Did It Happen On The Office Or Parks And Rec?

If there are two shows that have made working a 9-5 office job look like the dream social activity, they are The Office and Parks and Rec. Both take place in small, ordinary towns, and neither workplaces do anything too glamorous, yet the relationships they create between employees are arguably some of the best on TV. Who would have thought that the little towns of Scranton and Pawnee would have so many viewers laughing (and, admit it: sometimes shedding the odd tear) for almost ten seasons.

How well do you know these shows? Beyond the obvious workplace parallel, their characters have a lot in common: bosses Leslie Knope and Michael Scott both love their jobs and their employees (if sometimes a little too much), Dwight Schrute and Ron Swanson pride themselves as the "men" of the office, and sweethearts Jim/Pam and Andy/April both take a while to find each other, but are exciting to follow and clearly meant for each other. Both shows follow the format of the mockumentary, and it is obvious throughout that the employees know they are being filmed.

Take this quiz to find out if you truly know these American TV offices, or if it's time to quit your 9-5 and catch up on some binging.

Question 1

Ray Romano tries to take over as boss

In the later seasons of this long running hit, there is ultimately some cast turnover. When a main character leaves the office to follow his loved one in a new city, countless celebs guest appear to interview for his spot, attesting to the popularity of the show by its peak. These include Jim Carey and Warren Buffet, as well as "Everybody Loves Raymond's" Ray Romano. But whose job were they trying to take? Was it Michael Scott's? Chris Traeger? Ben Wyatt? Or Toby Flenderson?

Question 2

The crew takes a mandatory booze cruise

In an attempt to boost morale and teach a lesson on leadership, the employees of this office are all taken on a mandatory "booze cruise". By drinking together on Captain Jacks ship, they are supposed to learn about leaderSHIP, as well as other pun-based tools to success, such as identifying the ships sails as a comparison to company sales. Of course, things get messy, and what might have started as an honest attempt at company bonding ends in a proposal, a revealed secret, a false emergency alarm, and a very angry ship captain.

Question 3

Which show is located in Indiana?

We'll give some hints: the town is fictional, it's called Pawnee, it's the ninth largest town in Indiana and it's located 90 miles from Indianapolis. It's had many slogans, including "The Paris of America" and "For two years, Pawnee was overtaken by a cult". These can all be found on the town's "official website", which is an offshoot of the show's website and looks pretty legitimate (don't go checking it out until you've answered this question, though). So which show does this town belong to?

Question 4

Rashida Jones plays the office sweetheart

Rashida Jones is known for her role in this show as the sweet and funny beauty who falls for another man in the office. While he is equally charming, he comes with some baggage, and although they end up together, it isn't as easy as Jones' character might have had in mind. Ultimately, the couple breaks it off, but Jones' character is still a crucial part of the show. But where did all of this go down? Was it on The Office, Parks and Rec, or does she make appearances (with similar love interests) in both?

Question 5

The town bonds over a dead horse

In this season finale, which small horse is memorialized by a funeral put together by the whole office? While both shows have their moments of dealing with death, this one probably takes the cake for office-wide tragedy. The whole community gathers for the funeral, which ends up setting the stage for a whole slew of changes around the office, as one worker is approached to work for political office, and another announces his intentions to quit his job and move to the entertainment industry.

Question 6

A seemingly perfect international marriage is found to be a fraud

This office worker is married to a hot and elusive pediatric surgeon named Wendy, and he does not shy away from bragging about it. In the second season, however, it is revealed that this oh-so-perfect romance is actually a green card marriage so that Wendy, a Canadian, can live in the United States. After getting what she needs, the marriage ends in divorce, much to the dismay of Wendy's beau. The plot thickens as this break-up leads to more office inter-dating and revenge couples.

Question 7

Though filmed in 2014, its final season is set in 2017

In March 2014, NBC confirmed that this show would be renewed for its seventh and final season. Taking place a few years after the previous season, it follows the employees after some serious changes: almost everyone has left the department, and previous friends have turned into enemies. There are new children, new couples, and plans to move to new cities. In fact, the show ends with the whole crew moving together to Washington DC. Despite all of the drama, this series finale was actually quite poorly received.

