How Aubrey Plaza Landed A Role On "Parks and Recreation" | Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

Aubrey Plaza shares the story of how she was cast in "Funny People," "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World," and "Parks and Recreation" in the span of a week. Hear more from this episode @ listen.teamcoc...
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ABOUT CONAN O’BRIEN NEEDS A FRIEND
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 “Big Dick History.”
ABOUT TEAM COCO
Team Coco is the KZbin home for all things Conan O’Brien and the Team Coco Podcast Network. Team Coco features over 25 years of comedy sketches, celebrity interviews and stand-up comedy sets from CONAN on TBS and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, as well as exclusive videos from podcasts like Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,
Literally! with Rob Lowe, Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer, The Three Questions with Andy Richter, May I Elaborate? with JB Smoove and Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley.
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[@jeffreyroedel9804]

It's conversations like this that remind you there are tons of talented people out there, but luck and especially timing plays a huge factor for many of the actors who "make it". I think Plaza is a unique comedic presence, and I'm glad the doors opened for her.

[@LowerTheBoom]

The Doors were a 60s rock 'n' roll group from California.

[@chrishei3111]

Getting her chops in NY probably toughened her up so LA seemed like a playground, then she just had the right attitude and a lotta luck

[@chrishei3111]

@@LowerTheBoom And they opened for her???

[@brandonrawlsmusic]

She blew Harvey weinstein freemasons and illuminati

[@johnquick1]

@@LowerTheBoom LMAO !! That was genius. 🤣🤣

[@avihs92]

I’m glad she can finally just have a conversation without having to deflect or be goofy. Seems like she’s more comfortable being herself now which is always a good thing to see.

[@justdoeverything8883]

Yeah! I've never seen her like this, probably how her friends know her. Love it.

[@MrAsmontero]

you missed the rest of the podcast then

[@josephreilly6328]

AND THEN

[@biggenius0891]

Looking at her face it looks early in the morning and she’s probably just tired and not 100% awake yet

[@Zebrowsky79]

i think that was always an act. This is probably who she really is.

[@AndorranStairway]

It's so nice to see Aubrey comfortable and having regular conversations. I've always admired her for how she used awkwardness in a humourous way to combat her anxiety.

[@travisinthetrunk]

She was really good on Off Camera with Sam Jones. The most comfortable I’ve ever seen her.

[@trebm3]

that was an act...

[@eirikwegga]

There's no audience, and she already knows and likes Conan. I think that has something to do with it.

[@corykobe3769]

They dont have "anxiety". They abuse anxiety meds to disassociate.

[@nukeruzzia3832]

i bet wiping her tears away with millions and millions of dollars also helps her combat anxiety

[@OMFGitsLUCAS]

Aubrey needs to play "sona" in the conan movie

[@henfarasubtitrare9764]

Yesss, exactly. As she was pitching April, all i could think about was "That's Sona!!!" 😅😂

[@jimr9499]

Holy wow...you, sir, are a genius. Damn that's so good. Props my friend. Props.

[@OMFGitsLUCAS]

@@jimr9499 cheers 🍻 🤣

[@mrtsbe1]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaamn you're right!!!!!

[@MeAuntieNora]

Yup. Yup. Perfect.

[@itsmekaustav77]

This is one episode where I'd really appreciate the whole video version. Aubrey and Conan have such incredible chemistry and half the fun goes if it's audio only.

[@theicedragonify]

Forreal I was listening to the pod and it sounded weird without the video

[@Whatever-ew4ti]

Where's the full video episode available on?

[@jimr9499]

@Whatever far as I know it's not. They just upload clips on here sometimes. And sadly that's all we get 😭

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

Yeah, this is awesome. Aubrey is so cute.

[@pjnice]

If we ask hard enough, maybe they’ll release it.

[@danielunderhill6086]

Aubrey is too cool! Gets the break of a lifetime and says “great, I didn’t even want to be on TV”. 😂

[@rustylee1836]

When she (barely extremely briefly) mentioned Upright Citizens Brigade I thought she was gonna say how she ACTUALLY got the audition. Amy Poehler is a core founder of the UCB comedy troupe. Aziz Ansari and Aubrey Plaza were attending her UCB school. So when Aubrey said the meeting came out of nowhere... Well, yeah, Amy told them to call you. I remember at least 3 other UCB people on Parks and Rec, UCB co-founder Matt Besser, as well Nick Kroll and Ian Roberts

[@rustylee1836]

@@roadburdened Barely a factor? She said herself that it was out of nowhere in a field she wasn't pursuing. It wasn't just a factor, Amy and the UCB connection is the ONLY reason she was asked to audition. They literally wouldn't have known she existed.

