Favorite 'Parks and Rec' Memories

[00:00] . [00:04] Hello everyone, welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We are continuing our clip package episodes and this is the second of three, so we will be back with new episodes and guests in just two weeks. But this week we are putting together an amazing episode of all of the people from Parks and Recreation who have come into the studio and sat and talked to us. [00:34] Plaza, Adam Scott, and please know there are more coming. In fact, a little teaser, we do have Nick Offerman joining us in season two. [00:44] of this... [00:45] podcast. If there are seasons and podcasts, we are insisting there are. And so you're going to hear from all of these people today. And the reason why we're doing these, um, [00:56] these clip shows is because I am finishing up shooting a new show for Peacock called Dig with my buddy Mike Schur, who, as we all know, created Parks and Rec. So let's kick off this episode by hearing from Mike Schur first. [01:19] This episode of Good Hang is presented by Subaru. [01:26] take that to a whole new level with up to 597 miles per tank in the Crosstrek Hybrid, a car that I've given my family, and up to 581 miles per tank in the Forrester Hybrid, another car that I also enjoy. Subaru. Love goes the extra mile. Visit Subaru.com slash hybrid to learn more. Range based on EPA estimated combined fuel economy and full tank of fuel. Actual mileage

[01:56] may vary in the very very beginning the idea for the spinoff of the office or was it even an idea for spinoff was what well so ben silverman ben silverman was running nbc and they asked he asked greg to like do a spinoff and so greg's response typically thoughtful and considered was i would [02:26] If the best idea... [02:28] that I have for a show is a spinoff, then I will do a spinoff. If the best idea I have is something else, I'll do something else. Greg is a real, one of the main things that he gave me in terms of how to do this job is best idea wins. Doesn't matter who it comes from. If it's staff writer or a 25 year veteran co-EP or a person who works in costumes or whatever, best idea wins. That's [02:58] day wins. And so that's what he said basically to Ben. And he was like, it's very important to me that you understand that if the best idea I have is not a [03:05] spinoff of the office uh then we're gonna do something else and ben was like totally hear you buddy and the next day in the variety it was like office spinoff is coming then just totally ignoring him and just announced an office spinoff sure so uh so greg and i started meeting greg asked me to do with him so we started meeting we would go to norm's a diner in the valley uh like twice a week for breakfast and we would just think of ideas and we would talk about what interested us

[03:35] down a little path and then hit a dead end and then inch back. And we would, we just met constantly over showing your work. We met, [03:42] all the time, forever. And eventually... [03:46] Thank you. [03:47] Came up with the idea of like, you know, and by the way, just to say it, some of the ideas we talked about were off the spinoffs. There were like Craig Robinson and Rainn Wilson and all these people on the show who could clearly be in their own show. So we talked about family shows with them or whatever. Greg was, I think, wary of taking assets away from a show that was very successful in part because of its large, rich cast. [04:11] We stumbled upon this idea of like, okay, Dunder Mifflin on The Office is a fake company and it's a way to satirize the private sector. What if we create a whole fake town and satirize the public sector? And as we're having that idea, the world economy goes kablooey and they're talking about like massive government bailouts. And we start to realize that like the government – [04:32] obviously federal really, but also state and local was like going to be very present in people's lives. Like people were going to be like looking to the government for help. So we started getting excited about that. [04:44] I had this idea for an abandoned lot that would be turned into a park over the course of the entire... [04:49] run of the show, very wire-y idea. I was obsessed with The Wire, as were you. Yeah, we share that. And I thought the way that The Wire... [05:01] portrayed like calcified systems and how slow gears grind and stuff was fascinating to me. And I thought it would be really funny where in the, if it, if you did a show that ideally lasts for a long time and in the pilot, it's like, we're going to do this. And then it literally doesn't get done until the very end of like nine years later.

[05:17] So, [05:18] that was the idea that I really liked. Greg then was like, what if it's not a lot? What if there's like a giant hole in the ground? What if it's a pit? And I was like, that's so much better. And so that idea of all the 73 ideas we had started to like fizzy, fizzy up. And it obviously is not a spinoff of the office and, [05:35] Greg, true to his word, was like, this is what we want to do. [05:38] At some point we called you because we heard you were leaving and you were like, I'm theoretically interested in this. Let me know. [05:46] The show was given a guaranteed 13-episode order, which now is very commonplace at the time was like... [05:53] insane. [05:54] And the office was going to be on after the Super Bowl that year. [05:59] And this show is going to launch after The Office. [06:02] Then you call this back and said, actually, sorry, prego. That's exactly what you said. You said prego. I sent you a telegraph. I said, prego, stop. [06:14] Shows off, stop. And it was like, well, you're going to give birth like the week we have to shoot this. So no go. [06:21] And then like, I remember very clearly two weeks later, I went into Greg's office and I was like, you know, [06:26] And there's no, like we had, we were working on the show at that point, pretty strenuously. And I was just like, I just don't think there's anyone but polar who can do this. And he was like, I had the same thought last night and very quickly, I, [06:38] We made a phone call to NBC and said, if we can get Amy for this, we will give up seven of the 13 guaranteed episodes because we'd only be able to make six. Dang. And give up the Super Bowl slot. Boy, you guys. And I'm so appreciative you did. I mean, the thing was, it was actually a very simple decision because we were like, you know.

[06:56] getting Amy Poehler on your show is a long-term decision. Like that's a decision you make for like this year. [07:02] what you hope will be a very long chunk of time. Like the Superbowl slot is a short-term decision. It's like, yeah, you'll get this like frisson of, of energy, but like, it doesn't last. Like no one ever, like very rarely does that determine the fate of a TV show. Yeah. [07:18] And so we then called you back and said, what if you could start shooting three months after you give birth? And then we made the show. And it proved to be the most satisfying creative experience I've ever had. [07:31] And I like than this podcast. No, this is my number one. Number two. Yeah. I mean, besides this. Now, one of the ways like very concrete ways that is I feel like an example of what I'm talking about, which is like the joy in the details is the way you like to name characters. Yeah. Yeah. [07:50] And I think you gave me, I think you allowed me to use this in my book, actually. But you gave me like a list of possible names instead of Leslie Knope, the character I played on Parks and Rec. You gave me a bunch of different alternative names. But you also love to name names. [08:07] characters left and right. What is fun about names for you and naming? Okay, so it's two things. The first is growing up, first major comedic influence, Monty Python. Monty Python, experts at silly, stupid names, like hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of them. You can go look them up in their sketches.

