Adam Scott

[00:00] This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. Not checking your pockets before putting clothes in the washer? [00:09] Oof. Enjoy your freshly cleaned and completely destroyed earbuds. Yeah, checking first is a good plan. So check Allstate first for an auto quote. It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. [00:29] Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Good Hang. I am so excited to talk to my TV husband, the father of my triplets, Adam Scott, a.k.a. Ben Wyatt, Leslie Knope's dream come true. Adam Scott, incredible actor, friend. [00:44] He's just I just love talking to him today and we really get into it. We talk about his love of you, too. We talk about how he weirdly likes to drive barefoot. We talk about Parks and Rec, of course, and we give you a lot of juicy stuff there. And I try to figure out the crazy ending of Severance. And honestly, I don't know what's going on. So I try to have him help me understand that incredible show. But before we start, I. [01:11] We always like to talk to people who know our guests and who want to give us a question. And we're going to keep this Parks and Rec reunion going today by talking to the one, the only... [01:20] Nick Offerman. Nick, are you there? This episode of Good Hang is presented by Walmart. Now, everyone's talking about back to school outfits, and we all know how expensive that can be to get the shoes and the pants and the whole thing and the shirts and all the things that you need. But Walmart has the latest back to school styles for boys and girls starting at just $4. Who knew? So they've got graphic tees and joggers and colorful backpacks, Spider-Man hoodies, keychain

[01:50] shorts, flare jeans, Crocs. [01:53] Flair jeans are back! I love it! Who knew? Shop Walmart.com to score their favorite back-to-school styles starting at just $4. [02:12] Hi, Nick! Hello! Nick, you know what I love? Every time I see you, I never know what kind of hair situation I'm going to get with you. And [02:21] You... [02:22] And our guest today, Adam Scott. [02:25] Great heads of hair. That's the main thing we have in common. Super, super cute hair. [02:32] guy in one instance and donkey with great heads of hair. Stop it. You are so handsome. I love to see you. Since I've seen you last in person, it's been a minute. And one of the best things about this podcast is getting to talk to everybody again and spend time with everybody. And today I'm [02:55] The great Adam Scott. The greatest. Well, you know, we're going to talk about this when we're in person someday together, but I think that... [03:03] You know, I know that the character of Ron Swanson is... [03:08] iconic and it is in no small part to... [03:13] the way that you transform yourself and the way you approach your work, because you're [03:18] I met you in Chicago back in the day and you were coming to this work in a much more, for lack of a better term, like more prepared way.

[03:28] actor-y space and everything [03:30] And, [03:31] You're such a fine actor, and I can't wait to talk to you about it. And Adam very similarly kind of came into the biz from that space, too. He did. Thank you. By the way, I did not expect compliments today. Well, your people emailed me and said I needed to start with them. I thank you and thank you. [03:51] Please thank them for me as well. [03:55] Yeah, I love that about Adam. I love his – they hilariously asked me to write a little thing for Time Magazine for, like, the 100 cool people right now. And it was so funny because they asked me to, like, sum up his thing. And they gave me, like, 650 words or something so brief. And then they even cut – [04:21] paragraphs where I was like, come on, you guys, like this guy's career is hilariously varied and astonishing and also risible. Like he has literally done everything. I'm just going to look up risible real quick. [04:37] It's a it's you'll you'll love risible R-I-S-I-B-L-E. You love words. You are. You've taught me a lot of words, risible, such as to provoke laughter. I should know that word. [04:54] You know, I love about him that he he has done like Piranha 3D. Yeah.

[05:01] It was wonderful, like B-movie schlop kind of stuff. Also, crazy. What was that HBO show where he had, apparently it was in his contract, he had to show his balls every episode. Tell me you love me. He had a prosthetic penis. It was the first thing I saw of him. Oh, my God. And he carried it off. He sure did. Literally carried it off. I guess you could have to say he pulled it off. [05:27] He really pulled it off. I've known him for a long time. [05:31] We did play workshops together like 20-plus years ago, and he was just this cool, funny guy. Like, if you get to step aside with Adam anywhere, he's just immediately the cool kid where whatever he says to you, you're like, oh, I just want to hang out with you, whatever this event is. I mean, getting to work with him finally on Parks and Rec, I always said, and to this day I still feel like he's – [05:59] my favorite leading man that I've worked with, um, [06:02] Because he's so authentic, he lets the dorky parts of himself shine, even in Severance. You know, Adam's pure, sort of youthful, juvenile otter-like persona comes out, even though he's like our romantic leading man. And I agree, it's so gorgeous to see him leading this massive artistic achievement.

[06:32] I'm going to talk to him today about [06:35] Obviously, when he joined our show and how what that felt like to jump onto a train that was already moving. But I realize I never talked to you. Look, you and I, I think, had such similar first day goals for the show, and it was to. [06:53] make good work and have a good time. And I feel like we, [06:56] you know, [06:58] You more than anyone at times really were my partner in that relationship. [07:03] every day. [07:06] I'm so grateful for it. But was there... [07:09] When you remember him and Rob joining the show, what do you remember feeling about that at the time? There was an excitement for sure. Adam was just coming off Party Down, which Megan had worked on with him. Right. And I was a really big fan of. Your great wife, Megan Mullally, people should know. Your Tammy wife in life and on the show. Tammy, too. [07:39] where we had maybe eight series regulars at the time, we were like, can we service two new hunks? Do we have enough hunk room? Yeah. Yeah, I hear you. Okay, so I'm asking my Zoomers to give me a question to ask my guests. So I was wondering if there's any question you think I should ask Adam today. If I was just hanging with Adam, this is what I would ask him is,

[08:09] He's one of those guys who has a few dozen stories that I've never heard, even though I've heard dozens, of just like luminaries that he's, you know, Scorsese put him in a Leo movie. Like he's done so much and casually and quietly been in so many great arenas. [08:39] about somebody who you would be starstruck with that I haven't heard. [08:46] that you've worked with? That's a great question, Nick. I love that question. And you're right. There's a quiet [08:53] experience, [08:54] That Adam doesn't [08:56] brag about, certainly, but that like a lot, he's been on a lot of different sets with very interesting [09:03] to your point, luminaries. He's been everywhere. Well, friend, I hope I can't wait to get you in this seat. And it's a hot seat, man. And when you get here, I do want to talk more about facial hair because I do think you've had to switcheroo so much in your life. And Ron's mustache is, I'm going to put it up there in the Mount Rushmore of mustaches. And I miss you very much and love you and so appreciate you doing this. [09:31] Well, I miss you and love you as well. And give my best to the gang and we'll be in touch. All right, buddy. See you soon. Cheers.

