‘Parks and Recreation’ Cast Reuniting Tonight 4/30 for Special Social Distancing One-Off Episode Benefiting Feeding America

This story has been updated on April 30 to reflect additional details surrounding the one-off Parks and Recreation reunion episode. 

As far as contemporary television comedies are concerned, NBC’s Parks and Recreation has to be among the most highly regarded — and on April 30 (tonight!), the entire cast will reunite for a special one-off episode to raise money for Feeding America in its efforts to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Update: NBC has put the entire special up on YouTube for free. Enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vl_oUMyGYU

This all came about recently, which means, of course, that social distancing will be playing a part in the program, which will reunite cast members Amy Poehler (Leslie Knope), Chris Pratt (Andy Dwyer), Aziz Ansari (Tom Haverford), Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson), Rob Lowe (Chris Traeger), Aubrey Plaza (April Ludgate), Retta (Donna Meagle), Jim O’Heir ( Garry “Jerry” Gergich), Rashida Jones (Ann Perkins) and Adam Scott (Ben Watt), as well as whichever other cast members (and special guests) may appear.

Leslie Knope wants to let you in on a secret… On April 30, #ParksAndRec is returning to NBC for “A Parks and Recreation Special”. Our workplace proximity associates, along with our neighbors at @StateFarm, are raising money for @FeedingAmerica. Join us! https://t.co/YuyWBTYmrH pic.twitter.com/ZId6Lq3rkJ

— Parks and Recreation (@parksandrec) April 23, 2020

There will also be a special program airing before the reunion episode of Parks and Recreation, as well:

*Leslie Knope voice* We’re ready. 🥰

Beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT, we’re returning to @NBC for The @paleycenter Salutes Parks and Recreation, immediately followed by “A Parks and Recreation Special”. pic.twitter.com/NwmaF2Ys9L

— Parks and Recreation (@parksandrec) April 30, 2020

Parks and Recreation creator Michael Schur explained how this all came about in a statement (as quoted by Rolling Stone):

“Like a lot of other people, we were looking for ways to help and felt that bringing these characters back for a night could raise some money. I sent a hopeful email to the cast and they all got back to me within 45 minutes. Our old Parks and Rec team has put together one more 30-minute slice of (quarantined) Pawnee life and we hope everyone enjoys it. And donates!”

Parks and Recreation ran for seven seasons, finishing its run on NBC in 2015. Among its notable achievements and acclaim, the series essentially introduced the world to Chris Pratt before he became an A-list star for his roles in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and the Jurassic Park sequels.