Good Hang with Amy Poehler - Favorite 'Parks and Rec' Memories

Episode Date: March 3, 2026

Amy hangs with some of the 'Parks and Rec' cast and creators and talks about their favorite memories from making the show. Host: Amy Poehler Guests: Mike Schur, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Kathryn Hahn, Paul Rudd, Aubrey Plaza, and Adam Scott Executive producers: Bill Simmons, Amy Poehler, and Jenna Weiss-Berman For Paper Kite Productions: Executive producer Jenna Weiss-Berman, coordinator Sam Green, and supervising producer Joel Lovell For The Ringer: Supervising producers Juliet Litman, Sean Fennessey, and Mallory Rubin; video producers Jack Wilson and Aleya Zenieris; audio producer Kaya McMullen; social producer Bridget Geerlings; video editor Drew van Steenbergen; and booker Kat Spillane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. And it is a great list. It is Mike Scher, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Catherine Hahn, Paul Rudd, Arbery 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 of this 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 clip shows

is because I am finishing up shooting a new show for Peacock called Dig with my book. Mike Scher, who, as we all know, created Parks and Rec. So let's kick off this episode by hearing from Mike Scher first. This episode of Good Hang is presented by Subaru. Some cars go the extra mile. Long-range Subaru hybrids take that to a whole new level with up to 597 miles per tank in the cross-track hybrid, a car that I have given my family.

and up to 581 miles per tank in the forester 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 and range may vary. In the very, very beginning, the idea for the spinoff of the office, or was it even an idea for spin-off was what?

Well, so Ben Silverman. What became Parks and Rec? Elverman was running NBC, and he asked Greg to, like, do a spinoff. And so Greg's response typically thoughtful and considered was, I would love to do another show. If the best idea that I have for a show is a spinoff, then I will do a spin-off. 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, like, how to do this job is best idea wins. It 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 it. And there is no corollary to that. In every situation that you're in creatively, best idea 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 spinoff of the office, then we're going to 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 ignored him and just announced it off a spin-off. Sure. So Greg and I started meeting. Greg asked me to do it with him. So we started meeting. We would go to Norm's diner in the Valley, like twice a week for breakfast.

And we would just think of ideas. And we would talk about what interested us and what was going on. And we would inch 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 all the time forever. And eventually 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 a spinoffs. They were like Craig Robinson and Rain 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. 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 cabloy and they're talking about like massive government bailouts. And we start to realize that like the government, 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.

help. So we started getting excited about that. I had this idea for an abandoned lot that would be turned into a park over the course of the entire run of the show. Very wire-e idea. I was obsessed with the wire, as were you. Yeah, we share that. And I thought like the way that the wire 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 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.

So that was the idea that I really like. 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 Greg, true to his word, was like, this is what we want to do.

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. The show was given guaranteed 13 episode order, which now is very commonplace at the time was like insane. And the office was going to be on after the Super Bowl that year, and this show was going to launch after the office. Then you called this back and said,

Actually, sorry, prego. That's exactly what you said. Yeah, I said prego. You said prego. Prego. I sent you a telegraph. It said, Prego, stop. Shows off, stop.

And it was like, well, you're going to give birth the week we have to shoot this, so no go. And then, like, I remember very clearly two weeks later, I went into Greg's office. And I was like, you know, there's no, like, we were working on the show at that point pretty strenuously. And I was just like, I just don't think there's anyone about Polar who can do this. and he was like, I had the same thought last night. And very quickly, 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. Well, you guys. I'm so appreciative you did that. I mean, the thing was, it was actually a very simple decision because we were like, you know,

getting Amy Polar on your show is a long-term decision. Like, that's a decision you make for like this, what you hope will be a very long-term decision. chunk of time. Like, the Super Bowl slot is a short-term decision. It's like, yeah, you'll get this like frisson of energy, but like it doesn't last. Like, no one ever, like, very rarely does that determine the fate of a TV show. 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. And I, like... More 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. 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, nope, the character I played on Parks, So, like, you gave me, like, a bunch of different,

alternative names. But you also love to name characters left and right. What is it, 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. But the actual, 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 him in the early days of the show. And you would see like woman number two or like man in crowd or a 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, say a line or two. 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 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 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 Marvavma, which is a name I gave a character once, you're like, who the hell is Marvavna?

