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

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 2. 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 Schur, Rashida Jones, Aziz.

Ansari, Kathryn Hahn, Paul Rudd, Aubrey. Plaza, Adam Scott. And please note, there are more coming. In fact, a little. teaser, we do have Nick Offerman joining. us in season 2 of this podcast, if there. are seasons in podcasts. We are. insisting there are. And so, um you're. going to hear from all of these people. today. And the reason why we're doing. these um. 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. >> [music]. >> 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 Crosstrek 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/hybrid. to learn more. Range based on EPA. estimated combined fuel economy and full. tank of fuel. Actual mileage and range. may vary. >> [music].

[music]. [singing]. >> In the very very beginning, the idea for. the spin-off of The Office, or was it. even an idea for spin-off, was what? Well, so Ben Silverman. Ben Silverman was running NBC and they. asked he asked Greg to like do a. spin-off. 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 spin-off, 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 the main. things that he gave me in terms of like. 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 it. No 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. spin-off 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. spin-off is coming." [laughter]. Ben just totally ignored him and just. announced an Office spin-off. So, so Greg and I started meeting. Greg. asked me to do it with him. So, we. started meeting. We would go to Norms. 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 and by the way, just to say it, some. of the ideas we talked about were Office. spin-offs. 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. 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.

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, [clears throat] 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-y idea. I was obsessed. with The Wire as were you. Um and I thought like the 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 pi- if it if you did a show that. ideally last 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 9 years. later. So, 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. spin-off 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 us back and said, "Actually, sorry, preggo." That's. exactly what you said, verbatim. You. said, "Preggo." I sent you a telegraph. I said, "Preggo, stop.". >> [laughter]. >> Show's off, stop. And it was like, "Well, you're going to. give birth like the week we have to. shoot this, so no go." And then like I. remember very clearly 2 weeks later I. went into Greg's office and I was like, "You know, 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 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 cuz we'd only be. able to make six Dang. >> and give up the Super Bowl slot. >> Boy, you guys were. >> And I'm so appreciative you did that. >> the thing was it was actually a very. simple decision cuz it we were like, you. know, getting Amy Poehler 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 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 3. 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. >> this podcast? >> No, this is my number one. >> two. It's number two. >> Yeah, this is I mean besides this. Now, one of the ways like very concrete. ways to 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 Knope,

the character I played on Parks and Rec. 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 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 auditioned for. this and booked 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 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 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 Vavavma, which is a.

name I gave a character once, you're. like, "Who the hell is Marv Vavavma? What was Marv Vavavma up to?" So, I and. it has been. that was it started with that intention. and has become one of the great truly. one of the great joys of my life is. [laughter] 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 Coopers in the state that. you're setting the show in and then the. legal comes back and says you can't name. a character that. You have to get names cleared. They 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. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, I go for the weirdest names. We had a character recently on the show.

on a man on the inside named Affion. Pepipipippi. There's no Affion Pepipipippi's anywhere. in the continental United States. So you. get to use that name. That has been my goal is to have none. have 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. Uh. >> [laughter].

>> Do you remember all these things? Amazing. >> Trod Frankenstipe. Okay, tell us about. Trod. >> So so Trod Frankenstipe 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 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. Uh. Tyrion Fontanelli. Tyrion Fontanelli.

obviously a combination of two. characters from TV history. Tyrion. Lannister and Arthur Fonzarelli. This. name goes to Matt Murray. Matt Murray. did that. Ah, panther. >> panther. Matt Tyrion Fontanelli was. a was a. was a guy in a jewelry store who was. buying a. an engagement ring for his. to be betrothed when Ann and and Chris. Traeger were shopping for rings. Great. Uh Leslie Knope. We know who that is.

