In the episode, the Parks and Recreation Department hosts a public forum to discuss a sponsorship agreement with local candy manufacturer, Sweetums.
Leslie and Ann warn the public of the dangers of supposedly nutritious snack bars called "Nutriyums", which are filled with simple sugars, notably high fructose corn syrup.
At the end of Leslie's screening, Sweetums brings in its commercial's primary actor, the company's CEO Nick Newport Jr. and his son and daughter, Denver and Dakota.
The episode addresses the supposed dangers of corn syrup-related products, which are regularly available in vending machines at public places, such as schools, parks or municipal buildings.
This is a reference to the previous second season episode, "Ron and Tammy", which established a long-standing feud between the Pawnee parks and recreation department and the town's library system.
This is a reference to the Parks and Recreation pilot episode, in which Ron said all government should be privatized and follow the Chuck E. Cheese business model.
Tom says the disc includes 22 extra minutes and a commentary track in which actor LL Cool J, who appears in the film, raps all his dialogue.
[10] While Tom is trying on various articles of party clothes, Leslie comments that he looks like Encyclopedia Brown, a young detective from a series of Donald J. Sobol children's novels.
[12] The episode had nuggets of heart, lots of laughs, and outstanding ensemble comedy acting; it’s the winning formula that has been working very well for Parks.
[2] Fowler praised individual comedic moments, like the DJ Roomba jokes and portrayal of the easily fooled Pawnee citizens, as well as the development of storylines like that of Tom and Wendy, and Andy and April.
Club praised the episode for revealing more about the mythology of the town of Pawnee, such as the strong influence Sweetums holds over the residents, and the ongoing feud between the parks department and the library.
"[4] The Star-Ledger television columnist Alan Sepinwall declared "Sweetums" one of the episodes he would suggest to newcomers seeking to become familiar with Parks and Recreation.
[14] Sepinwall enjoyed the main story with Leslie and Ron, which he said "returned to a goldmine for the series: the civil servants having to deal with the insane questions and complaints from their constituents".
[10] Sandra Gonzalez of Entertainment Weekly particularly praised Aziz Ansari and Ron Swanson, as well as the moving subplot, which she said spotlighted the show's impressive supporting cast.