Question 8

Which show was created by Greg Daniels and Mike Schur?

Both shows are known for casts that are as talented off-stage as they are on: for example, Mindy Kaling's role on The Office extends way beyond her unforgettable role as office diva Kelly Kapoor, as she worked as one of the show's head writers. Likewise, BJ Novak, who plays Kapoor's (and Michael's) long-time crush, was one of the show's original writers. In Parks and Rec, Amy Poehler contributed similarly. But which show started with comedians Greg Daniels and Mike Schur?

Question 9

A couple's dinner party ends with a visit from the cops

This episode might just give screen time to the worst triple date ever. Two office couples are invited to dinner at the boss's, though his own relationship proves not-quite-show-off-able. To make matters worse, a fourth couple arrives uninvited, bringing their own food, and irritating an already upset hostess. The evening is long, dinner isn't served until almost midnight, and the guests make excuses in hopes of leaving. But the night's drama really peaks after the hostess throws a beloved item at her beau's new flat screen TV, causing the neighbours to call the cops over the ruckus.

Question 10

An unlikely employee runs across burning coal

Nobody would have seen it coming, but this sweet and timid employee ends the third season with a bold move. At the end of a mandatory beach day, the boss of this office gets the thought that s/he might be promoted, and needs to find a replacement. Searching for someone to fill big shoes, this boss has their employees take on some crazy challenges: they fight in sumo suits, they do an egg race in blindfold, and they have to walk on burning coals. But everyone rejects this crazy offer, except an unlikely observer.

Question 11

A character named Andy is a proud musician

Both shows come with their share of musical "talent", and both have their share of secret musicians. In Parks and Rec, Ron is eventually found to be a secret jazz star, undercutting his macho, anti-art persona, while Kevin from The Office is the drummer in cover-bad Scrantonicity. While neither are revealed until late in their respective series, other office rockers are a little more upfront about their musical history. Which show has a character named Andy who is totally proud of his musical alter-ego.

Question 12

A potential cancer diagnosis is undercut by a birthday

In this slightly cringe-worthy ep, a birthday (spoiler: it's the bosses, no less) is supposed to be the centre of attention. So when an employee reveals that he might have cancer and his coworkers avert their attention, this boss becomes butt-hurt and jealous. In order to distract from the bad news (and redirect attention to the birthday), the crew leaves work and goes to an ice skating birthday party. Luckily, it's here that they get the news that their coworker is cancer free, but the gang is still disappointed in their bosses narcissism.

Question 13

The classic line "Treat Yo Self" was born

Was it Parks and Rec or The Office that spawned the phrase that's now a pop culture staple? In this episode, two employees embark on an epic day of consumption, and if one of them ever second guesses their purchases, the other is right behind them with the motto: Treat Yo Self. The line also corresponds with these two characters advancing from supporting, secondary characters to some of the show's most loved. But who was it that first uttered these famous words?

Question 14

Ben Franklin is expected to strip

The office goes a little R rated when trying to host an at-work bachelorette party for a soon to be bride. Elsewhere in the building, a bachelor's party for the same couple hires a stripper to come to work. Since the parties are supposed to be equal, a stripper is hired for the upstairs bachelorette party as well, but a sneaky coworker calls for a Ben Franklin impersonator instead. Humoured by the mixup, the party's ladies try to make Ben answer some risqué questions about his love history.

Question 15

The boss boycotts the company to start their own

In the fifth season of this show, an especially hilarious subplot derives when the company hires a new CEO. This guy means business, and is totally disturbed by the way the office is run. With his no-nonsense attitude, he sets to make big changes, which the branch's boss is not happy about. Ultimately deciding that it is no longer workable, a few coworkers team together and start their own alternative company. With a lack of finances to rent a space, they set up shop in the janitor's closet.

Question 16

The gang plays "yankee swap" to ditch an oven mitt

Everything is set for a perfect round of secret santa: each character has bought a perfect, personalized, and thoughtful gift for their chosen coworker. But when the boss gifts a 200$ iPod to his office fave, and is gifted a homemade oven mitt in return, he decides that Christmas is ruined and throws a total tantrum. Hoping to swap off his gift for a better one, "secret santa" becomes "yankee swap", and the whole crew fights for the best gift.