[09:41] This episode is brought to you by Uber Eats. Summer is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered by Uber Eats. What do I mean by almost? Well, you can't get a summer blockbuster delivered, but you can get a block of cheese. A cabana, that's a no. [10:01] But a banana, that's a yes. You know what I like to order from Uber Eats? Batteries. Don't eat batteries. But I often need batteries, and you can get batteries from Uber Eats. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. For alcohol, you must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details. Woo-hoo! If people haven't seen this, you can't hear it, but you can. [10:31] Heavy peach. You could kill someone with that peach. That's why I like it. Why is it? Is it a paperweight? I guess it probably is. Doesn't smell. You know what it doesn't smell like is a peach. Nope. [10:45] Listeners, Adam Scott's just come into the studio, and he's checking out all the fake food. I knew you would love it. Peach still looks like a butt, no matter what. Yeah, peach is a butt. I mean, that's why you send someone a peach emoji. You're like, hey. I like your butt. [11:01] These are the miniature. I love it. This doesn't get enough play. This one I like. This is a felt sandwich, but guess what? You can take it apart.

[11:12] You can also take a bite if you want. I love a sandwich. You know what we don't talk about enough is how great a good sandwich is. What is your favorite sandwich? Like if you were to build a sandwich. Okay. Okay. [11:27] First of all, it would need to be felt. All of it. [11:31] I just say if sandwich feels good in your hands. Yeah. Yeah. [11:35] Two different cheese. I mean, this is great. I don't know. This might be too much information, but I have a little bit of TMJ. [11:41] You do? Yeah. So it's hard for me to open my mouth to eat a sandwich. I'm getting nervous that I'm going to get locked. Sure. Like this? And your arms too, locked like this? Yeah, and so a giant sandwich. Yeah. But check this out. [12:00] Bread. [12:01] Yeah, tomato. [12:02] tomato some onion [12:06] The heck? What are we in? California? Avo. I don't like avo on a sandwich. I don't either. Let's talk about it because I feel like avo makes it soggy. It also slides out. [12:17] That's what she said. It doesn't cooperate with the rest of the sandwich. [12:21] Speaking of Avo, Adam Scott is here and he's a California kid. You're a California kid. You grew up in California. You love giving me shit about being a California person. Well, you grew up in Santa Cruz and tell people how you used to drive. If you're wearing, this is a universal thing. It definitely is not. If you're wearing flip-flops. Okay, yeah. That's already 80% of the world is already not wearing.

[12:47] It is unsafe to keep the flip flops on. You have to kick them off and drive barefoot. [12:54] People in Santa Cruz drive barefoot. It's ridiculous. And Adam one time casually was like, you know, when you're like driving barefoot, I said, is your house on fire? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Did you forget your shoes? With Santa Cruz, people drive barefoot. If you keep your flip flops on, they can easily get like caught under the... [13:13] the gas or the, the brake. And then you're, you know, I, I, I, that has happened to me when I'm driving a golf cart on vacation, I don't wear flip-flops in life. Oh, so you've never entered a car with flip-flops on? [13:26] I don't know if I ever have, because, like, I feel like... I'm going to call bullshit on that right now. Well, first of all, I don't like... [13:35] flip-flops that have the thing you probably you know what Santa Cruz probably loves this the thing between the the big toe and the how else does a flip-flop function what kind of flip-flops are you wearing I like a flip-flop that well I guess it's not a flip-flop that has the thing over the foot yeah that's a sandal okay I like a sandal I don't like a flip-flop all right all right um agree to disagree Santa Cruz I feel like you guys walked around flip-flops all day and [14:05] Oh, boy. [14:06] where I sent you a photo of my bare foot on a gas pedal, and you were just like, nah. Yeah, so gross. Also, truly, like...

[14:17] Bare feet in general. Like, I don't know. Yeah, listen. How do you feel about bare feet? Okay, I don't love bare feet. And I don't wear flip-flop. Like, I feel like in my... [14:32] In my 20s, I was fine with jeans and flip-flops, which now I feel like should be illegal. I mean, both of us spent a lot of time in New York City. Flip-flops in New York City is absolutely no. Yeah, I know. It doesn't work. It's disgusting. It doesn't work. It's gross. I mean, I guess Santa Cruz is nice, but how can you run away from those vampires? Yeah. In flip-flops, you can't do it. My first introduction to Santa Cruz was the movie Lost Boys, where there were hot vampires. Yeah. Jason Patrick in 1987. [15:02] How old were you then when that movie came out? [15:05] When they filmed it, I was 13 and my next door neighbor, Joe Ferrara, he owned the comic book store that they use in the movie. So I got to go on the set of Lost Boys as a 13 year old. [15:18] And I met Joel Schumacher. [15:21] and I stood outside Corey Haim and Corey Feldman's trailers and watched them walk to their trailers, and it was super exciting. Wow. That's pretty much – but it was my comic book store. It was the comic book store I go to all the time, so I saw how they made it look different for the movie. It was cool. What comics were you into when you were a kid? I was into the Freak Brothers and Fat Freddy's Cat. Do you know what these are? Nope.

[15:51] those up fat freddy's cat and the fabulous furry freak brothers they were like stoner con they were comic books about stoners oh interesting so it wasn't more it wasn't like the marvel universe was it i did that for i dabbled in that but i was kind of more into the weird like zippy the pinhead and do you know who that is i think i remember that a little bit like when i was older yeah there [16:21] was into it. But I loved the Freak Brothers and I wasn't [16:26] smoking pot when I was like a little kid or anything. I just love these comic books. I know. You weren't. You heard it here first, guys. Adam was not smoking pot. I mean, Santa Cruz, I guess it's a kind of a toss up. They just blow it into your car. Right. They blow it into your car and make you take your shoes off. Yeah, you just flip flops are made out of weed. I'm sure. That's right. You have to smoke your flip flops. I have now interviewed [16:49] Rudd and Ham. Yeah. Ham, I haven't gotten into the studio yet, but I did. He did. He he. Oh, he did Rudd's thing. Yeah. From a hot air balloon. Yeah. That's right. But we talked a little bit about you guys. [17:02] all meeting and being like, [17:05] you know, young bucks at the same time, which is really wild. Yeah. Where, and they've talked about you. Where did you see yourself in that trio? What, how would you describe, because you're, what would you, how would you describe yourself of you? Like, which angel are you? That's so funny. It's true. I always kind of feel like sort of the little brother in that trio a little bit, because I'm quite a bit younger than both of them. Obviously that's like,

[17:35] No, I feel like... [17:37] Rudd I knew, Paul I knew first because we met, I met him at my graduation from acting school. He was [17:47] He was a speaker at the graduation. He was? Yeah. You're talking about acting? No, he was giving out an award. And I was wearing like this polyester red suit. [17:59] Just because, you know, you're just kind of looking for attention wherever you can get it, I guess, if you're graduating from theater school. Oh, that's so that hit me really hard. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's so true. You're just like, I'm going to wear I'm going to dress like a cowgirl. Oh, yeah. And you're like, I'm really I'm really out there. Everyone's going to just cheer for me just because I'm wearing this thing. [18:22] But, yeah, we we I remember we hung out afterwards and he was like, nice suit. So it worked. [18:29] worked. But... [18:32] Yeah. So, so, so that was like 1993. So I've known Paul and then we did a play together, which I think he brought up in the fall of 1993. And I remember I got my first acting job while I was rehearsing that play and my beeper kept going off while we were rehearsing and the other guy in the scene kept turning it off. Passive aggressive. And it was, yeah. [18:58] Yeah. Turning it like turning off that acting job. Yeah. He was like, no, we need you to be here. Trying to stand in front of that acting job. Exactly. That guest spot on dead at 21. He didn't want anyone. He wanted to get that guy was Leonardo DiCaprio. That's right. That's right.

