Rashida Jones On The Renaissance Of “Parks and Recreation” | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

Rashida Jones remembers the time the President of NBC cancelled “Parks and Recreation” and changed his mind while on a flight and shares how Mike Schur made it so hard for her to have roles in both “The Office” and “Parks & Rec.”
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Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way. Watch highlights of Conan, Sona Movsesian and Matt Gourley chatting with celebrities and meeting fans, along with special segments like “Review the Reviewers” and “Summer S’mores with Conan and the Chill Chums.”
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[@ginaheller333]

Ann Perkins!

[@kodoklengket]

Jogging is the worst, Chris! I mean I know it keeps you healthy, but God, at what cost?

[@pavlevuckovic3468]

👉

[@nandanabanerjee2797]

Chris traeger !

[@AJCoffeeRani]

I read it in Traeger's voice lol!

[@gabrielbuenrostro9687]

That was LITERALLY what I was thinking.

[@PopMyCulture]

Parks has become comfort food for me. It has completely replaced Friends as my go to when I’m feeling down. Adore Parks and Rec! 💚

[@neutraltoxic]

That's because parks is brilliant. Friends is badly written garbage that relies on the charisma of the actors to cover for bad writing. We don't talk about parks season 1 though lol

[@PopMyCulture]

@@neutraltoxic funny, I actually don’t mind season one. Every time I do a rewatch, I refuse to skip it. Definitely not the best season but I watch it anyway. That’s how brilliant it is! I love finding people who love Parks and Rec 💚

[@davidwenzel717]

Parks and Rec, 30 rock and Scrubs are my comfort shows

[@PopMyCulture]

@@davidwenzel717 both great choices! Scrubs was awesome! 🔥

[@helenl3193]

Parks, Community, and Bob's Burgers are my comforts. Got me through the pandemic living alone

[@Colossaltree]

I work in actual small city parks and rec and the realities of the show continue to hit home every time i see it. Genius

[@Mokkari77]

Its crazy how Parks and Rec, 30 Rock and Community weren't big ratings hits despite being great comedies.

[@rmoultonrmoulton145]

I think that's just because the greatest comedies will never have mass appeal. Great comedies pretty much require some type of "taste" to be understood properly and to be fully appreciated. At the end of the day, a bunch of people just won't understand the show enough....or at all.

[@volinusyoutubeisgarbage]

Blame Big Bang Theory. I think that show has killed more brain cells than alcohol.

[@genghiscan2918]

NBC accidentally recreating Must-See TV and not knowing what to do with it.

[@cactaceous]

@@rmoultonrmoulton145Yeah, explain Seinfeld then. The most groundbreaking sitcom and probably the most successful. If it’s good, it’s good to the masses.

[@Mokkari77]

@@cactaceous Seinfeld wasn't a hit in its first few seasons when it was opposite Home Improvement. Once it moved to Thursdays after Cheers it became a hit.

[@amun1040]

Ann Perkins, you beautiful tropical fish

[@RarerCandy]

Rashida Jones is a rare gem-she exudes the same dignity and grace of her Dad. I remember watching her when the NBC titles were originally aired, thinking she was-and still is-next level talented and something special. Such an amazing and comedically sharp actress. Team Karen forever 💫

[@thewraithwriter22]

Jim didn't deserve her

[@RarerCandy]

@@thewraithwriter22 Exactly

[@KellyAlbright-tg9kz]

Wel said - she's so humble and hilarious.

[@kpsk8031]

Parks and Rec has the best side characters of any show: Joan Calamezzo, Jeremy Jamm, Perd Harpley, Ken Hotate, Tammy 1, Tammy 2, Brandi Maxxx and many, many more.

[@shawnuel]

The Sapersteins

[@immaculateflyness]

dr. spaceman is funnier than all of those characters combined

[@christopherwaldrop5293]

The finale was so perfect and touching and I was glad we got to see some of the side characters' futures but I wish we'd seen what happened to every single side character. To take just one Ken Hotate said his son was "a great embarrassment" and it would have been nice to see him eventually overcome that. Or maybe not.