Gretzky Susan Pellegrino. Okay, [laughter]. this. So. Gretzky Susan Pellegrino was like the. fourth in a series of names that 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. hyphens huge part of my naming process. >> Yeah, so excited. What is it? >> 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. >> [laughter]. >> Typhoon Montalban. Ah, I love Typhoon. >> Typhoon was was Donna's hairdresser. Ty- Typhoon also Matt Murray I believe. named. gave Typhoon the first name Typhoon. We. needed a last name. Where do you go for. a last name? Ricardo Montalban. >> [laughter]. >> Typhoon Montalban. Sisyphus Sassanorp. Okay, Sisyphus Sassanorp was I believe I. could have this wrong was just Sand- it. was like Sandra Snorp. And then the legal was like doesn't. didn't clear. We found a Sandra Snorp.

somewhere. So guess what you do? You add. five more S's. Now you're good. Sisyphus. Sassanorp. >> Summer Ole Kraken Frog Frog. Okay. This is a Monty Python rip-off straight. up. Ole O L E with an accent and and I guess. just that part. In there's a there's a. Monty Python sketch called I think. Election Night Special where they're. just going through like election results. in local elections all over the country. And there's a there's 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. [laughter]. It's if you want names go watch that. sketch. It will it'll. it'll. it'll sate you. Summer Ole Kraken Frog. Frog. That's a good one. Frog Frog is a. great last name. >> 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. Ginuwine was? >> [laughter]. >> Do you know what's 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 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. how how familiar are you with Ginuwine? >> married.

>> [laughter]. >> Um 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 and for the. most point is part is 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. Just deep. laughs and it's it really does add years.

to my life. I know that. And I I wonder if you could tell the. story about. when we were on. Parks and it was cuz we talk about it. I. we've talked about it before. When we were on Parks and it was the. first season. It was the hunting. episode. >> Mhm. 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. but but don't worry we'll cut that. But. [laughter]. But um. >> [snorts]. >> 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. So Nick Offerman. playing Ron Swanson ate something. Yeah, I don't remember actually what happened.

in the show. Isn't that funny? >> as a nurse that I was like you have to. throw up. You like you can't. You're. going to get sick and he's like I'm. fine. Right. And I 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. actually happen 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. >> [laughter]. >> Like you don't know.

you don't know how small you are cuz I. think both of us like I'm always like. I'm I'm like a tall person, right? Like. I ask people if they think if I feel. tall. Yeah. And I'm not and I'm and I'm. >> How tall are you? 5 3 and 1/2. >> Yeah. Yeah, I'm 5 2. And and and Nick is. solid. >> Yeah. >> He's a solid dude. >> Yeah, he's like a Midwestern corn fed. dude. >> and like and 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 the both of us. could not hold him down and he was like. literally he'd just go. and we would just [laughter] fly off the. bed in each direction. We could not stop. laughing. >> what we each had one arm Yeah. and he. would it felt like just the flick of a. wrist and we would fly off the bed. >> was being gentle. He wasn't he wasn't. doing like stage fighting for his life. >> Yeah. No. No. And we could not get him. to stay down. >> Could not. And I remember that feeling. Also I think there's something fun about.

wrestling like there is. It's 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. wee. Like I could just [laughter] see. you going past me and your hair going. and then your legs going. and me [laughter]. and I just remember like Rashida. like I remember seeing you flying by. which can't be true. I feel like we were. tumbling all over the floor. Like every.

time we got back on the bed we were like. or and we were we were kind of like in. each we were both trying to be like on. top of him [laughter] 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. And but he was making like. grunting bear sounds. >> [laughter]. >> It was really really really. >> really fun. >> That was a really I mean I'm trying to. think of like there's so many good crack. up moments crack up moments. I'm 100. years old.

>> [laughter]. >> What a crack up. But I'm just like I was. like. >> There's that spot in in Andy and April's. house. Remember where we could never get. a scene done? Just that one that living. room. >> Yeah, it was haunted. >> Yeah. And then I remember there was one. time you were like Rashida cuz I could. not get through it. But I really it it. felt like haunted. It did not feel like. it was my fault. Yeah, I'm sorry I said. that. There was I 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 long and it was fun until it.

wasn't. You're like oh my god it's 10:00. p.m. We just want to go home. I know and. the and there was a scene for people. that care. There was there was a 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. But there was just a lot of um. deep laughs and deep. and deep laughs off camera. Like one of. the thing 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'd be just talking and talking and. just like talking about our day talking. about life and then they would just go. or action and then we would just talk. like Leslie and Ann and we'd do our. scene and be like we kind of. I'll speak for myself kind of knew it. kind of didn't. 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.