[19:15] and was never heard from again. Nope. Never worked again. So I knew Paul then, and then I met him like a few years later. But I mean... [19:25] That is... [19:26] That's a very, that's a very like outsiders, young gun kind of vibe that you guys were all acting to get like trying to audition. Yeah. I mean, and in, in the world and in, in the world, you're very different, but I imagine like there was, I don't know, you could have done a lot of similar parts and probably auditioned for similar things. Yeah. And I remember once. [19:47] John and I were each doing a different CSI. He was doing regular CSI. I was doing CSI Miami and we were shooting like near each other in Culver City or something. And... [20:01] like met up to go get a beer afterwards. And I remember just kind of sitting there and just being like, how much longer do you think we're going to need to be like doing CSI? Because it was years and years for both of us. I know. I think it's super... [20:18] satisfying to talk to you about this conversation. [20:21] stage of your career because like a lot of people I know frankly you had so much experience before a lot of America knew you like and I was talking to like Nick about this earlier oh I talked to Nick Offerman oh you did I'm surprised but um he wanted to know um when like when in that in that [20:43] part of your career before we all met. And I think he was specifically talking about when you worked with Martin Scorsese, but like what,

[20:51] When were you really starstruck during that time? I was always... [20:56] starts to, I can never felt comfortable with, [20:59] Partially because... [21:02] And maybe it's similar for you, like not growing up in Los Angeles or in show business at all, like having zero contact with it. It, [21:11] Being on a TV show or being in a movie felt like going to the moon. So once you're there, it's just so crazy that there's a camera and there are lights and a famous person sitting next to you that I sort of it took me a really long time and I think probably hindered me. It's probably one of the reasons that I. [21:32] that it took me a while as I just never was able to relax. [21:37] because I was so freaked out by all of it. Really? I think so. Were you really anxious? Really anxious, but really nervous. Nervous. And how did it manifest? Did it manifest? Yeah, it manifested in me not being, and I think a part of it, [21:54] And it's something that I saw you doing pretty immediately when we started working together is you were like. [22:02] you were good with, [22:04] all of it and comfortable with all of it. And, [22:08] you were able to share yourself. [22:11] with the camera, which is something that took me a long time to even realize was something you needed to do beyond figuring out what the scene was or the characters or anything like that. You just have to be able to.

[22:24] to, [22:24] open up and share yourself with it. Does that make sense? It doesn't. It's so interesting because it's kind of like what we talked about, like the way in to, [22:35] Like when you, and any job, the way, the way you enter can be kind of the thing that you identify with forever. Like I'm this kind of person, I'm this kind of performer. Yeah. And I always found like when I was in Chicago and it's funny, like Nick is a good example. Nick was in like the like serious theater scene and there were the improvisers and, you know, people that came the comedy road. There were the serious actors who studied acting. Right. [23:01] And I used to find that they were so trained and so good and I felt a little inferior in terms of skill. But I also thought they took things very seriously. Yeah. And because of it, they were missing that like play. Totally. So like it was all their work was done when they got to set. I said this about you and Catherine Hahn, two very skilled actors who who. [23:26] who studied, you, first of all, you knew your lines, which is important. Okay. I did, but I mean, I just mean, but I mean, you, you would both prepare in a way that was an, you know, part of the process of you working and the preparation was really impressive. Um, and what I really, um, loved about working with you and still do is you are one of those rare people that

[23:56] do have a big sense of play. You do not come in with some preconceived notion of how things should go. And you [24:03] you can straddle that like really good, deep acting thing [24:09] And really dumb, fun shit. Right. But that's because, yeah, yeah, sorry. No, why do you think that's because? Well, I think that's because I was doing it with you. But you were doing it before then, too. Not really. I mean. Really party down. [24:25] Right. But Party Down was more scripted. I mean, we didn't have the like fun runs and stuff like we did on Parks. [24:35] Um, [24:36] I think Martin Starr would improvise more than anybody. [24:41] And Step Brothers, I was just like trying to keep my head above water. I'd never really improvised before. So I was like, it was one of the reasons I looking back, I was, I, I, [24:51] Once started really doing parks and it's like, this is the way to do it. This is like so fun. And yeah, [24:59] Um, [25:00] And it's no less satisfying than some serious thing. It's all in there. The characters are bone deep, [25:09] It's so funny. Everyone cares about each other and it's super fun. So it made me kind of think like all those years I was wasting trying to like, [25:19] get three lines on NYPD Blue. I could have been trying to do something at ImprovOlympic. It's just, you look back and you never know. It's so funny. I can remember all the

[25:32] those years that we all did those movies, big and small parts in them, where improv was so important to make those movies come alive. [25:40] But I remember there was like a tipping point for me. [25:43] One time in a movie that I did where like, there was just like 10 people shouting jokes at me about like, do this and do that. And I remember going like, oh, I don't even know what my character's name is. I don't even know what my character is. Like, it's so, I kind of. It's so interesting you say that because like, it's around that time from like 2005 through like 2013. That was the overwhelming culture on Netflix. [26:09] comedy sets was just a bunch of people screaming jokes at you and you just being like yeah okay which one of us says and they're like either one yeah who cares cool yeah I've done a good job with my character if either one of us can say this joke no I know and I feel I it's it's and you like your career is so interesting you have done [26:32] So many different things. I think it's what is I know for me, like so exciting about this moment for you. [26:40] is that it's just... [26:43] It... [26:44] There's just really nothing you can't do, Adam. Stop that. It's so true, dude. [26:51] But I think people like to know these things. Was there ever a part you auditioned for that you got close on that you didn't get? Yeah. Yeah. [26:58] Six feet under. Yeah.