[@alanharvey1539]

Don't forget about Jon Ralfio and his sister. She's the woooooorrrrrssst

[@shawnuel]

@@kpsk8031 The Douche and Crazy Ira! I also love how The show managed to feature all of Poehler’s Upright Citizen’s Brigade co-founders as well as many longtime members of the troupe!

[@ZeroKool7140]

“You know you have a guest to talk to, right?” Matt with a direct hit 😂😂

[@xhyhbdka]

He hit Conan where the torpedos are stored 😂😂

[@insaneapples1559]

I binged watched it during Covid. Laughed so much. Amazing show.

[@tk9326]

Same

[@PopMyCulture]

@@insaneapples1559 I can’t even begin to imagine how many times I watched Parks and Schitt’s Creek during COVID!

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

I just rewatched Parks & Rec for the umpteenth time. I love that show so much, and I'm glad that folks are finally watching it.

[@FMFvideos]

Is it better than the office?

[@kayl7625]

@@FMFvideos It's a different kind of humor, I think. It's kinder, for one. I like it better. It's not just out to be funny, it's also out to tell good stories. Whereas The Office was more focused on the laughs in my opinion. Parks is still hilarious, but it's funnier more for it's repeating jokes- so it gets funnier over time as you get to know the characters and can appreciate the callbacks. Also, like The Office, season one is quite frankly terrible, so skip it if you're planning to give it a try.

[@fabiors10]

@@FMFvideos I love them both but I can rewatch Parks numerous times, while I can't do it with The Office. I see it more as a wittier humor.

[@jaymiller2268]

Parks and Rec is the best comedic sitcom I've ever seen. Endearing characters, hilarious plots, etc. Nothing but pure excellence.

[@TheCdubbleyoo]

... what's a good non-co edic sitcom?

[@jimmylin7233]

Part of what kept me coming back to Parks and Rec was the same thing that hooked me on New Girl - a group of characters that honestly loved each other in their own weird little ways and would squabble like in any family but in the end were always ride or die for each other. I loved that.

[@zfortyounce]

Another thing both of those show did perfectly, was that they had a main character but also didn't really have a main character. Every episode could be centered around any one of them and it would still be just as intriguing. I cared just as much about Winston's story as much as I cared about Jess'.

[@Nels_77]

i feel exactly the same. i ended up loving everyone on those two shows.

[@KonradBeezo]

Definitely two of my favorite shows, and I don’t even watch much tv

[@truongtruong6590]

Probably my favorite two shows. How I met your mother also up there

[@ajproc1]

FYI - SCTV was filmed in Edmonton Alberta at the Allard studio and was transfered from Toronto

[@JoeO.]

I always thought Parks and Rec was better than The Office.

[@juvingonsalves]

Lol no. Close but no.

[@canislupusfool]

Both great but Parks is ahead for me too

[@jaywalker.]

Easier to get into, IMO.

[@BrutusMaximusAurelius]

It's infinitely funnier than The Office. Only the well-known memes are funny, the rest is mid at best.

[@juvingonsalves]

@@BrutusMaximusAurelius nope

[@isaaccardin2535]

Conan sounds like he finally took that edible in this interview

[@PaulCHa]

His voice got old in the past couple of episodes.😢

[@Coastfog]

The only other show that checks about as many boxes for me is Arrested Development, but there is a place in my heart and sense of humor that no other show can touch quite like Parks & Recreation.

[@genghiscan2918]

Both shows have surprise BEES!

[@Gesundheit2000]

Arrested Development is one of the greatest Comedy shows. Shame it only had 3 seasons, but at least it had a perfect ending. (S4 and S5 don't exist.)

