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.

The Power of the Advert

Del Boy falling through the bar. Ross saying Rachel's name at the altar. David Brent's cringing dance in "The Office". These iconic TV moments are memorable and stay in the mind of the individual for a long time. Nonetheless, there are some advertising campaigns that can do the exact same thing, you don't forget them and you can always link their product to "that" advert. These are the best adverts and often these take several pathways. Firstly, humour is a fantastic way to interact with potential customers, everyone likes to laugh and if you have an advert that has the ability to do that, it stays with you, it can be watched again and again. Secondly, grasping a completely different and visually aesthetic advert can be useful, this may mean spending lots of money on clever graphics, large sets or well known celebrities. This arguably creates  a mini "blockbuster" of a commercial, that is beautifully shot but also very clever, an advert that the audience cannot take their eyes off. Thirdly, there is the notion of a gimmick, often an annoying catchphrase or character that may grate on its audience but they do remember it. For example, " Calm down dear, it's only a commercial" and " Compare the Meerkat" are remembered due to their gimmicky nature.  Finally, I'd suggest a narrative, an actual story can also grab and audience's attention, they want to know what is going to happen next in the adverts, including the product and leaving them on a cliffhanger, waiting for the next advert. I've compiled a list of some of the best adverts I've seen, some funny, some clever but all memorable.


1. Virgin Trains- Return of the Trains
This advert was wonderfully shot with Virgin trains zooming through the countryside. Created by  Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R, this advert showcased cinema's relationship with trains. Clever graphics showed the Railway children racing towards a Virgin Train, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis from "Some Like it Hot" walking along the platform and Cary Grant sitting a train table, take from Hitchcock's "North By Northwest". This advert is different, it is very clever, like a classic film with an accompanying score, combining the magic of the movies and the "excitement" of the train.


2. John Smith's Bitter- No Nonsense
Including a celebrity in a company's advert can often be a great tool in appealing to an audience but including a funny celebrity can be even better. People like to laugh. TBWA created the hilarious "No Nonsense" John Smith adverts and pulled off a masterstroke in employing comedian, Peter Kay. His cheeky Northern humour worked fantastically, whether he was bombing into a pool or having a kick about in the park, these adverts were remembered because they were funny and complimented the tagline "No nonsense" brilliantly.



3. John Lewis- "Always a woman"
John Lewis adverts get the nation talking. Their Christmas 2011 advert was incredibly popular, with a cute little boy excited to give his parents their presents. Nonetheless, I wish to focus on the 2010 advert in which the story of a woman's life is followed from her as a toddler to a Grandma created by the Adam and Eve Group. This advert was very clever as it included a narrative of whole woman's life in less than two minutes, women could thus relate to each stage of the life course. A mother, a grandma and student for example. This episode is also effective due to Fyfe Dangerfield's reworking of Billy Joel's "She's always a woman", it relates to the story and has gentle but catchy melody. Whilst these adverts are costly, they certainly grab the attention of its intended audience.




4. Aldi- "I don't like tea"
Touted as the most popular ad of 2011, the Aldi Tea commercial is very simple but very funny. Created by McMann Manchester, this involves a elderly lady comparing teabags that her husband enjoys, she simply says "I don't like tea" and from behind one of the teabag boxes grabs a drink and says "I like gin". This advert whilst promoting Aldi's value products, which appear cheaper and taste the same, also adds a humorous aspect that surprises the viewer, who don't expect an elderly woman to act in this way. The lady in the advert wasn't even an actress but her comic timing works wonderfully, and ensures the advert is easy to watch over and over again.


5. T-mobile- Flashmob
This advert is simply fun. Saatchi and Saatchi developed this advert to take place in Liverpool Street station at a time where flash mobbing wasn't particularly well known. Without being too cheesy, this advert made you want to be there, either watching or taking part. Its unique and fun angle makes it memorable, making one associate T-mobile with the different, exciting flashmob.


