Nick Offerman | Full Q&A | Oxford Union

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One of the most widely celebrated, award-winning actors and comedians of his generation, Nick Offerman is known best for his exemplary portrayal of the cold, staunchly libertarian Ron Swanson in 'Parks and Recreation'. He has received popular and critical acclaim for his work in stand up comedy through ‘American Ham’ as well as roles in The Founder, FX, and most recently, the reality TV show ‘Making It’.
ABOUT THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY: The Oxford Union is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. Since 1823, the Union has been promoting debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe.

[@clinthymes5067]

Nick if you read this I wanted to thank you for reaching out to Tanner Gillen #Tannertough. He was a neighbor of mine and we lost him last Thursday to gioblastoma brain cancer. He talked about you constantly and adored you. You made a difference in his fight. Although he lost his fight he got to meet some amazing people who truly cared. Thank you again.

[@therealjeffboomhauer4528]

I see that red shirt. Well done, son.

[@ThunderRambler]

meaning?

[@DrewO7]

@@ThunderRambler in the show parks and rec he wears a red shirt if he has had intercourse the night before

[@fordprefect1925]

@@ThunderRambler watch parks and rec

[@humanonearth1]

His goofy laugh is awesome!

[@masaksenja]

My late dad has the exact same laugh 😊

[@dustin_yeg_]

I love how the laugh does not match the persona of this man! He truly is one of kind and has a true heart of gold!

[@brentoman]

Easily one of the best speakers I've seen on this channel.

[@MTerrance]

I suspect the audience had no idea what to expect. Offerman is no Twain, but he is nothing if not authentic. His life is not the theater, which is what makes him unique. He maintains a balance in an unbalanced profession.

[@jeppefrolund1718]

Interesting comparison. To Twain, I mean. I don't think the audience really knew what to expect either. I've followed Offerman through the years, seen his specials and watched whatever I could of his, and found him consistently... Nick Offerman. This speaks to his authenticity, like you've mentioned. He speaks his mind, but doesn't feel the need to propagandize anything. I don't think those aspects of his persona has carried across the ocean, so people see him and expect Ron Swanson, and what they got instead was, as Nick puts it, an actual human being. He isn't a Twain, but I'm inclined to label him a Quarter Twain or perhaps Semi-Twain. He has a lot of potential, and I hope he takes to writing more books as well. Him and his wife.

[@FinalFr0ntier]

Well said!

[@ljgarrison6910]

So profound.

[@BrendaBrendaBrendaBrendaBrenda]

I think the comparison to Twain is apt. Whether or not in style, certainly in importance to intellectual development. His free-thinking American ideals act as a much needed voice of reason in a time of heightened tension and extremism. More men like Nick Offerman are needed, to say the least. As you so succinctly put it, Offerman maintains balance in an unbalanced profession - and this is something we could all do to learn from. I am thankful to Oxford Union for reaching out to such a talented and underappreciated voice. Much like their expansive and profoundly deep interview with comedic maverick Stephen Merchant, these series really shed an insight into the art of maintaining composure in the face of a crazy world that we can no longer fully understand.

[@PMMM9]

Excellent. Love this Man.

[@RosablueHandMade]

A fine, substantial man. Superb to be in his company. Glad, too, for the tip about the Look & See documentary.

[@roflcopterannoysme]

Just oozes charisma. Like a handsome and wise snail.

[@D4n1t0o]

He's more like Ron Dunn than he is Ron Swanson. Which is probably a more emotionally healthy way to be. I'm very grateful to him following watching this. These are never long enough for me and he extended it to a satisfying length. Perhaps it's that part of him that is resistant to the bitesizeation of art and conversation that led him to do so. A wonderful listen.

[@staffane.1069]

You might also like (or perhaps already seen): kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6ushKqGgbacfsk

[@masaksenja]

Just came back from seeing his show All Rise in London. Absolutely brilliant! Crazy funny accompanied by social commentary

[@mennowolters3359]

The one and only true man. I can feel a beard grow while i listen to him.

[@AthynVixen]

me too and I'm a woman..What a guy!

[@blues1111]

1. 4:30 2. 8:55 3. 11:22 4. 27:44 5. 29:53 6. 34:37 7. 34:50 8. 35:25 9. 36:38 10. 37:40 11. 57:21 12. 1:08:25 13. 1:08:35 14. 1:09:06 15. 1:09:44 (best) 16. 1:15:03 17. 1:17:35 correct me if i missed any

[@nayeemrahman9312]

I'm a bit happier now after finishing it than i was before:) thank you Nick:)

[@FearsomeWarrior]

It's amazing how much yarn he can tell yet I never grow tired of it. Really doesn't repeat things and is always entertaining throughout.

