A&E.com
I didn’t care for this series so much the first time or two I watched it. But the slice-of-life quality about it has a way of working on me. Plus, I’ve had the experience of trying to find a parking spot in Center City, Philadelphia. Unlike many of the folks featured on the show, my quandary was trying to find a legal space where I wouldn’t be ticketed or towed.
Since Philadelphia, with so many narrow one-way streets, has such limited parking spots for a large city, it’s the perfect location for this series. While my own town has a parking authority and its designated ticketing people, it couldn’t make for a series as the city might own two boots and rarely tow cars. But Philly is a different story. And, not only that, it’s a tale of red tape and bureaucracy worse than most motor vehicle departments. I must like to watch others suffer, eh?
Another draw to the series is the group of employees on the show. Almost better and sometimes quirkier than scripted sitcom characters, they show that real life at times can be more entertaining than scripted. There’s the older woman with her hair up in a bun who likens herself to a Gabor sister or someone of that ilk. There’s the story-telling softhearted guy who has a crush on his partner. There’s the guy who took the job out of high school and you can see him working in it for all of his days.
The show reminds me of the relationship cops had back in the days of foot beats although the PA folks aren’t cops at all. It’s that kind of interaction with the people on their “beat” which brings a lot to the show. Sure, sometimes it’s a love-hate relationship. But that goes with the territory. Heck, most of the PA folks even like dogs although they’ll ticket the car in a New York minute anyway.
Clacked by Jackie Schnoop 
on Nov 21, 2008 @ 09:00 EST5EDT
I’ve seen one or two episodes and find it mildly amusing, but what shocked the crap out of me is that one of the parking guys went to school with me! Nothing like turning on A&E and seeing an alumni ;)