6.  BT- Jane and Adam
BT's Jane and Adam adverts exemplify the clever use of narratives in advertising. Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO created a family one could relate to but left the audience wanting more. They want to know what happen's next. Will they, won't they? This is a device used before, for instance, NesCafe's "Gold Blend" couple. Almost like a soap opera, viewers eagerly await the next chapter and thus always remember the product. Viewers were even asked to vote on the outcome of their relationship, showing further interaction with customers. 


7. Compare the Market.com- "Compare the Meerkat"
I actually find the compare the market adverts incredibly annoying, with Aleksandr the Meerkat being the culprit. Nonetheless, the country seems to have gone meerkat mad since these adverts were created by VCCP, apparently the brainchild of two creatives who were drunk in a pub. This advertising campaign is the epitome of the gimmick but people remember it, they like seeing a Meerkat with a Russian accent wearing a smoking jacket. The success of the adverts is illustrated in the compare the meerkat merchandise range, including a book and soft toys. Compare the market with its clever wordplay will always be associated with the popular meerkat, despite being irritating to some.



8. Skoda "My Favourite Things"
This advert was relatively simple but at the same time brilliantly clever. Created by Fallon, the advert involved making the product, a Skoda car, completely out of cake. Whilst looking very tasty it was also different and unique. I cannot remember an advert like it and the song, "My Favourite Things" being played in the advert gave it an upbeat feel, it starts in a kitchen, so one my assume it is about food but as the advert progresse the viewer wants to see what they are making. The end result, a cake car.



9. Sony Bravia- "Bouncing Balls"
José González's song, "Heartbeats" provided the perfect melody for the bouncing balls on the streets of San Francisco. Created by Fallon again, this was a beautifully directed and shot commercial, mesmerising to watch thousands of bouncing balls hit the streets. The colours of each ball provided provided a exciting and vibrant spectacular, with no CGI used, just 250,000 bouncy balls.




10. Specsavers- "That's not the steam room"
Specsavers lends itself brilliantly to funny adverts due to its well known slogan, "You should have gone to Specsavers". The 2011 advert with Gordon Ramsay is a prime example of using humour to entice the audience to watch. Like John Smith, Specsavers own in-house team opted for the big name celebrity, set in a steamy kitchen, they opted for Gordon Ramsay. The advert shows a man walking into a steamy room thinking it is steam room and sitting on the counter but it is actually Gordon Ramsay's kitchen. It's funny, simple and most important, memorable.


I hope this selection has provided a diverse range of adverts, showing how they can make you laugh, be almost cinematic in quality but at times also be annoying. They key to adverts: make them memorable.


I'm also a big fan of Volkswagen's "See film differently" campaign, in which they support independent cinemas, so here's one more that is solely shown in cinemas:

It's the way I tell em'...

Last week saw the sad news that the comedian, Frank Carson had passed away. No doubt a legendary comic, remembered for his tagline "It's the way I tell 'em". In response to this I watched debate on the BBC with Nicholas Parsons and Iain Lee, discussing how comedy has changed over the last fifty years and what is acceptable humour today. Comics such as Frankie Boyle and Jimmy Carr are so often in the news regarding jokes of "bad taste". This led me to think, how many jokes today are clean and I am of the opinion that not all jokes need to be vulgar or crude to make people laugh.  Here are some one liners that aren't overly offensive but at the same time can bring about belly laughs: 

1. Tim Vine- "Crime in multi-storey car parks. That is wrong on so many different levels."
2. Stewart Francis- "Standing in the Park I wondered why a frisbee looks larger the closer it gets...then it hit me"
3. Milton Jones- "When my grandfather became ill, my grandmother greased his back. After that, he went downhill very quickly" 
4. Tommy Cooper- "I slept like a log last night. I woke up in the fireplace."
5. Lee Mack- "I used to be a freelance journalist, but I was crap. Lance is still in prison."
6. Les Dawson- "She was the flabbiest stripper I've ever seen. When she ran off the stage she started her own applause."
7. Jimmy Carr-  "I may be middle-class, but I’m hard. Al dente, you might say."