It’s been almost a decade since the last episode, but the desire to refer to Swanson Pyramid of Greatness is still strong. If you’re currently dreaming of waffles at JJ’s Diner or dreaming of a trip down Memory Lane near Lot 48, this quiz is for you. Welcome to Pawnee, Indiana. Let’s go back to bureaucracy.
1970s doomsday cult
Pawnee history is full of strange religious movements. In the 70s, a strange cult called the “Reasonabilists” took over the city. Their leader declared, “Zorp is dead. Long live Zorp!” It was a grim slogan for a booming city, but it fit the mood. They are not Pawnee Goddesses. They are not perd verts. They were the Reasonabilists.
Ben Wyatt’s First Mayoral Disaster
Ben Wyatt became mayor of Partridge, Minnesota when he was just 18 years old. At the same time, he also managed to bankrupt an entire city. How does a teenager end up in such financial turmoil? He spends the fortune building an indoor winter sports arena. This is a disaster. It was a colossal failure that cost a lot of money, and decades later he is still hotly debated. He did not give raises to all teachers. He didn’t buy an amphibious police car. He built Ice Town.
Nick Offerman’s real-life wife
Nick Offerman plays Ron Swanson, a man who loves steak and silence. In real life, Offerman is married to the actress who played Tammy 2. This character is played by Megan Mullally. The two got married in 2003. She is best known for her role in Will & Grace. She is not Diane Lewis. She’s not Tammy 1. She’s Tammy 2.
Tom Haverford’s Lexicon
Tom Haverford talks about his own invention. He calls the dessert “zerts”. He calls root beer “super-water.” A fork is a “food rake”. A car is a “go-go mobiles”. He confuses those around him with his unique dialect. He didn’t call them “sugarlings” or “dezzies”. He called them “zertss”.
Duke Silver’s Big Break
Ron Swanson kept his jazz sax playing a secret for years. He tried to keep Duke Silver under wraps. He finally revealed his musical alter ego at a Unity Concert in Pawnee and Eagleton. It happened in season 6. Ron stole the show. This was not the time for Lil’ Sebastian’s memorial service. It was not a harvest festival. It was a Unity concert.
Andy Dwyer’s Hospital Mishap
Andy Dwyer once tried to dine and dash of the hospital without paying the bill. He was wearing a leg brace. He tripped over his crutches. He fell hard. He didn’t hit the ambulance face first. He never stuck his head through drywall. He just tripped.
Bobby Newport’s Sweetums Scheme
Leslie Knope faces a formidable opponent in the city council race. Bobby Newport ran against her. His family owns Sweetums. during the race, the confectionery company installed very unfair voting machines. The machine gave out gift cards to those who voted for Bobby. This is a blatant attempt to rig the election. This is not a Paunch Burger. It’s not Food ’N Stuff.
Politicians Who Didn’t Show Up
The show loved featuring real life politicians. John McCain made an appearance. Kirsten Gillibrand was also there. Joe Biden showed up. Newt Gingrich was in the mix. Ted Cruz did not make a cameo appearance. He’s the only major figure on this list who didn’t appear on Parks and Recreation.
April and Andy’s Early Days
Before April Ludgate and Andy Dwyer settled into adult life, their apartment was a mess. They did not own plates. They ate off old CDs. They also eat frisbees. They ate off the floor. This is not “adult” content. They ended up buying household items in Season 3, but before that they used whatever they had around.
Movie night with Donna Miguel
Dona Miguel loves horror movies. He tweeted his thoughts during a Halloween display at City Hall. The fictional movie he watched was Death Canoe 4: Murder at Blood Lake. This is definitely not a movie. I would like to see it even if I pay money. This is not Attack of Potatoes. This is not “Zombie Ax Murderer Part 6”. Death Canoe 4.
The lights went out in Pawnee. The end credits play. But what about jokes? They linger.