Question 17

An employee pursues their own business: "Rent-A-Swag"

The business ideas of this ambitious character include: Disco Dairy (butter with glitter in it), laundry detergent with glitter in it, a tuxedo line for babies, and The Bistro, a nightclub based on the idea that “the word bistro is classy as shit". But which character pulled these business ventures? Was it creative Pam or ambitious Jim from The Office? Or adventurous Tom from Parks and Rec? Or maybe it was Michael Scott himself, taking his entrepreneurial skills somewhere new.

Question 18

A coworker gets shot in the head

The crew goes on a work camping trip, and the girls try to prove that they are just as capable at hunting as the boys are. But as things start to get especially competitive and chaotic, a distressed coworker yells out in pain, only to reveal that he has been shot in the back of the head. Determined to figure out who the culprit is, he blames a female employee, stating that girls don't know how to aim. She takes the fall, but it is later revealed to not have been her at all, but one of the boys.

Question 19

Tension is resolved through staff karaoke

Karaoke is an easy way to get goofy and loose, so it works both for office bonding and for conflict resolution. Which of these shows taught us that its also be the perfect resolution for both? Heres a hint: in this episode, tension between a character who feels left out and neglected is eased when invited to sing with a coworker. They never explicitly address the issue, but in their shared moment of calm we know that things are going to be okay.

Question 20

Someones online dating username is "Little Kid Lover"

"Little Kid Lover" probably isn’t the best idea for a dating site username if you're trying to keep things cool and low-key, but this boss is completely positive that his new username will show off his sweet and sensitive side, as well as "where his priorities are at". This line doesn't really get any further attention after this scene, so if you recognize this one-liner then you've really proven that you're a die hard of the show. But which show is it?

Question 21

A Venezuelan delegate is played by Fred Armisen

This classic season two ep sets the stage for much of what's to come for the rest of the show: especially between two lovers. Besides being an important plot point, this episode guest stars Fred Armisen as a Venezuelan delegate. He is welcomed enthusiastically by the office and its leader, but acts disrespectfully toward Pawnee and the United States. There are a ton of cultural clashes, as the rest of the visitors expect workers in the office to act as their servants during their stay.

Question 22

A local politician is publicly shamed for having sex in a cave

When the crew gets to work one morning, they are told to gather and watch media coverage of a local congressman who has admitted to having four-way sex in a Brazilian cave. The reason for his trip to Brazil? He was pretending to "build houses for the underprivileged". This scandal sends the office into their own frenzy, and prompts the department to start a game where everyone tries to find the juiciest dirt on one another. As one might predict, this ends in some unwanted secrets coming to surface.

Question 23

Jack Black and Jessica Alba star in an illegially downloaded film

This two-part episode is known as one of the best of the series. It begins when a fire drill becomes a real safety hazard, and the stress induced causes an employee to have a heart attack. Following the attack, the crew is set to complete a series of CPR and health trainings. In the meantime, an interesting subplot unfolds as various employees ditch the training to illegally download a new film. This film stars Jack Black, Jessica Alba, and Cloris Leachman, who don't interact with the characters themselves, but who become a main investment of the episode. If you can remember this detail in the midst of an extremely hectic set of episodes, you are a true fan.

Question 24

A cat crazy coworker installs a nanny cam for her newest kitty

This character is known as both the office stickler and the office cat lady. Loyalty to her babies is strong throughout the series, and particularly tested when a boyfriend intentionally kills her cat in an "act of humanity". But when she gets a new, award-winningly beautiful kitty and installs a nanny cam to watch over it, the other employees realize that her obsession has gone too far. This character does not ultimately end up alone with just her cats, though it often seems likely. Do you know who it is?

Question 25

The most hated employee lives to 100

Here's a tough one for the last q: do you know which most-hated employee is revealed to live until 100? This revelation takes place on the series' last episode ever, in which various looks into the future show where each character supposedly ends up post show. Funnily, this character does not only out-live the rest, but does so as mayor of the town, a position which is totally unpredictable considering his lack of popularity and total incompetence in the office.

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