5. “Live Ammo” on “Parks and Recreation”

By Matthew Gilbert, Globe Staff

The entire fourth season of this lovable sitcom was a spoof of political campaigns, perfectly timed to serve as light commentary on the real presidential election. This episode, though, also goofed on a fake presidential election — on “The West Wing.” Bradley Whitford, Josh from “The West Wing,” played the outgoing councilman asking for budget cuts in the parks department; he and Leslie do a classic “West Wing” walk-and-talk shot; and he has an inspirational napkin framed in his office, as did President Bartlett. Even the title of the episode is from a “West Wing” line, spoken by Sam Seaborn, played by Rob Lowe, who is in the “Parks and Recreation” ensemble. In this episode, Leslie gets bad press for inadvertently closing an animal shelter, and April and Andy get a house full of animals.