(S02E15) I have no idea why, out of all the controversies in the world right now, that the folks at 'Parks and Recreation' decided to tackle corn syrup, but I loved it. This was actually a well-done episode about something that many people consider to be a problem: companies taking over vending machines in places like schools and other public places. Even though it actually had a bit of a message, it still managed to be hilarious.

Leslie is kind of everybody's mom: whether it's not letting Ron drink and drive (drinking and harp assembly is another matter entirely), or helping Anne educate Pawnee about the dangers of kids becoming fat, happy and docile by shoving high-fructose corn syrup bars into their gaping maws.She's just trying to make her little part of the world a better place, and it's endearing.

Also endearing is how nice the people of Pawnee are. Speaking as someone who moves at least once a year, it has never been as easy for me to get help moving as it was for Tom, even though I have the decency to pack up my pocket squares in safe and secure packaging before my helpers come over. I understand that it must suck for Mark to have a truck, because he's constantly getting roped into things like this, but that's why he should just do what my dad does. Toss the keys at whomever needs to use the truck and tell them to have a nice day.

So let's talk about the things that weren't so endearing: April's boyfriends. It's no surprise that they made fun of Andy, because they are just like April, and April is exactly the type of person who would make fun of Andy -- until she inexplicably started having feelings for him. What surprised me is that she seemed to let their opinions color her own judgment at the end there. While they were still at Tom's, it looked like she was going to distance herself from them and their catty ways. In the end, maybe April decided that it's easier to just stick with what's safe and familiar.

But back to the high-fructose corn syrup for a moment: the reason this storyline worked so well is because everything the Sweetums people said is pretty much taken directly from the corn refiners' handbook. The first time I saw their commercial promoting high-fructose corn syrup as anything remotely healthy, I thought it was a joke. The woman is pouring what looks to be cherry drink into a glass! Is there actually anybody on the face of this planet who thinks that stuff is anywhere approaching the levels of something that won't kill you?

She even says the line that was used in this episode: "and like sugar, it's fine in moderation." You can check out the actual corn syrup promo below:

Watch more YouTube videos on AOL Video