Nick Offerman of ‘Parks and Recreation’ on the appeal and meme-ability of Ron Swanson
Yesterday, the Celebritology Pawnee-palooza brought you aninterview with Adam Scott. Today’s piece of “Parks and Recreation” goodness, presented in the run-up to Leslie Knope’s debate against Bobby Newport on Thursday’s episode of “Parks and Rec,” is a conversation with Ron Swanson himself,Nick Offerman.
Offerman chatted with me during a visit to the set in February, prior to shooting a scene for the “Parks and Rec” season finale. During that conversation in Offerman’s trailer — which, unlike Scott’s, contained no weirddrawings of lizard-horses or stick figures with oversized private parts— I confirmed a few things about the man behind Ron Swanson.
1. He occasionally receives phone calls from fellow funny man Will Forte.
2. He has an endearing laugh — a giggle, really — that is diametrically opposed to his mustachioed, manly man appearance. The only way to describe that laugh is that it sounds like Krusty the Clown … if Krusty were an 11-year-old girl.
3. He owns some actual pieces of Ron Swanson art (his wife, Megan Mullally, purchased them) and one of them is hanging in his wood shop.
Post (Spring) Daylight Saving Time, all shows show a downward trend in viewership. This has been a reoccurring pattern for years.
This year is no exception. Seeing Thursday (Apr 5) ratings is a real bummer for TV fans across all networks. NBC in particular saw season/series lows for every show.
Parks and Recreation is returning April 19, in less than 2 week’s time.
Now I know the Parks and Recreation fanbase is an incredibly industrious, passionate and driven bunch. So I know it is capable of throwing a major campaign highlighting Parks’ return.
Let’s make sure it happens. Harness the power of every social media platform. Spread the word.
I wish I could get into the minds of NBC execs because I do not understand at all. NBC shakes up its schedule more than any other network I know of. Strategic mistakes left and right. FFS, NBC, you put Parks on hiatus AGAIN?- at the end of its season?!
NBC Fuck Ups:
Ordering a full season of 30 Rock to cram into half a season (BRILLIANT)
Putting Community on the bench to accommodate 30 Rock only to learn NOTHING will do well at 8 o’clock; Also, moving family-friendly Up All Night after The Office only to see that it is performing worse than Whitney.
Throwing Community back in at the expense of Parks and Rec.
Angering loyal fans left and right, creating massive instability with casual viewers, and cementing its reputation as a mess of a network.
Nick Offerman wrote the 18th episode of Parks and Rec!!
Highlights::
“Mike asked me. We had lunch together this summer, and he asked me if I would like to write an episode. And as is my habit, I burst into explosive tears and said, “Absolutely, I would love to. Why in the world would you want me to write an episode?” It was so touching. He said, “Because I love making this show with you. I could go out and get some hotshot writer from one of my Ivy League wells that I draw from, but I’d rather have a dipshit like you.”
Nick improv-ed “Ron Fucking Swanson” and ”I think you’d make a wonderful brunette. Ron Swanson.”
Nick praises Amy as always (such a good boy)
Nick wrote a lot of April in his episode- “I got to make her filthy and evil and everything I love to see her do.” (!!!)
Tonight’s episode of Parks and Rec awakened an unexpected shipper in these two. And I feel I’m not the only one..
Shipping aside, I thought it was sweet that Ann finally got to genuinely bond with Ron for more than 9 seconds. It was a nice development from “Born and Raised.”
