OriginofHysteria
Banned
Parks and Recs took off after he left. It actually was needed because they gave a lot more time to develop the other characters.
-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
Is Mark Brendanawicz the most unnecessary sitcom character? (Parks and Rec)
- Thread starter Fudgepuppy
- Start date
- Status
Aw hell no!! Dwight is one of the only characters that manages to remain amusing and somewhat likable for most of the show.
Sad Affleck
Member
Yeah, absolutely. Such a boring character.
Fluffhead14
Member
i actually really liked him; i understand why the show moved on, as leslie's character changed a lot.
would have really liked a cameo in the finale at least.
would have really liked a cameo in the finale at least.
Fluffhead14
Member
also i think he unfairly takes the brunt of what didn't work in s1. the show had arguably it's best season in season 2 but i don't think much of it had to do with him leaving.
Man Called Aerodynamics
Member
It's been said, but yep, he was the straight man character on a show that quickly outgrew the need for a straight man. It's not that there was anything wrong with the character or the actor. The role was just not needed.
BKatastrophe
Member
I don't have the issue many have with Mark, but I was never upset about him leaving. As many said, he played the straight man, but almost overly so. He never cracked a joke and when he did it usually fell flat and was forced, plus in all of his "interview" scenes he just stated the obvious. No winks, no nods, just exactly what happened. This works in the first season because everyone else (particularly Leslie) is insane, but with S2 everyone became more grounded and likable, and with that there was no purpose. His arc with dating Ann showed little promise, though the lovelorn sappy puppy was new for him, there was nothing to it. He was a playboy who settled down and it didn't work because Ann didn't care. That whole arc is basically saying "which straight (wo)man do we like more?" And of course Ann was the choice. She had more potential, and Mark had nowhere to go. In fact, the whole arc is just for Ann, in retrospect. He had no traits to exaggerate, whereas Ann's whole shtick was being unbelievably hot with no real agency or skills. Her character arc is growing beyond someone who just works and bounces from relationship to relationship. She realizes she wants to be a single mom and discovers a lot about herself. Mark was written too plainly. The playboy angle never worked for me because he never came off as charismatic enough to pull it off. He never came off as genuinely kind, save for hus final scene on the show. He was always more selfish than anything. What redeeming traits did he have that no one else did?
As it's been said, we got Ben, who could easily play the straight man, particularly by being sardonic and witty while having his own quirks that could be played up (his nerdiness, fear of cops, Ice Town, public speaking, etc.). Plus it helped that he, Chris, and Leslie started off with strong dynamics, let alone the rest of the department. We also had Ron for the no-nonsense guy (to the point where he says he doesn't like jokes because they're lies).
Would I have liked to see what they could have done with Mark down the line? Sure. It would've been nice to see him in S7. given that it's the finale season, but also considering the private sector angle they went with some of the characters, particularly Ron and/or Tom. The fact is, however, that he was a boring character with nothing unique. If you get thirty episodes into a show and you still don't have anything for a character, then why keep them around?
As it's been said, we got Ben, who could easily play the straight man, particularly by being sardonic and witty while having his own quirks that could be played up (his nerdiness, fear of cops, Ice Town, public speaking, etc.). Plus it helped that he, Chris, and Leslie started off with strong dynamics, let alone the rest of the department. We also had Ron for the no-nonsense guy (to the point where he says he doesn't like jokes because they're lies).
Would I have liked to see what they could have done with Mark down the line? Sure. It would've been nice to see him in S7. given that it's the finale season, but also considering the private sector angle they went with some of the characters, particularly Ron and/or Tom. The fact is, however, that he was a boring character with nothing unique. If you get thirty episodes into a show and you still don't have anything for a character, then why keep them around?
Alex Stroud
Banned
One thing he got the ball rolling on that the series continued with was treating Jerry like shit, even though Mark's one time doing so
was completely accidental and he immediately felt horrible about it.
There was also that one outtake from the second season where he and Offerman have a staring contest while Aziz practically dry humps the latter participant.
That's all I can remember.
Inadvertently revealing to an unwitting Jerry that he was adopted
There was also that one outtake from the second season where he and Offerman have a staring contest while Aziz practically dry humps the latter participant.
That's all I can remember.
BronsonLee
Member
It didn't work because S1 of Parks and Rec just didn't work in general. Everyone was much more incompetent/meaner.
S2 and onward was much better because Leslie becomes hypercompetent but loses the really negative character beats she had
holy shit, I just did the same, I don't remember his face at all or any scene with him and I loved Parks and Rec.
Mandela Effect?
I thought that his character was the poor blending of the original concept of the show with trying to Office'fy it.
