After seven seasons celebrating local government, breakfast foods and Mouse Rat, it’s time to bid farewell to Leslie Knope and all the residents of Pawnee as Parks and Recreation (8 p.m. Tuesday, NBC) comes to a close this week with a one-hour series finale.
With such a huge fan following today, it’s easy to forget Parks basically started as a spinoff of The Office. But beyond the show’s mockumentary style and its origins in The Pit, Parks has given viewers a hilarious look into different levels of government and public office. Leslie Knope (via Amy Poehler) is America’s feminist sweetheart. The show has even given us new holidays, like Treat Yo Self (“the best day of the year”) and the recent Galentine’s Day, a celebration of female friendships the day before Valentine’s Day.
In the final episode, the whole gang gets together for one more mission before everyone parts ways. Fire up the waffle iron, whip up some calzones and prepare to stay up late — the cast will reunite on Tuesday’s episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:35 a.m. Poehler, Adam Scott (Ben), Chris Pratt (Andy), Aubrey Plaza (April), Aziz Ansari (Tom), Nick Offerman (Ron), Retta (Donna), Jim O’Heir (Gerry? Larry? Gary?) and executive producer Michael Schur will all gather to remember the show.
So goodbye, Parks and Rec. Like Li’l Sebastian, we’ll miss you in the saddest fashion.
WEDNESDAY FEB. 18
Modern Family (9 p.m., ABC) – Cam, Mitch and Pepper throw Sal (Elizabeth Banks) a belated baby show, curious about how she’s adapted to motherhood; Claire gets a first class ticket for one while Phil rides coach after a long weekend reunion with his cheer team; Gloria makes Jay teach Manny self-defense to combat a bully he’s encountered … in cooking class.
Workaholics (10 p.m., Comedy Central) – They guys have a ditch day and agree to pass along a package of mysterious Mexican goods to Karl’s “associate.”
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (10 p.m., FXX) – After years of identifying collectively as “The Gang,” Dennis, Dee, Charlie and Mac split up to truly find themselves.
Broad City (10:30 p.m., Comedy Central) – After getting sucked into an epic Internet hole, Abbi and Ilana attempt to go tech-free for a day at the park.
THURSDAY FEB. 19
The Odd Couple (Series Premiere, 8:30 p.m., CBS) – File this one under “Why Is This Happening?!” Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon star as the carefree slob and uptight neat freak (respectively) that move in together.
Two and a Half Men (Series Finale, 9 p.m., CBS) – Twelve years and several men later, this Charlie Sheen-turned-Ashton Kutcher vehicle takes a final ride.
Portlandia (10 p.m., IFC) – Doug embraces his inner feminist; Sandra uses a rideshare service for the first time. Greta Gerwig guest-stars.
SATURDAY FEB. 21
30th Film Independent Spirit Awards (5 p.m., IFC) – A fun, indie precursor to the following night’s Oscars.
SUNDAY FEB. 22
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (8 p.m., HBO) – In 2000, a tip leads Jeanine Pirro to re-open the Kathie Durst case, and she discovers a previously overlooked witness — and more dead ends.
The Oscars (8:30 p.m., ABC) – Neil Patrick Harris hosts the 87th Academy Awards, where Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel lead in nominations with nine each. While countless actors and moviemakers hope to hear their names, Dick Pope just wants someone to pronounce his name correctly.
The Walking Dead (9 p.m., AMC) – OK, who is this L.L. Bean-wearing fool looking fresh off a quaint college campus when, in reality, a tornado just stormed through the zombie-apocalyptic wasteland? That’s basically what Rick and the others try to figure out as they size up this questionable new character. He (and the group he’s presumably with) has either been following the group for a good amount of time or has crossed paths with someone that knows them. Danai Gurira (Michonne) and comedy writer/director Paul Feig appear on Talking Dead at 10 p.m.
Togetherness (9:30 p.m., HBO) – Brett and Michelle each spend time with new friends; Tina tries to smooth things over with Alex.
TUESDAY FEB. 24
The Mindy Project (9:30 p.m., Fox) – As the couple prepares to make healthy changes for the baby, Danny agrees to stop smoking if Mindy will eat better. But this angry furnace Castellano baby wants apple pies!
CONTACT JAC KERN: [email protected] or @jackern
