First Look: Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson return to ‘Parks and Recreation’

NBC has dropped the first clip from the Paley Center Salutes Parks and Recreation special. The special will air Thursday, April 30 on NBC and then be available to stream the following day.

In the clip, Leslie (Amy Poehler), Pawnee’s most dedicated civil servant, is determined to stay connected to her friends in a time of social distancing. In her conversation with Ron (Nick Offerman) over their computers, the classic curmudgeon comes back with the perfect response to Leslie.

Most of the cast will return for the special including Chris Pratt, Aziz Ansari, Rashida Jones, Rob Lowe, Aubrey Plaza, Retta and Jim O’Heir. The series ran for seven seasons on NBC from 2009-2015.

“For seven seasons, television viewers could not get enough of Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson and the rest of the team from the Pawnee, Ind., Parks and Recreation department,” said Maureen J. Reidy, the Paley Center’s president & CEO. “We’re thrilled to partner with NBC to present this behind-the-scenes look at the revered series.”

“There has been an incredible response since we announced the all-new A Parks and Recreation Special and that’s truly a tribute to what this show means to people,” said Doug Vaughan, executive VP, special programs, NBC Entertainment. “It’s a testament to the cast and producers that ‘Parks’ remains such a touchstone and beloved comedy for its millions of fans around the world.”

Parks and Recreation is a production of Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal Television. Greg Daniels, Michael Schur, Howard Klein, David Miner, Morgan Sackett and Dean Holland serve as executive producers for the series.

The Paley Center Salutes Parks and Recreation will be produced by The Paley Center for Media in association with Brad Lachman Productions. Reidy, Diane Lewis and Brad Lachman will executive produce. Bill Bracken will co-executive produce.

Check out the first clip below.