{alltv} Emmys 2011: 'Parks and Recreation' co-creator Michael Schur trying not to panic

The outstanding comedy series Emmy nomination for "Parks and Recreation" on Thursday (July 14) capped what co-creator Michael Schur calls "a weird and twisty year for us."

Now, Schur has two months to spend preparing to fend off a potential panic attack at the awards. More on that in a second; first, the "weird and twisty" part.

Season 3 of "Parks and Rec" began production right after Season 2 ended last spring to accommodate star (and Emmy nominee) Amy Poehler's pregnancy. "We shot the extra episodes, then she had the baby, then we moved to midseason and the season was cut short," Schur tells Zap2it. "We kind of made the season a little bit in the dark about what the future of the show was, so it was just a nice P.S. to the whole season that people liked it."

Now, about the panicky part: During his time on "The Office," Schur was twice nominated for outstanding writing for a comedy, and in 2007 his colleague Greg Daniels was as well. He relates what it felt like going to the Emmys that year:

"You can talk all you want about how nominations are victories -- and they are. But when you're actually there and your category comes up, I do get very nervous," he says. "[In 2007] I was fairly sure Greg was going to win -- as well he should have -- so I went into going, 'That's so nice I was nominated.' But when they came over and said your category is next, I had what amounts to a panic attack. ...

"I had sort of half-heartedly thought about what I might say, but again, I was so sure Greg was going to win that I didn't think about it too hard. Suddenly I had this image of myself trying to give a speech and completely blanking and staring straight ahead for 30 seconds, and having it be something that's replayed for the rest of time as the worst moment in the history of awards shows. Then," he adds with a laugh, "Greg won and everything was fine."

If "Parks and Rec" were to win best comedy series this year, Schur, as showrunner, would likely be making the acceptance speech on behalf of the cast and crew. He says he'll probably put something down on paper beforehand just in case.

"Just getting nominated, for me and this show and the circumstances we were in, it really does feel like its own victory," he says. "I'm incredibly proud of everyone on the whole team and everyone who contributed. Not expecting to win, but just to ward off that panic attack I will prepare some kind of [speech]. Or maybe I'll just have Amy do it."