[@nomurakenta2980]

An actual conversation where it’s not pre rehearsed. That’s why she’s so relaxed in this clip.

[@conandoobrien8605]

Sounds like Craig's TLLS.

[@EikottXD]

@@conandoobrien8605 The GOAT

[@JohnDoe-po3ku]

I think it has to do more with it not being live TV with a Live audience. Aubrey plaza never sounded very rehearsed.

[@remnant24]

Pre rehearsed, eh? As opposed to rehearsed during or rehearsed after?

[@EikottXD]

@@remnant24 got'em

[@dynamicgecko1213]

She is naturally funny! Everyone talks about parks & rec but I also loved her performance in Legion. An underrated role in an underrated show.

[@run_sun]

Definitely an underrated show!

[@cole1710]

She was hands down my favorite part of Legion

[@charlesbronson2926]

I always felt like she just showed up on set and they rolled with it.

[@MikeB12800]

😂🤣

[@starxhilmie]

Thats how Conan made this podcast you meant Conan isnt?

[@charlesbronson2926]

@@starxhilmie no.

[@slewone4905]

I heard someone else tell how April was created, and Aubrey's version is similar. Basically it was on a whim. basically someone came in said I met this weird chick, I brought her in, you got to meet her, let's give her a job.

[@brandonrawlsmusic]

She blew Harvey weinstein freemasons and illuminati

[@waynejones5635]

April is one of the funniest characters on TV. She's a little bit evil, but in a fun way, who loves to mess with people for her entertainment. Her behavior was side splittingly funny. Aubrey was the perfect actress to pull it off. How she kept a straight face during interviews is beyond me. They were considering hiring her. She almost told them to "Get lost dude" ... Perfect, your hired!!! 🤣

[@ichneumon2776]

We need Aubrey and Jeff Goldblum together.

[@Lurklen]

Hahaha, oh my god, I never realized how similar they are. They should play father and daughter or something.

[@monkehp]

The universe would fissure

[@skylarf9021]

That would poke a hole in the 5th demension, rupturing the space-time continuum, causing a black hole to form and swallow our solar system 😳😳😳

[@porgyt7177]

Or how about a buddy cop movie where they are in the TPF (Thought Police Force)... they confront people who are having existential crises and babble for about 10 minutes, therefore causing the culprit to need to take a nap.

[@pedxing]

currently sending bitcoin for tickets to this two-person show that does not exist.

[@nkyryry]

She has one characteristic that got her those roles…. She’s unforgettable.

[@austins.2495]

Ghey

[@margaretpeabody243]

Aubrey brings a nice sharp element to the podcast. Her nonchalant not caring about stuff is refreshing.

[@TheAdammantium]

Credit to Aubrey for all her success. But her story is a good indicator that success is sometimes pure luck - and it's refreshing to see her acknowledge that and point out her reluctance to even try to go far.

[@georgewashington9173]

Luck and talent. Is there a word for both?

[@wangray9456]

But she is quite unique though.

[@jme852]

i think it‘a also looks. How you look in Hollywood is the biggest thing. and you can’t change that. If you have a unique interesting attractive look PLUS personality and confidence. You’re in. and if you’re cool. Like if you know why pulp fiction is a good movie and CSI is bubblegum tv.

[@xshadowscreamx]

Right place, right time, right look and personality.

[@chesh05]

You say it's pure luck, but as she stated at the end, she landed three big gigs in one week. That isn't luck. If anything that's proof of talent and skill.

[@isocuda]

Aubrey "I wasn't even being weird" Everyone else: "Sure."

[@turbo_brian]

Aubrey made the role, the writers got given a gift

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Aubrey Plaza is like an old time celebrity where you can’t tell if their persona is a bit or not. 🤣

[@Desmondbrown73]

All they are is persona

[@TheKb117]

@@Desmondbrown73 All WE ARE is persona... Life is but a stage... or staged...

[@whyilee]

"She's changed so many people's lives." "Not mine."

[@thorstenoerts]

I'd religiously watch a weekly show that was just Conan interviewing Aubrey Plaza for 45 mins.

[@elisepentz1063]

Me too

[@neolexiousneolexian6079]

I hope one day she decides to grace us with a podcast.

[@jeffehren]

I have always had a crush on Aubrey Plaza. She's incredible.