[08:27] But the actual... [08:29] The actual thing that's going on here is different. So I would go to actors IMDB pages to see what they had been in when we were casting them in the early days of the show. And you would see like woman number two or like man in crowd or guy with sandwich. And it really bummed me out. That person like audition for this and book this gig and drove all the way across town and like put on fake clothes and put on makeup and whatever and had to stand in a certain place, follow a million instructions. [08:59] nine or two [09:00] And then they yelled cut. And then that person drove all the way home and they got paid like $600 for like a week's worth of work. And they should be, there should be something better than man number two or man in crowd. And so I decided at that moment, this is early in season one, I think of Parks and Rec, that every character who appeared on the show was going to have a first and last name. So when you saw... [09:24] Instead of if it says man in crowd, you're like, oh, well, that it doesn't really count as an acting gig. But if you see Marv Vavma, which is a name I gave a character once, you're like, who the hell is Marv Vavma? What was Marv Vavma up to? So I and it has been. [09:41] It started with that intention and has become... [09:44] one of the great, truly one of the great joys of my life. Is to give every, because here's the other thing, sorry, you can cut all this out. But the other thing is, if you name a character... [09:54] um, Jack Smith. Yeah. You can get away with it because there are 10 trillion Jack Smiths. But if you name a character, anything even mildly interesting, like Winona Cooper, there's going to be like four Winona Coopers in the state that you're setting the show. And, and then the legal comes back and says, you can't name a character. That a lot of people don't know that you have to get names cleared, be cleared. And there have to be either none or,

[10:16] or so many that not any one of them could think that you're saying anything about them. So I go for none. Yeah, I go for the weirdest names. [10:27] We had a character recently... [10:30] on the show on a man on the inside named Ophelia Papipa Pepe. There's no Ophelia Papipa Pepe's anywhere in the continental United States. So you get to use that name. [10:40] That has been my goal is to have none, have the Google search come up empty with every name of every character. Okay, with that in mind, will you please read some of these names that you have invented? Yeah. Like just a few here on the bottom of this page. Okay. Mona Lisa Saperstein. Yes. Jenny Slate's character. Yes. [11:02] Do you remember all these? Yeah. Amazing. Trod Frankenstipe. Okay, tell us about Trod. [11:10] or he had a, like, almost like a little show like this in Pawnee, where he would interview political people like Leslie Knope. A great way to come up with a name that doesn't exist is to take a normal name like Todd and then just stick another letter in there somewhere. Trod. And then Frankenstipe is just Frankenstein with a P at the end. Tyrion Fonzarelli. Tyrion Fonzarelli, obviously a combination of two characters from TV history, Tyrion Lannister and Arthur Fonzarelli. [11:40] this. Ah, Panther. Yeah, Panther. Tyrion Fonsorelli was a guy in a jewelry store who was buying an engagement ring for his to be betrothed when Anne and Chris Traeger were shopping for rings. Great. Leslie Knope. Yep. Gretzky Susan Pellegrino. Okay.

[12:04] So, [12:06] Gretzky Susan Pellegrino was like the fourth in a series of names that [12:10] some reason all involved the last name of the greatest hockey player who ever lived, Wayne Gretzky. Yeah. I don't offhand remember who Gretzky Susan Pellegrino is. Also, it should be noted hyphens, [12:20] huge part of my naming process yeah so exciting just a way to get another name in there another name and also there's no way that someone's gonna have this name no one's first name is gretzky susan gretzky hyphen susan typhoon mantelbon oh i love typhoon was uh was donna's hairdresser yep uh type typhoon also matt murray i believe named gave typhoon the first name typhoon we needed a last name where do you go for the last name ricardo mantelbon typhoon mantelbon sasandra [12:50] Okay, so Sandra Sassnorp was, I believe, I could have this wrong, was just Sandra, it was like Sandra Snorp. Okay. And then the legal was like, didn't clear. We found a Sandra Snorp somewhere. So guess what you do? You add five more S's, now you're good. Sandra Sassnorp. [13:07] Summer Oli Kraken Frog Frog. Okay. This is a Monty Python ripoff. Straight up. Okay. Ole, O-L-E with an accent, and... [13:18] I guess just that part. [13:19] There's a Monty Python sketch called, I think, Election Night Special, where they're just going through election results and local elections all over the country. [13:28] And there's a silly party. [13:31] and a sensible party. So all the people in the sensible party have names like John Smith, and all the people in the silly party have very crazy names. And there's also a very silly party...

[13:41] And a slightly silly party. If you want names, go watch that sketch. It'll sate you. Summer Ole Kraken Frog Frog. That's a good one. Frog Frog is a great last name. Great one. Yeah. [13:56] Okay, so do you think some of your best acting was in Parks and Rec when you had to pretend that you didn't know who Genuine was? You know, it's still one of my biggest complaints. I remember we did the table read for that. [14:10] And I was like, no, no, no one's going to buy it because I don't buy it. Okay. Pick anybody else on this cast. [14:18] to try to play that in an honest way. It is so unfair that you're making me do this. It really, yeah, it still hurts. Because how familiar are you with genuine? We were married. [14:34] I mean, you know, I live in 90s R&B. That's where my heart is. It's not here. I mean, it is with you, but for the most part, it's not present. It's in 90s R&B. [14:48] important figure. Yeah. I feel like [14:52] We've had some hard ass laughs. And I was trying to think the other day, like, [14:56] places that we've laughed, deep laughs. And it really does add years to my life. I know that. [15:04] And I wonder if you could tell the story about when we were on Parks and it was because we talk about it. We've talked about it before when we were in Parks and it was the first season. It was the hunting episode. Hmm.

