For those not in the know, Newt Gingrich is a top-tier American politician (as well as historian, author, and political consultant according to Wikipedia) who was in line to be president of the Republican Party. He's been very influential in American politics, particularly health-care. Having politicians like Gingrich on a show such as Parks and Recreation pushes its sense of community even further. How many sitcoms have had such prolific political guests? (No really, are there (m)any? Let me know!) What makes Gingrich's appearance even more satisfying is the way that it came about. The studio didn't contact his people who said "eh, OK", but was the product of a beautiful coincidence. Gingrich went to St. Elmo's Steakhouse for lunch to find that the boys of Parks & Recreation were filming a bachelor party scene there. The restaurant assumed that Gingrich was there for the shoot, but his appearance was not part of the script. The producers quickly snapped up this opportunity to get a cameo from him, and what they wrote in a few minutes just proves the comedic talent of the Parks & Rec team. In the scene they threw together, resident punchbag, Jerry (Larry? Gary? Who cares) Gergich, believes his name is called for a table when it's really Gingrich. Jerry typically tries to laugh off the mistake in his bumbly manner, but Gingrich is as stern to him as everybody else on the show. When Jerry suggests they could be related as their names are so similar, he abruptly states, "I don't think so, Jerry". Damn it, Jerry!
