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Ben Wyatt

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Development

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Adam Scott departed from his leading role on the Starz comedy television series Party Down to accept the role of Ben Wyatt on Parks and Recreation.[1][2] Parks and Recreation was one of Scott's favorite shows even before he took the role.[3] When he took the Ben Wyatt role, it was unclear whether Party Down would be renewed for a third season, and Scott said, "I couldn't pass up the opportunity on Parks and Rec for a show that could possibly not exist anymore."[3] Although Party Down co-creator Rob Thomas said he believed the show could continue without Scott, and that the actor would continue to make guest appearances on the show,[2] Party Down was cancelled just three months after Scott departed.[4] Series co-creator Michael Schur said when the Ben Wyatt character was conceived, Scott was considered the "dream scenario" casting choice.[5] As part of Scott's contract with the series, he also signed a first look deal to develop television projects for NBC.[1]

Scott first appeared in Parks and Recreation starting in the penultimate second season episode, "The Master Plan", the same episode Rob Lowe joined the regular cast as Chris Traeger.[1][5] The idea of a character trying to rebuild a government career following a humiliating public failure was one of the original ideas for the protagonist of Parks and Recreation. The idea was ultimately abandoned in favor of Leslie Knope's character, but those early ideas were ultimately incorporated into Ben Wyatt.[6][7] Ben's role as a state auditor, and Pawnee's subsequent budget problems, were conceived from global economic crisis and news reports about government services getting shut down around the country.[8] Ben described his character as "someone who jumped in on a moving train" in trying to integrate with the other characters.[3] Scott was expected to become a love interest for Leslie Knope from his earliest conception.[1][9] In addition to the growing relationship between Leslie and Ben, one of the biggest story arcs for season three was Ben's growing love of the city of Pawnee, which coincided with his romantic feelings for Leslie. Schur described Ben's character as one who never had a firm sense of home due to the excessive amount of traveling with his job, but who gradually grew to appreciate Pawnee due to the optimism and enthusiasm Leslie has for her job.[10]

Reception

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Alan Sepinwall of HitFix called Scott one of the "rare but special" actors who can plan both "the sane and deadpan center of the madness, but can also go convincingly, amusingly mad".[11] New York Daily News writer David Hinckley praised Scott's addition to the Parks and Recreation cast, claiming he "gets more of a character here than he does on Starz's entertaining Party Down and makes the best of it".[12] Scott received particular praise for his performance in "Media Blitz", in which his awkward and panicked responses to media inquiries about his past led to what reviewers considered more outwardly comedic opportunities for the character, compared to his usual straight man role.[13][14][15] Several reviewers pointed out said Ben Wyatt closely resembled Scott's character on Party Down, Henry Pollard. While Ben was a politician who found great success at a young age then suffered a downfall, Henry was an actor who became a caterer after his acting career declined.[16][17] Scott, however, said he feels they are "vastly different characters and circumstances".[18]

Family/friends of main characters

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Elected officials and city employees

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Stuart

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Citizens of Pawnee

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Dennis Feinstein

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  • mentioned in 94 Meetings

Greg Pikitis

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J.J.

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Li'l Sebastian

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MAYBE NOT?

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Freddy Spaghetti

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  • mentioned in Park Safety

Keef Slertner

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Tammy Swanson

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Tammy Swanson is the name of two fictional characters on the American television comedy series Parks and Recreation. Both are the ex-wives of Ron Swanson, the director of the parks department in the fictional Indiana town of Pawnee. Ron despises both of his ex-wives, who share their name with Ron's mother, also Tammy.

The first Tammy, who is referred to as "Tammy 1" on the show, briefly appeared in the third season finale "Li'l Sebastian", but is not seen on-screen and the actress playing her has not yet been revealed. The second Tammy, played by Megan Mullally, is a manipulative woman who uses sex as a weapon, and she constantly tries to make Ron miserable. Mullally is the real-life wife of Nick Offerman, who plays Ron.

Character biography

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"Tammy 1"

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Ron Swanson, the director of the parks and recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, has been married to two women named Tammy, and he hates both of them.[19] His first ex-wife Tammy, who he fearfully refers to as "Tammy #1", briefly appeared in the third season finale, "Li'l Sebastian", although she is not fully seen on-camera. Ron is informed she has arrived to see him, and only her leg is visible through an obstructed view into Ron's office. Ron's second ex-wife Tammy was with Ron when he received the news, which was enough to make her flee in terror.[20][21][22] Little else has yet been revealed about "Tammy 1", but she expected to make her first formal appearance in the fourth season. The producers of Parks and Recreation have not publicly revealed what actress will portray her.[21][22]

"Tammy 2"

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Ron's second ex-wife Tammy is a manipulative woman who uses sex as a weapon, and she constantly tries to make Ron miserable.[23] However, the two maintain a strong sexual attraction to each other.[24][25] Tammy is director of the Pawnee Library, which is widely considered a horrible place by Leslie Knope and the parks department employees.[25] Tammy is introduced in "Ron and Tammy", when she approaches Leslie in a friendly way, under the guise that she wants to talk to Ron and work out her difference with him. Secretly, she is scheming for Ron to give her a lot Leslie wants to turn into a park, so she can instead turn it into a library branch. Once she and Ron reconnect, the two fight loudly, but quickly begin having sex. Ron realizes he is being manipulated and, with Leslie's helps, resists Tammy's efforts.[26] Tammy returns in "Ron & Tammy: Part Two", where she goes on a date with Tom to make Ron jealous. Tammy and Ron end up having a night of drunken sex and mayhem, ending with the two of them getting re-married. Leslie and the others try to stop Ron, but he remains fixated on Tammy. However, when Tom tries to intervene and Tammy brutally beats him up, Ron remembers how horrible Tammy is and ends their marriage again.[23][27]