[15:19] And just kind of set up, we were shooting. [15:24] that whole week way far away somewhere in California, you know, [15:28] I don't even remember where. [15:30] And we had to do a scene with Nick Offerman. And that, I think about it sometimes the way that laugh came. It was like... Giggles. It was giggle, giggle, orgasm city. But don't worry, we'll cut that. But what do you remember about it? What do you want? Well, I remember we were, he maybe ate something weird and we were trying to give him Ipecac. Isn't that what it was? So Nick Offerman playing Ron Swanson ate something weird. [15:58] Yeah, I don't remember actually what happened in the show. I was determined as a nurse. I was like, you have to throw up. You can't. You're going to get sick. And he's like, I'm fine. And we were trying to get this liquid in his mouth. And it's Hollywood, so things that happen on camera don't actually happen in real life. So it was written that we hold him down, and he's resisting us, and we give him this thing. [16:28] Like, you don't know. [16:31] You don't know how small you are because I think both of us, like, I'm always like, I'm like a tall person, right? Like I ask people if I feel tall. Yeah, I feel like a tall person, but I'm not. And I'm not. And I'm— How tall are you? Five, three and a half. Yeah, yeah, I'm five two. And Nick is solid. Yeah. He's a solid dude. Yeah, he's like a Midwestern, corn-fed dude. Yeah, dense and, like, muscular. And he—we were trying to hold him down, and he was—

[16:57] whipping us around with such ease like we couldn't we actually the both of us could not hold him down and he was like literally just go and we would just fly off the bed in each direction we could not stop one of us what we each had one arm yeah and he would it felt like just the flick of the wrist because he was being gentle he was being gentle yeah he wasn't he was doing like he wasn't fighting for his life yeah no no and we could not get him to stay down could not could not and i [17:27] Remember that feeling. Also, I think there's something fun about wrestling. Like there is. So good. It's so good. And being thrown around is so fun. Yes. And. [17:37] He was throwing us around. And I feel like I just, like if I was to picture it in my mind, you were just like, like I could just see you going past me in your hair going. And then your legs going. And me, and I just remember like, like, I never see you flying by, which can't be true. [17:57] But I feel like we were tumbling all over the floor. Like every time we got back on the bed, we were like, and we were kind of like... [18:03] We were both trying to be like on top of him and then like just flipping over really quickly. And I think, too, because Nick is such a lovely, gentle guy in general, we knew there was something about us that knew we weren't going to get hurt. It was safe. Yeah. But he was making like grunting bear sounds. [18:21] It was really, really, really fun. That was a really, I mean, I'm trying to think of like, there was so many good crack up moments, crack up moments. I'm 100 years old. What a crack up. But I'm just like, I was like, that spot in Andy and.

[18:37] april's house remember where we could never get a scene done just that one that there's a dead spot yeah yeah it was haunted yeah and then i remember there was one time you were like was she uh because i could not get through it but i really it felt like haunted it did not feel like it was my fault yeah i'm sorry i said that there was i know a couple times i would see bloopers for the show and i'd be like amy no but those days were so long they were they were long and it was fun until it wasn't you're like oh my god it's tempi and we just want to go i know and the and there was a [19:07] care. There was there was a spot in that on that set where anyone who stood there couldn't get their lines. And then, of course, it became self-fulfilling prophecy in many ways. Yeah. But there was just a lot of deep laughs and deep and deep laughs. [19:26] Off camera, like one of the things one of the things I treasure, and there's so many things I treasure about my friendship with you, was that. [19:35] We would be talking like this and we'd be just talking and talking and just like talking about our day and talking about life. And then they would just go action. And then we would just talk like Leslie and Ann and we do our scene and be like, we kind of, I'll speak for myself, kind of knew it, kind of didn't. Right. And then they'd, then they'd cut, they'd work on it and we would just go back to talking. Like it was like a dream job. We filmed in between our conversations. Yeah.

[20:05] pilot and they were doing one of those spy shots and we were in your office and we were talking and it was like you know other people were like oh this is great like this is a thing that really works their friendship we're really going to be able to sell it and we're like uh duh duh no kidding what do you mean i mean they really did base the entire show at the end of the day on the fact that leslie and ann were you know each other's number one yeah yeah [20:30] Not hard to do. No. And... [20:32] What I mean, we've talked about this before, but we when we first started the show, I think it was like. [20:38] It was kind of like [20:40] We were trying to figure out who was going to play what part. [20:43] and who is going to come on board. And, um, [20:48] And kind of like the beginnings of that show were – [20:53] I'll say a little clumsy. Crunchy. Crunchy. Can we talk about it? Yeah, I'd love to. Oh my god. Yeah, it was crunchy. Because I think for, I don't think a lot of people know this, for the beginning, I think we both were... [21:06] Worried that we had taken each other's part. Like, yes. Yeah. So I had been on hold for this untitled podcast. [21:16] thing that Greg and Mike were going to write. And I had done a year on The Office and I [21:23] They let me go, which made sense. It made sense. You had such a tough job there because everybody wanted Jim and Pam. And then guess who shows up? A very likable, cool, and everyone was like, oh, no, wait. I love Karen. It did not feel that way. People did not like me. Like fans were not about it. But they had to create tension for the relationship to be earned later. So I was the third point in the triangle. It's fine. I, like, accept it. But anyway, so Mike was like, we're working on this other show.

[21:53] We don't know what it is yet. Remember, people thought it was like a spinoff of The Office for a second. But anyway, so they kept like kind of decide, like changing the main characters of the show. When they pitch it to me, the boss was a guy. And they didn't know if they were going to cast me or not. But I remember you were extremely pregnant. We'd just gotten back from Italy. [22:15] You and I were in Italy. That's right. We were in Italy and it was very hot. That's right. And a day later, you were like, let's go to lunch. I need to talk to you about something. Do you remember where we went? Pastis. Yes, I do. New York City. I do. [22:30] Oh, God. And I said, let's talk about something. And you say. No, no, no. And I was like, I want you to raise this baby with me. [22:38] It's yours. This baby is yours. I know. That's impossible. And you need to accept it. But you. No, I actually hold this. [22:45] This moment is like a gold standard of friendship and being able to take care of your oneself and the person that you love at the same time. I really do, Polos, because it was what you did and how you did it was very hard because you took me to lunch and said, I'm so sorry, but they offered me the part. Both of us thinking it was the same part I was on hold for being created by a friend of ours. And so I immediately started in pestis.

