Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation

by Jim O’Heir

Jim O’Heir, best known for his role as Jerry (or Garry/Larry/Terry/Barry) on Parks and Recreation and co-host of the hit podcast Parks and Recollection , brings fans a heartfelt and intimate behind-the-scenes look at one of America’s most beloved sitcoms, brimming with never-before-told stories from Chris Pratt, Retta, Greg Daniels, and more. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Humor, Biography, Pop Culture, Tv

260 pages, Hardcover

First published November 19, 2024

Reviews

[Brady Lockerby]

ehhhh... i'm never one who likes to judge another's story. as a huuuge parks & rec fan, i did like hearing about the background logistics of the show, but it did feel super whiny at times. still fun because jerry basically reads you the story lol

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

"'Parks and Recreation' is a swell little show that is still figuring out exactly what it wants to be. Fans of 'The Office' will likely enjoy the program, but most will likely consider it as a weak sister." -- excerpt from a first season review of the show in Collider magazine, on page 47

While Welcome to Pawnee is a pleasant little book, potential readers should be made aware that it is NOT some sort of comprehensive and/or particularly illuminating behind-the-scenes look at the NBC sitcom, an ensemble piece which focused on the various flaky personalities staffing a small municipality's government, that ran from 2009 to 2015. (I'm not much for sitcoms, but this series came from some of the same folks responsible for The Office and ultimately boasted much of the same quality with both humor and heart. Criminally, Parks and Recreation also did not win any of their sixteen Emmy nominations over the years.) No, this book often feels much more like the autobio / work memoir of supporting actor Jim O'Heir, who played the beleaguered Jerry. While O'Heir seems like a good guy and is not a bad writer, I think the 'PAR' fans are going to be a bit disappointed that the narrative did not focus more thoroughly on the show. While it was nice that O'Heir's co-stars (including Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, and Rob Lowe) and the production staff are uniformly depicted as upstanding people, the included anecdotes and stories are none too zany and settle in to a predictable sort of sameness after awhile. However, the book's cover art - depicting 25 caricatures of the main, supporting and guest star characters in the series over its seven seasons - is excellent, although it frustratingly promises way more than is actually delivered on inside.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more Jim O’Heir working through his many insecurities than actual Parks insight. Enjoyed the parts about the show and wish there had been more. Jim is annoying.

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This magically popped up on my library’s recommendation feature after I finished Zarna Garg/while downloading Nate Bargatze’s audiobooks. I never had even heard of this before then, but let me tell you my reaction went a little something like . . .











And when I found out it was written/read by the very underappreciated . . . .



Well, I just knew it was going to be as fun as a fart attack. I wasn’t wrong! I can’t even count the number of times I have rewatched Parks and Rec, so this little bit of “inside baseball” was everything I could have hoped for as a superfan. And the temps dropping from (literally) 106 to 78 for a couple of days allowed me to listen to this entire thing in one walk. Highly recommended!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published November 19, 2024.

Recollections of Jim O’Heir who played Jerry on “Parks and Recreation” about his time on the show. It’s mostly very light-hearted and he gets some help from the showrunners, the casting director and from Retta and Chris Pratt (the cast members he was closest to, clearly) as well as Adam Scott and a few others.

Both he and Retta started the show as recurring characters and their roles gradually increased. They didn’t make the main credits of the show until the final season, I believe. O’Heir is open about his feelings about being left out of a “Men of Parks and Rec” photo shoot, and the meanness of some of the mines directed at Jerry, and being appreciative that some cast members asked if he was OK. While I get it about the shoot, as far as the lines, O’Heir was only playing a ROLE, and the biggest one of his career. Nothing was directed at him. I’m surprised he took it to heart so much. But he does come across as a really sensitive guy.

Other than a chapter about the death of his mother, which occurred while he was a cast member, and a brief mention of siblings, there’s no mention of any personal life at all. It appears he has no partner, no children. He thanks a best friend in the Afterword, so, not sure.

Oh, and, surprise! He has a Daytime Emmy!

If you are a big “Parks and Rec” fan it’s worth checking
out. There are some nice behind the scenes photos. Apparently Jim does a podcast now, about the show. Book has a GREAT cover.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Road trip audiobook! I was driving with my daughter, and we both love Parks and Recreation, so this was an easy pick as something we could both enjoy as we hit the road.