Development

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Megan Mullally is the real-life wife of Nick Offerman, who plays Ron.[26] Michael Schur conceived the idea for "Ron and Tammy", and asked Offerman whether he and Mullally would be opposed to her playing such a terrible character. Offerman was extremely responsive to the idea.[28] Offerman and Mullally improvised many of their on-screen fights, as well as their unusual kissing and sexual encounters.[29][30] During one scene in "Ron and Tammy", where the two characters run into a motel to have sex, Mullaly removed her top and threw it into the air. Mullally improvised the move and did not tell the crew she planned to do it.[31] Mullally's performance was well received by viewers, which made the Parks and Recreation producers feel more comfortable about using celebrity guest actors in later episodes.[30][32]

  1. ^ a b c d Martin, Denise (March 4, 2010). "'Party Down' star Adam Scott joins the cast of NBC's 'Parks and Recreation'; plus, more details on Rob Lowe". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Sepinwall, Alan (March 5, 2010). "'Parks and Recreation' lands 'Party Down' star Adam Scott". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Sepinwall, Alan (June 24, 2010). "Interview: Adam Scott on leaving 'Party Down' and going to 'Parks and Recreation'". HitFix. Archived from the original on January 22, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  4. ^ Ausiello, Michael (June 30, 2010). "Breaking: Starz cancels 'Party Down' and 'Gravity'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011. {{cite news}}: Check |author-link= value (help)
  5. ^ a b Stanhope, Kate (March 4, 2010). "Party Down's Adam Scott Joins Parks and Recreation Cast". TV Guide.
  6. ^ Schur, Michael (2010). Parks and Recreation: Season Two: "The Master Plan" (DVD). Universal Studios Home Entertainment. {{cite AV media}}: |format= requires |url= (help)
  7. ^ Snierson, Dan (2011). "The 101 Reasons We Love Parks and Recreation". Entertainment Weekly (1142): 43–49.
  8. ^ Martin, Denise (March 12, 2010). "'Parks and Recreation': Mike Schur tells us why Paul Schneider is leaving the show, plus more details on Adam Scott and Rob Lowe". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 22, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  9. ^ Abrams, Natalie (March 14, 2010). "Producer: Paul Schneider Leaving Parks for Movie Career". TV Guide.
  10. ^ Snierson, Dan (January 27, 2011). "'Parks and Recreation' scoop: Amy Poehler and co-creator Mike Schur dish on Leslie's big gamble, romantic possibilities, and tonight's episode 'The Flu'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  11. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (February 17, 2011). "Review: 'Parks and Recreation' - 'Media Blitz': Ice town clown rebounds?". HitFix. Archived from the original on June 21, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  12. ^ Hinckley, David (May 13, 2010). "'Parks and Recreation' adds Rob Lowe and Adam Scott for storyline and 'meat' effect". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on May 9, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  13. ^ Poniewozik, James (February 18, 2011). "Parks and Recreation Watch: Escape from Ice Town". Time. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  14. ^ Porter, Rick (February 18, 2011). "'Parks and Recreation': Welcome to Pawnee, Ben". Zap2it. Archived from the original on June 21, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  15. ^ Sundermann, Eric (February 18, 2011). "'Parks and Recreation' Recap: Media Blitz". Hollywood.com. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  16. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (May 13, 2010). "'Parks and Recreation' - 'The Master Plan': Whoomp! (There it is)". HitFix. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  17. ^ VanDerWerff, Todd (May 14, 2010). "Parks and Recreation: "The Master Plan"". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference SepinwallScott was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference Heisler1108 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Fowler, Matt (May 19, 2011). "Parks and Recreation: "The Bubble/Li'l Sebastian" Review". IGN. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  21. ^ a b Sepinwall, Alan (May 19, 2011). "Interview: 'Parks and Recreation co-creator Mike Schur post-mortems season 3". HitFix. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  22. ^ a b Kirkpatrick, Jeffrey (May 20, 2011). "Parks and Recreation Casting Call: Who Should Play Tammy the First?". TV Fanatic. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  23. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Sundermann0211 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sepinwall1105 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ a b Fowler, Matt (November 6, 2009). "Parks and Recreation: "Ron and Tammy" Review". IGN. Archived from the original on February 1, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
  26. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Heisler1105 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. ^ Meslow, Scott (February 11, 2011). "'Parks and Recreation': Return of the Sex-Crazed Librarian Ex-Wife". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  28. ^ Cite error: The named reference GQ1203 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  29. ^ Mullally, Megan; Offerman, Nick (October 29, 2009). "Married for Real, Divorced on Air". NBC (Official). Archived from the original on February 1, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  30. ^ a b Monez, Mindy (February 10, 2011). "Parks & Recreation: We talk to the real Ron and Tammy Swanson". Television Without Pity. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  31. ^ Mullally, Megan; O'Brien, Conan (June 9, 2009). "Megan Mullally, "The Situation" & "The Snooki", Norah Jones". The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. Season 1. Episode 7. NBC. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |city= ignored (|location= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |episode= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Porter, Rick (March 18, 2010). "'Parks and Recreation': Andy Samberg and guest-star philosophy". Zap2it. Archived from the original on January 22, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
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