<P> Mullally's performance was well received, which made the Parks and Recreation producers feel more comfortable about using celebrity guest actors in later episodes . Other such celebrity guests included: Blake Anderson, Fred Armisen, Will Arnett, Kristen Bell, H. Jon Benjamin, Matt Besser, Chris Bosh, Louis C.K., The Decemberists, Sam Elliott, Will Forte, Ginuwine, Michael Gross, Jon Hamm, Nick Kroll, John Larroquette, Andrew Luck, Letters to Cleo, Natalie Morales, Parker Posey, Andy Samberg, Roy Hibbert, Detlef Schrempf, Justin Theroux, Wilco, Henry Winkler, and Yo La Tengo . Paul Rudd appeared in several season four episodes as Bobby Newport, Leslie's opponent in the City Council race, and returned for two episodes in the final season . </P> <P> The series has had cameos by several real - life political figures, including Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Barbara Boxer, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Senator John McCain, First Lady Michelle Obama, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and Senator Olympia Snowe . </P> <P> Immediately after Ben Silverman was named co-chairman of NBC's entertainment division in 2007, he asked Greg Daniels to create a spin - off of The Office . Daniels co-created Parks and Recreation with Michael Schur, who had been a writer on The Office . The two spent months considering ideas for the new series and debating whether to make it a stand - alone rather than a spin - off . According to Daniels, they eventually abandoned the original spin - off plan because they "couldn't find the right fit". They considered a series about a local government official trying to rebuild a political career following a humiliating public spectacle . They eventually abandoned the idea, though it did end up being incorporated into the backstory for Ben Wyatt late in the second season . After Amy Poehler agreed to play the lead, they decided the series would revolve around an optimistic bureaucrat in small - town government . </P> <P> The idea was partly inspired by the portrayal of local politics on the HBO drama series The Wire, as well as the renewed interest in and optimism about politics stemming from the 2008 United States presidential election . The staff was also drawn to the idea of building a show around a female relationship, namely Leslie Knope and Ann Perkins . Reports that Daniels and Schur were developing a show together led to press speculation that it would, in fact, be a spin - off of The Office . The producers insisted their new series would be entirely independent . Nevertheless, their concept for it shared several elements with The Office, particularly the mockumentary approach and the encouragement of improvisation among the cast, even though the episodes were scripted . The series was scheduled as a mid-season replacement, and was rushed into production to meet the premiere date of April 9, 2009 . Before the title Parks and Recreation was chosen, the name Public Service was considered, but ultimately rejected because network officials did not want to be accused of mocking the idea . </P>

Where did the idea for parks and recreation come from
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