where the romantic troubles of the two characters are played for similar jokes at the pair’s expense. Ann, usually the pretty and well-liked nurse, has to spend the episode talking to jerks and strange men introduced by Leslie. And Dwight, usually the “pretend” alpha-male, spends the whole episode sinking deeper and deeper into the video game Second Life.
“Baby Shower” (The Office, 5.03) And “Ron And Diane” (Parks and Rec, 5.09)
Two fan favorites make reappearances in these two episodes and do their best to cause as much trouble as possible to the two managers, Michael Scott and Ron Swanson. Jan brings her baby to the office in “Baby Shower,” and Tammy is her same unhinged self in “Ron and Diane”.
Michael in his episode and Ron in his both have to fend off the advances of their past partners even in the face of true calamity like and over-sexual Tammy and singing Jan. But in the end, Ron stays with Diane, and Michael gives Holly a long and significant hug, meaning the two decide who they really love for the rest of the season.
“Finale Part 1” (The Office, 9.24) And “Two Parties” (Parks and Rec, 5.10)
The creators of The Office and Parks and Rec must love bachelor parties because each show has a fantastic, anthology-like episode for Dwight and Ben before their respective weddings. Each episode allows most of the Parks and Office casts to get together and have some non-work-related fun.
They all travel around to various locations doing ridiculous activities like firing a bazooka in Scranton and “drinking” light-based cocktails in Indiana. Both episodes are pure fun and allow the writers to think up a few unrelated jokes based on situations the cast normally wouldn’t find themselves in.
“The Merger” (The Office, 3.08) And “Doppelgängers” (Parks and Rec, 6.04)
Two very significant moments in both shows happen in very similar ways, with a merger of departments. In “The Merger,” the Stanford offices come to Scranton, and in “Doppelgängers,” the Eagleton parks department makes its way to Pawnee.
The episodes inject the show with brand-new cast members, and the jokes in both episodes come from some of the similarities and differences that reveal themselves between the meeting departments. Whether it’s Stanley interacting with the only other black coworker or Ron meeting a hippy version of himself, both shows mine laughs from the juxtaposition.