[@nonedefense8296]

Brooklyn 99 was my favorite UNTIL i binged parks. Every episode was a banger

[@The-Jumpstarter]

Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation Have Different styles but fit together so well as companion shows.

[@nonedefense8296]

@@The-Jumpstarter agreed. I retired last year and I've been catching up on all the shows I missed out on. I prefer comedy because reality is depressing lol

[@JC_2311]

And the fact that Mike Schur had a hand in creating both (along with the Office and The Good Place) is quite amazing.

[@The-Jumpstarter]

@@JC_2311 It’s Funny, I know people that Love Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Don’t Like The Office and Didn’t try Parks and Rec. It’s the only Show I know that has people behind it that made other amazing shows but people don’t like them. Like that doesn’t happen with The Simpsons and Futurama and Bobs Burgers and The Great North.

[@JC_2311]

@@The-Jumpstarter Damn, I can't relate. I love all three. Do they say why they don't like the Office for example?

[@2010mceric]

Parks and Recreation is the only show where I had a legit laugh-out-loud moment in every episode. Plus it had the funniest line ever spoken on TV.

[@DrthGrth]

What's the line?

[@JRob86]

Network Connectivity problems?

[@2010mceric]

@@JRob86 Yup. I easily laughed for 10 minutes straight on that one.

[@scottwells8064]

​@@2010mcericThe fact that it was an improvised line makes it that much better.

[@gjb16]

It rubbed off, from friction

[@Tonyhouse1168]

I was never a big tv guy, especially after Fresh Prince and In Living Color went off the air, but once I started Parks and Rec I knew I had to finish. It’s a really enjoyable show. A part of that might’ve been my massive crush on Rashida. PS: it’s funny that the t-mobile ad has lags and skips

[@brinta2868]

Yeah, I finished many times while watching Rachida on Parks and Rec.

[@Satanhadapoint]

I remember when Hulu first started and community and parks and rec were on there. I started watching them but forgot because there were only 1-2 seasons? Then a few years later I binged them and they’re both my favorite shows.

[@PeterBondeVillain]

I'm so glad that P&R has seen such a resurgence in modern pop culture! Back when I watched it, it felt like nobody knew about the show. It's truly such an awesome gift that the show got to end on its own terms when so many other great shows came to a sudden halt. I would also like to send the deepest condolences to the family of Harris Wittels, who was a senior member of the writing staff and tragically passed away right as the show ended. The final moment of the show was dedicated to him. His sister, Stephanie Wittels Wachs, has been an advocate for people suffering with addiction since then, and she has written the excellent book "Everything is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love and Loss" about losing Harris. Also, a fun fact, Harris was the guy who wrote a book popularizing the term "humblebrag"! I send you all love

[@joemckim1183]

I was a big fan of My Name is Earl and unfortunately that show didn't get to end on its own terms.

[@brandontoygamertv750]

SCTV, Not necessary the news, Kids in the hall and Fridays all helped shape my life. 😂😂

[@andrewgomez9010]

There comfort shows I watch before bed and I rotate them. They include: Community, Friends, Golden Girls, Parks & Rex., & Superstore. They are great rewatches and just make heart happy.

[@dogtato]

"make stuff and put it out there" is good advice for any human, not just entertainers

[@Thesmartestmanalive81]

Love me some Rashida 🥰🥰

[@socallars3748]

Beautiful...

[@pikkutaiteilija]

It's so weird Parks wasn't appreciated in its run time, when I heard they were doing the reunion I was bawling my eyes out begging my parents to go haha We live in Finland, it was a no go unfortunately

[@silverXnoise]

I routinely re-watch The Wire, which brings me down, and Parks & Rec to bring me back up!