[27:02] That was the one that I didn't get. It was for Michael C. Hall's role? Michael C. Hall's role. And it's good that I didn't get it because it wouldn't be nearly as good if I had done it because – [27:16] Um, he was perfect and incredible. He's incredible. And I wasn't ready. But you mean like it was between you and two other guys and I tested for it. And I believe that hurts. I, it was, it was the one where I was like, I might stop doing this. I think that it's time for me to like read the tea leaves and walk away. I don't think people understand that enough when you, we all have, when we, you lose a part and it's so close and then the show is this hit [27:46] it's painful it really is like it's painful someone fucking your girlfriend in front yeah 100 and you're just like oh my god this show is so good and he's so good that show and that show was everything like it just kind of like eclipsed all other shows it was the show i went and did a couple episodes as michael's boyfriend that's like in season two [28:11] And Michael was like, you want to see the trailer you could have? Yeah, yeah, exactly. Everything he showed me is his bank account. [28:18] Um, no, he, he was lovely of course, and it was fun and stuff, but yeah, that was a blow. That was hard. Um, but you know, that's, it's also important that you have those, those experiences. Are you good in auditions? No, no, no, no. Terrible. Me too. I hated it so much. I was so nervous. You were nervous. Yeah. Yeah.

[28:42] What about you? Well, I was nervous, too. But the way I masked my nervousness, which is not a great quality, is I would get kind of like I would seem kind of ambivalent. [28:52] Uh-huh. Like I would get kind of, you know when you get nervous, you get sleepy. Yep. Yep. So I would be very nervous and just like stomach in knots and, and, and really psyching myself out of like, just go in there. Just, just, you know, just do what you can do. Yeah. But that would tip over into. I don't care. I don't care. Yeah. And what was your audition like for Park? Did you audition for Park? No, no, I was lucky. You just got, they just gave it to you. Yeah. Yeah. [29:20] Because Mike... [29:22] Ffff. [29:24] I remember the day that my phone had you and Mike's names on the voicemail thing. And I was like, whoa, is this is it finally like happening to me? Because I and I showed someone like, look, Mike, sure, Amy Poehler. And then there was someone else who was calling me. [29:42] It was like suddenly, for whatever reason, people were there were. [29:46] incoming calls asking me to do stuff. And that had never happened before. I don't remember why that started happening on one particular day, but you left me a voicemail and that was a huge deal. I'm sure I still have it. Really? Yeah, I'm sure I do. We should put like a techno beat to it. Totally. No, that's right. When I first heard it, I was like, this would make a great song. This would be a hit. This is catchy. How is this voicemail catchy to me? So wait, just yes,

[30:16] Can I just want to interject so I don't forget? Because that's what I do. I always forget shit that I was going to say. 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 have a lot of anxiety. Yeah. [30:42] I cannot believe the way that that show continues to be. [30:48] medicine for people. It's so nice. I know. I know. Do you remember we were texting just a [31:00] commented on how nice they are. They're so nice. They're so much nicer than us. So much nicer. And they're so nice to each other. I know. And every woman deserves a Ben. Every woman deserves a partner like Ben who... [31:15] roots for you and like [31:18] looks at you and is just like, that's my gal. Like, everyone deserves that kind of relationship. But also, Leslie, from the word go... [31:28] loved Ben. Oh, beyond. Now looking back, it's like they were just in love with each other. I know. Immediately. And their arc was such so juicy. I know. The writers, Mike and the writers, because they meet and they're just like, [31:43] Well, what's your deal? Oh, yeah. It was like... And then...

[31:48] 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 so i mean they probably could i know it didn't matter but and then 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 yeah yeah ben was like i want you like ben kept putting leslie's you know what it is they kept putting each other's needs over their own [32:18] other one needed and they respected each other. Like they really liked what the other one did. [32:23] And it was the best thing about that relationship is how, you know, with the exception of Anne, who is, of course, Leslie's number one. Of course, I've accepted. Yeah, is the way that they they just rooted for each. Yes. Well, we rooted for each other. I haven't seen a ton of it makes me sad to watch the show because I miss it. I've heard you say that. Yeah. Why does it make you sad? [32:50] Because I miss it. Like you were saying, we really appreciated being there every day, and it was so fun. [32:59] And also just sort of walking in that building and then suddenly you're there and the hallways. And yeah, it was so fun. And the people just loved everybody. But I guess maybe it just that's a good question. Why does it actually make me sad? I think I know is because you're stuck in that fucking weird. The white hallways. You're running in a white hallway. I told Adam, I was like, too much running. Too much running. Yeah. Yeah.

[33:23] I know. I was so tired. I mean, just and there's you don't even know where you're going. I mean, every hallway looks the same. I know. Get lost. Get lost every day. That's why. It's exhausting and confusing. Yes. I know. Pawnee hallways. People are dying in your new workplace. Like, they're getting killed. Pawnee, everyone's nice. There's a graphic painting of a [33:49] massacre on the wall, but it's covered up. That's true. That's okay. It was a terrible massacre. But something I saw recently is our very first scene in that bar when... Love that scene. Me too. So well-written, that scene. Yes, and... [34:04] We're having a beer. And I say, Ben says, yeah, but you want to you're going to run for and like immediately just knows that Leslie has these ambitions. Yes. That it seemed that you'd never even said out loud before, but is 100 percent. [34:22] what you planned on doing. It was just such a great little... Yes, what they saw, they saw in each other the dream for the other. That's right. They just, they kept, like, they assumed the best and they saw... [34:36] Mm-hmm. [34:36] The potential in each other, basically. I know. It was so fun to play that. And I was saying, too, that for this interview, I rewatched your first scene, which it's so good because – [34:47] Nick and I are on the side, you know, Ron and I never sat on this. We never even sat down next to each other. Usually you were at loggerheads. Yeah, we were across from each other. And so it's like you've got the kind of like.

[35:00] Pawnee side. Yeah. And then you and Rob come in with suits. Right. And it's like, who are these whippersnappers? And I can remember that day because it was our first day of work. I think that was the first scene that we did. And it played really well because it was like, who is this new person? Who are these guys? Yeah. [35:23] This episode is brought to you by L.L. Bean. Yes, I may record this podcast in a studio, but I'll be the first to say that some of the best memories are made outdoors, especially in summer. Long sunny days on the coast, swimming, camping, eating lobster rolls, you just can't beat it. And L.L. Bean has all the clothing and gear you need to make these memories. Their effortless styles are designed for summers spent outside with family and friends, [35:53] course, the boat and tote. This iconic bag has been made in Maine since 1944 and is tested to hold up to 500 pounds. That is a lot of sunscreen or groceries or beach towels. You can even personalize it with a custom monogram or cute tote charm. In L.L. Bean's home state of Maine, vacation land is more than a state motto. It's a state of mind. L.L. Bean, be an outsider. Visit llbean.com to learn more. [36:21] This episode is brought to you by Visible. How many of you are currently listening to this podcast on your phone? If you are chronically online, like we all are these days, your wireless network should be too. With Visible, you get unlimited 5G data and unlimited hotspot, all powered by Verizon's 5G network. The perks of big wireless for half the cost. Visible isn't just a wireless plan, it's unlimited wireless designed to always keep you connected and no contract holding you back.