[23:15] there was something about it where you were like [23:17] I know. I'm sorry, buddy. But you also you didn't like do the thing that I sometimes do where I'm codependent, where I'm like, I know I suck. I'm the worst person. I don't even deserve it. Like whatever I would say to try to make the other person feel better, which doesn't work. You didn't do that. You like held your space and you also comforted me at the same time, which was like a very beautiful thing. I wonder what. [23:39] sure's version of this is let me tell you okay i left him a message almost immediately because i'm not shy i was and i was like oh i'm such an idiot for thinking i could even be on the show like anybody wants me on the show of course i didn't get this like amy is like a you know oh my god what a mean part of yourself very mean very mean that's a that's a person we're trying to um to not invite to the dinner party anymore but um so i called him i was like hey would love to talk to [24:09] I was like, mm-hmm, you want to tell me what's going on? Because it would have been really nice for you to tell me and not Amy to tell me that I wasn't getting this job. And he's like, no, no, no, back up. We changed the boss. It's a woman, and Amy's playing the boss. And I was like, you – oh, my God. Like, we might be working together? Yeah, it kind of went from, oh, no, to, oh, my God, we might be the two women on the show. Yes, yes. And I still wasn't cast because I still had to do a bunch of chemistry reads after that. [24:39] That became, you know, this huge [24:42] possibility of like my life being,

[24:46] The best. From the worst to the best. God, I'm sweating even thinking about that. He wasn't. They just hadn't decided things. Yeah. And they were trying to build around you, I think is what happened, around that character. So I think they had just done that. And I think you wanted to tell me as soon as possible. Yeah. Because we were so close. Yeah. Which was the right instinct. And Mike decided to get on a plane, which was his instinct. And he just flew for hours. He wasn't even going anywhere. He just got on a plane. [25:16] That's what execs do. That's what a powerful person does is they get on a plane. They just get on as many planes as possible. My phone was off. [25:24] Your little ZZ is all grown up. I know. My ZZ is just an old man now. I know. If you watch, whenever I see old parks things, I was like, I didn't know that me and Aubrey did a show when we were little kids. Like, it's really. How old were you when you started on the show? I was 13 in season one. [25:46] turned 18. I got my driver's license like in the middle of the run. A lot of people don't know that you were 18 when you were playing Tom Haverford on Parks and Rec. Yeah, it is true, though. It is you. You look like a baby. You were a baby. I didn't know anything. Yeah. The first seasons, I didn't know how to act or anything. I should not have been on television. NBC should be like, we got to get. Is there any Indian guy that's done more acting? A lot of people don't know

[26:16] I met with them. Yeah, what was that meeting like? Do you remember it? Well, it was so mysterious what they were up to. Yeah. I had a meeting with them, and I told them, I don't know what you're doing, but whatever it is, that would be a dream job. Yeah. [26:30] And, you know, this was like when The Office was on and Mike and Greg were both involved in that. And that was, you know, my favorite show like that on the air. And so I told him, whatever you're up to, let me know. And then, of course, you know, when it all came together with you and Rashida and everything. And I'm kind of learning when I was talking to Plaza when Plaza was here. She was talking about like her meeting with them, too. Yeah. Yeah. Very famous story. Yeah. Yeah. I know. And it's kind of funny. I kind of forgot the Avengers assemble feeling of. [27:00] those guys going out and getting people and bringing them in and talking about, like, we're going to do something very cool. I mean, it didn't even feel like there was a ton of auditioning. It was more just them picking people that they thought was funny. Not only funny and funny. [27:17] I feel like all of us, whenever we see each other, do interviews, kind of say this kind of stuff ad nauseum. But it's so true. But also just the best people I've ever met in my life. Yeah. Like, really, I cannot believe it. Because we've all done other stuff. And, you know, not everybody's, you know, look, we've all done other stuff. I don't talk about everything the way I talk about parks. You know, you do something. Some people, it's just an energy. Not necessarily mean or bad. But just something like we all just clicked. And there was a vibe that worked with all of us.

[27:47] And just to pay respect to you and Mike, you know, when I did Master of None with Alan and as I become a director, I – [27:55] What I learned from you and Mike in terms of how to lead, [28:00] I mean, I can't thank you enough. It was the best role model I could have ever had. Sees. [28:07] Let me see if you can guess how many times, how many episodes of Parks you did. Would you know to guess? I would say... [28:16] Between seven and 13. He had 10. 10. Okay. Between seven and 13. [28:25] It's kind of right between. That's the main thing. But it was such a huge impact on my life. Like, it's still the thing I get most recognized for. Really? Yes. And I just remember, well, first of all, you were the most incredible number one on a call sheet because you had dance parties at lunch every day. [28:46] set just was filled with such confidence and such joy, which is, I think, [28:53] Had the greatest time on that show. I have such... I don't have the greatest memory. That's where we kind of fell in love. But that is... That's really, Catherine, where we, I think, actually met. My first kind of, like, real memory is in the trailer of Parks and Rec. And... [29:08] We used to, Catherine is talking about [29:10] dance parties. And we used to do a thing where just like after lunch, we would play three songs. The great Autumn Butler, our makeup artist, had great taste in music. And we would just kind of dance around for two or three songs. Yeah, the best. I think for me, a way to honestly just keep my energy up. Yeah. But it became...

[29:28] a way to meet people in the trailer. And I remember two things I... [29:32] Loved about you right away. How much you love to laugh. People that know you know that. Thank you. [29:38] If someone's going to break in a scene, it's this professional over here. You know, I don't. Do you think you break? I have to be really serious in my mind. Like if I have because if it starts to happen, it is tears. [29:52] Yeah. And mucus. But you I have seen you in bloopers and you're hanging in. Yeah, I do hang in. You hang in. I do. Yeah. You, in fact, go in harder. I think when people are. I have to. I know it's a survival technique. I just have to dig in a little bit. I do. I go harder. [30:22] Thank you. [30:22] Were they really? Well, one of the favorites, one of one of TikTok and memes and GIFs is Poncho. Yeah, Poncho was. So let's talk about what happened. For people that have never seen that, what is it? What? Tell us what that scene was. Well, I went to Ben and Leslie's house. I'm speaking as Jen Barkley, my character. I'm first person. Well, for people that aren't watching, she just transformed. Her eyes turned dark and she's a completely different person. A lot more [30:52] I am not into children at all. I wore a plastic poncho so that I wouldn't get any sticky fingers or crap all over me. And at some point, the kids rushed by with paint.