He was the qualified, professional, and jaded bureaucrat. I work with a lot of urban planners and know a lot of bureaucrats and he grounded the show. Having him around enabled more nuanced jokes about government and I think could have made it a more interesting but less successful show.
I love the show and I'm fine that they went the way they did. But there was no place for nuance in the decision to focus on romantic relationships and zaniness.
He was the appendix of the show and clearly irritated the audience. They were right to cut him.
He was the qualified, professional, and jaded bureaucrat. I work with a lot of urban planners and know a lot of bureaucrats and he grounded the show. Having him around enabled more nuanced jokes about government and I think could have made it a more interesting but less successful show.
I love the show and I'm fine that they went the way they did. But there was no place for nuance in the decision to focus on romantic relationships and zaniness.
He was the appendix of the show and clearly irritated the audience. They were right to cut him.
He wasn't bad, just bland. It wasn't the actors fault, the writing was a bit rocky in S1 is all. In S2, he barely appeared at all which was for the better. Even though I never liked the character, I thought him leaving was a nice moment.
S2-S5 is peak Parks and Rec, with S6 & S7 being good, but not great, and S1 being just ok. Once they decided to stop being an Office clone, the show got way better.
S2-S5 is peak Parks and Rec, with S6 & S7 being good, but not great, and S1 being just ok. Once they decided to stop being an Office clone, the show got way better.
MetalGearZed
Member
Michael Bluth is probably the best "straight character" in a comedy show ever.
BKatastrophe
Member
So this thread got me to watch an episode, particularly the first episode Ben and Chris show up. Ann says "I just broke up with Mark. I don't want to talk about it."
And that's it. It's never talked about again. Shit man.
And that's it. It's never talked about again. Shit man.
Either him or Jeff Winger
Prince of Space
Banned
more like Mark Blandanawicz amirite
mhayes86
Member
My wife and I were just talking about this yesterday. I think she came across some list that was about which season and episode shows get good. The conversation started because we watched the first few episodes of the IT Crowd, and didn't care for it, but we love Richard Ayoade from other stuff that he's done. We're going to try giving it a second go.
Anyway, Parks and Rec was listed as getting good when Chris and Ben get introduced, which I can sort of agree with, but we really started enjoying the show around the fifth or sixth episode. Before that, we were about to quit the show because it was pretty bad. Mark was definitely a forgettable character, and the actor delivered lines like he was held at gunpoint.
Anyway, Parks and Rec was listed as getting good when Chris and Ben get introduced, which I can sort of agree with, but we really started enjoying the show around the fifth or sixth episode. Before that, we were about to quit the show because it was pretty bad. Mark was definitely a forgettable character, and the actor delivered lines like he was held at gunpoint.
You need some bumbleflex in your life son
Electret
Member
This, exactly. Totally superfluous and unnecessary. Replacing him with practically anything else would have been an improvement.
IT Crowd is all over the place in quality, but I found something to like in each episode and each season has an episode or two that are just absurdly pure magic.
I'm due for a rewatch, but I recall things picking up at "The Red Door." You don't have far to go to get to "The Work Outing" which is the best episode of the series (and possibly of any comedy show ever), essential viewing.
The Horror the horror
Banned
No, that would be Jefferson Darcy.
I think he gets a lot of hate because the shows tone changed a lot after he left, so people just assume it got better because he left.
He was a boring character for sure, but he wasn't holding the series down or anything. They were playing it way too safe and just trying to copy The Office. It's why you can basically skip all of Season 1 after the pilot.
Once they decided to just go nuts with the scenarios and plots (Season 2 ) it got so much better.
He was a boring character for sure, but he wasn't holding the series down or anything. They were playing it way too safe and just trying to copy The Office. It's why you can basically skip all of Season 1 after the pilot.
Once they decided to just go nuts with the scenarios and plots (Season 2 ) it got so much better.
shawnbuddy
Member
Nah, it was Newguywhat'shisface in the final season of That 70s Show.
Vital Tundra
Member
His presence is suuuper weird but luckily the writers got rid of him because the show was way better for it.
I am really curious about something: did Chris and/or Ben ever share a scene with Mark in the two episodes they were both on at the same time? I don't think I ever remember seeing them together in the same scene. Kinda weird.
minor effort
Banned
Last time I rewatched Season 1 I realized that not only was Leslie written as a Michael Scott clone and Mark being a Jim substitute, Tom was also basically Ryan from the Office for that season.
Also Andy was a dick in Season 1 and most of Season 2.
Also Andy was a dick in Season 1 and most of Season 2.
GoutPatrol
Forgotten in his cell
Jeff became a character too after season one.
I also feel that season one of Parks has become so hated it's underrated now.