Jim O'Heir takes us through his early career quickly, and then spends most of the book dishing behind the scenes details about Parks and Rec. To fill out his own memories, he interviews other cast and crew members from the show. O'Heir is an amiable dork who keeps things positive, even when he voices a few of his own frustrations. There are no big revelations, but any fan of the show will be happy to soak up this breezy love fest.

[Elevetha · Rating 2 out of 5]

My biggest issue with this is that it's not so much a Parks and Recreation memoir/behind the scenes as it is a Jim O'Heir autobiography that prominently features his time on Parks and Rec. At the same time, I felt like we got a lot more of how the show came to be, then actual "stories" of Pawnee and the cast and the set. There are a lot of random paragraphs from showrunners and cast members that served to be there only because it was a showrunner or cast member, not because what they had to say was very interesting. Jim himself didn't come across as particularly funny, which might have helped matters if he had.

Not related to the rating, but the political bias was annoying, mostly due to the comment that they wouldn't have been able to do the show the same or it wouldn't have done as well, what with its optimism and "plug away" mentality, of being the best person you can be to make a difference even when you're a small town parks and recreation employee...if they had to air during the Trump presidency. Give me a break. Those standards apply all the time, no matter who is president or what the world looks like.

There was a photo of some of the cast eating waffles, not sure there was ever a story about them, let alone multiple.

[Myles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. 4*
Made me want to rewatch the show.

[Abbie Loveall]

This book is a love letter to Chris Pratt, skip if you don’t love Chris Pratt

[Eric Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing the eARC of this book!

As someone who has watched Parks and Recreation all the way through several times on streaming and still turns on random episodes when they air during syndication, I truly enjoyed this book. Jim O’Heir (Garry/Jerry/Larry/Terry Gergich on the show) provides a heartwarming history of what it was like to film Parks and Rec for seven years. Jim also provides some insights about his life as an actor outside of being on the show. Several other cast members and crew also provide their insights throughout the book, and there are quite a few great behind-the-scenes photos.

There weren’t any sordid details or gossip about cast members that came out in this book, if that’s what you’re looking for. Rather, Jim shares heartwarming, comedic, and fun memories from his time on the show and beyond. From the way Jim presents it, the cast and crew were as close off-camera as they appeared to be on screen. Jim talks a lot about his close relationship with Retta while filming and this was something I was not aware of. The book is a fun, quick read filled with never-before-told stories, and I flew through it.

If you are a fan of Parks and Recreation and want the opportunity to go back to Pawnee to experience these characters again in an even more intimate setting, I recommend checking this book out.

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A genuinely sweet and fun to read Hollywood memoir. If you are a Parks and Recreation fan, this is a really nice trip down memory lane. Everyone wants to hear that the actors and show runners of their favorite show were a big family in real life and they all loved each other. That is pretty close to the case here. Jim OHeir has nothing but love for his co-stars and the story that brought him through Parks and Rec to winning an Emmy to now hosting a podcast about it. He fangirls about Henry Winkler and Mary Tyler Moore, he reminisces about the improvised lines and talked about filming and being made a series regular. There are many candid photos shared throughout and lots of first person narratives from Mike Schur and Greg Daniels. I loved hearing the inside scoop on how the show was cast and the business of producing it.

I was lucky enough to get a signed first edition because I pre-ordered from Barnes and Noble. A nice addition to my bookshelf and this would be a great Christmas present for the Parks and Rec fan in your life.

[Juliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the stories behind how Parks and Rec came about and was made, I found Jim's sense of humor to be a little too immature at times. Did not care for all the praise he was giving Crisp Rat either.

[☮ morgan ☮ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Parks and Recreation so much, but I think I went into this with the wrong expectations. This felt like it was brushing over most of the story, maybe it needed to be longer. I thought this would be more like Welcome to Dunder Mifflin or the Office BFFS.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Highly recommend to any Parks and Rec fan. Makes me want to watch the series again to really appreciate the whole cast, but especially Jerry!

[Paige Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Parks and Rec, and this took me on such a great journey. Jim O’Heir shares stories of his journey to the show, how the show came to be, and about how the cast became such a tight knit group. I loved all the little stories, selfies, and notes from cast members and others from the show. If you’re a Parks and Rec fan, this book is a must!

[Matt Woodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of Parks and Rec behind the scenes nuggets. Jim comes off as a humble, appreciative and often a teacher's pet to Poehler during this enjoyable read.