[31:06] nail me with the paint. And at some take, just to make you guys laugh, I don't even, did not have any idea it was going to be any, I just swung my arms open. I went, Pancho, Pancho. [31:18] And that really has become like a thing. It's like Batman's cape. [31:24] I mean. Oh, that was the best. Like, just wanting to make you guys laugh. And just having so, the energy is so loose. So I like, it's funny you say that by improvising. Again, I can do it if I know who I am. And like the given circumstances and like that, I feel like. [31:39] I feel really free in that department, but just... [31:42] Well, you know how we were on set a lot and I would watch you work and I would say the same thing about Adam. And I wonder, too, if it's because of both of your training, but... [31:51] I would watch the way you two worked. [31:54] Thank you. [31:55] And... [31:57] You would have a moment. [31:58] Where we you'd say really, really loose. And but just right before the scene, and I can think of a couple of scenes, the great scene where Jen Barkley is telling Leslie, no, basically, you know, you have to start. Oh, you have to start thinking bigger, which is a huge moment in the show. I love the writing. And oh, my God, that scene, Mike Scher and the writers like, I just love how they slowly took care of Leslie. [32:23] And they sent people in to give her these messages. And Jen Barkley is just this, like, Gen X ball buster. Yes. Who... [32:35] who kind of sees something that Leslie doesn't. Anyway, in that moment, when you're giving that speech, I remember very clearly right before the scene, you just took a moment.

[32:45] And I think we joked about it later because I was like – it was like watching – it was watching a real actor. Oh, God. [32:57] You were on Parks and Rec. You only did five episodes. Do you know that? I know. But you played a character that – [33:05] Stood the test of time. I mean, if only we had Bobby Newport, just a guy who wants to be liked. Yeah. [33:14] And you I know if only right. I mean, Bobby at the time, it means well, just doesn't quite grasp any of it. He wants to go to the after party. Yeah. Bobby Newport, played by you, was the like the rich son of the Sweetums family, the family, the Newports that owned the big factory in the fictional town of Pawnee. [33:36] that Parks and Rec took place, and Bobby Newport ran against Leslie. [33:40] it was like what Bobby had that Leslie could never get was that, [33:46] gee whiz, I can't believe I fell into this [33:50] Like, I just want to have a good time, you guys. Yeah. I think that's even a line that that's how Bobby feels about abortion. Oh, yeah. Right. What did he say about abortion? I guess my thoughts on abortion are just like, I want everybody to have a good time. I just want everybody to have a good time. I mean, come on, guys. What? And Bobby kept getting flustered by Leslie wanting it because he wants it. [34:14] Like there's that great scene where he's like, can you just drop out of the race? Because I want it. Yeah. Yeah. I want it. I want it. Come on. Please. You can do it. Just do it.

[34:23] Come on. And people are like, I don't know. I love the guy. He's great. And he doesn't seem to want it. Yeah. And he doesn't know anything, but neither do I. Yeah. [34:33] That's, you know, you're Leslie. No, it was capable and great for that job. [34:39] Bobby Newport is not. No. And Bobby was, I think, was thinking like, maybe I'll just get it. And then Leslie, you can do it. Yeah. How about that? That's a good compromise. [34:48] What are your memories of doing that character? It was such a funny character. You were so great. Thank you, Amy. My memories of that were amazing. [34:56] I can't believe I get to work with my favorite people in the world. You, you. [35:02] And Adam. [35:03] and Catherine and Rashida. And like, it was like, this is the dream. I mean, this is the, you know, I remember when you were talking to Tina on the very first episode you did, where you were saying you feel like the, how the great thing that can happen if you are able to sustain enough of a career that you can get to a point where you work with your friends or you can work with people you [35:33] It's just... [35:34] the best and I mean it was such a fun character obviously the show is so great and you're so great [35:39] in it um it was it was it was just [35:44] It was a dream. Yeah. It was a dream. And, you know, and I was, I loved it. I loved every second of it. I loved hanging out with all you guys. It was so fun. It was really fun. It was. And that, and it was, those scenes were so funny. Like he got, you got to do the stupidest, talk about fun, stupid, the stupidest stuff. Yeah.

[36:04] Well, there's nothing – [36:07] it [36:07] There's nothing funnier to me than unearned confidence. [36:12] Yeah. Like just just somebody feels like, you know, I've got it figured out. And it's like, no, you don't. Yeah. But but if it's and if it's [36:24] if it's like nice under, like if it's fun, it's really funny if it's not nice, unearned confidence. But, uh, that was the thing of like, he, [36:33] He had a lot of kind of unearned confidence, but he was just dumb. Yeah, he wanted to have a good time. He was sweet. He was sweet. And that was fun. [36:45] That's a fun thing to get to play. It's a fun kind of character to get to play. Would we describe him as like guileless? Is that the word? Yeah, I think that's a good way to do it. Yeah. I know that word. That's a really good, by the way, of course you do. Fucking great word. That's a fucking great word. Fucking great word. God damn. [37:11] We meet on the set of Parks and Rec. And for people that don't know, like you had a crazy week when you got hired. You got like three jobs that same week. What happened that week you were hired on Parks? So I basically I was like trying to get a job. [37:28] part in Funny People, the Judd Apatow movie with Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler. [37:34] And I went through kind of this whole vetting process in New York and then enough where Alison Jones, who cast that movie and Parks and Rec, was.

[37:43] was called me and was like, all right, like you made it to the chemistry read stage. So you have to come out to LA and read with Seth and [37:51] see if you get the part basically. Um, and so, but I didn't really have an agent or anything. And I kind of had to like pay my way, you know, to go out there. So it was like a little bit janky, but I got myself out there, um, to do that. And then while I was, [38:06] out in LA for that week to do the funny people thing, Alison was like, [38:11] How would I send you on some other things? Like, how do you feel about that? And so, yeah. So one of them was, she wanted me to go meet Mike Schur and Greg Daniels, who at the time were shooting on The Office and they were shooting, they were on the set of The Office. So she sent me to the set of The Office. And, um, and I, and I didn't even, I guess at that time I didn't realize, like, I didn't think like, oh, I could, these meetings will get me a job. I didn't understand. [38:41] really aware what you're actually like, what's at stake. [38:45] No, definitely not that. I mean, if it was an audition, obviously I know like, all right, I'm going to get the part or not. But like general meetings, I didn't really get the vibe of that. How old were you then? I was 24, 23, 23 maybe. But so then I went to the set of The Office and I was so starstruck. I see in my horse eye BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling walk by and I was like, oh my God. I was like, they're in the show or whatever. And Mike Schur is like, hello.

