There are scores of TV shows out there, with dozens of new episodes each week, not to mention everything you can find on Hulu Plus, Netflix streaming, and HBO Go. How’s a viewer to keep up? To help you sort through all that television has to offer, Flavorwire is compiling the five best moments on TV each week. This round, Parks and Rec brings on the tears while the Oscars bring on the facepalms.
Leslie Knope Is Ready
None of us were emotionally prepared for the series finale of Parks and Recreation, and none of us got out of “One Last Ride” dry-eyed. Taking us through the characters’ futures one by one, the super-sweet sitcom showed us everyone’s happy ending: Donna’s nonprofit, Tom’s self-help empire, April and Andy’s growing family, Ron’s gig as the head of Pawnee’s national park, and most importantly, Leslie’s tenure as governor of Indiana. And then we left Pawnee, forever…
RIP Lil Sebastian (Also, Parks)
… after this immediately post-finale reunion on Seth Meyers’ show, where the entire cast sang “Bye, Bye Lil Sebastian” with Chris Pratt on guitar. You might want to make sure you’re in a crying-safe zone before hitting play.
?uestlove Does the Oscars
There’s plenty to complain about re: last Sunday’s ceremony — Birdman for best original screenplay? David Oyelowo “definitely deserves to be here”? That entire bit with Olivia Spencer? — but this is about top moments, so let’s focus on the positive: the adorable, guest-star-packed, very un-Oscars performance of The Lego Movie‘s “Everything Is Awesome.” Like the movie itself, the song got robbed in the end, but at least it got to bring in the Lonely Island first.
Jamal Comes Out
One of Empire‘s most affecting plot lines follows Jamal’s conflict with his father, and with himself, over his homosexuality. In this week’s episode, Jamal didn’t just start seeing someone new after the end of his last relationship over his refusal to come out — he came out in spectacular fashion, by retooling the pronouns in the lyrics of Lucious’ hit “You’re So Beautiful” for a performance at a White Party. It’s a triumphant, beautifully shot performance sequence, one that brings Jamal’s character to new heights.
LLAMAS!!!!
The inspiring story of two llamas trying to escape into the Arizona wilderness, brought to the Internet by Phoenix’s local ABC affiliate, Channel 15! Who said local broadcasting was dead? (Eventually, both llamas were recaptured and are hopefully leading a safe, comfortable life away from the prying eyes of social media.)