1. Characters Who Have a Passion to Do Something, and Can
One of the most remarkable things about Parks is the way that everyone working in the local government seem to really love working there. And while it may not seem like it at first, the Party Down workers are all equally passionate, they just have yet to find a job that lets them get paid for that passion. And they are so willing to keep working toward their passions that they are willing to work food service if that's what it takes.

2. Strong Female Characters
Leslie Knope is probably one of the most well developed female characters on television today. The naivety she sometimes seems to give off is nothing more than the wide-eyed idealism of a hardworking woman. Likewise, Casey (Lizzy Caplan) is an equally ambitious and goal-oriented woman who, like Leslie, is struggling to make a name for herself in a very male-dominated business.

3. Bosses Named Ron
Parks has Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) and Party Down has Ron Donald (Ken Marino). Both Rons are taskmasters who believe that a job worth doing is worth doing well. While Ron Swanson has surrounded himself with competent people who make his job easier, Ron Donald is forced to swim in a sea of ennui.

4. Characters Who Can Be Sad
Each show's cast deals with multiple letdowns professionally and personally. No ambition is to big to fail and no love comes easy on either show. Parks eases this by letting most bad stuff move on, leaving the cast with a sense of hope. Party Down isn't so nice to its people. Being forced to serve hors d'oeuvres, the caterers are constantly unable to fully address any of their personal problems. This creates a simmering that leads to a sense of frustration and despair that anyone who has worked food service can relate to.

5. Comedic Street Cred
It's hard to be a comedy nerd by only watching network TV. That said, if you nerd out over Amy Poehler and Aziz Ansari because you loved their improv and sketch groups before Parks and were giddy when Louis C.K. or Andy Samberg showed up, then every episode of Party Down will leave you rolling on the floor with comic joy. Just the regular cast is a collection of the most underappreciated comic actors today. You've got Ken Marino, former member of The State sketch group, a pre-Glee Jane Lynch and Freaks and Geeks' all-grown-up Martin Starr. And since every episode features a new party, there are awesome guest stars like Rob Corddry, Steve Guttenberg and Steven Weber.

6. Megan Mullally
After seeing her play the pill-popping Karen for years on "Will & Grace," it's nice to have Mullally on television playing characters with a bit more depth. Admit it: you love her. So forgive her for W&G. I have, and I feel liberated.

Catch up with Parks and Rec below!

What are people saying about your favorite shows and stars right now? Find out with Talk Without Pity, the social media site for real TV fans. See Tweets and Facebook comments in real time and add your own -- all without leaving TWoP. Join the conversation now!