Parks and Rec – Are Paul Rudd and Kathryn Hahn the new Abbott and Costello?

I love Kathryn Hahn. But, after watching her play Paul Rudd’s pregnant gal Friday so convincingly in the Reese Witherspoon romantic comedy, How Do You Know, it’s difficult for me to accept her as the gorgeous, uber-confident, heartless shyster she played in both Free Agents and this week’s Parks and Recreation. But, casting her as Rudd’s manager reminded me of their natural on-screen chemistry in How Do You Know.

In “Campaign Shake-Up” Leslie gains on her opponent, Bobby Newport (Paul Rudd), rising to 30% of voter support to challenge his 45%. Threatened, he brings on a big league DC campaign manager for the tune of $250,000. Unfortunately, the manager, lacking any of Ben or Leslie’s uber-morality, cared more about winning and less about Pawnee. Meanwhile back in the Parks and Rec office, the gang struggles in Leslie’s absence to complete a project:  eliminate Pawnee’s  highly disgusting water fountain habit.

I remarked on this last week, but I’ll say it again. It’s interesting watching the characters grow. In season one, both Jerry and Donna cared about doing a decent job (or, at least, put on a good show). This week, we watch them goof off along with the rest of the crew. I also loved that, prior to this season, the show tried to exhibit April’s intelligence while serving as Chris’ assistant. However, I really didn’t buy it. But, this season, I saw it through her support of ‘Tan(n),’ her ability to raise more funds than Chris (out of spite) and her idea in saving the water fountain project. So, I’m glad to see her move on from the assistant position. Considering 30 Rock’s Kenneth is also moving from his entry level job, I wonder if NBC writers agree on parallel plots.

Bringing on members of Newport’s campaign staff does a good job of keeping the Bobby Newport character tangible, even in Rudd’s absence. I would love to see Rudd and Hahn interact again, but only if it works for the storyline and only if it is either as awesome or more awesome than their How Do You Know friendship. It turns out Hahn and Rudd are also co-starring in Wanderlust together. Are they the new Abott and Costello? Seriously, they’re two talented adorkable actors who rock comedy major league. Also, I love that Parks and Rec has them playing opposite the roles allotted them in  How Do You Know: the cute cuddly kids on the side of moral decency. I think watching Hahn and Rudd’s highly immoral Parks & Rec characters interact would prove highly entertaining.

Admittedly, I secretly hoped that bringing Hahn on as campaign manager would bring back Leslie’s old campaign managers, eating crow. That hasn’t happened yet, but maybe in the future.

This episode didn’t bring the funny as much as I hoped. However, I loved listening to Leslie girlishly detail her political crushes in front of Ben, who took no offense whatsoever. While I enjoy watching them together, the writers are increasingly writing them as the “cutesy” couple and reducing  their  bantering wit. Yet, they still show flashes of brilliance with Leslie’s creepy dirty talk analogizing Ben at one point with an “elf” while giving him a height complex.

Clacked by An Nicholson
on Mar 02, 2012 @ 08:24 EST5EDT