THINGS TO DO

Every time Joe Biden appeared on 'Parks and Recreation'

Portrait of Jenny Porter Tilley Jenny Porter Tilley
Indianapolis Star

If debates and press conferences haven't met your Joe Biden needs yet, there's another way you can see him.

A running gag throughout NBC's "Parks and Recreation," based in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, continuously references main character Leslie Knope's fascination with Joe Biden. At one point, she describes her ideal man as having "the brains of George Clooney and the body of Joe Biden."

Co-creator Mike Schur told Entertainment Tonight in 2014 that the idea of Leslie's crush was pitched casually, but then took hold and the references continued.

"It just sort of took hold," Schur told ET, "and once you give a writers room a bone like that, they are just going to chew it forever."

By season five, the show's creators were able to organize a cameo during Biden's vice presidency. He'd also return for the show's season finale. Here's which episodes to watch.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

More from Pawnee:'Parks and Recreation' started Galentine's Day. Here's what episodes to watch.

Season 5, Episode 7: 'Leslie vs. April'

In the cold open of this 2012 episode, Ben (Adam Scott) and Leslie (Amy Poehler) are standing in front of the White House, which Leslie refers to as the couple's future house. Ben, her fiance, says he has an engagement present for her.

"Is it a waffle tower?" she asks.

"I mean, it's a little better than that," Ben says.

Joe Biden himself is the gift. Ben, who's been working as a campaign manager in Washington, D.C., has arranged for Leslie to meet the then-vice president.

More from Pawnee:The 15 best Hoosier Moments in 'Parks and Recreation'

Season 7, Episode 12: 'One Last Ride'

In the series finale, a flash forward to 2025 shows Leslie and Ben at a dinner party hosted by Joe and Jill Biden. Jill calls out Leslie for talking about work during social events. In an exchange out of earshot, Joe complains about how long Leslie stayed at a previous party.

Where you can watch 'Parks & Recreation'

All episodes are streaming on the Peacock app.