Sweetums (Parks and Recreation)

"**Sweetums**"
"Sweetums"
Parks and Recreation episode
Episode no.	Season 2; Episode 15
Directed by	Dean Holland
Written by	Alan Yang
Original air date	February 4, 2010
Guest appearances
	Josh Duvendeck as Ben; Harley Graham as Dakota Newport; Ryan Hartwig as Denver Newport; Blake Lee as Derek; Don McManus as Randall; Christopher Murray as Nick Newport Sr.; Jim O'Heir as Jerry Gergich; Phil Reeves as Paul Iaresco; Retta as Donna Meagle; Justin Theroux as Justin Anderson; Gary Weeks as Nick Newport Jr.; Jama Williamson as Wendy Haverford;
Episode chronology
← Previous; "Leslie's House"	Next →; "Galentine's Day"
	Parks and Recreation season 2
	List of episodes

"Sweetums" is the 15th episode of the second season of the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation, and the 21st overall episode of the series. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on February 4, 2010. In the episode, the Parks and Recreation Department hosts a public forum to discuss a sponsorship agreement with local candy manufacturer, Sweetums. Leslie and Ann warn the public of the dangers of supposedly nutritious snack bars called "Nutriyums", which are filled with simple sugars, notably high fructose corn syrup.

The episode was written by Alan Yang and directed by Dean Holland. "Sweetums" addressed several issues including the politics of corporate sponsorship, the use of propaganda and free gifts to manipulate public opinion, and the dangers of corn syrup-related products, which are regularly available in vending machines at public places, such as schools, parks or municipal buildings.

The episode featured a guest performance by Justin Theroux as Leslie's boyfriend, Justin Anderson. According to Nielsen Media Research, "Sweetums" was seen by 4.87 million households, and drew the season's highest rating among viewers aged between 18 and 49. The episode received positive reviews from critics.