What was Marvavna up to? So I, and it has been, that way, it started with that intention and has become 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 Jack Smith, 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 Cooper's in the state that you're setting the show in, and then the legal comes back and says you can't name your character that. A lot of people don't know that. You have to get names cleared. You have to be cleared, and there have to be either none or so many that not any one of them could be, could think that you're saying anything about them.

So I go for none. None. the weirdest names. We had a character recently on the show on a man on the inside named Aphilo Pippipapepe. There's no Aphelia Pippa Pippeys anywhere in the continental

United States, so you get to use that name. 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 Sapperstine Yes Jenny Slate's character Yes Do you remember all these? Yeah Trod Frankenstipe

Okay tell us about Trot So Trot Frankenstein was a local reporter 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 Frankenstein is just Frankenstein with a P at the end. Tyrion Fonzorelli. Tyrion Fonzorelli, obviously a combination of two characters from TV history. Tyrion Lannister and Arthur Fonzrelli. This name goes to Matt Murray. Matt Murray did this.

Ah, Panther. Yeah, Panther. Tyrion Fonzerelli was a writer on Parch and Rec, among other things. 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 Nope. Gretzky Susan Pellegrino.

Okay. This, so Gretzky Susan Pellegrino was like the fourth in a series of names that for some reason all involved the last name of the greatest hockey player who ever lived, Wayne Gretzky. I don't offhand remember who Gretzky Susan Pellegrino is. Also, it should be noted. Hyphins, huge part of my naming process. Yeah, so exciting. It's a way to get another name in there. Another name, and also there's no way that someone's going to have this name.

No one's first name is Gretzky Susan. Gretzky-Susan. Typhoon Montalban. Oh, I love Typhoon. Typhoon was Don's hairdresser. Yep. Typhoon, also Matt Murray, I believe, gave Typhoon the first name Typhoon. We needed a last name.

Where do you go for the last name? Ricardo Montelbon. Typhoon Montelban. Sasanra Sassanorp. Okay. Sissandra Sassanorp was. was, I believe, I could have this wrong, was just Sandra, it was like Sandra Snorpe.

Okay. And then the legal was like, doesn't, didn't clear. We found a Sanders Snorpe. So guess what you do? You had five more S's, now you're good. Sanrus. It's a Sanders assnorp. Summer O'Lea cracking frog frog.

Okay. This is a Monty Python rip off, straight up. Okay. O-L-E with an accent and, I guess just that part. In, 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. And there's a, there's a, a silly party 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 and a slightly silly party. If you want names, go watch that sketch. It'll, it'll, it'll, it'll, it'll, it'll, it'll, it'll sate you. Summer, Ole Crack and Frog Frog. That's a good one. Frog frog frog is a great last name. Yeah. 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. 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 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. 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 point, it's part it's not present. It's in 90s R&B. So he's a very important figure.

Yeah. I feel like we have had some hard-ass laughs. And I was trying to think the other day, like, places that we've laughed, it's a deep laughs. And it really does add years to my life. I know that. 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 on parks and it was the first season, it was the hunting episode and just kind of set up. We were shooting that whole week way far away somewhere in California,

you know, I don't even remember where. 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. Yeah, I don't remember actually what happened in the show. I think I was like determined as a nurse I was like, you have to throw up. Like you can't. Right. You're going to get sick. And he's like, I'm fine. Right. And we were trying to get this like liquid in his mouth. And, you know, it's Hollywood. So things that happen like on camera don't have. actually happened in real life. So it was written that we like hold him down and he's resisting us and we give him this, this thing. But like you don't know, you don't know how small you are. Because I think both of us, like I'm always like I'm like I'm like a tall person, right? Like I

ask people if I feel like a tall. But I'm not. And I'm not. And I'm and I'm, and I'm, and I'm, how tall are you? Five, three and a half? Yeah. Yeah. And, 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 whipping us around with such ease. Like we couldn't, we actually, both of us could not hold him down. And he was like, literally he would just go, beep.

And we would just fly off the bed in each direction. We could not stop laughing. One of us, we each had one arm. Yeah. And he would, it felt like just the flick of a wrist. Because he would fly. He was being gentle. 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 remember that feeling. Also, I think there's something fun about wrestling. There is. So good. It's so good.

