Ten reasons why you should watch Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation has just been renewed for a seventh season! Not familiar with the employees of City Hall and the people of Pawnee? Here's why you should treat yo self and watch Parks and Recreation.

1. Leslie Knope

Amy Poehler just deservedly won a Golden Globe for her role as Knope, the loveable Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation department in Pawnee, Indiana. Knope is the friend and colleague you've always wanted, her biggest loves include waffles, Pawnee and Joe Biden.

2. Ron Swanson is the best

Never one to show much emotion, Swanson is the manliest of men. Forget sentiment, all Ron cares about is meat, hunting and himself. Sounds horrible, doesn't he? You'll come to love him.

3. The stupidity of Andy Dwyer

Chris Pratt expertly plays the innocently stupid Andy Dwyer, providing slapstick and dumb one liners with ease.

4. Pawnee

Small town America has never looked so good. Home to a Harvest festival and JJs Diner, it isn't exactly envied by its neighbours, Eagleton. Ignore them, you just need to look past the seedy nightclubs and raccoon problems. To top it off the town's biggest celebrity is miniature horse, Li'l Sebastian. 

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5. There is no one more positive in the universe than Chris Traeger. No one.

ANN PERKINS! Chris seems to have only one emotion, ecstatic. Fitness fanatic, tell him the worst news ever and he'll still be smiling. He also loves to use the word, literally, literally all the time.

5. Leslie and Ben's relationship

There is no cuter couple in television, film or local government. Ben loves Leslie, Leslie loves Ben's butt. They may be geeky and have a cringey handshake but it's hard not to love them.

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6 . Tammy

There have been three women in Ron Swanson's life, all of them named Tammy. Nonetheless, it is Ron's second wife, Tammy 2, that is the most dangerous and brilliant. Played by Nick Offerman's real wife, Megan Mullally (Will and Grace) this is a lady that sets the fear of God in Ron. A sexual animal, she'll stop at nothing to wreck Ron's newest relationships.

7. Jerry's fault! Jerry's fault! Jerry's fault! 

Jerry is the bumbling, clumsy guy who the whole office likes to mock. Spilling soup, tripping over  and breaking wind- these are Jerry's best skills. Looking for someone to blame? Blame Jerry. Fancy teasing someone? Tease Jerry. Need wardrobe advice? Don't ask Jerry.

9.Tom Haverford's swagger

Tommy Haverford was born to go on Dragons Den. Fragrances, a night club and a talking tissue box, Tom has got his fingers in all the pies. Social media mad, he likes to be referred to as The Brown Gosling but doesn't always have much luck with the ladies.

"At the risk bragging, one of the things I’m best at is riding coattails. Behind every successful man is me, smiling and taking partial credit."- Tom Haverford

10. Tom and Donna's friendship

These are two friends that love the finer things in life. Three words: Treat. Yo. Self. 

See a dress you like? "Treat Yo Self." An aftershave? "Treat Yo Self." Fancy a massage and some mimosas? "Treat Yo Self."

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Modern Family- Should it be bigger in the UK?

Every now and again I get an urge to buy a new TV series box set and this Autumn I decided to buy a series that seemed to be winning lots of awards in the USA. Modern Family. A decision I certainly don't regret.  Centred round a somewhat dysfunctional American family, this mockumentary is always on hand to cheer me up, with its brilliant script and perfectly cast actors.

Mitchell: "When I was 12-years-old my father walked into my bedroom and caught me doing the most embarrassing thing that a boy can do: dancing to Madonna's 'Lucky Star."

The series follows three separate households but they are all related in some way. One household belongs to Jay, his new wife, Gloria and Gloria's son, Manny. The second home includes Claire who is Jay's daughter, her husband Phil and their three kids, Haley, Alex and Luke. The final part of this family tree belongs to Jay's son and Claire's brother Mitchell and his partner Cam. While this may all see a little complicated it lends itself to misunderstandings, tensions and laughter in bucketfuls.

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The series isn't particularly rude and thrives on the different relationships in modern society, For instance, the idea of having a step-dad and gay adoption, this show is certainly different and that's what makes it so fresh and funny.

Phil: "Act like a parent, talk like a peer. I call it 'peerenting"

Created by Christopher Lloyd and Stephen Levitan, I'd describe the mockumentary as a series of episodic farces whilst always retaining an important message, ranging from honesty and trust, to forgiveness and respect. Casting for the series couldn't be more perfect, Sofia Vergara, as Gloria, is one of my favourite TV characters ever, with her thick Colombian accent, almost everything she says you want to laugh at. The incredibly camp, Cameron, played by straight Eric Stonestreet is hilarious, whether dressing up his Vietnamese adopted toddler as Diana Ross or donning his Fizbo the Clown costume. I can't really fault this series, there isn't a weak link in the casting and every episode manages to easily raise several laughs.

Alex: "Dad we haven't had lunch yet.
Phil: Neither have half the kids in Africa, Stop yappin' and get back to work "

Despite it's success in the United States, winning various Emmys and supposedly being Barack Obama's favourite show on the television, very few people I've spoken to have heard of it. Subsequently, most days, after working hours in the library, my friends and I sit down and watch a couple of episodes because we it will always cheer us up. It's a real shame Modern Family isn't bigger in the UK and I'd suggest this is primarily due to it where it is shown, Sky One. I am of no doubt the service Sky provide is phenomenal but it is a shame that Modern Family isn't accessible to everyone on either BBC, ITV or Channel 4. This show is very hard not to like and for me I find it funnier than other American series, "30 Rock", "The Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother". Nonetheless, it is clear Sky have a lot of money, as they brought in the popular series, "Glee" but these brilliant series aren't as accessible for everyone. Now I am not sure if the mainstream channels even tried to air Modern Family but a show that has seen such critical success coupled with high viewing figures would surely be attractive to British TV companies.

Haley: "She had to take Alex to the oncologist... She needed new glasses."

Simply put, it is a shame Modern Family isn't bigger in the UK perhaps it needs a more accessible platform than Sky One but they've got the bucks. So if you don't have Sky One, go out and buy the box set, it is totally worth it.