[@misterderp4566]

I've been taking care of an elderly family member the past little while and, let's just say, she's not a ray-of-sunshine-optimist type. But when Parks comes on she just watches and smiles and laughs. It's so wonderful to re-live the show through her -- I watched every week when it was airing and remember living through the persistent worry that it might be cancelled. It's almost more fun this way, knowing that, say, the Duke Silver reveal is coming or that Christie Brinkley is Jerry's wife and getting to see her reaction. Just the other day we watched the episode in which Leslie sends Ron on the scavenger hunt to the Lagavulin distillery and, hot damn, I cried like a little girl (again). I'm a 40 year old 6'2" 210lb man with grey creeping into his beard, by the way. What a wonderful show. PS - Since Harrison Ford's appearance last year keeps popping up on my KZbin feed, I will give myself credit for something that is 100% honestly true. I called, around season 3 of Parks, that if I were forced to cast a young Han Solo, the only guy that I could envision would be Chris Pratt. I guess James Gunn was listening, on account of Star-Lord basically being Han Solo and all (and, at the time, he got the same eyerolls I did for suggesting that the chunky doofus from Parks would be perfect). All of that is to say that Parks ended up being a really wonderful showcase of talent for folks that not a lot of people necessarily knew about. Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Nick Offerman, Ben Schwartz, etc. all got (deservedly) launched into another tier because of Parks. (I know they had prior roles, don't @ me about it. I'm saying Parks put them in the spotlight in a different way)

[@hcc792]

Parks and Rec is my comfort show…when I’m sick…it’s on a continuous loop. ❤ it remains brilliant.

[@lilRadawg]

I have LITERALLY seen this show 20 times

[@indyj16]

Thank you for sharing, Jenny.

[@nbbim2012]

It is such an excellent show-- watch it any chance I get

[@MrCrono2]

Just got to Season 6. I’m loving the show after completely missing out on it when it aired.

[@ktktktktktktkt]

"It'd be great if this podcast morphed into we start talking about creative stuff and then it always got back to, what land do you have? Are you renting it?" "Would you maybe be interested in going 50/50 on a houseboat?"

[@El_Lu-Shin]

I love The Office. The Office carried me into Parks and Rec. PARKS AND REC IS FANTASTIC! By far my favorite comedy series. So great, so over the top, an awesome political satire, great characters. My #1 since I saw it.

[@mtrps_]

im always rewatching the series, non stop since highschool HAAHA

[@coveredindie]

We want full video episodes! Love u guys

[@dominicdococo4574]

Segmented releases at first are fine since they can monetize as much as possible and pay Conan's staff. As long as somewhere down the line they release the full video after they've maximized view potential.

[@davidanderson566]

I regret I missed it first time around, won't miss it this time! Thanks Comedy Central!

[@cleverusername9369]

This was a truly delightful conversation

[@MackovaDraga]

That show is pure gold, its therapy for me.

[@joseluisalc]

Parks and Rec is the show that I'll always come back too. Such great and endearing characters.

[@sie4431]

I remember Parks and Recs being quite popular at the time time, not necessarily in viewing figures but people really liked it. Talking of SCTV, that Scorsce documentary was recorded 6 years ago and still hasn't been released.

[@squatch545]

Yes, it even took SCTV 3 years to gain a large audience. In fact, SCTV was cancelled in 1979. Then it resumed production away from Toronto to Edmonton in Western Canada in 1980 where they started season 3. That's when SCTV started taking off in the ratings. Halfway through season 4, production moved back to Toronto.

[@NewhamMatt]

I always thought that Rashida was gorgeous, but what grabs me now is that she exudes warmth and positivity, a trait that she integrates into her characters. It's an attractive quality in itself that she brings in spades.

[@jaywalker.]

"I have the most property," such a gem of a callback from Rashida.

[@leonardstilwell1894]

I always preferred Parks and Rec to its counterpart, The Office. The reason? The Office mined comedy out of the characters' cruelty, whereas Parks and Rec mined comedy out of the characters' love, for each other. Of course, there are exceptions to this in each show, but those were their tendencies. The Office is a show of antagonists; Parks and Rec is a show about family. I don't mind "mean" humor; it's often very funny. There is greater satisfaction to me, however, when a show can create humor out of love.

