1st episode of the 2nd season of Parks and Recreation
"Pawnee Zoo"
Parks and Recreation episode
Episode no.
Season 2 Episode 1
Directed by
Paul Feig
Written by
Norm Hiscock
Original air date
September 17, 2009 (2009-09-17)
Guest appearances
Mo Collins as Joan Callamezzo
Josh Ducendeck as Ben
Darlene Hunt as Marcia Langman
Blake Lee as Derek
Jim O'Heir as Jerry Gergich
Retta as Donna Meagle
Episode chronology
← Previous "Rock Show"
Next → "The Stakeout"
List of episodes
"Pawnee Zoo" is the second season premiere of the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation, and the seventh overall episode of the series. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on September 17, 2009. In the episode, Leslie accidentally takes a stand in favor of same-sex marriage when she holds a marriage for two male penguins during a publicity stunt for the zoo.
The episode was written by Norm Hiscock and directed by Paul Feig. The writing staff sought to address more topical issues during the second season, and the same-sex marriage plot was inspired by the real-life pairing of Harry and Pepper, a pair of romantically involved male penguins at the San Francisco Zoo. However, Hiscock said he was focused more strongly on comedy than making a political or social statement.
"Pawnee Zoo" received generally positive reviews, with several commentators claiming it showed improvement and growth compared to the show's first season, which received generally positive reviews. According to Nielsen Media Research, "Pawnee Zoo" was watched by 5 million households. Among viewers aged between 18 and 49, the episode was seen by 30 percent fewer viewers than the first season pilot episode. In March 2010, "Pawnee Zoo" won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Individual Episode.
"PawneeZoo" is the second season premiere of the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation, and the seventh overall episode of the series...
including the first-season finale "Rock Show" and second-season premiere "PawneeZoo". Other regular screenwriters included Katie Dippold, Dan Goor, Aisha...
morning zoo-style Pawnee radio program. They serve primarily as a parody of those types of radio shows, especially in a small-town market like Pawnee. The...
Recreation" was inspired by these true events in an episode entitled "PawneeZoo" where two gay penguins were married. Guide" (PDF). The University Co-op...
more topical with the second-season episodes. For example, the episode "PawneeZoo" included social commentary about same-sex marriage. Likewise, "The Stakeout"...
Always Greener" "Dances with Dogs" "Flirting with the Master" "Rock Show" "PawneeZoo" "Woman of the Year" "Flu Season" "Jerry's Painting" "Ron and Tammys"...
the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation. He is the city planner for Pawnee, Indiana, as well as Leslie Knope's colleague and one of Ann Perkins' ex-boyfriends...
No No Episode: "Shoot" 2009 Parks and Recreation Yes No No Episode: "PawneeZoo" Bored to Death Yes No No Episodes: "Take a Dive" "The Case of the Lonely...
Knope's best friend. Ann is originally from Ann Harbor Michigan, moving to Pawnee sometime before the start of the series. Her ethnic background is a mystery...
bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Inspired by local nurse Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones), Leslie vows...
People Short 2009 Able Alex Short 2009 Parks and Recreation Boy at Zoo Episode: "PawneeZoo" 2009 General Hospital Six-year-old child Episode #1.11899 2010...
Andy. It is later revealed that Leslie has donated the opossum to the Pawneezoo. Meanwhile, Ron (Nick Offerman) plans a woodshop expansion in his home...
Year Program Episode Network 2010 Parks and Recreation "PawneeZoo" NBC The Listener "Lisa Says" NBC Private Practice "Homeward Bound" ABC "Wait and See"...
genetically engineered penguin named Pen-pen as a pet. In the season 2 episode "PawneeZoo" of the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation, Leslie...
"Homeward Bound", Private Practice – ABC "Lisa Says", The Listener – NBC "PawneeZoo", Parks and Recreation – NBC "The Real Ghostbusters", Supernatural – The...
Safety" also featured Mo Collins as Pawnee Today host Joan Callamezzo, who previously appeared in the episodes "PawneeZoo" and "Christmas Scandal". Poehler...
mashup of Jurassic Park and Parks and Recreation; Leslie Knope unveils Pawnee Park's newest project, which is to include a new dinosaur-themed zoological...
mid-level bureaucrat working in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, a fictional town in Indiana. The sitcom features an ensemble cast, including...
season premiere "PawneeZoo", where Leslie is praised as a gay rights hero for marrying two male penguins at a ceremonial wedding at the zoo. During the parks...
Malvern Rouge Park at the Rouge River Toronto ZooPawnee Avenue is a former alignment of Finch Avenue. Pawnee Avenue runs along the former North York Township...
and returned to Manning's daughter, May Manning Lilly and her husband, Pawnee Bill, which may be the second one of its kind ever made; and a collection...
at the parks and recreation department of the fictional Indiana town of Pawnee. The season featured 16 episodes, most of which were approximately 22 minutes...
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