And being thrown around is so fun. Yes. And 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, we. Like I could just see going past me and your hair going, what? And then you're like, scorn. I'm like, wee! And me, and me, and I just remember like, Rashida!

Like, I never see you flying by, which can't be true. 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 in each, 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 it.

like grunting beer sounds. It was really, really, really. It was 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, there's that spot in, Andy and April's house. Remember where we could never get a scene done? Just that one, that living room. There's a dead spot. Yeah. Yeah. It was haunted. Yeah. And then I remember there was one time you were like, Rashida, because I could not get through it. But I really, it's, it's, it's a little. It's It felt like haunted. It did not feel like it was my fault.

Yeah, I'm sorry I said that. 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 dead. Be able to just want to go.

I know. And there was a scene for people that care. There was a spot in 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 laughs off camera. Like one of the things I treasure, and there's so many things I treasure about my friendship with you, was that we would be talking like this and we would 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 Anne. 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 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. And also, I think I remember very clearly in the pilot because we had already been friends for years when we shot the 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, 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 Anne were, you know, each other's number one. Yeah. Yeah. Not hard to do. No.

And what, I mean, we've talked about this before, but we, when we first started the show, I think it was like, it was kind of like we were trying to figure out who was going to play what part and who was going to come on board. and kind of like the beginnings of that show were I'll say a little clumsy. Crunchy. Crunchy. Can we talk about it? Yeah, I would 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 worried that we had taken each other's part. Like, yes. Yeah. So I had been on hold of. for this untitled thing that Greg and Mike were going to write. Right.

And I had done a year on the office and 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. I'll put you on hold. 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 deciding, like changing the main characters of the show. When they pitched 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. Yeah. We'd just gotten back from it.

You and I were in Italy. Yeah. 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. And you talked about something.

Do you remember where we went? Pastis. Pastis. Yes, I do. In New York City. I do. Oh, God. And I said, let's talk about something. Yeah.

Oh, dear. And I was like, I want you to raise this baby with me. 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. this moment is like a gold standard of friendship and being able to take care of your one

self 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 crying in pasties. And you held my hand and you were so warm and you were so, there was something about it where you were like, 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 Scher's version of this is. Let me tell you.

because I left him a message almost immediately because I'm not shy. And I was like, oh, I'm such an idiot for thinking I could even be on the show. Like, anybody wants me on this show. Of course I didn't get this. Like, Amy's like a, you know, comedy goddess. Oh, my God. What a mean part of yourself to be. Very mean.

Very mean. That's a person. We're trying to not invite to the dinner party anymore. But so I called him. I was like, hey, would love to talk to you. He was on a plane. And he landed. And he's like, uh, 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. But that became, you know, this huge, possibility of like my life being the best, from the worst to the best. God, I'm sweating

even thinking about that. He wasn't, they had, they just hadn't decided things. Yeah. And they, 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 just went to different cities and he never got off the plane. And that's what execs do. That's what a powerful person does, is they get on the plane.

They just get on as many planes as possible. My phone was off. This message is brought to you by Apple Card. It's a great time to apply for an Apple Card. You'll love earning unlimited daily cash on every purchase. That includes 3% daily cash when you buy the latest iPhone, Airpods, and Apple Watch at Apple. Through this special referral offer, when you get a new Apple card, you can earn bonus daily cash. To qualify, you must apply at apple.c.co.c. Get daily cash. Apple card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank,

USA, Salt Lake City Branch. Offer may not be available elsewhere. Terms and limitations apply. Your little zizi's all grown up. I know. My zizi is just an old man now. I know. If you watch, whatever I see old parks things, I was like, I didn't know that me and Aubrey did a show and we were little kids. Like, it's really... How old were you when you started on the show? I was 13 in season 1. And then when we finished, I just 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 Havreford on Parks and Rec. Yeah. It is true, though. 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 have been like, we got to get, is there any Indian. guy that's done more acting? A lot of people don't know you were the first person hired for parks. Yeah, 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. 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 them, 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. Well, 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 stories. Yeah, yeah. I know. And it's kind of funny. I kind of forgot the Avengers Assemble feeling of 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 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 I don't know other stuff. I don't talk about everything the way I talk about parks. You know, you do something. Some people, it's just for energy. You're not necessarily mean or bad. But just something like we all just clicked and there was a vibe that worked with all of us.