And also I think I remember very clearly. in the pilot because we'd 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." We're. like, uh duh. >> Duh. No kidding. >> 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.

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 um. and kind of like the beginnings of that. show were. I'd say a little clumsy. >> Crunchy. >> Crunchy. >> Crunchy. Can we talk about it? >> Yeah, I'd love to. >> god. Yeah, it was crunchy.

>> 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. So so I had been on hold for this. untitled thing that was going to that. Greg and Mike were going to write. >> Right. >> And I had done it a year on The Office. and. they let me go, which made sense. It was. it made sense. I was. >> 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. They love Karen.". >> 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 as. 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 spin-off of. The Office for a second. But anyway, so they kept like kind of.

decide like changing the the character. the main characters of the show. When. they pitched it to me, the boss was a. 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 Italy. You and I were in Italy. >> Yeah. That's right. >> and it was very hot. That's right. >> And a day later. you were like, "Let's go to lunch.". >> And you talked to me about it. >> remember where we went? Pastis? >> Pastis. Yes. I do. >> City.

>> Oh god and I said, "Let's talk about. something.". >> Yeah. And you said. >> [laughter]. >> No, no, no. You. >> And I [clears throat] 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. Um but you No, I actually hold this. this moment as 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, palos, 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 Pastis 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 [clears throat]. 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. Schur's version of this is. >> Let me tell you because I left him a. message. >> [laughter]. >> almost immediately cuz 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's like a you know, >> god, what a mean part of yourself to be. Very mean. Very mean. We that's a that's. a person we're trying to um to not.

invite to the dinner party anymore. But. um so I I called him. I was like, "Hey, would love to talk to you." He was on a. plane. [laughter]. And he landed and he's like, "Uh." I was. like, "Mhm. You want to you want to tell. me what's going on cuz 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." I was. like, "You?". >> [sighs and gasps]. >> 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. >> [laughter]. >> And I still wasn't cast cuz I still had. to do a bunch of chemistry reads after. that, but but that became, you know, this huge possibility of like my life. being. the best. >> [laughter]. >> 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 and 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 because we were so close, which. was the right instinct. And Mike decided. to get on a plane, which was his. instinct. [laughter]. And he just flew for hours. >> he just went to different cities and he. got on a plane. He got on a plane. And. that's what execs do. That's what a. powerful person does is they get on a. plane. >> Get on as many planes as possible. [laughter] MY PHONE WAS OFF. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY. CARMAX. You know when people are like, "You do you." Yeah, well that's what.

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man now. >> I know. [laughter] If you watch if. whatever 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 [laughter] it's really. How old were you when you started on the. show? >> in season [laughter] 1. And then when we finished, I just turned. 18. I [laughter] 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 looked like a baby. You were a. baby.

>> [laughter]. >> I didn't know anything. I. the first seasons I 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. Uh yeah, I met with them and. >> that meeting like? Do you remember it? Well, it was so mysterious what they. were up to. 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. uh a dream job and um.

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 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 and and uh. >> of learning I when I was talking to. Plaza when Plaza was here she was. uh talking about like her meeting with. them too and. >> 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 and getting. people and bringing them in and and. talking about like we're going to do. something very cool. I mean, it what 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 I feel like all of us whenever we see. each other do interviews kind of say. this kind of stuff at nauseam, 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 cuz we've all done. other stuff and you know, not. everybody's you know, look, we've all. done other [laughter] stuff. I don't. talk about everything the way I talk. about with some people there's different. 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 and and and 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 I you know, what I. learned from you and Mike in terms of.

how to lead. um I mean I can't thank you enough. It. was the best role model I I could ever. had. Seas. Let me see if you can guess how many. times how many episodes of Parks you. did. Do you do you would you know to. guess? >> I would say. between 7 and 13. Yeah, 10. 10? >> [laughter]. >> Okay. Between 7 and 13. That was my it's kind of right between. >> [laughter]. >> 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 memories. >> kind of fell in love.

