Season four of ‘Parks & Recreation’ saw Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) battler her way through a City Councilor election in Pawnee, Ind. and ultimately come out victorious against Bobby Newport (Paul Rudd). With season five scheduled to premiere on September 20, fans will get to see Leslie live out her dreams, even though boyfriend Ben (Adam Scott) is now living in Washington D.C.
Fans will be treated to guest appearances by U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (California), John McCain (Arizona) and Olympia Snow (Maine) for the season premiere on Thursday, TV Line reported. Executive producer Mike Schur also spilled on the upcoming season and what it holds in store for everyone’s favorite characters.
With her dreams fulfilled, Leslie will spend season five splitting her time as City Councilor and her old job at the Parks Department, Schur told TV Guide. Schur said, “The reality is her old job isn't all wine and roses, it's a lot of frustrating stuff and she has to press forward with her eternal optimism all the time just to do the kind of things she wants to do. I don't think that's going to get any better as a City Councilor. She's not a dummy. I don't think that she has any misgivings about how difficult the road ahead is because she's pretty experienced now as a person who works in government.”
Fans can also expect Leslie and Ben to remain together despite being in a long-distance relationship. “Anything is possible. I would never say never. They’re not Ross and Rachel,” Schur said about the couple. He added, “They’re not a mismatched pair where their relationship is based on this hot friction. They are made for each other.”
There will be some changes with fellow characters Ron (Nick Offerman), April (Aubrey Plaza), Andy (Chris Pratt) and Chris (Rob Lowe), the executive producer said.
After helping Andy get into college, Ron will stay involved with him and April, Schur said. “Ron doesn’t have kids of his own and he has adopted April and Andy as his children and has, despite his best efforts, become emotionally attached to them in some way and wants tot see them grow and change and become better people and stuff,” he told TV Guide.
As for Chris, Schur said that season five will be a happier time for him. After spending the majority of season four in a funk, Chris will “at least [be] a person in a different emotional space,” Schur said.
Season five will also feature the return of Ben Schwartz as “the world’s worst human being” Jean-Ralphio for at least one episode, reported Hollywood Reporter.
‘Parks & Recreation’ season 5 returns on September 20 at 9:30 p.m. on NBC.
WATCH A SNEAK PEAK OF SEASON 5 OF ‘PARKS & RECREATION’
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