And just to pay respect to you and Mike, you know, when I did Master and on with Alan and as I become a director, I, you know, what I learned from you and Mike in terms of how to lead. I mean, I can't thank you enough. It was the best role model I could have ever had. Seas. 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 between seven and 13. Ten. Ten. Okay. Between seven and thirteen. That's my, it's kind of right between.

That's amazing. 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. And anybody that walked on that, like, set just was filled with such confidence and such joy, which is I 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'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 we used to, Catherine is talking about 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 a way to meet people in the trailer. And I remember two things I loved about you right away. How much you love to laugh. People that know you know that. Like you. You love to laugh. 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. 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. I think. I have to. I know it's a survival technique. I just have to dig in a little bit. I do. I go harder.

I feel like every time I've done a scene with you, you are so good at improvising. In fact, like a lot of your character on Parks and Rec, Jen Barkley's moments were improvised. Were they really? Well, one of the favorites, one of, one of TikTok and memes and gifts and gifs is poncho. Yeah, Pancho was.

So let's talk about what happens. For people that I've never seen that, 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. I just transformed.

Her eyes turned dark and she's in a completely different person. A lot more hairspray. I went to their house. They have children. 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 rush by with paint, nail me with the paint. And at some take, just to make you guys laugh, I don't even, didn't have any idea it was going to be any.

I just swung my arms open. I went, patro, pacho. And that really has me kind of make a thing. It's like Batman's cape. I mean, that was the best. Like, I 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 I'm emphasizing.

Again, I can do it if I know who I am and like the given circumstances. And like that I feel like I feel really free in that department. But just. Well, you know how like we, 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 your both of your training. But I would watch the way you two worked. And you would have a moment where we, you'd say,

really, really loose. 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, you have to start thinking bigger, which is a huge moment in the show. I love the writing in that scene. Oh, my God, that scene. Mike Sher and the writer's like, I just love how they slowly took care of Leslie. And they sent people in to give her these messages.

and Jen Barkley is just this like Gen X, yes. Ballbuster. Yes. 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.

And I think we joked about it later because I was like watching, it was watching a real actor. Oh, God. You were on Parks and Rec. You only did five episodes. Do you know that? I know. But you played a character that stood the test of time.

I mean, if only, if only we had Bobby Newport, just a guy who wants to be liked. Yeah. And who... 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 Sweden's family, the family, the Newport's that owned the big factory in the fictional town of Pawnee

that Parks and Rec took place and Bobby Newport ran against Leslie and it was like what Bobby had that Leslie could never get was that gee whiz, like I can't believe I fell into this like I just want to have a good time, you guys.

Yeah, I think that's even a line that's how Bobby feels about abortion, isn't it? Oh, yeah, right. What did he say about abortion? I guess my thoughts on abortion are just like, 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. Like, there's that great scene where he's like, can you just drop out of the race because I want it? Yeah. Yeah. So I want it. I want it. Come on. Please, you could do it. Just do it. 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. That's, you know. Leslie, no, was capable and great for that job. 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. 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 I can't believe I get to work with my favorite people in the world. You and Adam and Catherine and Rashida. It was like this is the dream. I mean, this is, 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 great thing that can happen if you were able to sustain enough of a career that you can get. get to a point where you work with your friends or you get to work with people you really like because it's not work. It's just, it's just the best. And I mean, it was such a fun character, obviously. The show is so great and you're so great in it. It was, it was, it was, it was just,

it was a dream. Yeah. It was a dream. And, you know, and I was, uh, 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 those scenes were so funny. Like he got,

you got to do the stupidest, talk about fun stupid. It's the stupidest stuff. Yeah. Well, there's nothing, um, there's nothing funnier to me than unearned confidence.

