Aziz Ansari fondly recalls his time on the hit sitcom Parks and Recreation, highlighting the funniest moments that took place off-camera. During a recent interview, Ansari shared anecdotes focused on the cast’s camaraderie and how these behind-the-scenes events often made the experience more memorable than the show itself. One especially amusing part involved Nick Offerman’s famously steadfast demeanor, which was nearly undone by his iconic mustache.
Trying to Make Nick Offerman Crack During Filming
Ansari explained to Amy Poehler on her Good Hang podcast that watching bloopers sometimes brings more laughter for him than the episodes. He said,
“I started watching your podcast and Park’s clips started coming on YouTube, and when I watch it sometimes I just think about us making it, and it’s funnier for me to watch the bloopers ’cause that feels more like my experience,”
reflecting on his appreciation for the unguarded moments with his castmates.
The actor, known for his comedic talent, admitted he enjoyed trying to break his fellow actors during filming, although it proved challenging.
“Trying to see if I could get someone to break,”
he said, was often more difficult than he expected because the cast was full of seasoned professionals. Ansari ranked Offerman among the toughest to crack, noting,
“Offerman’s pretty high up on that list.”
The Saturday Night Live alumnus acknowledged that despite their efforts, Offerman “never cracked up” while shooting.
The Mustache Nearly Gave Nick Offerman Away
Although Offerman held his laughter, Ansari noticed subtle signs of amusement linked to the actor’s thick mustache.
“There was a couple of times where I got — like he didn’t laugh, but I think his mustache may have went up a little bit,”
Ansari recalled. One memorable moment came during a season 2 episode titled Telethon, written by Poehler, where Ansari’s character tried to charm Offerman’s Ron Swanson using a playful “puppy voice.”
Ansari recounted the scene, saying,
“And I was like, ‘Hi, Mr. Swanson. I like your mustache. I’m just a little puppy,’”
and added,
“And I think it almost got him.”
In the episode, characters Leslie Knope (Poehler), Tom Haverford (Ansari), and April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza) interact with a dog Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) brought to the office. When Ron arrives to enforce the no-dog policy, Tom uses his puppy voice in an attempt to keep the dog around. Ansari’s playful delivery nearly caused Offerman to break character, thanks in part to the interaction with his mustache.
Cast’s Freedom to Experiment Led to Iconic Moments
Poehler praised the show’s flexible environment, which encouraged actors to experiment and take risks with their performances. This freedom led to many memorable moments, including Ansari and Retta’s famous “Treat yo self” routine, which became a cultural catchphrase.
Ansari also shared a story about a dance sequence from season 6’s Recall Vote. In this scene, his character Tom and Retta’s Donna Meagle celebrate Ron Swanson landing a feature in a weekly email called Bloosh. Describing the scene, Ansari said,
“So me and Retta start just going, ‘Ron’s in Bloosh, Ron’s in Bloosh,’ and then I jump on the table, and me and Retta’s dancing is getting crazier and crazier, and we’re just dancing all over, doing all the crazy stuff.”
Although the final edit cut the scene early, he considers it one of his favorites.
Hopes for a Future Parks and Recreation Reunion
Recently, Ansari expressed a desire to reunite with his Parks and Recreation colleagues. The series aired from 2009 to 2015 and continues to enjoy a devoted fan base. He remarked to Entertainment Weekly,
“I would love to spend time with anybody from Parks — even if the show was terrible, and we just got a decent-enough check,”
adding,
“but we got to spend time together.”
This hope reflects not only Ansari’s affection for his former castmates like Nick Offerman, Amy Poehler, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, and Retta but also the significant bonds formed while filming the show. For many fans and cast members alike, a reunion could rekindle the joyful spirit that made Parks and Recreation a beloved series.