I recently marathoned all of Parks and Rec for the first time. What a weird show. S1 Leslie Knope compared to final season Leslie is like a completely different person. And almost all of the supporting cast become caricatures. I think the show started out weak, peaked somewhere in the middle, then got worse again. I remember the last couple seasons being waaaay too sappy, emotion baiting crap. Leslie was constantly crying. Mark was pretty boring but not terrible, not funny but he wasn't supposed to be.
minor effort
Banned
It's like Season 1 of the Office or Season 1 of the Simpsons. It's interesting to watch it develop years later.
Season 1 of the Office was struggling to build its own identity from the original UK version of the show, and Season 1 of Parks and Recreation was struggling to build its own identity from the US version of the Office.
I felt this way more about later versions of the Office than I did with Parks and Recreation. Every single supporting character was dialed up to 11 at all times, even "straight" characters like David Wallace were turned into caricatures for cheap jokes, and most new characters were insufferable or stupid or insufferably stupid. By the final season there wasn't really a single character I still liked seeing on screen, save for maybe Creed.
Parks managed to keep that at bay until the final few episodes.
Hierophant
Banned
.
Didn't think I'd forget a character in a series I watched all the way but here we are
Ditto this.
And pour one out for Mark. He represented a crutch for the storytellers, an everyman that the audience could relate to in a sea of (loveable) weirdos. When they finally figured out who Leslie Knope was they were free - and duty bound - to cast him off. In many ways Anne Perkins was another crutch, the everywoman and the sanity anchor for Leslie, until they found a way to let her character loose a little bit.
Fluffhead14
Member
2-3 was the peak, no doubt. 2 was amazing.
BKatastrophe
Member
They were all in the club for April's birthday, but they were never on camera together. It was weird.
He did, but at that point you were so used to everything you don't really need it. And in S6 they brought in the one chick whose whole thing is that she's supremely normal.
And P&R S1 isn't that bad. Worst season? Yeah, and has issues (such as not really having its own identity), but it's not so supremely awful.
I don't know what's "weird" about the show. It's a pretty formulaic sitcom (minus one swerve later on) with good execution. Also if there's one thing P&R stands out for, it's relatively consistent quality from S2 on. There are small dips but I think it sustained quality throughout in a way that most of its contemporaries, like The Office, absolutely did not. I never really got the "sappy" comments either. I think people watch too much It's Always Sunny or pretty much every other sitcom out there that they're jarred by people not constantly being scum. Never what Parks & Rec was about. If you don't like that, would have been pretty easy to pick up on early on.
Everyone hates on Brendanquitz and I HATE IT. Mark was great.
I thought S1 was great. I didn't love it at the time, but watching it in modern times, after having watched the rest of the show several times, I really like it.
I thought S1 was great. I didn't love it at the time, but watching it in modern times, after having watched the rest of the show several times, I really like it.
BKatastrophe
Member
Same. I have no urge to ever rewatch that season, but my roommate was rewatching it recently so I caught about half of the season.
Man with Knife
Member
I was shocked to realize on rewatch how early Parks burns out. S2.1 is peak.
The Office US also peaked around that time, but held it's cool way way longer (argueably S4 - Charles Minor and Michael Scott Paper Company prolonged it a bit into S5).
Even S6 & S7 are very, very watchable. Kevin, Creed & Ryan alone make it all worth it beyond that. Not to mention Robert California. Fuck Andy though. Fuck him forever.
The Office US also peaked around that time, but held it's cool way way longer (argueably S4 - Charles Minor and Michael Scott Paper Company prolonged it a bit into S5).
Even S6 & S7 are very, very watchable. Kevin, Creed & Ryan alone make it all worth it beyond that. Not to mention Robert California. Fuck Andy though. Fuck him forever.
These are some godawful opinions.
Any character that appears for a few episodes then disappears with no explanation is probably a good shout. Seven from Married with Children, The other Cunningham from Happy Days, etc.
Nah, Dwight is amazing. There are a ton of the characters introduced in the last few seasons of The Office could definitely qualify, though.
Definitely. At least Mark served a purpose that worked for the show early on, & did have good moments, like the aforementioned scene where he accidentally reveals to Jerry that he was adopted. Seven was literally just thrown on because the network wanted a cute kid (Who really did nothing but make a show that was already getting a bit annoying jump straight to being obnoxious).
I think they've effectively been phased out, anyway, as most of Sunny's side-characters have. Outside of the trial episode last season (Where they couldn't get even get Ryan or Liam despite them being the main McPoyles), they killed off
Maureen Ponderosa
If we had to choose a group of Sunny side-characters who've overstayed their welcome, I'd say it's the Ponderosa family. But even then, they've had some good bits these past few seasons; they've never been unnecessary, it just feels like they were given more airtime than deserved.
- Status