Yeah. Like just, just somebody feels like they, you know, it's like, I've got it figured out. And it's like, no,

you don't. but if it's and if it's if it's like nice un-earned like if it's fun it's really funny if it's not nice unarned confidence but that was the thing of like he had a lot of kind of

unerened confidence but he had he was just dumb yeah he wanted to have a good time but he's a nice he was sweet he was sweet and that and that was and that was a fun that was kind of 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 guyless? 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. He's a fucking great word. Fucking great word. God damn. This episode is brought to you by Amazon. Life is predictably unpredictable. Coffee spills before meetings, unexpected house guests, broken waffle makers,

mid-waffle making. But Amazon has your back? Your very own night and shining delivery. box armor. With low prices on everyday essentials, they've got everything you need in one place. Chargers, snack bars, and birthday balloons, you name it. Fast, easy, no stress. Shop Amazon, save on essentials, save the every day. 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 part in funny people, the Judd-Apital movie with Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler. And I went through kind of this whole vetting process in New York. And then enough where Allison Jones, who cast that that movie and Parks and Rec, called me and was like, all right, like you made it to the chemistry read stage. So you have to come out to L.A. and read with Seth and see if you get the part, basically. 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 to do that.

And then while I was out in L.A. for that week to do the funny people thing, Allison was like, 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 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. I mean, I think it's one of the things about being young that's kind of nice is you're not really aware what you're actually, like, what's at stake? No. And that's good. 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, maybe. But so then I went to the set of the office and I was so starstruck. I see in my horse eye, B.J. Novak. And Mindy Kaling walked by and I was like, oh my God. I was like, they're in the show or whatever. And Mike Scher is like, hello. And he's like at his desk like, and I'm like, what? And then I just met him for like, he describes it.

He really embellishes this story, I think. He loves this story. He loves it. And he's like, and then I'm at the weirdest person. I'm like, there's no bigger fan of Aubrey Plaza than Mike Scher. Yeah, right. He loves it, though. Because I think like, I mean, it just speaks to, honestly, the fact that you've always been yourself, confidently yourself, and you don't have a vibe of like, you don't, you are the opposite of a pick me, as the kids would say.

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 while I try to give her a job. Yeah. Literally. And why are you wearing jeans shorts in a general meeting?

Like ripped jeans shorts. And you're like, I didn't know what this was. No. And then I got a phone call. And they were like, you're on a TV show. I'm like, what? No. But then.

Which one? I know. What? You're like, the office? Yeah. I literally probably said that. I didn't know. was going on. And then they were like, actually, you got the part, but actually 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. 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. It was you, Sharon Stone and Gina Gershaw. 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. And there are so, like, I mean, I don't, the best thing about our relationship, I feel like is I don't, like, all, like, a lot of, I think, long lasting relationships is you don't always, like, remember how you met. Like, I just remember, like, just, I just have this vision of you being next to me on the set of that show. And me being like, welcome.

Like, you know, Leslie was supposed to be like welcoming April. And April was supposed to be like, what am I doing here? And Amy was welcoming Aubrey. And 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 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. Yeah. Maybe Rashida. Yeah.

I don't think we had Nick yet. I don't think so. But they had me 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, yes. And I was like, just don't make any stuff.

head movements. Except swinging. Except swinging. And then you, which is kind of good because swinging is really good sematically. Yeah. Yeah. For me, like I liked.

But then, yeah, you came over and we were both just swinging like little babies. That's how we 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 playground space. It really was. Like we, I mean, I loved and love working with you.

I love playing with you. with you. I love acting with you. I love you as an actor. I love you as a person. I love your acting, Plazzi. You know how good I think you are. I love playing with you. And I feel like our dynamic, well, like the arc of, in many ways, like April had the biggest growth in the show. She goes from truly not wanting to be where she is to like, you know, ending the show, like with some kind of purpose and a love in her life and like some also like a she kind of stands up for what she doesn't want to do which is a big part of your 20s like but um when you started that character when you started her did you have any idea where you thought it would go and did you have any

you know what did you did you no yeah no i just no i think i just once i realized like oh what's so fun about this character is that like it's a game of not showing anyone that I really care. Yes. And like once I've locked into that, it was a real, like it felt like there was no limit to like 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 as she cared, but she pretended she didn't.

And so when it would pop out, it was so satisfying. Yeah. It was so funny and good. And the ways in which she tried to keep those things hidden were so funny. Yeah. 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 and you, April and Andy had an episode where a bunch of us were off like doing the harvest. We're at the harvest festival. I don't know where you guys were. We were doing something together. Yeah. Or you were in like camping or something. Oh yeah. We were like cabins.

