‘This is a little too real’: Amy Poehler says Parks and Recreation ‘hits close to home’ in the pandemic – with old plots featuring ‘towns shut down because of a flu’
Amy Poehler has warned Parks and Recreation ‘hits close to home’ – with similarities between the hit comedy’s past storylines and the current coronavirus pandemic ‘a little too real’.
The actress, 49, recalled watching previous episodes ‘where the town has to be shut down because of a flu’ during an appearance on Friday’s forthcoming Graham Norton Show.
The acclaimed comedian – who appeared via videolink from her Los Angeles home – also remembered a plot ‘where we have to do this training because the whole country got bird flu’.
Comparisons: Amy Poehler has warned Parks and Recreation ‘hits close to home’ – with similarities between past storylines and the current coronavirus pandemic ‘a little too real’
Amy famously starred as Leslie Knope in the beloved sitcom, which ran between 2009 and 2015 and followed the Parks and Recreations department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.
The actress joined show host Graham to talk about her new Netflix movie Moxie, a rebellious high-school comedy based on Jennifer Mathieu’s novel that she stars in and also directed.
The story follows a reserved 16-year-old who, inspired by her mother’s rebellious past, decides to publish an anonymous zine calling out sexism at her school.
Amy said: ‘The genre is a great place to have discussions about big things and big feelings and I was drawn to the fact it’s about young women trying to find their voice and come together and make change happen.
Fan favourite: The actress, 49, who starred as Leslie Knope in the beloved sitcom, recalled watching previous episodes ‘where the town has to be shut down because of a flu
‘Everyone that worked on the project remembers what it was like to be in high school.
‘So much has changed and yet nothing has changed at all – we are all still trying to figure out who we are.’
Amy, who has two children with her ex-husband, funnyman Will Arnett, 50, also revealed that she has re-watched Parks and Recreation with her boys Archie, 12, and Abel, 10.
‘It was really cool to go back and watch it with them,’ Amy said.
‘I think a lot of people went back (during lockdown) to comfort shows they could depend on. It’s so awesome.’
Amy and Will divorced in 2012 after nine years of marriage, with the actress going on to date comedian Nick Kroll for two years.
Last year, Will and girlfriend Alessandra Brawn, 34, welcomed their first child Alexander.
Also featuring on Friday’s Graham Norton show are actress Jennifer Garner, singer Nick Jonas, Call The Midwife star Leonie Elliott and comedian Rob Beckett – with musician Tom Odell performing live in the studio.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday March 12 at 10.45pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.
Re-watch: Amy, who has two children with her ex-husband Will Arnett, 50, also revealed that she has re-watched Parks and Recreation with her boys Archie, 12, and Abel, 10