[@oblobear2093]

This is the most normal aubrey plaza interview. It is so refreshing. It's like she's acting like a normal person.

[@RSMoreno]

She is just being herself. She was playing a character in all the other interviews you’ve seen.

[@tsibtp2968]

@@RSMoreno i think it’s just aging and getting more comfortable, she still sorta acts like her “old self” in new interviews

[@RSMoreno]

@@tsibtp2968 I think you’re right… maybe she is comfortable being herself around Conan because it seems she’s been on his show a lot

[@neolexiousneolexian6079]

​@@RSMoreno ​​She's also talked at length in other interviews (BFI, Hot Ones, Off Camera Show, etc.) about how the "talk show" format doesn't really work for her. Apparently talk shows are really planned out, and she gets uncomfortable pretending she's having the artificial conversation naturally for the first time, especially since her background is in improv. She always seems more comfortable when it's a more organic conversation, like this podcast. Her interviews with Conan are the best, though, and she's said he's her favourite host too. I love them together.

[@SD-wg3xo]

Sona’s not here because two apathetic assistants in one room would just be too much.

[@CharlieBrown20XD6]

They would cancel each other out and create a singularity

[@brandonrawlsmusic]

She blew Harvey weinstein freemasons and illuminati

[@thebookwasbetter3650]

Thats not Sona?

[@jlee2528]

Love how much Conan is riffing and doing bits on Aubrey's story and then when she says "you know how weird Greg Daniels is", he just has a short and deadly serious "yes I do."

[@kettyspikes]

She passed the vibe check so hard

[@Nobodysurvivesevenonebit]

I love conan and Aubrey together.

[@brandonrawlsmusic]

She blew Harvey weinstein freemasons and illuminati

[@jaywinner328]

I don't know if Awkward Aubrey is an act or nerves but I think this is the first interview I see where she doesn't act that way and it's great to see.

[@sooperd00p]

I think it's the studio audience talk show environment that brings that out of her. She's sasid that it's just so forced and weird of a conversation combined with being sort of a press junket for a movie/tv. I don't blame her. As an actor you have to do it but that doesn't make it any less inauthentic of an interaction between two people.

[@neolexiousneolexian6079]

​@@sooperd00p Ikr? I'd like to point a dozen bright lights at you while a crowd watches and laughs at your every move and you're expected to shoehorn an advertisement into weirdly pre-planned personal stories, and see how many people manage to *not* be awkward in that situation.

[@MusicLover-my6fo]

The fact that Aubrey Plaza pitched the idea of April Ludgate to the showrunner and then had to audition to literally play herself just makes the subtle comedy of Parks and Recreation all the more hilarious.

[@mattyteeth2308]

I love it when tv shows just make the actors look at the camera instead of having canned laughter. amazing for sure.

[@Chloe.zyxwvu]

Listening to this before watching had a completely different vibe. When I heard it, it sounded like Aubrey didn't want to be there, like she was just over interviews. Her tone was so different. Watching her, it does seem as though she left the entertainer side of her and is having a person-to-person conversation. The visual component changes so much. Aubrey, it's been surreal and a delight to see a different side. Conan, love the podcast, and hope we can see you on our screens again.

[@charlesbronson2926]

I love how Conan just riffs with people, even when it might be insulting. If you haven’t heard bill hader’s Conan “impression”, the whole clip is amazing. Conan is more than happy to degrade himself for our amusement, but really I think he gets more fun out of it than we do

[@travisinthetrunk]

The best impression ever.

[@marvin19966]

and he gets A LOT of head

[@misterJOHNx007]

Yes! I was hoping Aubrey would be on the podcast. Loved when she was on the show and this clip does not disappoint. I wish there were full videos of each episode.

[@wasteland6961]

Funny people is an underrated comedy gem that needed to be about 30 minutes shorter than it was. Scott Pilgrim is a love letter to my generation. And parks and rec is one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. The late 2000's were a comedy goldmine, and we will never get that back.

[@jissanhuq3792]

Spot on. In a weird way Aubrey Plaza is really the Ramona Flowers

[@3rdeye931]

Aubrey seems like a totally new person. She seems to have more confidence and she speaks faster. I like it.

[@totsbig]

Stumbled on this video. Reminded me of two things: 1. Yeah I like Aubrey Plaza, when and why did I stop watching her content in the first place? and, 2. Conan really brings the best out of her. S-tier host, really top of the line. Nice short clip!