I don't know. And so they put you guys in the office and just said like, let's see what happens. 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 real romantic love story of the show other than Leslie and Anne. Yeah. Because Anne doesn't deserve.

Don't talk about him. Sorry. But what do you remember of that day? I have a bit, well, Greg Daniels directed the episode, which I will always remember because he was so delighted. Like he had such a little kid energy. And he was so, he just was like very willing to like,

let's just try things. And we had a whole day where we were just playing. It was like kind of like what you said, like the office, like the bullroom or bullpen. Yeah, bullpen. Yeah. The bullpen.

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. But we were under there. And I just remember, 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 there was a very subtle moment where we're all in a group, we're in a circle.

And he's like saying something about his band or he's like something about his band or he's like something about like I think like this band name is cool or whatever and everyone else was like no and April's and I was just like I like it and it was like an improvised thing but I remember do you remember that where I remember where I remember like knocking on Mike Scher'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 like get out of here and I was like you I was like you better listen to me um wow you did You knocked her in his door.

Yeah. It was more like just a little conversation. That 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, you know, completely disaffected. But she's actually very fiercely loyal. Yeah. And very. And like sticks up for people she believes in, which I think is a character trait of you too, Plazzi.

like 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 her, like, manage him, care about the band, see potential for him that he didn't see in himself. And he was just like, 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, what do you remember of that day shooting it? We, there was a lot of crying. You cried. I mean, I love a wedding. You cry. I remember you, like, cried in the kitchen and then you were, like, crying, like, off camera. And I was like, stop. I don'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, 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 were like, how do you? do you feel? I'm like, oh my God. No, I did it. I'm ordering a salad for lunch. Like, this is my job. I was crying because you were crying so hard and I was worried that we weren't going to 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 finding. Yeah. But it was

so good. And the and the vows were so funny. Yeah. And the wedding was so stupid. It was so Funny. Okay. I mean, I guess like when do you watch, have you rewatch Parks and Rec? Nope. What? I'm finding this out. Okay.

I wouldn't even know how. Shut up. Okay. Okay. Ask me how. You've never, the big giant screen that you watch your movies on. How does it work? Go blue, blue.

These days, I wouldn't. Go to. Go to what? Type in where the search. Where? 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 see what Which one And it'll come up

Okay it's probably not the right one Go to your DVDs You love your DVDs I wish I had one right now But so you've never rewatched it No I don't know what's wrong with you guys

I'd If it comes on in an hotel room I literally throw I throw it. Adam says watching the show makes him sad. 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.

You're so right. He's got it on right now. Nick. Tammy. You're right. He does watch it for Tammy. His real life. Megan Mullalley.

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.

Nick, I know you're listening. You're not fooling anybody. Two more things about parks. 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? Chris Bosh. He was a Miami He player. Oh, yes.

And he was a. Was he in like? I had like different beat basketball like Roy. Yeah, we had. Roy. Yes. Yeah, Chris Bosch. Yes.

Chris Bosch. He was with like Aziz and was he like, John Ralphio. Yeah. Entertainment 720. Yeah. But like I don't know if you know this story. It was a very quick story, but it was so stupid. But I was a really big Chris Bosch fan.

So like I was like, oh my God. Like I can't believe he's coming. Like this is insane. I was like, I want to play a prank on him. 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. Didn't need makeup because 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 the hairstylist. And I think it was it, Terry, maybe it 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 it's going to be me. And he'll be like, ha, ha, ha, it's you. 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 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

He was just looking down 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 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. So awkward. Didn't recognize me at all. Didn't know who I was.

Don't think he ever knew who I was. Not once. Chris Bosch isn't going to be watching the show before he comes in. He didn't know who I was. He thought I was. He thought you were a hair person. And the PAs are like, we really need him on set. I'm like, well, he's almost done in my department of hair.

And then basically it just died. And he never, you never, you never. Nope. Well, Chris is probably listening. Never not once. Never not once. Did you even work with him on set that day? Nope.

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 I watched it during COVID. I watch it with my kid. My kids going through a hard time.

