NBC has officially renewed Parks and Recreation for a sixth season.
The series had been on the bubble for awhile; even though the comedy is well-liked by fans and critics, it was never a huge ratings hit for the network. However, the audience was consistent, which can make up for less-than-stellar numbers.
Last May, NBC said it would gently cancel the series , along with 30 Rock and Community . A “gentle” cancellation would have meant that the network would announce shortened final seasons for each show at the annual “upfront” presentation in New York City.
The network then turned around and gave the show a 22-episode order, in addition to giving 30 Rock and Community 13-episode orders. At the same time, NBC confirmed series orders for six new comedies, two of which ( 1600 Penn and Animal Practice ) have been canceled since then.
NBC has yet to release the number of episodes and the time slot for Parks and Recreation .
Nick Offerman, who plays Ron Swanson, tweeted about the renewal Thursday, writing:
Notes:- one does not “whittle” a canoe.- one propels a Canoe with a paddle, not an oar.- Parks and Rec has been picked up for Season 6.
— Nick Offerman (@Nick_Offerman) May 9, 2013
The season 5 finale aired on May 2 to 2.99 million viewers, up from the penultimate episode, which pulled 2.59 million viewers.
In addition to Offerman, Parks and Recreation stars Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the parks department of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. The series also stars Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, Rob Lowe, and Paul Schneider. The series premiered on April 9, 2009 and is filmed in a single-camera, mockumentary style (a la The Office ).
The first season received mixed to negative reviews, but after it was reformatted, subsequent seasons received more critical acclaim. Parks and Recreation has received several awards and nominations, including a Primetime Emmy nom for Outstanding Comedy Series and three Emmy noms for Poehler.
Are you excited for the sixth season of Parks and Recreation ?