>> really Catherine where we I think. actually met. >> 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 I just like after lunch we would. play three songs. >> Best. 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. >> Thank you. >> [laughter]. >> If someone's going to break the scene, it's this professional over here. >> You know, [laughter] you I don't Do you. think you break a lot? >> 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, 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. 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, my one of the. favorites, one of one of Tik Tok and. memes and gifs and gifs is poncho.

>> was. >> So let's talk about what happened. For. people that have never seen that, what. what is it? What what Tell us what that. scene was. Well, I went to Ben and. Leslie's house. Um, I'm speaking as Jen. Barkley, my character, I'm first person. now. >> Well, for people that aren't. >> [laughter]. >> I just transformed. >> Her eyes turned dark And they used a lot. lot more hairspray. >> [laughter]. >> I went to their house, they have. children. Uh, 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 HAVE ANY IDEA IT WAS GOING to be. any I just swung my arms open and went, "Poncho! >> [laughter]. >> PONCHO!". AND THAT REALLY HAS BECOME MY FAVORITE. >> IT'S LIKE Batman's cape. >> [laughter]. >> I mean Oh, that was the best. Like I. just wanting to make you guys laugh and. just having So the the energy was so.

loose. So I like It's funny you say that. about improvising. 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 wondered 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 would.

you'd stay really really loose and but. just right before the scene and I can. think of a couple scenes that the great. scene. where Jen Barkley is telling Leslie. Nope, 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 in that scene. >> that scene. Mike Schur and the writers. 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 this is like Jen X. Yes. Um, ball buster. >> Yes. who. 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. >> [laughter]. >> I was like it was like watching. It was watching a A REAL ACTOR. >> [laughter]. >> YOU WERE ON PARKS AND REC.

YOU only did five episodes, you know. that? I know. Um, but you played a. character that. stood the test of time. I mean. >> [laughter]. >> I mean, if only if only we had Bobby. Newport. Just a a guy who wants to be. liked. Yeah. And who I know, if only, right? >> Bobby at the time. >> 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 um, Sweetums.

family, the the family the Newports 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 That's how Bobby feels about. abortion, isn't it? >> right. What did he say about abortion?

>> my thoughts on abortion are just like I. want everybody to have have a good time. Just want everybody to have a good time. I mean, come on, guys. >> What? And Bobby kept getting flustered. by Leslie wanting it cuz he wants it. Like there's that great scene where he's. like, "Can you just drop out of the race. cuz I want it?". >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Cuz I want it. >> I want it. Come on. Please, you can 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 that I neither do I. That's, you know. >> You're. Leslie Nope is 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 do you What are your memories of. doing that character? It's 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. >> I know. 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 to. the great thing that can happen if you. are able to sustain enough of a career. that you you can get to a point where. you work with your friends or you can. work with people you really like.

Because it's not work, it's just it's. it's just the best and I mean, it was. such a fun character, obviously, and the. show is so great and you're so great in. it. Um, it was it was it was it was ev-. just. It was a dream. 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. >> 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. Well, there's nothing um, there's nothing funnier to me than. unearned confidence. Yeah. Like just Mhm. Just somebody feels. like they've you know, it's like I've. got it figured out and it's like no, you. don't. Yeah. Um, but but if it's. and if it's. if it's like. nice unearned 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 had a lot of kind of unearned. confidence, but he had he was just dumb. Yeah, he wanted to have a good time. >> He he was sweet. >> He was sweet. >> And that and and that was and that. And I that was a fun that was kind of. that's a fun. thing to get to play. That's a fun kind. of character to get to play. >> Would you would we describe him as like. guileless? Is that the word? >> Yeah, I think that's a good way to do. it. Yeah, there's yeah. >> I know that word, so It's a really good. By the way,

of course you do. >> [ __ ] great word. >> it's a [ __ ] great word. [ __ ] great. word. God damn. 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. Mhm. 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 Apatow.