[@sMASHsound]

that was the absolute wrong host for this guy. he was like a walking questionaire. no sense of engagement, no rolling with the puchlines, not treading down the twists. .. he needed a bit more banter, he was carrying this whole thing.

[@dafyddlewis89]

"The guy interviewing is not a professional at anything like this - anything at all really -" It's ten am and you just made my fucking day.....

[@sMASHsound]

do they not have a performance art section, or just a slightly more funny guy? next time, @John Manoochehri

[@waiting4more]

I can appreciate this perspective; for what it's worth, I really liked the host since he mostly stayed out of the way. I mean, what could he have said/added that would have made Nick's responses any better? Sometimes interviewers are best when they give the interviewee a long leash.

[@sMASHsound]

i can see ur point, as this being an interview, and not a comedy segment. but, the guy is a comedian, or rather good at it, and what they do well with, is getting ideas to bounce off of. its not so much a host to be another comedian, but banter enough to keep his mind working, and not wonder if hes entertaining enough. @@waiting4more

[@records26]

@@waiting4more My only issue was his lack of follow-up questions. Anytime he said "a bit of a follow up", it wasn't a follow up question at all... it was just the next question on his list. A good interviewer can stay out of the way while also asking true follow-up questions about whatever the guest brought up in the previous response. Now, Nick Offerman can speak for hours and essentially asks his own follow-up questions to himself. But this is the one area the interviewer could really improve on.

[@Amitkumar-dg4cm]

Really wonderful

[@paulwhat322]

I swear the interviewer is a cyborg. How does he not react to anything??

[@putridpedros]

The interviews at OU are conducted by the President of the Union, who is usually an undergrad student who does the job alongside their full-time studies. Being able to conduct an interview tends not to rank highly among their priorities when trying to get the position...!

[@one4thebigguy]

Excellent!

[@TheManInTheLongBlackCoat]

“Hu-huck!” He has a nice laugh. 😃

[@Glossynews]

Just love Nick. Always thought I'd be able to watch him ramble for hours without losing interest, and this video confirms it.

[@educationforall1442]

nice stuff

[@humanbeing2009]

Nick is fantastic. Love his passion, values and especially his giggle. This host although is the pits. The audience seemed a bit flat to me like they didn't get some of Nick's humor. I don't know - maybe they were expecting Nick to be Ron or some other kind of "American". Wish more Brits spoke up during the interview.

[@keepamericafree3362]

Disappointing. Another typical champagne socialist Hollywood type. Not interesting.

[@Elitist20]

@@keepamericafree3362 'Champagne socialist'? An odd form of abuse. I remember John Mortimer (creator of 'Rumpole of the Bailey' and father of Emily) said he was quite happy to be called one, because he thought champagne was a wonderful drink and everyone should have the opportunity to taste it. Far from being hypocritical, it shows they are aware of their good fortune and aren't arrogant about it. Has it occurred to you that the reason there are so many liberals in Hollywood is precisely because it's actually the purest form of capitalism? Hollywood exists because it does what capitalism is supposed to do - make movies and TV shows people want to see, voting with their wallets. Bizarre how so many Trumpers and Brexiteers love to attack 'millionaire elites' in a way that sounds almost...communist!

[@keepamericafree3362]

@@Elitist20 People don't drink champagne when they are living under real socialism...but they do eat zoo animals.(i.e Venezuela) The reason I hate rich "socialists" is because socialism doesn't really effect the rich. They get to assume "moral superiority" by just saying something is good when they have very little at stake to lose. Essentially they are out touch and live in an ivory tower where most public policy does not effect them. No on other hand people like i.e the middle class. The people with mortgages. Who need daycare and send their kids to shitty public schools. And try to send their kids to private schools. These are the real people. These are the people socialism will ultimately hurt the most. Middle class doesn't exist in socialism because socialism aims to(futility) eliminate class. Thus everyone is dragged into mud. The only people that are immune will be the rich and the political class that has the power. So when rich people pretend to be socialists for morality points they are actually acting in the most immoral way possible.

[@Elitist20]

Predictably, an incoherent rant. Ah, Venezuela - the latest far-right mantra! You know what Venezuela's really an example of? Populism. Chavez won power by setting himself up as the 'man of the people' against 'the elites'. Remind you of anyone? You want an example of socialism? The US from the 1940s to the 1980s, where the top tax rate was 70% (and rich people actually paid their taxes, without the elaborate tax avoidance schemes that go on now). Result - prosperity with real social mobility.