[39:15] and he's like at his desk like and I'm like what and then I just met [39:22] him for like he describes it he really embellishes this story i think he loves this story he loves it but he's like and then i met the weirdest person later i'm like there's no bigger fan of marvie plaza than mike sure yeah right um he loves it though because i think like i mean it just speaks to honestly the fact that [39:43] You've always been [39:45] yourself, confidently yourself, and [39:48] you don't have a vibe of like, you don't, you are the opposite of a pick me as the kids would say, like you do not have that vibe. And that draws people in. And I think he was like, who is this person? Yeah. Who seems mad at me. Yeah. I try to give her a job. Yeah, literally. And why are you wearing jean shorts in a general meeting? Like ripped jeans. And you're like, I didn't know what this was. No. And then I got a phone call. [40:13] And they were like, [40:15] You're on a TV show. I'm like, what? No. But then. Which one? I know. You're like, the office? Yeah. I literally probably said that. I didn't know what was going on. And then they were like. [40:26] Um, actually you got the part, but actually, you know, [40:30] You have to audition to play yourself. You don't have to name names, but I wonder who else was up to play you. I don't think that anyone. [40:38] Oh, right. It was just one person. I think they just made me do it like for the network or something. I think I found out later. I mean, maybe not. I don't know. It's probably like, you know.

[40:47] It was you, Sharon Stone and Gina Gershom. Yeah. So you get the part. We're on the set. And then, like, I mean, we could do a whole, obviously, we could do a whole episode about our experiences there. [40:59] And there are so like... [41:01] I mean, I don't, the best thing about [41:04] our relationship, I feel like is [41:06] I don't like all, like a lot of, I think, [41:09] long lasting relationships is you don't always like remember how you met like I just remember like just [41:16] I just have this vision of you being [41:18] next to me on the set of that show. And me being like... [41:22] Welcome. Like, you know, Leslie was supposed to be like welcoming. Mm-hmm. [41:27] April and April was supposed to be like, what am I doing here? And Amy was welcoming Aubrey. Aubrey was like, what am I doing here? Truly. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I remember when we first met and I think I told you this story. It was the promos that we shot. That's right. And which was weird because [41:48] we hadn't shot the show yet. And the rest of the cast hadn't even been cast yet. I think at that point it was just like Aziz, me, you – [41:56] Yeah. Maybe another Rashida. Yeah. I don't think we had Nick yet or. I don't think so. But they had me. [42:03] And I was there, like physically there. So they shot this promo of us on a swing set. And that's when I met you like officially for the first time. And I think I was literally on a swing, like a child. And I was like, just don't make any sudden movements.

[42:33] met on a swing we met on a playground which is kind of nice really nice and it feels like the show was that like it was it felt like a true like [42:42] playground space. It really was. Like we, I mean, I loved, I loved, [42:47] and love working with you. I love playing with you. I love acting with you. I love you as an actor. I love you as a person. I love your... [42:55] acting Blasi you know how good I think you are I love playing with you and I feel like [43:01] Our dynamic, well, like the arc of, in many ways, like April had the biggest growth in the show. She goes from... [43:10] Truly not wanting to be where she is till like, you know, [43:13] you know, [43:14] ending the show with some kind of [43:17] purpose and a love in her life and like some also like a, [43:22] She kind of stands up for what she doesn't want to do, which is a big part of your 20s. Like, but... [43:29] When you started that character, when you started her... [43:32] Did you have any idea where you thought it would go? Did you have any... [43:37] You know, did you know? Yeah. [43:40] No, I just... [43:41] you [43:42] No, I think I just... [43:43] Once I realized like, oh, what's so fun about this character, [43:47] Is that like... [43:49] It's a game of... [43:51] Not showing anyone that I really care. Yes. And like once I've. [43:56] locked into that. It was a real, like, it felt like there was... [44:01] no limit to like,

[44:03] the growth or like what could happen because if you hint that there's something else going on, it's like you can kind of play with that and also in different ways with every different character. So I feel like maybe on an unconscious level, but I felt like, oh, there's so much to play with, even though it feels really subtle and simple. Yeah. That was her secret is she cared, but she pretended she didn't. And so when it would pop out, it was so satisfying. [44:33] Keep. [44:34] Those things hidden were so funny. [44:37] Yeah. [44:38] And then I think just the Andy April thing was such an organic, like I had no idea that was going to become a thing until that one episode. So let's talk about that. So Andy played by Chris Pratt. [44:51] And you, um, [44:54] April and Andy had an episode where a bunch of us were off like doing the [44:58] like a harvest we're at the harvest festival we're at some festival where you guys were we were doing something together yeah or you were like camping or something oh yeah maybe oh yeah and so they put you guys in the office and just said like let's see what happens to these two characters when they hang out yeah and basically the chemistry that those characters had was the building block for why they eventually became like the the real romantic love story of the show other than leslie and ann yeah yeah [45:27] because Anne doesn't deserve... Don't talk about Anne. Sorry. [45:33] But what do you remember of that day? I have a bit... Well, Greg Daniels directed the episode, which I will always remember because...

[45:42] He was so delighted. Like he had such a like little kid energy and he was so happy. [45:47] He just was like very willing to like, let's just try things. And we had a whole day where we're just playing. It was like kind of like what you said, like the office, like the bull room or bullpen. Yeah, the bullpen, the bull room, the bullpen like became a playground. And I just remember I have an image of like us sitting under the table. We were like under that main table for a while. Like, I don't even know what we were doing down there. Mm hmm. [46:13] Um, but we were under there and I just remember, um, [46:18] I don't know. It just felt, it was so fun. It just felt like, I remember before then there was, I think it was like the finale of the, maybe the first season. I don't remember what season, but yeah, [46:29] There was a very subtle moment where we're all in a group, we're in a circle and we're [46:35] um and he's like saying something about his band or he's like something about like i think like this band name is cool or whatever and everyone else is like no and april and i was just like i like it and it was like an improvised thing but i do you remember that where i remember being like and then i remember like knocking on mike schur's like door and being like listen i was like april loves andy and april thinks andy's cool because he's so not cool that he's cool do you understand and mike was [47:05] and i was like i was like you better listen to me um wow you did you knocked on the door it was like i'm yeah it was it was more like just a little conversation but it was that was it was like a it was like a layer to that character because you become his advocate like and that's the part of april that like is like another interesting layer is like again she acts like nothing matters and she's um you know completely disaffected but she's actually very fiercely loyal yeah and very um and