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 movie and Parks and Rec, 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 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. um, to do that and then while I was. out in LA 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 she 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. >> [laughter].

>> 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 Yeah. will get me a job." I. didn't understand that. >> about. >> [clears throat]. >> 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 23, maybe. Um, 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 [laughter]. and 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.". >> [laughter]. >> And he's like at his desk like. And I'm like, "What?" And then. [clears throat]. I just met him for like He describes it. He really embellishes this story, I. think. [laughter] He loves this story. I. mean he's like, "And then I met the.

weirdest person letter." I'm like, "There's no bigger fan of Aubrey Plaza. than Mike Schur.". >> Yeah, right. >> [laughter]. >> Um He loves it though. Because I think. like I mean it 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. Like you. you do not have that vibe. And the And. that draws people in. And I think he was.

like, "Who is this person. who seems mad at me?" Yeah, yeah, yeah. I tried to give her a job. >> Yeah, literally. And why are you wearing. jean shorts in a general meeting? Like ripped jean 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? What? What?" You're like, "The office?" Yeah. I literally probably. said that. I didn't know what was going. on. And then they were like, um. "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, you. didn't. >> I think 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. Gershon. >> 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. Aubrey was like, "What am I doing here?" Truly, yeah. Yeah. >> I I remember when we first met. And it. was I think I told you the story. It was. um the promos that we shot. That's. right. 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 another Rashida. >> Rashida, yeah. I don't think we had Nick.

yet or I don't think so, but they had me. and I was there like physically there. So they shot this promo of us on the a. swing set. And that's when I met you. like officially for the first time. I. think I was literally on a swing like a. child. Like and I was like. And I was like, "Just don't make any. sudden movements.". Um and then. >> Except swinging. And then you which is. kind of good cuz swinging is really good. somatically for me like I like um 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 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. I love acting with. you. I love you as an actor. I love you as a. person. I love your. acting Plazzy. You know how good I think. you are. >> playing with you. And I feel like.

our dynamic well like the arc of of um. 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's 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 see 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 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 is she cared, but she pretended she didn't. And so. when it would pop out it was so.

satisfying. 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. >> talk about that. So Andy uh. played played by Chris Pratt um and you. um. April and Andy had an episode where a. bunch of us were off like doing the like. a harvest We're at the harvest festival.

We're at some festival. >> you guys were. >> doing something together and Or you were. like [clears throat] camping or. something. We were like camping or something. 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. 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. Cuz Ann doesn't deserve Don't talk about.

Ann. >> Sorry. But what do you remember of that day? I have a bit Well, Greg Daniels directed. the episode which I I will always. remember because. he was so delighted. Like he had such a. like 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 It was like kind of like. what you said like the office like the. bull room or bull pen whatever they.

called it. The bull pen. >> Um the bull room the bull pen like. became a playground and I 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. Um 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 or. 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. um Andy'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's and I was just like, "I like it." And it was like an. improvised thing, but I Do you remember. that where I where I remember being like. and then I remember. like got 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 like, "Get out of here.". And I was like, "You I was like, "You. better listen to me." Um wow, you did. You knocked on his door. >> like I mean yeah, it was it was more. like just a little conversation. But. that 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 you know actually very fiercely. loyal. Yeah. >> And very um and like sticks up for. people she believes in which I think is. a character character trait of you too, Plazzy. Like you're very you're very. loyal friend. You're a really really protective. friend. Um and you really stick up for. people who you love. And that side of it. was so great cuz then we got to see. her like manage him care about the band. see potential for him that he didn't see.

in himself. Mhm. 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?" Like I know. That was. insane. >> That was Do you 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 cried. >> [laughter]. >> I remember you like cried in the kitchen. and then you were like crying like off. camera and I was like, "Stop.". >> that much. >> Yes, you did. You like literally cried. all day. It was so weird.