[@keepamericafree3362]

@@Elitist20 You probably didn't read what I said because you are a faithful believer in your socialism death cult. Venezuela is a socialist state. I can't tell if you are delusional or just a liar. All political paradigm shift and revolutionary change is usually brought on by a form of populism. So how socialism came to be in Venezuela is less important than the fact it's socialism. You don't have to be right wing to understand the shitsow that socialism has not only caused in Venezuela but every Latin American country that continues to bang their head against that wall. Also having a 70% tax rate for the income at the highest level doesn't necessarily make a socialist country. Usually the richest have the means to move their money and avoid tax liability. So again this was an asinine argument and I can't tell if you are arguing in good faith or pushing your agenda.

[@spid3rmike117]

17:40 Earthworm Jim and Banjo Kazooie. I dedicated a lot more than 2 weeks to those amazing games lol

[@naknud1]

excellent

[@w0033944]

As a rural Norfolkman, I utterly agree with his comments from around 54:00.

[@publicdomain1103]

White Oak, Teak and yellow cedar. Mariners choice. Organic and renewable, wood will never be out of stock if we take care of our environment. IT grows on trees! Great point about people using their creativity and not losing it to the grinding machine of capitalism.

[@discostoo]

Spalted Maple and Red Cedar for me. But White Oak is a joy to work with.

[@LibertyDino]

Most of us are making enough money but our governments greed in on it. Not to say we abolish them but all of us srsly need to lower their paychecks. If you want social security working make sure all politicians receive the same social security. No special Healthcare and so on, make them have to relate to it.

[@sheenaallen8762]

This host is absolutely terrible. He has no idea how to interact with people. He makes the whole thing unnecessarily awkward.

[@pat.7921]

Ok

[@onetwothreefourfive12345]

Ikr

[@jackturnock821]

i liked that he let him talk

[@only1symo]

What do you expect, he goes to Oxford. He will never lift a hand to do work for his life. He is worthless. Success at 18 does not equate to success in life, look at Boris Johnson. Offerman is good though.

[@mattness1978]

What an amazing man.

[@mohammadhazraty2372]

I was playing stellaris while watching this and i got hit with his insight about video games and got up to continue writing my book instead of playing.

[@TeamStevers]

His giggle is gold

[@burtturdison4445]

Ron Swanson is cosplaying as Nick Offerman again.

[@stopdusty420]

I thought it was only supposed to be a 100 words? What a great speaker!

[@RandallLakedogpix]

I had to take a break from milling wood to watch this. What a gem.

[@dfiala9890]

I listened while milling aluminum ^.^

[@jonanderson5137]

Nick Offerman is a hero. I don't care that we disagree on some things.

[@liamwinter4512]

His frustration at him being compared to Ron is almost mirror like of how fans always loved to ask questions to William Shatner about being Captain Kirk.

[@zuhdizaaimuddin7058]

Where is q&a with mahathir?

[@jamestracy7952]

Why Is there someone sitting next to him?

[@sir_john_hammond]

As he gets older he somehow now reminds me of a cross between Oliver Reed and Brian Blessed.

[@livacreative]

Nick as always charming. Wrong interviewer, very awkward situation that he makes.

[@arturrutkowski2100]

I like the opening joke with κάθαρσις. :)

[@t3rnaryguide684]

So, how about some host 101. An Introduction? Maybe, a "thank you for being here..." . The nervous and awkward jump into the questions was not a great start.

[@ryanbottem6628]

Less BS, more Nick. I see no problem.

[@saghhinooz1755]

Now he Bill and thats awesome.

[@ninoding]

20:40

[@webbess1]

This guy should go on Joe Rogan.

[@strideygamingjesters5393]

webbess1 would be interesting. Have a feeling Nick isn’t a Joe fan.

[@strideygamingjesters5393]

Ryan Toms a difference in an opinion regarding correct sources of information

[@andybaldman]

He's too good for Joe and his show, and Nick doesn't have any need to self-promote. Joe needs to stick to MMA fighters.

[@dfiala9890]

@@strideygamingjesters5393 I bet they could get along together quite well if they stuck to lifestyle topics. Bet Joe would be fascinated by all of Nick Offermans carpentry knowledge, as well as his philosophy of grounding those activities you derive your satisfaction from in some kind of productive craft. I'm sure he would find Joe's experience with bow hunting in particular to be interesting. And Joe's enough of a political chameleon that I bet they could have a fruitful discussion there, too. **stealth edit** Also, they're both stand-up comics. So, you know, there's an ice breaker.

