The Reporter (Parks and Recreation)

In the episode, Leslie enlists a local reporter to write an article about the park, but the interviews go poorly, and the problem escalates after Mark gets romantically involved with the journalist.

"The Reporter" received generally mixed reviews, with some commentators still comparing it unfavorably to The Office, another comedy series created by the Parks and Recreations co-creators.

According to Nielsen Media Research, it was watched by 5.23 million households in its original airing, continuing a downward trend in ratings since the pilot episode.

Leslie announces she has invited a reporter from the local Pawnee Journal newspaper to write a story about the construction pit that she plans to turn into a park.

Blitz previously directed episodes of The Office, a comedy series created by Parks and Recreation co-creator Greg Daniels.

Michael Schur, who created Parks along with Daniels, said of Blitz, "He's such a great director, and it made us feel, launching this new show, safe and happy to have him.

[2] Goor was very upset with the switch so, as a prank, the Parks and Recreation producers sent him an e-mail message claiming NBC was going to be further held until the second season because it was preempted by "a sports thing.

The clip of Leslie trying to confront a raccoon loose in the city hall building was originally filmed for a Parks and Recreation commercial, but was later included into this episode.

This was inspired by Parks and Recreation story editor Rachel Axler, who producer Morgan Sackett said is "a tiny, bird-like woman" who eats enormous amounts of whipped cream.

[7][8] In its original American broadcast on April 23, 2009, "The Reporter" was watched by 5.23 million households, according to Nielsen Media Research, continuing a downward trend in ratings since the pilot episode.

[10] Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger said the small-town government setting and story lines of the show were working, but felt the writing for the Leslie character has been uneven and that individual situations involving her in "The Reporter" were not funny or effective.

Club said the faux-documentary style of the show, and Leslie's naive faith about her project and department in this episode, draw unflattering comparisons to The Office, which was also made by the Park and Recreation creators.

They included clips of Ann voicing excitement about the pit committee, Leslie asking everyone to "stay on message" with the reporter, and Mark expressing shock about Shauna Malwae-Tweep quoting him.