>> so happy. We were in love. >> crying all day. There was like. [laughter] I was like. >> 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 didn't. >> a salad for lunch. Like this [laughter]. is my job. >> I was crying cuz you were crying so hard. and I was worried that we weren't going. to get the shot. I was crying cuz I was. sad at how much you were crying. >> I don't think [laughter] so. I think that you thought it was real and. >> I I assumed it was legally binding. Yeah, yeah. >> [laughter].

>> But it was so good. And the. And the And the vows were so funny. Yeah. And the wedding was so. It's so funny. Okay, I mean I guess like. when do you have you rewatched Parks and. Rec? Nope. What? I'm finding this out. Okay. I wouldn't even know how. >> [laughter and snorts]. >> Shut up. Okay. Okay. You've never what. the big giant screen that you watch your. movies on? How does it work? Go bloop.

bloop bloop. and go to go to go to what? Type in. where the search how? Someone tell me. Peacock. No. Yes. Yes. [laughter] Go there or go to iTunes. I. wish I knew how. With what? up your. controller and just say Parks and Rec. into it and then it'll come up. Okay, it's probably not the right one. >> [laughter]. >> Go to your DVDs. You love your DVDs. I. wish I had one right now. But see you've never rewatched it? No.

I don't know what's wrong with you guys. I If it comes on in a hotel room, I. literally throw it something. I throw. it. Adam says. Adam says this watching the show makes. him sad. Nick has told me he's not rewatched it. Liar, he jerks off to it every night. [laughter]. You know he sits there and like touches. himself. You're so right. He's got it on right. now. >> [laughter]. >> He's Nick Nick. I'm sure Tammy.

You're right. He does watch it for. Tammy. Why does real life make him They. get off on that. They watch it together. They watch You're so right. They watch. it together and they and then they slap. each other in the face. >> [laughter]. >> They're totally disgusting. Nick, I know. you're listening. You're not fooling. anybody. Two more things about Parks. What 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 Bosh was on the show the.

basketball player? Chris Bosh, he was a Miami Heat player. Oh, yes. Was he in like Remember we had like had. like different basketball like Roy Yeah, we had Roy Yes. Yeah, Chris Bosh yes and. he was. 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 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. I was like I want to.

play a prank on him. Do you know this? 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 cuz he's a guy or. whatever. But you know how they always put them. through the works anyway. So I was like. I'm going to pretend to be the hair. stylist. >> [laughter]. >> And I think it was a 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 cuz.

it's going to be me and he'll be like. haha it's you. So I like. >> [laughter]. >> 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. >> [laughter]. >> and I looked [clears throat] at him and. I was like what are we going to 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 [clears throat] sweet. But he. didn't make eye contact. He was just. like yeah whatever you think. And I was. like. well I think. >> [laughter]. >> 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. >> [laughter]. >> And then it was like I would just kept. it going and someone videotaped it 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. Not once. Chris Bosh isn't going to be watching.

the show before he comes in. He's too busy. He was. He thought I was. He thought you were a hair person. And. like the PAs are like we really need him. on set. I'm like WELL HE'S ALMOST DONE. in my department of hair. [laughter]. And then. basically it just died. And he never you. never Nope. Well Chris is probably. listening so now you know. Never not once. Did you even work with. him on set that day? >> [laughter]. >> 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 kid's 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. a medicine for people. It's It's so. nice. Isn't that nice? And Ben and. Leslie. I know. I know.

>> [laughter]. >> We just you remember we were texting. just a couple months ago and just kind. of 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 every woman deserves a. Ben. Every woman deserves a partner like. Ben who. roots for you and like. looks at you and is just like that's my. gal. Like everyone deserves that kind of. relationship.

>> Leslie from the word go. loved Ben. Like like. now looking back it's like they were. just in love with each other. immediately. >> And their arc was such so juicy and 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 and then. they like each other but then they can't. >> be together. YEAH THAT WAS GREAT.