[36:51] Switch today at visible.com. Plans start at $25 a month. Or get our premium Visible Plus Pro plan and save $10 on your first month when you use promo code HANG, an exclusive offer for podcast listeners. Terms apply. See visible.com for plan features and network management details. [37:10] This episode is brought to you by Subaru. Most cars just stick to the asphalt, but hybrids can be found on dirt roads, back roads, and everything in between. Because the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and Subaru Forester Hybrid were built for adventure. With up to 597 miles per tank in the Crosstrek Hybrid and 581 miles in the Forester Hybrid, love goes the extra mile in the Subaru Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid. [37:40] Maximum range based on EPA-estimated combined fuel economy and a full tank of fuel. Actual mileage and range may vary. [37:48] This episode is brought to you by Ultima Replenisher. You know what no one has time for? Over-the-top wellness trends. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for taking care of yourself, but being healthy should make your day better, not harder. And that's where Ultima comes in. With all six essential electrolytes, Ultima provides balanced hydration that fits right into your day. Available in delicious plant-based flavors with no sugar, calories, or carbs. Shop Ultima on Amazon or in-store at Target and Whole Foods Market. [38:18] Thank you. [38:20] What was it like to join...

[38:24] a show that was in motion that you had watched already on TV. It was so weird. Um, but, but, [38:30] Immediately fun, like even the first table, I remember I was like, I got I walked in the room like one minute after I was supposed to be there. So I was already like thrown like I'm fucking late to my first Jesus Christ. And but it was immediately so warm and welcoming and super fun. [38:51] People, everybody's laughing at the incredible jokes in the script. [38:56] But then when we started shooting, um, [39:00] I mean, you know, it was a welcoming place that immediately kind of fostered, encouraged your best, but also... [39:11] Um, [39:12] to take [39:13] swings and shots without... [39:16] any sort of fear of doing the wrong thing. That was just never really there. And then that short season was kind of short when we started because I was preggers. [39:26] Mm hmm. And it's not always easy, like getting chemistry going with a gal who's like hiding her stomach. It is so easy. But it was like, oh, bless your heart. And the other thing I just like that I feel like I am proud of during that is the way in which and I said it before, but I feel like the way in which in real time, it's a job that I felt the most present.

[39:56] SNL felt like a... [39:58] you know, a speeding train, an emergency room. And I learned really fast and hard lessons really fast. And for, [40:06] Everyone on parks, I felt like we were all kind of in this tender bubble because we often thought we were going to get canceled. [40:16] And we just kind of knew what we had. I don't know. I think that you guys did a really good job because all this stuff about us almost getting canceled. I think we all kind of sensed something, but I don't think any of us except you. I think you and Mike protected us from a lot of that. [40:31] which is great producing and really taking care of all of us. Um, [40:37] I don't think we were ever quite, I've kind of heard all of it since, but it was interesting. [40:43] pretty tenuous there at the end of the seasons. Yeah. Yeah. Just scary. You're a great producer. What do you like about producing speaking of producing? That's nice of you to say. I learned a lot. [40:56] watching you work and working with you, both as a producer, but also as the lead actor. Like you really... [41:03] kind of set the template for me. [41:06] Truly. [41:09] how everyone should and deserves to be treated, cast and crew and all of that. I always kind of directing specifically is like, because you're looking at a monitor all day, it's like getting to watch television, which is like one of my favorite things to do, except you get to go in and try to make it better. And producing is somewhat similar in that you're spending all of your time just trying to nitpick and find all of the things that don't work and find solutions

[41:39] making sure everybody's happy and feeling good about what they're doing. That's another important component that I really learned from you and Mike too. It's so important that everybody is feeling like they're a part of it, like a useful cog in the machine and that there is a satisfying job for them. Now, do you guys have, um, for severance, uh, which by the way, congratulations and get that Emmy speech ready, baby. Get that Emmy speech ready, honey. Please. [42:09] But get it ready. But when you... [42:17] When you shoot that show, is it, I just feel like it's a really, I mean, it's so beautifully shot. You have such great. [42:25] uh, [42:26] Set design, you have tons of, like, it just seems like it's a long, how many, [42:31] days take is one episode take? Well, it depends. It's long, right? It's long. The season two, I think it was 186 days for the season. Wow. [42:43] Which is a long time, you know? I mean, I think, like, one episode took, like, six weeks. And then I think it's kind of average out because we shoot them, like, three at a time all mixed up together. Yeah, you do the crossboard. You do that? Okay. Season one, we shot the entire thing. [43:01] At once. So like in month nine, we were still shooting scenes from the first episode. But the thing that that did.

[43:09] The accidental thing that that did is, you know, the first few episodes of any show are a little shaky and everyone's finding their tone a little bit or characters or whatever. It spread that out over the entire season. So it kind of felt... [43:22] more or less fully realized, you know, in a way fully realized from the start. But the shaky scenes are kind of distributed over the course of the season. You have to do so much switcheroo in that show. I mean, like you have to act against yourself. You have to just figure out versions of yourself truly that change mid-scene, let alone mid-sentence. Do you have a script supervisor or a graph or someone that keeps that [43:50] How do you keep track of that? Yeah, that's a good question. In season one, I remember I had heard that Michael Keaton had this big, like these big poster boards for multiplicity where he kept track of all of his characters. Yeah. [44:06] I got large like construction paper. I remember I was staying in Aziz's apartment in season one. And so I was like, I remember putting it out on the floor and getting like a marker and drawing a line and like trying to like mark down like the scenes and the episodes. And eventually it was like, I don't know what I'm doing. I just stopped doing that. I just gave up. But, um, yeah, [44:31] I think it's, you just sort of map it out and then just like a math problem, you just try to kind of, [44:38] lock in what's going on. Particularly if you're shooting it all at once, you have to sort of make some decisions. And, and, um, we would go back and forth between characters sometimes in, in one, like in the morning we would do any stuff and in the afternoon do Audi stuff. Interesting. Yeah. And so, oh, that's interesting. Yeah. Yeah. So you'd like any before lunch. Yeah. That's right. Which is good. Cause you're slowed down after let it out. Yeah. Yeah. You

[45:08] Audi. [45:10] I mean, it's such an indication of how well that show trapped us because [45:18] In this last season, it's just so incredible. The finale was so incredible. [45:22] Thanks. [45:23] What? Your wife. [45:27] Right. She went... [45:30] Pretty hard to get back to you. Yeah, I know. Dude. I know. Were you pissed? Yeah. [45:38] And Brit is incredible. I got to do a movie with Brit. Yeah, that's right. You guys did. Yeah, we did this movie, Sisters, and she was so fun in it. And so she's great in the show. So good. But. [45:50] Well, what other choice was... [45:52] Any mark. Oh, I don't know the choice whether you go with your wife. So walk out the door and like end your life. And yes, you go to the door. That's the choice you would. What do you mean end your life? He walks out that door. He doesn't know if he's ever coming back. [46:08] He walks out the door, he becomes his Audi. He doesn't know if that Audi is ever going to walk back in that building. [46:14] But that building is not great. No, but it's better than not existing. But is it? Yeah, I don't know. That's a good question. I don't know. That was such a good ending. It was like standing up, shouting at the TV ending. It was so good. And you played it so well. And it was so exciting to watch that ending. It was so satisfying. You were nice. You texted me like, [46:34] Right after. And you you text pretty promptly after things. And it always means the most when you text me. It really does. I mean, it means the most that I get to have friends and for people listening. Can you imagine your favorite? It's the best feeling in the world. Your favorite TV show.