[@osearthesp]

so true !

[@inkydrink]

This is honestly the most normal I've ever seen her

[@whogg0521]

And THIS is why we all love her. Go get it girl!

[@gerryy1]

I don't believe it has taken this long for her to come on the show. This is the episode we've all been waiting for haha

[@Banankos]

It's almost as unusual seeing and hearing Aubrey Plaza speaking normally rather than as "Aubrey Plaza / April Ludgate" as it was to recently seeing rare footage of Gilbert Gottfried speaking in his normal voice. 😯

[@drawingwithezra4212]

That wasn’t his normal voice?!?!

[@MarMaxGaming]

it's amazing how people have to grind and juggle, and also get so lucky to be involved in their big moment.

[@PathosConsultingGroup]

wow she’s suuuper different than in her conan interviews from tv

[@gbeach85]

She’s incredibly unique, fun, and such a god damn smoke show.

[@tylerjackson1806]

I know 🥵🥵🥵

[@mrblonde1264]

Totally,its the fact she doesn't try to be cool that makes her so cool.

[@tomy.1846]

Total smoke show! 🤪

[@krisersn3092]

Not a smoke show in this interview

[@tomy.1846]

@@krisersn3092 A little make up would more than do it, she's got the foundation alright! 😍

[@ftswarbill]

*Aubrey is amazing. Every single thing she does is awesome.*

[@jessielouheart]

Love Aubrey! I love that she pitched the actual character….amazing.

[@justtwobrotherspokemon]

Aubery is as funny as a stand up comedian. Her timing and delivery I'd spot on. Watch some of her earlier interviews with conan of late night it's comedy gold.

[@LM085]

I don’t think a lot of people get Aubrey’s comedy but I really love it - it’s refreshingly funny and unique.

[@tximinoman]

"I was just a lucky little waitress from Queens" After the story she just told that sounds like the understatement of the century.

[@tommylakindasorta3068]

Maybe she got lucky, but it's pretty obvious from her interviews that Aubrey Plaza is incredibly bright. She can bat it back and forth all day long with the sharpest person in all of television. Very few people have the quick-wittedness to do that. I think she would have become big eventually no matter what.

[@jissanhuq3792]

She’s incredibly confident and quick witted. Does not shrink in the moment

[@neolexiousneolexian6079]

​@@jissanhuq3792 I get the vibe that she's super hard-working and dedicated to her craft too.

[@MonkeyspankO]

Parks and Recreation was a once in a generation comedy. I completely missed it at the time, but I was lucky to watch it in its entirety later.

[@sphinx12tt]

Her performance in Legion was superb

[@Smashyoursymbols]

Lmao I love Aubrey Plaza

[@michealclarke22]

Alison Jone sis so underrated! , those classic comedies all were casting directed by her!

[@BeSkeptical851]

I love Aubrey Plaza just because she has the best death stare by any actress I have ever seen.

[@dreamrestore213]

I ALMOST screamed like a little girl when I saw her name on the last episode.

[@lazyprodigy2774]

Greg is if "never let them know your next move" was a person lmao 🤣

[@jrecinos97]

She’s gotta one of my favorite ppl in Hollywood

[@paulkossak7761]

I've been watching her on talk shows for years and I swear I don't know if any of her stories are true, but I love her.

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

I enjoy Aubrey in any capacity, *especially with Conan,* but it was nice to see her out of character. Her awkward nervous schtick is gold, but I think I prefer this version...her actual self. She still has amazing timing, almost accidental, and her chemistry with Conan is perfect. More please! 👍🤩

[@selimsevim]

I love how Conan and Aubrey talk. It is always that kind of vibe like Aubrey is Conan's daughter that he left when she was a little girl and they never talked until Aubrey made it and became a movie star. Then, she wants to do these interviews with her dad all the time to show him that she is big deal now. However, she also sometimes becomes that insecure/rebellious/reckless teenage girl who had gone through all the struggles without having a father in the middle of those conversations by trying to hide these conflicts from her father. When she feels this, she fires all the weirdness she has to put her really intelligent, quick-witted comedian father in awkward pauses being speechless as a revenge.

[@nubreed1980]

Team April and Team Coco forever.

[@ralbarran03]

If i had to pay for a subscription to see all the vid versions of Conan's podcast I'd totally do it

[@sorrisoro]

Just finished listening to this episode… god, I love them together!