[47:35] sticks up for people she believes in, which I think is a character trait of you too, Plasie. Like you're very, you're a very loyal friend. Yeah. You're a really, really protective friend. And you really stick up for people who you love. And that side of it was so great because then we got to see – [47:53] her like manage him. [47:55] care about the band, see potential for him that he didn't see in himself. [48:02] And, [48:02] He was just like, [48:04] I can't believe how lucky I am. And I remember when the writers had you guys get married. We were all like, what? I know. That was insane. That was you. What do you remember of that day shooting it? [48:14] There was a lot of crying. You cried. I mean... [48:18] I love a wedding. [48:20] I remember you like cried in the kitchen and then you were like crying like off camera. And I was like, stop. I didn't cry that much. Yes, you did. You like literally cried all day. It was so weird. I was so happy you were in love. You were like crying all day. There was like, I was like. I was not crying all day. I was like, we're not even the camera. I was like, we're in my trailer. Like, why are you doing this? And you were like, how do you feel? I'm like. Oh my God. No, I'm ordering a salad for lunch. Like, this is my job. [48:48] get the shot. I was crying because I was sad at how much you were crying. I don't think so. I think that you thought it was real. Yeah, I assumed it was legally binding. Yeah. But it was so good. And the vows were so funny. Yeah. And the wedding was so stupid. It was so funny. Okay. I mean, I guess like,

[49:09] Have you rewatched Parks and Rec? [49:12] Nope. [49:13] What? I'm finding this out. Okay. I wouldn't even know how. [49:18] Shut up. [49:21] Okay. Okay. You asked me how. You've never... [49:26] The big giant screen that you watch your movies on. How does it work? Go bloop, bloop, bloop. These days, I wouldn't. Go to. Go to. Go to what? Type in where the search. How? Someone tell me. Peacock. No. Yes. Yes. Go there or go to iTunes. I wish I knew how. Just pick up your controller and just. Which one? And it'll come up. [49:51] Okay, it's probably not the right one. Go to your DVDs. You love your DVDs. I wish I had one right now. [49:58] You've never rewatched it? No. I don't know what's wrong with you guys. If it comes on in a hotel room, I literally throw something. I throw it. I will literally break the DVDs. Adam says watching the show makes him sad. [50:12] Nick has told me he has not rewatched it. Liar. He jerks off to it every night. You know he sits there and, like, touches himself. [50:23] You're so right. He's got it on right now. Nick, Nick. That's right, Tammy. You're right. He does watch it for Tammy. His real wife, Megan Mullally. They get off on that. They watch it together. You're so right. They watch it together. They're sick. And then they just slap each other in the face. They're disgusting. They're totally so disgusting.

[50:42] listening. You're not fooling anybody. Two more things about parks. What are [50:47] We had so many fun guest stars come in and like you connected with some of them in interesting ways. I don't know if you remember this, but do you remember when Chris Bosh was on the show, the basketball player? [51:01] Chris Bosh. He was a Miami Heat player. Oh, yes. And he was, was he in like, I had like different basketball, like Roy. Yeah, we had, right. Yes. Yeah. Chris Bosh. Yes. He was with like Aziz and was he like John Ralphio? Yeah. Entertainment 720. Yeah. But like, I don't know if you know, the story is a fairly quick story, but it was so stupid. But I was a really big Chris Bosh fan. So like, I was like, Oh my God, like, I can't believe he's coming. Like, this is insane. [51:31] do you know this? No. And so he had to go through hair and makeup, but you know, he, I think had very little hair and you know, whatever. Yeah. Didn't need makeup cause he's a guy or whatever. But you know how they always put them through the works anyway. Yeah. So I was like, I'm going to pretend to be, [51:45] the hairstylist. And I think it was Terry maybe was in there. And you know how she had those glasses or whatever. So I was like, Terry, give me your glasses. Or I can't remember, whatever. And I'm thinking like, this is going to be hilarious because... [52:00] it's going to be me and he'll be like ha ha it's you um so i like pretend to be terry i'm like at her station and then he goes through like makeup first and they're like you look good you know a little powder and you're good and then he like went and he was like yeah yeah thanks a lot and then he sat down in my chair and i was like well and i looked at him and i was like what are we gonna do today and i was like doing like a dumb thing and he didn't make any eye contact with me

[52:30] And he was so sweet. But he didn't make eye contact. He was just like, yeah, whatever you think. Oh, no. And you were like, oh. And I was like, well, I think that... [52:39] You're looking pretty good, sir. And he'd be like, yeah, so I'm good. All right. And I'd be like, well, you're not that good. And then I was like, I just kept it going. And someone videotaped it. Oh, my God. And it was so awkward. Didn't recognize me at all. Didn't know who I was. Don't think he ever knew who I was. No, I mean. Not once. Chris Bosh isn't going to be watching the show before he comes in. He didn't know. He's too busy. I was. He thought I was. He thought you were a hair person. And the PAs are like, we really need a mom set. I'm like, well, he's almost done. [53:09] apartment of hair and then basically it just died and he never he never nope well chris is probably listening so now you know never not did you even work with him on set that day never saw him again literally never saw him again ever in my life every single day someone tells me parks got them through the pandemic and i heard you mention it on a previous episode every single day people say [53:39] I watch it with my kid. My kid's going through a hard time. I like to watch it at night because I get a lot of anxiety like. [53:47] I cannot believe the way that that show continues to be. [53:52] medicine for people. It's so nice. And Ben and Leslie. I know. I know. We just, do you remember we were texting just a couple months ago and just kind of

[54:05] commented on how nice they are. They're so nice. They're so much nicer than us. So much nicer. And they're so nice to each other. I know. And every woman deserves a Ben. Every woman deserves a partner like Ben who... [54:20] roots for you and like [54:23] looks at you and is just like, that's my gal. Like, everyone deserves that kind of relationship. But also, Leslie, from the word go... [54:33] loved Ben. Oh, beyond. Now looking back, it's like they were just in love with each other. I know. Immediately. And their arc was such so juicy. I know. The writers, Mike and the writers, because they meet and they're just like, [54:48] Well, what's your deal? Oh, yeah. It was like... Hot. And then... [54:52] like each other, but then they can't. They can't be together! Yeah, that was great. They can't be together, which is like, really? I mean, they probably could have been together. I know, it didn't matter, but. And then they had to break down. And Mike was like, this is totally fake and whatever, but we just need to have Rob care about you two being together. And it worked, and it was like, made it even hotter. [55:22] other one needed and they respected each other. Like they really liked what the other one did. [55:27] And it was the best thing about that relationship is how, you know, with the exception of Anne, who is, of course, Leslie's number one. Of course, I've accepted. Yeah, is the way that they.

