17 forgotten 'Parks & Rec' characters we'd love to see just one more time
LatestFor Leslie Knope, this is how the world ends: not with a bang, but with a lead-in from The Voice. We’re still grappling with the fact that tonight’s episode of Parks & Recreation will be its last. Even after seven seasons, it’s not easy to say goodbye.
Pawnee is a rich tapestry of unhinged yet warmly drawn weirdos, with bit parts more hilarious and memorable than some shows’ main cast. To a certain extent, the final season has been a well-deserved, inclusive victory lap (Bobby Newport! Joan Calamezzo! That scary guy who works at the pawn shop!), but there are some beloved personalities who we haven’t seen in far too long. And frankly, I need closure.
Here are all the minor characters we’re hoping will show up in the series finale. Let it run long if it has to.
1. Greg Pikitis
Played by Cody Klop
Last seen: “Prom” (Season 6, Episode 18)
What’s Leslie’s teenage arch-nemesis up to now? Honestly, I feel like he might be interning on the Hill, so keep your wits about you, Knope.
2. Detlef Schrempf
Last seen: “Ron & Tammys” (Season 4, Episode 2)
The German-born Indiana Pacers legend remains the only NBA player in history (that we know of?) to appear on three episodes of Parks & Rec ~and~ have his name used as the title of a Band of Horses song.
While we’re at it, we’d also love to see Roy Hibbert return to Pawnee.
3. Tammy 1
Played by Patricia Clarkson
Last seen: “Ron & Tammys” (Season 4, Episode 2)
Ron Swanson saved Councilman Jamm from Tammy 2’s clutches at the beginning of season 7, but what ever happened Tammy 1?
Nick Offerman’s IRL spouse Megan Mullally was sublimely batshit as his second ex-wife, but Patricia Clarkson radiated a quieter, altogether more sinister power over Ron. Besides, in terms of late fees alone, IRS auditors are empirically scarier than librarians.
And don’t forget Tammy Zero, Ron’s survivalist mom.
4. Marlene Griggs-Knope
Played by Pamela Reed
Last seen: “Ben’s Parents” (Season 5, Episode 6)
While we’ve heard about Leslie’s mom watching her grandkids, we haven’t actually seen her since 2012. A veteran Pawnee politico, Marlene’s relationship with her daughter hasn’t always been perfect — there was that time she totally hit on Ben, for one thing — but they’re nevertheless in it for the long haul. I’d like to hear her describe her sexual relationship with Leslie’s dad in uncomfortable detail just one more time.
5. Shauna Malwae-Tweep
Played by Alison Becker
Last seen: “Galentine’s Day” (Season 6, Episode 17)
Please bring back Pawnee’s premiere slash maybe only newspaper reporter, if only so we can hear one more of Leslie’s terrible headline suggestions. Zoinks!
6. Joe from the Sewage Department
Played by Kirk Fox
Last seen: “Bailout” (Season 5, Episode 16)
Hey, creepers gonna creep.
7. Lil’ Sebastian (RIP)
Played by Gideon
Last seen: “Moving Up: Part 2” (Season 6, Episode 22), in hologram form
Lil’ Sebastian may have moved on, but he’s still alive in our hearts. And who’s to say how far mini-horse cloning technology may have advanced by 2017?
8. Rufus
Played by ???
Last seen: Never
The never-seen, long-talked-about Mayor Gunderson came to life (well, death) as Bill Murray last week, so why not shine the spotlight on his equally famous dog?
9. Officer Dave Sanderson
Played by Louis C.K.
Last seen: “Dave Returns” (Season 4, Episode 15)
Do you think Leslie’s cop ex-boyfriend has settled down with a frighteningly peppy blonde bureaucrat in San Diego?
10. Tynnyfer
Played by June Diane Raphael
Last seen: “Doppelgängers” (Season 6, Episode 4)
This mysterious, animal print-clad angel only entered our lives for one episode, but god, what an episode it was. Please, somebody, reboot The Simple Life with April and Tynnyfer.
11. Ingrid de Forest
Played by Kristen Bell
Last seen: “Second Chunce” (Season 6, Episode 10)
Have we checked in with the Eagleton councilwoman since the towns merged? I’d like to think she’s adapted nicely to life in Pawnee, and possibly put on 30 pounds of Paunchburger meat fries.
12. Derry Murbles
Played by Dan Castellenata
Last seen: “Anniversaries” (Season 6, Episode 14)
Pawnee’s public radio host, played by Homer Simpson incarnate, would surely have a lot to say about Gryzzl’s corporate encroachment, and he’d say it in the most public radio-y voice imaginable.
13. Chris Traeger
Played by Rob Lowe
Last seen: “Ann and Chris” (Season 6, Episode 13)
You literally cannot end Parks & Rec without an appearance by Rob Lowe, just as you literally cannot talk about Chris Traeger without using the word literally.
14. The Knope-Wyatt Triplets
Unlike the rest of the characters we’ve mentioned here, the kids have appeared intermittently throughout the last season — emphasis on intermittently. I totally understand the show’s decision to keep Ben and Leslie’s brood out of the foreground (these people have shit to get done!), but a few minutes of next-generation cuteness for the road would be much appreciated.
15. Kyle
Played by Andy Forrest
Last seen: “One in 8,000” (Season 6, Episode 20)
The only man who could out-Gergich Gary Jerry Larry Terry Garry himself.
16. Ann Perkins
Played by Rashida Jones
Last seen: “Galentine’s Day” (Season 6, Episode 14)
New baby or no new baby, this beautiful, irridescent sea lion is one of the most important people in Leslie’s life and she damn well better be there tonight. I mean, she will be, right? Right.
17. Mark Brendanawicz
Played by Paul Schneider
Last seen: “Freddy Spaghetti” (Season 2, Episode 24)
Just kidding. Mark Brendanawicz was a garbage character. See you never, Mark Brendanawicz.
All images via NBC
Molly Fitzpatrick is senior editor of Fusion’s Pop & Culture section. Her interests include movies about movies, TV shows about TV shows, and movies about TV shows, but not so much TV shows about movies.