[@im.m2118]

I’m embarrassed to admit this but I SCREAMED at work when i saw that Aubrey did the podcast 😩

[@jimr9499]

Lol you're the second comment I read, and the third person I know of (including myself) who screamed when they read Aubrey's name in the title lol.

[@jimr9499]

So don't be embarrassed! There are more of us out here!

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

She actually seems relaxed here.

[@TurisasFTW]

Because there is no audience.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

@@TurisasFTW Fair enough, that checks out.

[@RyneMurray23]

She seems like such a cool person. I love her haha

[@grahamstrouse1165]

It’s crazy that she landed three major roles like that in the span of a few weeks!

[@oicsaywhat]

She’s awesome! Love her personality and humor

[@novusordoseclorumrexbaptis1943]

Aubrey really genuinely funny love her

[@peteralmeida8321]

Aubrey Plaza is on my top 3 conan guests.

[@stevenwarner7348]

Aubrey has described her "acting school" experience ~~~ Pranking cops in New York City ~~~. What a hoot. ~~~ the best !

[@mohammedelshaer4923]

Aubrey is so amazing.

[@Barl3000]

I love when Aubrey does interviews "out of character", even though her regular interviews are really funny.

[@Vivaf189]

I want to see the entire podcast in video format

[@talkingmeme1101]

Conan: asks a very basic question. Aubrey : explains a possibly most insane story and end it with "I don't know" Conan who's intrigued by the story : goes along with the story. Aubrey and everyone else: pervertttt.... Love this duo.

[@Despond]

The way she delivered the: "uhh okay" was hilarious.

[@SpeakLove369]

6:52 this was the best bit! 😂😭

[@DEADLY6Z]

She is amazing! One of my fav actors.

[@nunontherunnumberone]

"Not mine" is the most relatable line of this interview. ❤

[@nunontherunnumberone]

Oh wait: "I don't even know what I was doing in the meeting"

[@abrackas1]

In another universe when Aubrey Plaza auditions for the role of “Aubrey” she loses it to someone who plays her better than herself. At first she’s like “What! This is insane! Get out!” But they bring her into one of those one-way mirror interrogation rooms where she observes a performance by this other person that’s so enthralling she weeps in approval. That person? You guessed it… Frank Stallone.

[@ScooterOnHisWay2024]

April Ludgate + Ron Swanson = Comedy genius pairing.

[@skabcat242]

I always liked how Aubrey can just be herself.

[@kit2770]

"He was knitting a functional Rubiks Cube." Lol. That would really be something.

[@skyetc4317]

i love watching how intimidated conan seems by how funny aubrey is lol

[@kdiggity1]

Dude, I love Aubrey Plaza. Just 120% awkward and cool.

[@fadedmofo]

Loved this episode, listened to it twice at work.

[@SARJdk]

Aubreys part in her hair is as magnetic as her personality, keep coming back to it.

[@greenghost2008]

She still has to fight typecasting. She must get scripts all the time that are just April Ludgate but in a different story.

[@ericbrown1101]

Because April was basically just her playing herself lol

[@austins.2495]

Aubrey reminds me of someone I used to know, who I miss very much.

[@thomaspaine374]

This girl was absolutely captivating and adorable 20 years ago.

[@jasonezzell6901]

100% she was going to say "...went to Harvard" right before she said "you know what you did"

[@MarkRadfordAZ]

"... in the right place at the right time ...in the right...... Jean shorts..." 🤣🤣

[@deevnn]

Aubrey is hilarious...she's the right kind of coocoo for my funny bone.

[@LC-ht7sg]

Charming woman. Great in shows/ movies/talk shows. Her husband is awesome. Talented dude.

[@mypal1990]

Aubrey was so chill on the episode. And her deadpan is so funny!

[@blackgeekfandom]

I went to Google to look up Allison Jones. Legend isn't the word to describe her. I see why Conan joked at a deal with the devil. There is nothing you can say about this woman's career that would do it justice. Her career is beyond GOAT. Just wow.

[@mikekillagreen9432]

She did a great impression of him. 😂😂

[@loganvorrias5487]

Omgggg Aubrey and Conan together again🥺💓😂

[@nonoo]

No makeup at all. Still pretty af. ❤️💯❤️💯

[@raphaeldube7008]

At some point in her career she needs to play Suzanne Vega in a biopic. She's got her voice and looks, it'd be a great fit I think.

[@greggory5156]

That's it. This continues to confirm why I'm so in love with Aubrey.

[@spacehead74]

I want to see Plaza and Villasenor play siblings in a rom-com.