[46:51] And then you get to text the person on it immediately and be like, what the fuck? Right, right. And, you know, and it's not like you get any spoilers, but you just get to like be like, you get to process. Yeah. Like I think growing up, if I ever, you know, if I'd ever been able to, I don't know. [47:07] text Molly Ringwald and be like, [47:10] Dude. Why didn't you pick Ducky? Ducky, man. Ducky was the dude. Or like I remember I wrote viewer mail to David Letterman and just never, you know, they just kind of went off and disintegrated in the mail. And you're like, Dave. Yeah, Dave. Hey, I remember I came up with this whole thing that I thought they would use to create a bit around that I thought would be so lame. [47:40] That is your hair. Do you mean like a toupee? I don't know. You don't have a system. Whatever that is. And there's nothing wrong with having it. No, look, there's nothing wrong with a system. There's nothing wrong with a hair system. There's nothing wrong with it. Men and women. I'm just saying that Adam has great hair and... [47:57] Do you think it's because you're Scottish? Aren't you Scottish and... [48:01] I'm Scottish. I'm Sicilian. Okay, that maybe it's that I don't know. But also I started [48:08] taking Propecia when I was like [48:11] 30 years old. Really? Yeah. It started, it started coming out, um, pretty like when I was like 30 ish. Um, [48:20] Yeah. I mean, everyone on Parks, remember all the guys had great hair. Yes. And all the men and Catherine Hahn had great hair. And then I don't think Rashida would mind or Aubrey would mind that we all felt like we had.

[48:33] Why? Our hair was... [48:35] it's just thin but all the men would just have these giant heads of hair and it just I mean Nick would grow a beard in a day that mustache is like [48:51] What is it, 45 minutes he can grow that? Yeah, he can grow it in 45 minutes if he just goes... He has to push really hard. But one more Severance question, which is... [49:02] Um, well, [49:03] What is happening on it? What is it? And what what happened? Right. What's going on? What's going on? What happened? What? [49:14] What is it? What is it? But you do host a podcast. Yeah, Ben and I host it. Yeah, how has it been doing that? Great. What's it like to talk about the show that you're... It's actually been... Originally, it was actually Naomi's idea. She was like, you guys... Because it had been three years since season one, we were just like... [49:33] We were just worried about everyone that watched the first season coming back. So we're just trying to think of ways to and Naomi thought, you know, you guys should do this. And it actually was it's so fun to just go back and really be able to to watch the episodes as finished things and talk over it with the actors or, you know, crew members or whomever.

[50:03] what we remember, what we intended, and all that stuff. Cool. Yeah. Do you remember the U2 podcast it used to do with Aukerman? Yes. What if I didn't remember it? Do you remember? That's such a bad question. Do you remember? No, no, no. No, it's not, because it's something that you could forget. People also don't know that you did a podcast about U2, and it was called? You talking U2 to me. [50:30] Why did you do a podcast about U2? [50:33] Because we found out that we were both U2 fans. And there was something funny about doing it because U2 is so huge. There was something funny about... [50:45] It's almost like doing a podcast about like Sizzler or something. I love YouTube, but they're big. And so, I don't know, it's hard to pinpoint exactly why it's funny to do the thing. And that wasn't the right analogy. But we both found out that Kulop, Scott's wife, and Naomi, my wife, were sick of hearing about YouTube and didn't want to talk about it anymore. [51:15] this show about being a middle-aged man. If you want to have middle-aged male friendships, you need to do a podcast together. Oh my God. Yes. Yeah. I mean, it is, it, [51:26] It's one of the things I love about you is you have a very back of the classroom experience. [51:32] style of comedy like you are a side like you're the like out of your mouth talk you're a shit talker not in a bad way but you're like you know okay you are you are

[51:43] You can be like a love tap from Adam is like a quick. [51:49] you know, to me, that's [51:51] What intimacy is, is when you can like... [51:54] Shit talk your friends. And you like to mumble out of the side of your mouth in the back of the class. Sure, sure. But what comes what's great about that is along with that comes like you like. [52:07] deep dives into... [52:10] Yeah. [52:11] Dumb stuff. Dumb stuff. Yeah. Like getting dumb stuff and and like elevating it by the way you talk about it. Have you always been like that? Maybe. Because you were a big TV and movie fan girl. You just were a kind of a nerd in that way. We talked about comic books. I mean. Yeah, I know. There's nothing nerdier than a fucking comic book. But like particularly Fat Freddy's cat. Yeah, I think that and I think doing it on a podcast is extra good because you can edit it [52:41] now that you're my we're the same age are you like a year younger than me i think we're the same age [52:46] Do you have like hobbies now that you're getting into? Like, you know how we are like that happens to us? Like we're like, I want to. [52:53] start sculpt gardening gardening stuff like do you do that no i've never i i have like [53:01] In the garage is like a bicycle and a, what did I have? I had a telescope that I got, like a really nice telescope and never once used it.

[53:15] A bicycle that I rode once. [53:18] Um, I don't, I've been looking for, I don't, I, I like working and, and I like, did you have a thing? No, it's funny you say that about a telescope. That is such a, like, you know what? I'm going to get a nice telescope. I deserve it. Yeah. I know. Look at the stars. I mean, who are we? Yeah. On this tiny marble moon. It's up there every night. I've never taken a good look at it. [53:48] hang your clothes. I don't care about the moon that much. I guess what I'm asking underneath that question is like, you've been working really hard for a long time. What's your relationship to work and to hard work? And do you [54:01] That's a good question. I feel like it's all mixed up and somewhat dysfunctional. You know what I was thinking about, actually, and it's sort of on the same line of thinking, is that you mentioned SNL earlier, and I'm... [54:15] Something that I realized recently was when I... [54:19] really kind of met you and got to know you, SNL was only like, [54:24] what, two years ago, a year and a half before parks? Yeah. Like it was... [54:30] a fresh thing and what an intense experience and what a giant change work-wise from that environment and that the pressure of that to the pressure of, of parks, which was an enormous amount of pressure, but entirely different. It must've been, that must've been something that you, that took a while to kind of settle and grapple with. Yeah. I mean, the, what I was lucky about