[@michaelhudson2912]

It's kind of like The Office for Americans in that sense heh

[@carpediemearth]

⁠@@michaelhudson2912The Office has a popular American show. Parks and Rec is a much more witty and dynamic show than The Office, with better characters and more consistent writing, and a significant part of several storylines is political satire.

[@squirreldriver]

You can sit in front of your television and bask in its warmth.

[@Monotremata]

Hearing Conan speak about SCTV spurred the thought in my head of a Park & Rec episode featuring Johnny LaRue.... ( RIP John Candy )

[@krylesangerbeaver]

I watched Parks and Rec during covid and it was REALLY good

[@leviblevins513]

My 12 year old son just discovered Ron Swanson. Love it!

[@txinterceptor8428]

Parks & Rec is my all time favorite comedy. I own the box set and watch it all the time. It's one of the rare shows where literally EVERY character is likeable in their own way (even Jeremy Jamm!)

[@kingfield99]

I've watched it through in its entirety 3 times now. Joyous TV.

[@gonufc]

She is just obscenely attractive.

[@jaredmatthews252]

Huge parks and rec fan from the start.

[@ottophobia]

Met her earlier this year and she was so nice!!!!

[@mjw9310]

Mike Schur would be a great guest!

[@shawnuel]

I wanna say I think he has been in the past but I'm not positive about that.

[@jissanhuq3792]

@@shawnuelhe has been

[@shawnuel]

@@jissanhuq3792 Great! Thank you.

[@jameshisself9324]

I still remember my SCTV introduction. 1979, 15 years old. Me and my stoner buddy had just had a major late night bake session and were flipping channels. We stumbled on it mid-sketch and watched for a bit then looked at each other, we both were like 'what the fk is this?!" We laughed our asses off and I have been hooked ever since. Oh and Parks and Rec was good too.

[@skonenblades]

I watched the first few episodes of Parks and Rec when it aired and was not a fan so I didn't watch the rest. But then all the memes and reviews and people quoting it over the years really led me to believe that it got better later. So when covid hit, I finally sat down and watched the series and it was a great ride. Loved it.

[@thedarkknight2221]

The best reactions for Parks and Rec are from The Normies, especially because one of them is a nurse like Ann and points out how accurate her character is to real nurses.

[@enorris1091]

She played it straight and was still hilarious.

[@MartianHomebody]

This is really funny to hear. Because on the Community reunion reading, they talked about how Parks and Rec were the "cool kids" with ratings and fans, and Community was the show that no one liked or watched. I guess every show feels that way to work on.

[@ryanschuette9062]

“I have the most property!” Rashida is great and was perfect for Parks and Rec

[@JCarter276]

The amount of talent in Parks & Rec was just amazing.

[@OmahaGTP]

Parks is actually a great show throughout the whole series. Looking at you, Office.

[@ChrisAlders-eh7cq]

SCTV was made in both Toronto and Edmonton.

[@user-tn7vf1pe4z]

Comfort show ❤

[@bernsbruce2340]

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot how gorgeous she was. A literal goddess. Oh and Rashida's also pretty too, I guess.

[@coolyoutubeluke]

I lived abroad in China for a year. Experiencing disconnect by not having many english speakers to talk to. I would have Parks and Recreation on loop in my apartment. It would make it feel like im somewhere else. Absolutely love the show.

[@jasminepage851]

I watch everyday ,every night it is apart of me now Thank you ❤️

[@AsifMalik-og6np]

Parks and rec is one of the best written shows. Just like 30 rock

[@FortyTwoAnswerToEverything]

I've never heard her talk before, but she has such a nice radio voice. No, I never saw Parks & Rec

[@twinberwolves4231]

Parks and Recreation is a good show.

