The Internet has seen its fair share of Jerry supporters and haters. As the joke of the office, Pawnee’s Parks and Rec. Department bullies Jerry Gergich insistently. But does he deserve it? As the office manager, Jerry seems to really love the work he’s doing but the real thing he wants is for his co-workers to like him. Unfortunately for Jerry, it’s hard to get this crazy gang of co-workers to like you when you’re a clutz who constantly drops things and farts at awkward times.
Nevertheless, most viewers pointed out that they hate how much the Parks and Recreation Department bullies Jerry. He was such a sweet-natured man who would do anything for the staff who treats him so poorly. Sigh.
Today we’re taking a look at 10 of the worst things the office has done to Jerry (real name: Gary) over seven seasons. At least the show ended with him coming out on top, right?
SCARED HIM INTO A FART-ATTACK
In the fifth season, Leslie was having a hard time doing long distance with Ben. To make her feel better, Ann decided they should pull a prank on Tom after he left the Halloween party to go to the restroom.
The two women stood outside the door and screamed at whoever exited the bathroom first, which sadly, happened to be Jerry. While petrified, he laughed at first before falling to the ground holding his heart. The poor man was having a heart attack after being scared off guard. To make matters worse, he kept farting during his heart attack, which gave the office ammo to make fun of him for. Poor Jerry — he couldn’t help it!
THE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER
Early on in Parks and Rec., we learn that the park has hummingbird feeders and that it was the Parks and Rec. Department’s job in filling the feeder for the birds. The office would write their name on a piece of paper and toss it in a hat where a name was pulled blindly. In this episode, Jerry’s name was pulled and he seemed anything but thrilled because he seems to always do it.
As it turns out, Leslie, Tom, and others all put Jerry’s name on the piece of paper instead of their own, making Jerry feed the birds constantly. And as we all know, it was in this episode where Jerry fell into the pond and hurt his shoulder and blamed it on being mugged…
WHEN APRIL DISCLOSED SOME PERSONAL INFORMATION
In the “Time Capsule” episode, we see the parks and rec. crew deciding what to put in the time capsule. There was also a large debate with the city to find what was deemed appropriate to put into the capsule that wouldn’t be opened for years and years to come.
Jerry decided to put his mother’s diaries into the capsule so that Pawnee could see what life was like from her point of view. Sadly, April saw these diaries as a joke and read an entry which read that when Jerry was a child, he was in his school’s production of Peter Pan, he played the part of Tinker Belle…
ANDY CHOSE HIM TO BE ATTACKED BY MINIATURE NINJAS
Fans of Parks and Recreation were proud of Andy when he realized his potential with music and children. As a large kid himself, creating a kids’ TV series was the perfect job for him.
Part of his performance showed the set getting mail from Mailman Barry (aka Jerry). But when Andy yells “Ninjas, attack!” Jerry is seen saying “No!” with a sad look on his face. The poor man is then attacked by five little kids dressed as ninjas.
WHEN THE GANG KEPT HIM WORKING WHEN HE DIDN’T HAVE TO
In the third season, we learn that Leslie wrote a book—Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America. While promoting her book, she learns that some people are claiming the book is inaccurate. To prove everyone wrong, Leslie asks the office to help her find the flaw in the book. Everyone begins scrambling around, double-checking all of Leslie’s facts.
Eventually, though, Leslie decides to ignore the rumors and naysayers and says even though she wasn’t born in Pawnee, Pawnee is her home and she stands by her book. She tells the whole office to stop double-checking her facts… everyone except Jerry. Jerry continued to work well after Leslie told everyone to stop. She didn’t have the heart to tell him she didn’t need his efforts anymore so just didn’t say anything at all. Not cool, Leslie. Not cool.
LESLIE MADE HIM WORK IN A TENT
It’s flu season in season six and since Lelie is a workhorse, she can’t afford to be sick. Knowing both Andy and Jerry already have the flu, she decides to make Jerry work in a flu tent so he can’t infect the other workers. Did Andy work in a tent? Nope!
Granted, Andy isn’t always in the parks and rec. offices, but still. Jerry didn’t want to be in a tent!
APRIL AND ANDY EGGING HIS HOUSE ON HALLOWEEN
As fans find out, Jerry has a very fulfilling home life outside of the office. He’s married to a gorgeous wife who adores him and has three stunning daughters. He has an immaculate home and overall, can’t complain! He just wishes his work-life matched his life at home.
When Andy was working in London for a few months, April couldn’t help but miss him. As she sat in the courtyard with Chris and Jerry, she explained how Halloween was their favorite time of year because they would dress up and egg Jerry’s house. As always, Jerry is stunned and didn’t know it was April. To make matters worse, April disregards him and tells him to stop listening to her because her words were intended for Chris…
THEY TEASED HIS MURAL!
Pawnee’s city government decided they were in desperate need for a new mural. Most of the murals in city hall were rather inappropriate, showcasing some of Pawnee’s darker past. In an effort to bring a new mural to light, each department had to come together and create a new mural. The department with the best mural would then have theirs hung in the city hall hallways.
Surprisingly, everyone’s mural really sucked – everyone but Jerry’s. His was a masterpiece but the department discredited him and his artwork after he said “murinal” instead of mural.
BEING CALLED THE WRONG NAME CONSTANTLY
It’s in the fourth season that we learn Jerry’s real name is Garry! In “The Trial of Leslie Knope,” Leslie calls Jerry by the wrong name, and since it’s a trial, he corrected her by saying his real name is Garry. His former boss called him Jerry instead of Garry and the name stuck.
The department obviously made fun of him for this too, calling him every name that rhymes with Garry except for his real name.
WHEN TOM TOOK JERRY’S SPECIAL MOMENT FROM LESLIE AND BEN’S WEDDING
Leslie and Ben decided to get married on a whim in front of their closest friends and family after a town fundraiser. Tom decided he would be the officiant because he’s a man of many words. He takes the exam online but he won’t be certified for a few days.
This is where Jerry came in to save the day as he’s a certified officiant. Sadly, no one wanted him marrying Leslie and Ben so he was forced to read Tom’s script, and later, pushed aside completely so all he had to do was sign the paper. At least he was apart of the big day, though, right?