[54:59] much I had to do. I felt like if I had been playing, if Leslie Knope was a character that worked three days a week, um, [55:08] I feel like I would have been struggling because I, [55:12] To your point, I just had to, I like made a lot of, I feel like swings and misses in the beginning. Like the show did kind of did too, right? Like I think we were all trying to figure out what the show was. And I think it just took me a while to settle down. Right. You know, I used to make a joke when I would be in people's movies. I'd be like, you know, when you get into someone else's car and the music's too loud, that may be how I am. Like, feel free to turn me down. And I think it took a while. [55:42] Thank you. [55:42] like grounded on the ground as a performer enough to just settle because so much of the beginning was – [55:52] sketch energy, which is different. Right. Which is all about right now we've got to like make it great. I mean, I don't know. I'm just guessing that it's all about like an immediate thing that you have to put everything into. Yeah. And yeah. Yeah. And [56:08] I think one of the things that was so fun about what we got to do is the camera helped us work [56:16] At least it helped me. [56:18] have my feelings about, you know, there, I, I tell people like, of course you, of course we love Ben. We got to like Ben, we watch Ben watch Leslie and we love Leslie. So like when people love Leslie, we love them. And we got to watch Ben love her because the camera, like we got to do so much indirect stuff. Like we didn't have to face to face all the time. We had feelings, our characters

[56:48] So even though, I mean, and it's such a beautiful... [56:51] genre, that mockumentary, because it allows you to just even create space in [56:57] 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 of times a season. [57:27] that neither of us will ever win an award for acting for this scene. [57:42] On the other side, I would sometimes say, you know, I said this on the podcast, like I would say, Adam, your acting is so good. You'd be like, shut up. We're in the middle of the scene. Like because it was like, oh, my God. I mean, but 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. [58:06] What do you think was the most romantic scene between Ben and Leslie? Oh, man. [58:12] It's so sweet. I know, but what's the most romantic? The most romantic? I think...

[58:19] I think... [58:20] Well, there are a couple of nominees. Okay. But I think... [58:26] I think maybe smallest park. Ugh. 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 Hollis Center, the great Nicole Hollis Center. And Chelsea wrote that one. Chelsea Peretti wrote that episode. [58:45] And I remember really... [58:47] Like feeling connected, shooting that and just being like, this is kind of feeling like how special it was. Yes. Making the show. And that was. Yeah, that was. But. [59:03] I don't know. What do you think? Well, I have a lot. I mean, I feel that that was such a big one. I feel like some of the. [59:10] I have such a... [59:11] affinity for the beginning beginnings parts of Ben and Leslie, because I do think it also just reminded me of like, we were, you know, the show was deciding that they were going to love each other too. And, um, yeah, [59:26] I really love this tiny moment when, [59:29] they realize they like the same spot. [59:32] When they like to sit under the sunflower mural. Well, I love that moment. When I... [59:38] ask you if you know where that mural is. [59:41] And your response is real. It's a rewindable moment. I love that moment between both of us because and of course, Parks then pays it off years later. 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. And I think we had real champagne, too. Maybe. We probably did. Yeah.

[1:00:11] did. And then that probably became a problem later in the day. Yeah, probably champagne, not something to have when you're, when you have like, [1:00:20] 10 hour work day ahead of you. Speaking of champagne, maybe our fans would like to know that on our last day of shooting or one of our last days, like speaking of like, [1:00:30] romantic romantic [1:00:32] goodbyes we all climbed up on the top of the hair and makeup trailer [1:00:38] and like did a big toast up there because we shot at a studio called CBS Radford. And it was very like we wrote our names on the wall. We were sharing a studio. Who had been there before? Malcolm in the Middle. Yeah. And maybe Seinfeld? No. Seinfeld was on the lot, but not that particular stage. Naomi and I have our office at Radford. You do? Yeah. Oh, my God. And I walk over there all the time. [1:01:08] really shooting anything on a studio. I had never had like a studio experience before and I was so lucky to do it there. But yeah, we like got up on the trailer. I mean, there was just so many proper goodbyes for that show. We really, and Mike and the writers really landed that plane. Yeah. And that's, that's rare. I know. Like that is so rare. Are you asked all the time if there will be a more parks or a reboot or something? I always feel like that's, it's been, it's done, [1:01:38] 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 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

[1:02:08] babies. And they're all like, oh, no. I hate you so much. I mean, yeah, I hate you. Because we made the show in an era where. [1:02:21] public service was encouraged and valued and funded. I'm sure there wasn't as funded as much as it should have been, but it was funded at least. [1:02:35] It's an entirely different tone to American life. I know it's and you know, the the. [1:02:42] The many fun town halls that we used to have to do were so fun to sit together and do those and just have people like just come up and score and be so funny. The funniest people coming and doing stuff on the show. We had the best, best. [1:02:57] rotating cast of geniuses come through there. In fact, a lot of people should know that at the end of the year, the show made like a yearbook. And it was a list of every single person that's been in the show. And by the way, RIP Jonathan Joss. [1:03:13] Ken Hotate. What a sweetheart. Sweet man. And funny. Very funny. And so sad for him and his family and his husband. Yeah. You know, when you have that feeling sometimes like you wish you could go back to high school and enjoy it. [1:03:25] 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... [1:03:35] What is one of the favorite funny scenes you got to do? So many. So many. I mean, I always think of...

[1:03:44] You guys on the ice at the ice skating rink with Gloria Estefan. Yeah. I mean, that is – I remember at the table read, that was – we couldn't stop laughing because it was so funny. Yeah, Mike Scully wrote that episode. Mike Scully is the best. We got to walk across that ice. [1:04:03] And I remember just thinking, this is so fun. What a fun job. That wasn't even in that scene. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. That's right. [1:04:12] Sorry, we should probably just Photoshop. We should put me in that. That's why I brought it up. I feel like I deserve it. You know, my kids watched the show during the pandemic like everyone else did. And I rewatched a lot of stuff. And it was so fun because I remembered the feeling of how everything was to shoot it. Yeah. But I didn't remember what was going to happen. It is weird to watch yourself doing something and have no recollection of it happening in your life. It's so strange. [1:04:42] What are you... [1:04:43] I ask this to everybody, like, what are you laughing at right now? I mean, first of all, you know... [1:04:48] do you you're very serious now that's right i don't thank you for acknowledging that i don't laugh anymore i mean you're all you're doing is running running and typing and if you'll i don't know if you notice but while i'm running i'm not laughing not at all i didn't see you crack a smile once because it's hard to laugh while you're running because it's [1:05:11] It's not funny. You're running for your life. That's right. Yeah. I got to get there like as fast as possible. And again, I'd love to ask you where, where are you going? Where am I going? Yeah. I'm going down the hall.

