Amy Poehler

When show creators Greg Daniels and Michael Schur were trying to decide on a location in which to set their NBC comedy "Parks and Recreation," they struggled to find the perfect state. After nixing the soaring mountains of Idaho and Montana because the scenery couldn't be re-created in Southern California, they turned their attention to the Midwest. "What we really wanted was a state or a location that didn't skew the audience in a particular direction," Schur says.

The many faces of Amy Poehler made Emmy history Thursday. The "Saturday Night Live" cast member became the first performer in that show's 33-year history to score a nomination in an acting category. Poehler is nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. "There are other people on the show who should have been nominated before now," she said. "I am very excited." A change in Emmy rules opened up the acting category for the first time to members of the sketch comedy show.

RE "The Gal Pal Gamble" [April 20]: I have often enjoyed Paul Brownfield's writing, but . . . what? He wants to extend and embellish the stereotype of "Women Can't Make Money for Investors," or carry a comedy? "The unwritten rule of Hollywood comedies is like that classic admonition given boxers . . . women weaken legs"? "It seems unusual . . . illegal . . . for two females . . . to have the leads in a buddy comedy." (What about two males . . . like they always succeed?) "[Amy Poehler]

NEW YORK -- Bessie Higgenbottom, the newest character to join the Nickelodeon lineup, may seem familiar to many parents who tune in with their children to watch her debut Saturday morning. Perhaps that's because the Honeybee trooper, voiced by "Saturday Night Live's" Amy Poehler, resembles a character Poehler did a decade ago on the sketch comedy show "Upright Citizens Brigade."

The unwritten rule of Hollywood comedies is like that classic admonition given boxers the night before a fight: Women weaken legs. Here the legs are a movie's potential at the box office. Which is why it seems unusual -- if not illegal -- for two females, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, to have the leads in a buddy comedy, "Baby Mama," opening Friday.

We will talk about: "Drillbit Taylor." The year of Judd Apatow-produced films begins with this funny-looking flick about three nerdy kids who hire a bodyguard to protect them from a bully. Owen Wilson plays the bodyguard -- a good choice, we think. The script is co-written by Seth Rogen and Kristofor Brown (who used to write for "Undeclared"). We're still more excited for "Pineapple Express," but this could be a winner. (Friday) -- You might talk about: "Miss/Guided." We've been hearing a lot about how women are funny lately, thanks to that Vanity Fair cover with Sarah Silverman, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. We haven't checked to see if actress-comedian Judy Greer is mentioned deeper in the magazine, but we know she should be. She's hilarious in everything she's been in. This week Fox debuts "Miss/Guided" starring Greer as a woman who returns to her high school alma mater as a guidance counselor.

What you'll be talking about: "Shrek the Third." So what makes this "Shrek" different from all other "Shreks"? A cavalcade of new familiar voices, including Justin Timberlake, Regis Philbin, Amy Poehler, Seth Rogen, Amy Sedaris and John Krasinski (sweet Jim from "The Office"). (Friday) What you might be sick of talking about: Kim Basinger.