The Office Meets Parks & Rec: 5 Things That Would Work (& Five That Wouldn’t)
With The Office's first season hitting the small screen in 2005 and Parks and Recreation taking off in 2009, Dunder Mifflin fans noticed plenty of similarities between the two workplace comedies. Both sitcoms are filmed in a mockumentary style and have the characters shooting looks at the cameras time and time again.
There are also subtle similarities between bosses Michael Scott and Leslie Knope. Over the years, fans have mashed the theme songs for both shows together and have often wondered what would happen if they were in the same universe. If there ever was a special that combined The Office and Parks and Rec, some elements would work spectacularly whereas others... not so much.
10 Would Work: Dwight & April Would Totally Gang Up On Jim
Both sitcoms have pranksters and sarcastic workers who enjoy getting outside of their workspace and having a little fun with other employees. In The Office, Jim and Dwight pranked each other for the entire nine seasons. Sure, they crossed the line sometimes but it made them bond in an odd way. Over in the Parks and Rec universe, April is also a lowkey pranker when it comes to people she doesn't like (Ann) or getting out of something she doesn't want to do. With Jim being similar to Ann, April would join forces with Dwight to turn on Jim.
9 Wouldn't Work: Rashida Jones Wouldn't Be Able To Be Both Ann & Karen
Rashida Jones is the talented woman behind The Office's Karen and Parks and Rec's Ann. Both characters are more alike than different, which could be an issue if there was ever a crossover. The only thing that could save Rashida Jones is the fact that Ann moved away from Pawnee in Parks and Rec.
This means Ann and Karen could be in the show but at different times, which works in her favor. If Karen came to Pawnee, this would mean Tom would have an entirely new crush since Jim dumped her for Pam.
8 Would Work: Andy & Tom Would Go Into Business Together
Tom Haverford has some of the best lines in Parks and Recreation. He's theatrical and wants to be a star that's known in Pawnee. If he doesn't have what it takes to be a performer, then he'll do what he has to do to become an entrepreneur.
On the flip side, Andy Bernard of The Office is also has a flair for the dramatic and loves a good show. Andy and Tom would either clash from being too much alike or become BFFs because of all that they have in common.
7 Wouldn't Work: Michael & Leslie Would Go Head To Head
Michael Scott and Leslie Knope are such beloved characters in their respective shows. Both have different managing styles, however. Leslie takes charge and does all the work herself because she loves it so much whereas Michael would rather sit back and pump his workers up with influence.
It's clear both characters' childhoods played a part in the people they are but as a unit, this would never work. Michael wasn't even able to handle being a co-manager with Jim let alone someone new who takes the lead in everything that she does.
6 Would Work: Michael & Andy Would Be Best Friends
Andy Dwyer is just as nonsensical as Michael Scott. The two both shout random things without realizing it and both characters have their insecurities that they keep under wraps. Andy and Michael are both uneducated and would rather play make-believe but are forced to work so they can live.
If Andy and Michael were in the same office, Andy would quickly outrank Dwight and move into Michael's office so the two can think of outlandish things to do around the workplace. The only problem is April would get jealous that Andy was spending all his time with his new buddy.
5 Wouldn't Work: Ron Could Never Handle The Changes
Ron Swanson is the real man in charge at the Pawnee Parks and Rec. Department, but with Leslie as his number two, he gets to sit back while she runs the show because she genuinely loves doing the work.
With that said, Ron is a simple man who doesn't like change. Joining forces with those from The Office would be distracting for him He can barely handle Leslie, so with Andy Bernard, Dwight Schrute, and Michael Scott all in the same office, he would lose his mind. Ron is a softie deep down but he'd quit before those of Dunder Mifflin that side of him.
4 Would Work: Donna & Kelly Would Adore Each Other
Donna Meagle and Kelly Kapoor are very different yet they have a lot in common. Both women are good at their jobs when they're focused and not distracted by pop culture references or men, and both women love drama (just think about all of Kelly's one-liners).
Donna is close friends with Tom and has a few side businesses that she enjoys running so she can have her hands in different cookie jars. Likewise, Kelly would join the friendship between Donna and Tom and learn a thing or two about running her own business. These two as friends would be the ultimate girl-power duo fans need.
3 Wouldn't Work: Ben & Kevin Would Clash Immediately
The Office's Kevin is the third accountant at Dunder Mifflin. Even diehard fans wonder what Kevin did every day since he wasn't good at math as a professional accountant. Over on Parks and Rec, Ben Wyatt loved numbers and was the Indiana state auditor when fans met him. He later applied to be an accountant at a local firm in Pawnee.
If Ben walked into work and saw Kevin sitting there as his partner, he would flip. He's very relatable in that he doesn't suffer fools. Just look at how he handled living with April and Andy! Kevin would learn a lot from Ben but it wouldn't work out long-term.
2 Would Work: Toby & Jerry Would Lean On Each Other
Toby and Jerry are the office punching bangs in their respective sitcoms. Both men are very intelligent, quiet, and are seen as the fun-suckers of the office. Jerry was the office manager and Toby was in human resources. They were each subtly hilarious in their own way and worked hard but were consistently dismissed by their colleagues. And yet, they still showed up to work every day to do their job. If these two were in the same office together, they would team up against their bullies.
1 Wouldn't Work: Michael's Inept Nature Would Never Work In City Hall
Things on The Office changed when Michael Scott left. But if there was a universe where he never left and Dunder Mifflin joined forces with Pawnee's Parks and Rec. Department, Michael's personality would have clashed immediately. At times, he is sexist, racist, misogynistic, and hits on attractive clients (before Holly, of course). Michael in a professional setting like City Hall would be a disaster.