10 Great TV Shows With Only One Bad Episode

It's weird to learn that Parks and Recreation had a rocky start, considering it went on to be a beloved sitcom and launched several ensemble members into super-stardom. In fact, Greg Daniels and Michael Schur's comedy has an honourable distinction, since its worst episode is the one that started it all.

Instead of beginning with a bang, the pilot is awkward and uneven. The mockumentary style feels forced, and the humour relies on cringey circumstances rather than character-driven comedy.

Speaking of which, the main characters in the pilot feel like pale imitations of what they became. Andy Dwyer is a whiny man-baby, Ron Swanson acts like a generic curmudgeon, and Leslie Knope comes across as a watered-down Michael Scott from The Office. None of the ensemble is defined or likeable, making it hard to root for them. Additionally, the central plot feels small and uninspired.

Although Parks + Rec regularly dealt with mundanities, kickstarting a new comedy with a storyline involving a construction pit is uninteresting, especially since it's explored poorly. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise, since the negative reaction incentivised the writers to step up their game, ensuring Parks and Recreation never dipped to that substandard level again.