[1:05:22] Got to. [1:05:23] Got to run down the hall. [1:05:26] What am I laughing at? Are you watching anything? Are you like... Anything like super funny? Yeah. What are you like... What are you, Naomi, liking right now? Or did you see something recently? Or... [1:05:37] You know what I've been watching recently is I've been rewatching all sex in the city. The Ridge. Yeah. It's incredible. So. [1:05:47] fucking good so good it is so good such a love letter to that time period yes were you ever on it because every actor actor i know but like justin theroux uh [1:05:59] Bobby Cannavale, Will. Yep. Yep. [1:06:02] Everybody. Yep. Slattery. Slattery. Elizabeth Banks. Yes. It's a real who's who. Yeah. [1:06:08] Everybody in New York. [1:06:10] But it is so good. And something I like doing is watching it and just kind of thinking about all of this happening for the first time. Like women sitting at a table together talking about. [1:06:23] whatever, talking about themselves and... [1:06:28] Talking about like, [1:06:29] how weird someone's cum smells. It's just like, holy shit, this is incredible. Like that has never been on TV before, let alone said out loud for people. And just how Samantha is just... [1:06:47] the most sex positive, like incredible, like not a moment of embarrassment. Never. Like so fucking cool. So good. And Sarah Jessica Parker is so great at being the center of a show, servicing everybody else, but also keeping that motor going in the middle. It's so good. There's a couple of shows that make me when I'm in Los Angeles really miss New York. Sex, Old Sex and the City and Law and Order. Oh, yeah, sure.

[1:07:17] Yeah. Were you on Law & Order? I was on Law & Order once. I'm so jealous. You weren't on Law & Order? No, that was my dream. Really? Never. I mean, I didn't see, I wasn't auditioning in that way. I didn't think I was a good enough actor. But I wanted to be on Law & Order so bad. Yeah, yeah. [1:07:33] What was your character? Why do I not know that you're in the long order? I should know this. Timothy Dinkins. I don't know what the name was. We can look it up. I was working at the grocery store arranging fruits or vegetables when they came up and first started talking to me. [1:07:50] Thank you. [1:07:51] And I, [1:07:53] I remember my agent at the time calling me right after it aired and being like, you don't know how to handle those vegetables. [1:08:01] You weren't doing anything. Who were the peeps? Was it the Orbach years? It was, uh, [1:08:06] No, it was Dennis Farina. Dennis Farina. Who was so cool. Ugh. And... [1:08:11] Uh, Jesse L Martin. Fantastic. Did you meet S. Apatha? If you're listening, I need to get you on the show. She's great. She's incredible. Uh, Sam Waterston. Ugh. [1:08:23] Yeah. [1:08:23] So you went to the court. I went to court. You got to the law part. Pablo Schreiber and I were in court together and he ended up being guilty. And I was the red herring, I think. What were you accused of doing? [1:08:36] probably killing someone. I don't totally remember. [1:08:40] Well, we're going to watch it. Are you finding my character's name? [1:08:44] And if it's Timothy, whatever I said, that would be amazing.

[1:08:48] Okay. Timothy Dinkins. Yeah. Timothy Dinkins. Was Adam Scott on Law and Order? [1:08:55] Okay. The trail leads to a pair of perpetrators, another mercenary played by Pablo Schreiber and the brother of one of Schreiber's fellow mercenaries who was killed in a roadside ambush by presumably Al-Qaeda. [1:09:10] Thank you. [1:09:11] God, I don't know. The brother, you forgot the Al-Qaeda part? I did. The brother is Adam Scott and he is the only true innocent. [1:09:18] That's right. And the whole show. That's right. [1:09:22] Wow. Thank you. [1:09:24] That's I wanted to play a I wanted to play the opposite. See, because you wanted to be a I wanted to be like the one that you would not suspect. And then it's like, I did. Yeah. I wanted to be a pyro because I felt like you wanted to specifically be a pyromaniac. I wish I wanted to be like a baby faced pyro. Oh, yeah. Someone who just is like. [1:09:45] You know, she seems like she's helping the police and then she's like, they deserved it. Yeah. You know, whatever kind of weird psycho thing. Okay. So sex in the city is what you're watching and laughing at. Yeah. I'm, I, it's great. I, and you know, when you're, I saw something recently that said that repeated, if you have the urge to watch something you've seen before and repeat viewings is a sign of a particular kind of intelligence. Yeah. [1:10:10] oh yeah no this is real it's a sign of intelligence intelligence i saw this on instagram on instagram okay it just and it was a picture of someone watching tv and it just said that there was no nothing to back it up and i was like oh great let me watch more sex in the city you saw it on dr instagram my daughter and i just flew together from new york like night before last

[1:10:40] and I got in my seat and she was across the row from me and I got in and like started watching Sex in the City that I had downloaded because I went and she was like dad are you watching more Sex in the City yeah I love you I love you Amy thank you for having me this is so fun we were really excited to do this one today oh that's very nice I love being here thank you come back [1:11:10] can do philly justice again today's polar plunge is brought to you by wayfair here to help you make your home a happy place well that was an amazing episode with adam uh we got uh so deep i love talking to him and um he's just the best and he mentioned uh six feet under a show that he got close to booking and that did remind me of the parks finale you know for people that watch the [1:11:39] Mike Schur and I were talking about the idea that in comedies, you don't always get to see the future. You don't always get to see what happens to these characters that you've grown to love. And so... [1:11:52] We were so blown away by the Six Feet Under finale, and I think we... [1:11:56] or heavily influenced by the idea of that when we wrote the finale of Parks and Recreation. So watch Six Feet Under. And honestly, it's so good. I mean, and... [1:12:06] better because Adam didn't get cast in it. You know what I mean? Michael Hall is incredible. So, um, you know, Adam's loss is our win and, um, and check that show out. And, um,

[1:12:18] you know, [1:12:19] As always, thank you for caring so deeply about Parks and Rec because I do too. Wayfair makes it easier to turn your home into your happy place. Express your style and create a space you love with everything from cozy sofas to stylish decor and smart essentials with free shipping and easy setup. Head over to Wayfair.com and find something that's just your style today. That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R.com. Wayfair. Every style, every home. Thanks for a good hang and we'll see you soon. Bye. [1:12:51] You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alaya Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman. Original music by Amy Miles. [1:13:16] Spring just slid into your DMs. Grab that boho look for that rooftop dinner, those sandals that can keep up with you, and hang some string lights to give your patio a glow up. Spring's calling. Ross, work your magic. [1:13:32] This summer at Wolf Trap, Lizzo, Josh Groban, Erika Badu, John Batiste, Tedeschi Trucks Band, James Taylor, and many more. Tickets on sale now at wolftrap.org.