Why Parks & Recreation is Very Hipster

In my constant search for the most hipster-centric things in existence, I come across many hipster bands, television shows, stores, websites, and the like. However, today I would like to bring to your attention my recent and unexpected love, NBC's Parks and Recreation.

While certainly not the most hipster program on television (Portlandia, anyone?), Parks and Recreation shows its true colours when you look a little beyond the initial facade of being "a more original but less funny version of NBC's The Office."

Firstly, there's the premise. Okay, so it's a little like The Office (or maybe a LOT like The Office). What we have here is a mockumentary (check) taking place in a small town (check) in one of the most obscure and overlooked sectors of government (sort of check?). I think it's a significant one-up and a goodly amount more hipster than The Office, but you can be the judge.

Secondly, there's the cast. No Steve Carell leading the charge here. Who have we got instead? Amy Poehler. Before Parks and Rec, her biggest role (outside of SNL) was opposite Tina Fey in Baby Mama. When the show was beginning, the biggest name in the cast was Rob Lowe, who joins the cast at the end of the second season. Are you kidding me? Rob Lowe? And he's not even funny in the show... Because he's Rob Lowe.

Thirdly, there's Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson - likely the most hipster part of the show in a number of ways. He's a strong-willed government-hating libertarian who works as the head of a small sector of municipal government. How much more ironic (and ironically appropriate) can you get? I could say more, but I'll leave the Ron Swanson comments at that.

Fourthly, there's the opening credits. Who ordered indie music with a side of reed instruments? And where did all of those wildlife stills come from? If it weren't so stylish, I would think it was Canadian.

In conclusion, if you're looking for something to watch that will satisfy your hipster cravings (and you're either bored or sick of Portlandia), I would highly recommend Parks and Recreation. It may not be the best, funniest, smartest, most clever or most original show on television, but it does have Nick Offerman, and more irony than you could shake a remote at.