AND THEN THEY have to break up. >> 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. Yeah yeah. >> 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. 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 Ann who is of course. Leslie's number one. Of course. I've accepted that. >> Yeah is the way that they um. they just. rooted for each other. >> Yes. They really rooted for each other. >> I I haven't seen a ton of makes me sad. to watch the show cuz I miss it. >> that. Why does it make you sad? Because I'm I miss it. I like you were. saying like we 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. 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 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 and. >> That's right. The it even though I mean. and that's such a beautiful. genre that mockumentary cuz it allows.

you to 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'd 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 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. [laughter]. You would say it sometimes and then. sometimes I would. >> Let's just I mean and also on the other. side I would sometimes say like you know. I said this on the podcast like I would. say like Adam your acting is so good and. you'd be like shut up. We're in the. middle of the scene. Like because it was. like oh my God.

>> [laughter]. >> I mean it 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. what do you think was the most romantic. scene between Ben and Leslie? >> Oh man. >> [laughter]. >> It's so sweet. >> I know but what's the most romantic? >> The most romantic? I think. I think. well Mhm. there are a couple of nominees.

>> Okay. >> but I think. I think maybe smallest park. Ugh. I just heard a little groan. I hope it's. a good groan. Someone just being like. I love smallest park. >> Me too. Nicole Hollacenter the great. Nicole. >> Nicole Hollacenter 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. and that was. >> Yeah, that was but. I don't know what what what do you. think? >> Well, I have a lot. I I mean I feel like. that was a such a big one. I feel like. some of the. I have such a. 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. >> Yeah. And um.

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 really it's a. rewindable moment. >> I love that moment between both of us. because and of course Parks then pays it. off years later.

>> Yeah. >> underneath it. >> Yeah. Um 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. >> Um and it was so fun and like. >> we had real champagne too, maybe. >> did. >> Yeah. We 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 a. 10-hour work day ahead of you.

>> Are you asked all the time if there will. there will 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 babies. >> like that in Instagram thing where. everyone's Oh yeah, they see the yeah, 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. >> hate each other. It's like apocalyptic. political babies. >> [laughter]. >> And they're all like we're like oh no. like they're help. I hate you so much. I mean Yay, I hate you. >> [laughter]. >> cuz we made the show in an era where. public service was encouraged and valued. >> Right. and funded. >> Yes. It was.

or I mean, you know, I'm sure those. wasn't funded as much as it should have. been but it was funded at least. Um it's. entirely different. >> I know. 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. Like the best jokes. uh What is your what is your one of your. favorite What is one of the favorite. funny scenes you got to do? So many. So.

many. I mean I always think of you guys. on the on on the ice at the ice skating. rink with Gloria Estefan. 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. >> Oh, Mike Scully is the best. >> We got to. walk across that ice and it I remember. just thinking this is so fun. And it looked so fun. That wasn't even. in that scene. Yeah, that's right.

That's right. Sorry, we should probably. just Photoshop me. >> We should put me in that scene. That's. why I brought it up. >> [laughter]. >> I feel like it would I I deserve it. >> [applause]. >> Okay, you guys ready to watch it? >> Yeah. >> Okay, here we go. >> Yes. Really exciting. Amy, are you going to play it FROM YOUR. OH. >> [laughter]. >> I'M SUPPOSED TO PLAY IT. I'M SUPPOSED TO PLAY [laughter] IT. HERE WE GO.

YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING TO GOOD HANG. THE. EXECUTIVE producers for this show are. Bill Simmons, Jen Weisman, [music]. and me, Amy Poehler. The show is. produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack. Wilson, Cat Spalane, [music] Kyla. McMullen, and Alaya Zanares. For Paper. Kite, production by Sam Green, [music]. Joel Lovell, and Jen Weisman. Original. music by Amy Miles. All I ever. wanted was a really. >> [music]. >> good hang.