[@strideygamingjesters5393]

D Fiala good points. I’d watch/listen to it

[@TommyClemenza273]

seeing him like this, im actually convinced he also wouldve pulled off a great walter white

[@violentfrog_]

I enjoy woodworking AND video games so I respectfully and joyfully say "Fuck off Nick! Love your work!"

[@Pretendship]

well that was tremendous

[@yellobro5803]

I imagined Nick Offerman as Mr. White while watching this

[@terrysullivan1992]

38:16 learned a new word "reborative" giving strength.

[@terrysullivan1992]

And then again at 1:00:18 "Eldritch" strange or unnatural.

[@ClibanariusJJ]

Lookin' like Tormund Giantsbane in the thumbnail.

[@TheAfterMovieDiner]

Did the interviewer have a humour bypass? come on! This is the Oxford Union!! Brits used to have a sense of humour and charisma...

[@bigfan1041]

Britain is a shadow of its former self.

[@Butler195]

He would make a great Dr McCoy

[@mdtexeira]

I love the bit where he's talking about smartphones and there's a dude on the right just scrolling through his phone, oblivious.

[@ThePonderingboy]

wowzers....i just love how he uses words... to talk.

[@thecpmr6276]

His voice is very pleasing to hear.

[@NobuhikuObayashi]

Wow

[@declanfoley7562]

Love Ron Swanson's new haircut...

[@bretbret8293]

Nick legitimately looks scary in that thumbnail

[@CCMorgan]

Just imagining how many communists in there laughed when he said "it's failed every time it's been tried."

[@alwolf2325]

Why?

[@SawdustNCoffee]

7 5/8”

[@AbeBSea]

OMG...that first American girl's voice screams "I have never seen the inside of an American public school except to vote or take the SAT"

[@mattgates881]

I thought this was Allen on hangover 2

[@busbystandup1337]

Please cast him as Wolverine... seriously. Let him bulk up for a year while you're writing the script. He'd kill it as Wolverine.

[@williamcutting5224]

Read his book. "Paddle your own Canoe"

[@williamcutting5224]

He's changed a bit, like most in Hollywood post 2016.

[@antonvanboxtel7790]

Kudos to the people there for resisting the urge to point out that "catharsis" is Greek.

[@icelandmoon]

Technically he isn't wrong. Yes originally it is of Greek origin, but we got it from New Latin.

[@lancebuttercream9817]

Check out the video he made with FIDLAR, the song entitled "Cocaine". Top notch stuff, he gets hammered and walks around pissing on everything and that's it.

[@danielgerke7669]

Earthworm jim kicks ass

[@mark2designs607]

Interestingly, there are many people, men and women, who eat only steak every day and are remarkably healthy while pooping regularly. Also, the idea that cows hurt the environment has been largely debunked. His take on libertarianism however is sadly right on. The tenets of libertarianism are good and noble but require your fellow humans to be responsible and respectful thereby rendering it a pipe dream. I do love Ron and Nick so.

[@300pzl]

cant tell if he is in ron swanson character.

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

thumb up for the meat nod to our air.....

[@MrDouchoid]

The woman in the pink jacket looking the phone the whole time is missing out don't you think?

[@charliexoxox]

Sourabh Unnikrishnan smh what a doof

[@siyavash0007]

zach galifianakis :)

[@Budago]

He should be in a God of war movies as Cratos

[@timnelson3431]

Honest question. When has the libertarian way of governing been tried and failed? I'm open to honest rebuttals but he didn't really dive too much into it and I've never heard of it being tried before.

[@ulyssesmacargen2388]

After the revolutionary war ended, America set up its government with the Articles of Confederation. There was still state government but central government and government in general was weak. Law of justice departments had no authority, riots and rebellions had an increasing amount of power. The was no order and the economy tanked. In response the United States created the presidential position and the Constitution of the United States of America. Edit: This isn’t pure libertarianism but it is pretty close. America was so scared of being a monarchy or a strict government system like England that they decided to go to almost the polar opposite.

[@ClintJohnsonWriter]

@@ulyssesmacargen2388 Except the Anti-Federalists were right. The powers granted to the central government, as limited as they tried to keep them, lead inexorably to a "Splendid Empire" complete with conscription, draconian regulation that grossly favours those connected to the powers in DC, and taxation far beyond that of the British Empire being insufficient to support intervention and perpetual military conflict throughout the world- thereby leading to perpetual deficits that will inevitably melt down the economy completely. But maybe you see that as a "feature"?