[Jennifer Kunin · Rating 4 out of 5]

LONG WINDED REVIEW SORRY. idk why one of the biggest critiques of this book is that it’s too positive?? that’s what i LOVED about it, given too many shows i love have been sullied after learning about the toxicity and abuse that happened on set throughout filming.

anyways, i loved all the stories. i still think all the beginning parts about the casting was the most fascinating, but i loved it all. and unlike most reviewers, i don’t care that Jim talked about his career outside of the show (despite Pawnee being in the title!). he’s not a guy you typically hear about in the media & im glad i actually know about his life now. gr8 audiobook!!!!!

[Katarina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was enjoying it until about halfway through, when I realized that every single story was only positive. Everyone was the sweetest, most wonderful, kind and caring person in the world. Not that I came here looking for dirt! But it was so aggressively positive that it started to feel like he was defending his costars, especially Chris Pratt. At the end I was also tired of the false feeling humility, like he says he won’t name drop… and then does profusely.

[Ceej Meez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I think it’s still absolutely wild that NONE of the male cast members didn’t think to stop the shoot and ask why Jim O’Heir wasn’t included…good thing Amy Poehler did it all those years later.

Lowkey it had more grit and BTS drama than other books based on shows I’ve read. Fascinating!

[eunice]

as the biggest parks and rec fan ever, I'M SO EXCITEDDDD

[Kerri Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful love letter by Jim O’Heir to Parks & Rec and its cast and crew. Highly recommend if you’re a fan of one of the greatest TV shows ever made.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Jim O'Heir narrating this ode to Pawnee❤️ But I loved Parks & Rec so it was like being there!!

[Kim Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jumped around a bit with some scattered storytelling but I love the backstory and behind the scenes insights into my favorite show.

[Alli Shoemaker]

If you’re a fan of Parks and Rec, this is a warm, nostalgic hug.

[Andy Steckling · Rating 4 out of 5]

In truth, probably a 3.5. I appreciated the insights into making the show; I just wish there had been more of it. Far too often did Mr. O’Heir launch into a seemingly random anecdote. It was appreciated every so often, but I feel like it took away from the overall thing.

[Katie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Welcome to Pawnee is a behind the scenes look at Parks and Recreation, written by Jim O’Heir who played Jerry on the tv series. He, along with some cast members, creators, and producers give insight into the development of the show and characters, various storylines, and overall vibe on the set.

It was a fun and quick read and it was refreshing to learn that the cast and crew genuinely like each other and there really wasn’t any major drama or beef on the set. I doubt diehard fans are getting a ton of new info from this book as most of it has probably been discussed in interviews over the years. It’s an enjoyable read though. Jim talks mostly about the show and some other acting gigs rather than delving much into his personal life.

Thank you to William Morrow for sending me a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.

[Me, My Shelf, & I · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little look at the show and the life of Jim O'Heir as an anxious, real life mess who would do Jerry proud.

There were several anecdotes and fun facts about the show that I'd never heard before that were fun to repeat to my partner (who also loves the show). It can be a bit of a sappy, overly appreciative love fest for all of his colleagues at times, but was generally a fun listen that made me want to rewatch Parks.

The book is primarily narrated by O'Heir with guest narrators to voice direct quotes from the other actors and crew.

[Emily St. Amant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. I loved the character of Jerry/Gary and enjoyed Jim’s account of his time on the show. This was so sweet and heartwarming, and makes me want to rewatch the show again. I do agree that the marketing should be more clear that this is more of a memoir of one person’s experience rather than a history of the show; clarity would’ve probably helped more people know if this was for them or not.

[Mackenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

in true jerry fashion i am disappointed

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a movie or tv show that I enjoy watching, and it makes me so happy to see that there are so many podcasts and books devoted to exactly this! Anything Michael Schur and Greg Daniels work on (especially together) is bound to be hilarious and relatable in some way, and Parks and Recreation was no exception to this.

Through the book, Jim O’Heir (who played Jerry) walks us through the time span of the show from beginning to end, sharing tidbits about the cast and crew and making of its episodes. He also sprinkles in personal anecdotes about his own life, as well as interviews with other cast members and behind-the-scenes photos. There are many insights into the insecurities actors might feel, especially when they don’t perfectly fit into the stereotypical Hollywood aesthetic.

While I’ve read multiple books on other tv shows (ahem, about The Office), this was the first one I’ve read about Parks and Rec, so most of the stories were ones I hadn’t heard before. (I can’t promise you’ll feel the same if you listen to Jim’s podcast or have read other books about the show, though!) Overall I thought this gave some interesting insight into the show and I’d recommend it if you’re a fan!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and William Morrow Books for the advanced copy!