Jim o’heir announces new book about parks and recreation, including ’highs and lows' of the beloved sitcom (exclusive)

Jim o’heir announces new book about parks and recreation, including ’highs and lows' of the beloved sitcom (exclusive)


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Jim O’Heir is taking readers back to Pawnee. The _Parks and Recreation_ actor, 62, exclusively shared the cover of his new book, _Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles and Parks


and Recreation_, with PEOPLE. Forthcoming from William Morrow this fall, the book details the sitcom’s lasting impact, as well as O’Heir’s experience on the show, from his initial audition


to the series finale. O'Heir played the ever-positive Jerry Gergich on the sitcom, which followed the employees of a fictional Indiana town's Parks department, and ran from 2009 to


2015 on NBC. Though the actor has appeared in numerous well-known television shows, including _Curb Your Enthusiasm _and _Brooklyn Nine-Nine_, O’Heir says there was something special about


his time in Pawnee. “I’ve seen some ‘showbiz’ craziness over the years,” O’Heir said in a statement. “I’ve been on sets where tensions were high and morale was low. Then came _Parks and


Recreation_. I had never experienced such kindness and collaboration with other actors, writers, crew and producers.” O’Heir, along with _Parks_ costars Chris Pratt, Rob Lowe, Retta and show


creators Greg Daniels and Mike Schur, will explore the origins of the show, as well as the brilliance of its cast, which also starred Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. Additionally, the book


will feature new stories about the stars, like birthday celebrations at Rashida Jones’ house and bonfires in Nick Offerman’s backyard. The heart of the book, however, is O’Heir’s


appreciation for the dedication of the show’s fans, both old and new, especially as _Parks_ celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. “The _Parks_ fan base is incredibly loyal and always


has tons of questions for me about what went on behind the scenes,” O’Heir added. “I’ve written this book to give them a peek into the world of how a great sitcom gets made. I want to share


with them what it was like to work with the amazing cast and crew day after day, as well as the highs and the lows of a show that was always on the brink of cancellation.” With


O'Heir's nostalgia-fueled recollections of the show — he is also the co-host of the _Parks and Recollections_ podcast — the author has one goal in mind for this new book. “My hope


is that, after reading this book, the fans will feel even more connected to the show they fell in love with,” he said. NEVER MISS A STORY — SIGN UP FOR PEOPLE'S FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER TO


STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THE BEST OF WHAT PEOPLE HAS TO OFFER​​, FROM CELEBRITY NEWS TO COMPELLING HUMAN INTEREST STORIES. __ Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles and Parks and


Recreation will hit shelves on Nov. 19 and is now available for preorder.