[55:42] They just rooted for each other. Yes. Well, rooted for each other. I, I haven't seen a ton of, it makes me sad to watch the show. Cause I miss it. You say that. Yeah. Why does it make you sad? [55:54] Because I miss it. Like you were saying, we really appreciated being there every day, and it was so fun to [56:03] And also just sort of walking in that building and then suddenly you're there and the hallways and it was so fun. And the people just loved everybody. I think one of the things that was so fun about what we got to do is the camera. [56:19] Helped us. [56:22] At least it helped me. [56:24] have my feelings about, you know, there, I, I tell people like, of course you, of course we love Ben. We got to like Ben, we watch Ben watch Leslie and we love Leslie. So like when people love Leslie, we love them. And we got to watch Ben love her because the camera, like we got to do so much indirect stuff. Like we didn't have to face to face all the time. We had feelings, our characters [56:54] So even though, I mean, and it's such a beautiful story, [56:57] genre, that mockumentary, because it allows you to just even create space in [57:03] and depth in the shot, people are just not in the same room. That's right. And like, I remember we always used to say we loved it when there were spy shots through like blinds because it made our acting better. Do you remember that? Yes. Do you also remember this thing we used to do where sometimes we would be doing a scene and we'd be like, okay, I can't, I'm not someone who can predict the future a hundred percent, but I will say it was like a couple of times a season. I will say, I can say with 100% certainty,

[57:33] that neither of us will ever win an award for acting for this scene. [57:42] You would say it sometimes. Let's just I mean, and also. [57:47] On the other side, I would sometimes say, look, you know, I said this on the podcast, like I would say, Adam, your acting is so good. You'd be like, shut up. We're in the middle of the scene. Like, because it was like, oh, my God. I mean, but oh, yeah. I mean, that's what I love about working with you. And I just feel like before we end, like I just want to feed our fans a little bit more, which is what. Um. [58:11] What do you think was the most romantic scene between Ben and Leslie? Oh, man. [58:18] It's so sweet. I know, but what's the most romantic? The most romantic? I think... [58:24] I think... [58:25] Well, there are a couple of nominees. Okay. But I think... [58:31] I think maybe smallest park. Ugh. We just heard a little groan. I hope it's a good groan. Someone just being like, ugh. I love smallest park. Me too. Nicole Hall of Center, the great Nicole Hall of Center. Chelsea wrote that one. Chelsea Peretti wrote that episode. [58:50] And I remember really... [58:53] Like feeling connected, shooting that and just being like, this is kind of feeling like how special it was. Yes. Making the show. Yes. And that was.

[59:05] Yeah, that was. [59:08] I don't know. What do you think? Well, I have a lot. I mean, I feel like that was such a big one. I feel like some of the [59:15] I have such a... [59:16] affinity for the beginning beginnings parts of Ben and Leslie, because I do think it also just reminded me of like, we were, you know, the show was deciding that they were going to love each other too. And, um, [59:31] I really love this tiny moment when... [59:34] they realize they like the same spot. [59:38] When they like to sit under the sunflower mural. Well... I love that moment. When I... [59:44] ask you if you know where that mural is. [59:47] And your response is real. It's a rewindable moment. I love that moment between both of us because and of course, Parks then pays it off years later by sitting underneath it. Yeah. [1:00:01] Um, I also, you know, when we shot Ben and Leslie's wedding, it was so fun. It was like we're all just sitting there all day goofing around. And it was so fun. And I think we have real champagne, too. Maybe probably did. Yeah, he probably did. And then that probably became a problem later in the day. Yeah, probably champagne. Not something to have when you're when you have like. [1:00:26] 10 hour work day ahead of you are you asked all the time if there'll be a more parks or a reboot or something i always feel like that's it's been it's done like it was perfectly done like how do you do that maybe they should do like muppet babies they should do like parks and rec babies that's right like everyone is all of us is like that instagram thing where everyone's oh yeah we

[1:00:56] together. Yeah. But they should do it like present day where like the politics are really dark and mean. And so it should be like tiny babies fighting each other. They hate each other. It's like apocalyptic political babies. And they're all like, oh, no, I hate you so much. I hate you so much. I mean, yay, I hate you. Because we made the show in an era where [1:01:22] Public service was encouraged and valued. Right. And funded. Yes, it was. Or I mean, you know, I'm sure there wasn't as fun as much as it should have been, but it was funded at least. Right. [1:01:35] It's an entirely different tone to American life. You know, when you have that feeling sometimes like you wish you could go back to high school and enjoy it. [1:01:43] Right. That's how it felt. Like we actually got to do it in real time. Yeah. Because it was genuinely goofy and funny. Yeah. Like the best jokes. Yeah. [1:01:53] What is one of the favorite funny scenes you got to do? So many. So many. I mean, I always think of... [1:02:02] You guys on the ice skating rink with Gloria Estefan. Yeah. I mean, that is. I remember at the table read that was we couldn't stop laughing because it was so funny. Mike Scully wrote that episode. Mike Scully is the best. We got to walk across that ice. [1:02:21] And I remember just thinking, this is so fun. What a fun job. That wasn't even in that scene. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. That's right.

[1:02:30] Sorry, we should probably just Photoshop. We should put me in that. That's why I brought it up. I feel like it would. I own I deserve it. Okay, you guys ready to watch it? Yeah. Okay, here we go. Really exciting. [1:02:44] Thank you. [1:02:45] Amy, are you going to play it from your screen? Oh, I'm supposed to play it. I'm supposed to play it. [1:02:55] Here we go. [1:02:59] You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Svelane, Kaya McMullen, and Alaya Zanaris. [1:03:15] Production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.