[@bigfan1041]

I doubt he's very politically informed.

[@CCMorgan]

It hasn't been attempted, because attempting a truly libertarian government is akin to dividing by zero.

[@Natercakes]

9:48 never felt a sense of patriotism till I heard his description of america

[@thebatman9309]

Ron after the events of parks and recreation

[@bwhite220]

This host sucks! I mean, maybe the real host was sick and at the last minute they threw this guy up there. But even still, literally anyone else on the planet would have been more suited at this than this guy. On the other hand, Nick Offerman is SO GOOD that he took it upon himself to answer the questions in a way to fill in the gaps for this terrible host. Kudos, Nick!

[@LeMarTV1]

Nice to see Arthur Morgan still managed to recover

[@Treesapped]

If he was taller and built bigger he would make a great Kratos from GoW

[@iceangl873]

Poor Nick had to be stuck with this bland, vanilla host!!!!!! 🤦‍♀️

[@Jakeman90210]

Hair?

[@coolerjtv]

KRATOS?!

[@user-yd7ii2rj2d]

It was not an experiment, it was the result of men wanting to be free from government. Only the opposition referred to it as then when they lost.

[@buddy8412]

Do Not Show This to Charles Mulligan. #theweeping

[@WasteFaced]

Video games are one of the main reasons to live. Just keep it down to 2-3 hours per day.

[@avit719]

Are any english people going to ask a question?

[@fabiokarkoski2111]

Who is this man and where is Ron Swanson?

[@Jensmilerdh]

If they ever make a god of war movie u know who to call. I swear nick offerman is Ron Swanson and Kratos

[@jamesbarros950]

I love Nick, but I'm a kitchen table woodworking Libertarian. I am getting into making small boxes with hand cut dovetails etc, as inspired by Offerman. And Libertarianism isn't anarchism; it's just a vector. Things like allowing us to feed people in the park without getting shut down by the government. or not building walls or having ongoing foreign wars. I am sorry that so many failed Republicans have started waving the Libertarian banner, while claiming nothing except the same tired Republican rhetoric. So, much love from the kitchen table woodworking Libertarian ;) (and I'm very much looking forward to getting some hands on instruction from the wonderful teachers at Offerman Woodshop)

[@arhael1]

He didn't said that libertarianism is anarchism. He said it sounds nice, but it's just stupid. And really it is. But I'm supporting woodworking, so good luck

[@jamesbarros950]

@@arhael1 Thank you for that intelligent, well thought out and in depth critique.

[@arhael1]

@@jamesbarros950 Well you got it all wrong so no need to thanking me. It was opinion, and explanation of what quest said. But I can give you more in depth critique if you like, just maybe tomorrow since I don't have time right now.

[@mitchellleese]

@@arhael1 Nick has previously drawn a comparison between Libertarianism and anarchism saying that Libertarianism would collapse into anarchism so no he didnt get it all wrong. Also, Libertarianism isn't dumb at all. The closer any nation has gotten to Libertarian or free markets, the more people were lifted out of poverty. Millions of people in China have been lifted out of poverty as their markets have become more free. And Nick is wrong, we have never had a fully libertarian government so no, have not tried it. We have had largely free markets, and those markets have performed the best.

[@arhael1]

@@mitchellleese OK master of economics. How would roads work in libertarianist country? I had long answer but cancel it by mistake. There're many ways to show Libertarianism is just stupid

[@dustincalhoun8]

I see him in a different light now, this wasn’t an interview that did him good. I did enjoy the large vocabulary.

[@fixins]

@44:14 "this is kind of bullshit." My favorite line.

[@BlkbirdBlues]

HAH!

[@carsonforrester3061]

Well this just ruined it for me. I like Ron

[@JezsAcousticGuitarSongbook]

What a terrible host/interviewer! Nick was absolutely fantastic, but he might as well have been given a questionnaire to work through.

[@bradallen7859]

Nick where did the hair go??????????

[@nickwright2721]

I have a lot of respect for him but he seems to be oblivious to political issues 🤦‍♂️

[@masaksenja]

His really not. His show All Rise is very political yet funny. Very left wing

[@CarletonRutter]

What a boring interviewer and stilted audience, Nick great as always!

[@jasonlynn4195]

Is Nick Offerman Breaking Bad????

[@brotherwill2107]

Yes.

[@arhael1]

It was funny to watch this, knowing that majority knows this guy from Parks&Recs, and I know this guy more as Nick Offerman, this actor with amazing beard, who's also a woodwork passionate, with very clear mind about reality. I never watched the show, I saw only memes on the internet.