The Wrap reported Friday that NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” will return for a third season.
A bubble series due to its lackluster ratings in the 8:30PM timeslot on Thursdays, the show nonetheless has emerged as a critical darling in its second season.
Initially written off as an unamusing, poor man’s version of “The Office” (with which it shares an executive pedigree), “Recreation” returned for season two as one of NBC’s creative strong points. NBC executives have consistently expressed their support of the show’s creative accomplishments.
The Wrap’s story said that production issues made an early renewal a necessity, so the early renewal should not necessarily be treated as proof that NBC considered the pickup a “no brainer.”
Regardless, those who laugh with the folks of Pawnee, Indiana’s parks department can breathe a sigh of relief–the show is coming back next year.