I like to watch it at night because I get, I have a lot of anxiety. Like, I cannot believe the way that that show continues to be a medicine for people. It's so nice. Isn't that nice? And Ben and Leslie. I know, I know. We just, do you remember we were texting just to. couple months ago and just kind of commented on how nice they are. They're so nice. There's 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 roots for you and like looks at you and it's just like, that's my gal. Like everyone deserves that kind of relationship. But also Leslie from the word go, loved Ben. Oh, beyond. Like, now looking back, it's like they were just in love with each other. I know. Immediately.

And their arc was such so juicy. The writers, Mike and the writers, because they meet and they're just like, well, what's your deal? Oh, yeah. It was like. And then they like each other, but then they can't. They can't be together. Yeah, that was great. They can't be together.

I know. I know. I mean, they probably could have been together. I know. It didn't matter. But. And then they had to break up. 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. And then Ben was like, I want you. Ben kept putting Leslie's, you know what it is? They kept putting each other's needs over their own. They cared about what the other one needed and they respected each other. Yes. Like they really liked what the other one did.

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 that. Yeah.

Is the way that they... They just rooted for each other. Yes. They really rooted for each other. I haven't seen a ton of... It makes me sad to watch the show because I miss it. I heard you say that. Yeah.

Why does it make you sad? Because I miss it. Like you were saying, like you really appreciated being there. every day and it was so fun and also just sort of walking in that building and then suddenly you're there and the hallways and the yeah 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 helped us at least it helped me have my feelings about you know there i i tell people like of course you 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 had feelings for each other because of the camera. That's right. And even though, I mean, and it's such a beautiful genre that mockumentary, because it allows you to just,

just even create space 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 100%. But I will say, it was like a couple times a season, I will say, I can say with 100% certainty that neither of us will ever win an award for acting for this scene. You would say it sometimes and sometimes sometimes.

Let's just, I mean, and also on the other side, I would sometimes say, you know, I said this on the podcast. Like I would say like, 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 do you think was the most romantic scene between Bennett Leslie?

Oh, man. It's so sweet. I know, but what's the most romantic? I think, I think, well, there are a couple of nominees. Okay. But I think, I think maybe smallest park. Ugh.

Because I just heard a little groan. I hope it's a good groan. Someone just being like, ugh. I love smallest park. Me too. Nicole Hollif Center. Nicole Hall of Center.

And Chelsea wrote that one. Chelsea Peretti wrote that episode. And I remember really like feeling connected, shooting that and just being like, this is kind of feeling, like how special it was making the show. Yes. And that was, yeah, that was, but 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, I have such a affinity for the beginning, beginnings, 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. Yeah, yeah. And I really love this tiny moment when they realize they have, they like the same spot, when they like to sit under the sunflower mural.

Well, I love that moment. When I ask you if you know where that mural is and your response is, it's a rewindable moment. I love that moment between both of us because, and of course, Parks then pays it off years later. years later. By sitting underneath it. Yeah. I also, you know, when we shot Ben and Leslie's wedding, it was so fun. It was like we were all just sitting there all day, goofing around.

And it was so fun. I think we had real champagne too, maybe. We 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 have like a 10-hour work day ahead of you.

Are you asked all the time if there'll be more parks or a reboot or something? I always feel like 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 has babies. Like that Instagram thing where everyone's, the AI babies.

They should do AI babies. But like a whole series of all of us just in a crib together. Yeah. But they should do it like. present day where like 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 are like, oh no, like they're help. I hate you so much. I mean, yay. Yay, I hate you. Because we made the show in an era where public service was encouraged and valued. Right. And funded. Yes. It was. It was.

I mean, you know, I'm sure that it wasn't as funded as much as it should have been, but it was funded at least. 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. 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. What is your one of your favorite jokes? What is one of the favorite funny scenes you guys? to do. So many. So many. I mean, I always think of you guys on the ice at the ice skating rink with Gloria Stephan. Yeah. I mean, that is, I remember at the table read, that was we couldn't stop laughing because it was so funny. Yeah, Mike Scully wrote that episode and we got to walk across that ice 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. Sorry, we should probably just Photoshop. We should put me in that scene. That's why I brought it up. I feel like it would, I deserve it. Okay, are you guys ready to watch it?

Yeah. Okay, here we go. Yes. Really exciting. Amy, are you going to play it from your movie? Oh. I'm supposed to play it. I'm supposed to play it.

Here we go. 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, Katz-Belaine, Kaya McMullen, and Alea Zanaris. For Paperkite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles.