So I have to tell you once again, over the course of this television season I've fallen in love with Parks & Recreation.
In fact, it's quickly become my favourite part of NBC's Thursday night comedy lineup. Yeah, soak in that statement. It's true.
Anyone who watches the show knows its star Amy Poehler is one of its greatest sources of charm and humour.
Poehler's on the cover of New York Magazine's TV issue right now, and discusses her TV favourites with the mag. Check it:
Which TV characters schooled you in acting?
Laverne and Shirley was physical and broad, and I loved those characters. Law & Order’s Lieutenant Anita van Buren is a great example of a tough lady among men. Omar Little from The Wire—one of the best bad good guys, or good bad guys, on TV. Animal from The Muppets, who taught me when in doubt, go crazy [laughs]. And Cliff, from Cheers.
If you were physically incapacitated and could watch only one show for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Law & Order. I panic that there will be a time when it isn’t on TV. When I’m not in New York it makes me miss New York. I think about all the people angry that their streets are being closed off [cackles]. And I feel like Jerry Orbach might be someone that I will get to meet in Heaven.
If you could go back in time and play any character, who would it be?
Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties. He had good jokes. Or Mr. Roarke from Fantasy Island. I would love to welcome people to my island, on TV or in life. Hopefully my career will go well enough that I’ll be welcoming you all to an island and I’ll have some weird potion that everyone drinks, which leads to scary, trippy sex times.
Brady Bunch or Partridge Family?
Brady Bunch. And Happy Days and Little House on the Prairie. If you ever need a great afternoon nap, put on Little House. The sound of the music and the horses galloping puts you to sleep, and then you can wake up and they’re usually caught in some kind of storm and you can cry.
What about straight-up comedy influences?
All in the Family was my favorite sitcom growing up. I loved Archie Bunker—like all my favorite characters, he seemed to live when I wasn’t watching. I could picture what he did over the weekend.
Man, there's something I just love about TV stars discussing their TV addictions.
Check out Amy Poehler's full New York interview and photo shoot here.