[@squirreldriver]

I think is worthy of recommendation, along with U.S. Army-issued mustache trimmers, Morton Salt, and the C.R. Laurence Fein two-inch ax style scraper oscillating knife blade.

[@twinberwolves4231]

@@squirreldriver ah.

[@squirreldriver]

@@twinberwolves4231 ...if it didn't land, I was quoting (mostly) Ron Swanson

[@twinberwolves4231]

@@squirreldriver oh.

[@angelinamclaughlin-heil]

Love parks and Recs so much!!!

[@KenWood-tr5ok]

Watched one time all the way through. Once is enough

[@jyesucevitz]

the Thanksgiving hunting trip episode was my favorite.

[@nikgokuhil]

I have enjoyed parts of my time watching Parks and Rec

[@tomlee45]

parks and rec is just sooo good. i would live in pawnee

[@hcc792]

Annnnnn Perk-ins!! Chriiiiiis Tra-ger! Re-boot the series, when they move back to Pawnee! ❤❤❤

[@lachauntiswashington231]

Very good 😂😂

[@sgorneau]

Conan sounds sick AF here ... btw I'm absolutely in love with Rashida 🥰

[@RStandsForRace]

There was a time when Parks & Rec and The Office were on TV at the same time and it was glorious.

[@chrisbrooks6756]

After The Office, Parks and Rec is my second favorite show, ever. Greg Daniels, Mike Shurer are geniuses. Never a laugh track, telling the audience when to laugh, because we were always laughing.

[@RoeLuv1]

I love that 60+ years later, The Beatles are still the gold standard for measuring fame 🎸🎸🎸 🥁

[@rhyfeddu]

Just thinking that too! 😁

[@wrenbo4816]

for those who have heard of them!

[@UnexpectedDanger]

The Beatles suck

[@DugTheDog]

Incredible as it may sound, I think Rashida looks better now than she did years ago. Fine wine and all that. Spectacular.

[@hbradoo]

Conan makes a t mobile ad funny

[@nathanrodriguez914nr]

The cast for Parks and Rec is INSANELY stacked. It's so weird, in retrospect, to think about how underappreciated the show went.

[@HawkSea]

Office, Parks and Community. The lineup that can't be beat.

[@bub5842]

binged it during covid. Its now my favorite show of all time. So much more my type of humor than the office.

[@deadschooled]

It’s The Office Lite. Very funny

[@corneliuspraeda6452]

Parks and Rec hit the sweet spot and I always hoped Community would.

[@IliasLiako]

Top 10 series ever. Ridiculous that it was constantly on the bubble of cancellation.

[@bigguy906]

didnt bring up angie tribeca? XD hilarious show

[@woozertoo]

In the vein of ZAZ productions like Police Squad! and The Naked Gun

[@genghiscan2918]

You mean Angie Tribecca?

[@bigguy906]

@@genghiscan2918 yesss dammit my bad

[@selfdiscardedkingofruin7291]

I've never watched Parks and Recreation and I think I have probably been missing out.

[@badad0166]

2:53 Toronto and Alberta, depending on the year.

[@krenwregget7667]

30 Rock and Parks & Rec are my two favorite comedy series of all time. How is it Rashida hasn't aged a day since the show?

[@KellyAlbright-tg9kz]

Rashida looks SOOOO much like her beautiful mama.

[@Wouldpkr]

Ive been re watching Chico and the man recently.

[@audriuslaurinavicius3587]

Goddamn, take a glass of water or even better continue to chew one!😅 This was a good one.

[@zudin11]

Fine i will watch it again for the millionth time

[@samcyphers2902]

The Mike book is "How to be Perfec--" and it's great. Probably the most accessible book about Aristotelian virtue ethics and how hot Albert Camus was.

[@keekers19]

My favorite is when the cast of Parks & rec trying to do the thing on the ice

[@RuthvikRamesh29]

Arrested Development and Parks and Rec are my top 2 comedies.