Afrikaans
Akan
Albanian
Amharic
Arabic
Armenian
Azerbaijani
Basque
Belarusian
Bemba
Bengali
Bihari
Bosnian
Breton
Bulgarian
Cambodian
Catalan
Cebuano
Cherokee
Chichewa
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Corsican
Croatian
Czech
Danish
Dutch
English
Esperanto
Estonian
Ewe
Faroese
Filipino
Finnish
Frisian
Ga
Galician
Georgian
German
Greek
Guarani
Gujarati
Haitian Creole
Hausa
Hawaiian
Hebrew
Hindi
Hmong
Hungarian
Icelandic
Igbo
Indonesian
Interlingua
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Javanese
Kannada
Kazakh
Kinyarwanda
Kirundi
Kongo
Korean
Krio (Sierra Leone)
Kurdish
Kurdish (Soranรฎ)
Kyrgyz
Laothian
Latin
Latvian
Lingala
Lithuanian
Lozi
Luganda
Luo
Luxembourgish
Macedonian
Malagasy
Malay
Malayalam
Maltese
Maori
Marathi
Mauritian Creole
Moldavian
Mongolian
Myanmar (Burmese)
Montenegrin
Nepali
Nigerian Pidgin
Northern Sotho
Norwegian
Norwegian (Nynorsk)
Occitan
Oriya
Oromo
Pashto
Persian
Polish
Portuguese (Brazil)
Portuguese (Portugal)
Punjabi
Quechua
Romanian
Romansh
Runyakitara
Russian
Samoan
Scots Gaelic
Serbian
Serbo-Croatian
Sesotho
Setswana
Seychellois Creole
Shona
Sindhi
Sinhalese
Slovak
Slovenian
Somali
Spanish
Spanish (Latin American)
Sundanese
Swahili
Swedish
Tajik
Tamil
Tatar
Telugu
Thai
Tigrinya
Tonga
Tshiluba
Tumbuka
Turkish
Turkmen
Twi
Uighur
Ukrainian
Urdu
Uzbek
Vietnamese
Welsh
Wolof
Xhosa
Yiddish
Yoruba
Zulu
Hello everyone. Welcome to another
episode of Good Hang. Boy, what a guest
we have today. Um, my brother, um, Nick
Offerman, uh, who, uh, as you know, was
instrumental in making Parks and
Recreation the hit that it was and
played the beloved Ron Swanson and is
just a wonderful friend, person, actor.
We talk about so many good things today.
We talk about um uh Parks and Wreck
getting the job, how it felt to be on a
show um that meant so much to us. We
talk about Cleopatra, how he feels about
her, and would he hit that. And um we
also um talk about his book, Little
Woodchucks, his amazing new book that is
out now, and how he feels deeply about
how important it is to make things. So,
um please uh uh please start get ready
for Nick Offererman. But before we get
to Nick, we always do this thing, right?
We talk to somebody who knows Nick. We
get a question to ask Nick. And we have
the wonderful Aubrey Plaza joining us.
Aubrey April Lgate. Um, you know her,
you love her. She's zooming in from New
York. Plazi.
[music]
This episode is presented by All State.
Checking All State first could save you
hundreds on car insurance. That's smart.
Not checking that the fake roast chicken
is in fact a fake roast chicken before
chomping into a wing. Rookie mistake.
Yeah, checking first is smart. So check
All State first for a quote that could
save you hundreds. You're in good hands
with All State. Potential savings vary
subject to terms, conditions, and
availability. All State North American
Insurance Company and affiliates,
Northbrook, Illinois.
I wanted
[music and singing]
>> Hello.
>> Hi, Claus.
>> Hi.
>> Hi. Thank you for doing this. I know
you're about to go. I think you're about
to go on stage.
>> Oh my god. Have you been sitting there
since the last time I did your podcast?
>> Yeah.
>> I'm so sorry.
>> I live here now.
>> Oh my god. And I know you don't have a
lot of time, but I there's I felt like
there was nobody better to ask a
question to Nick Offererman than you.
>> Oh, I know. Well, first of all, you know
that we are birth brothers.
>> Yeah, talk about that.
>> Nick and I have the same birthday, June
26, the day that the Pied Piper led the
children of the rats into the water.
[snorts]
Real story, folks.
>> [laughter]
>> And you can feel the pi piper energy
coming out, you know, of both of us.
Jason Schwarzman also has a birthday on
June 26. So does Paul Thomas Anderson
actually, but he's not in our club yet.
But um
yeah, so we have this like birthday text
message chain, which I almost want to
read out loud because it's so funny
because the it we only write on it on
our birthday and it's always it's so
it's always like in medieval talk.
>> It's you and Nick and Jason Schwarzman.
>> Me, Nick, and Schwarzman. Yeah. Can you
read just Yeah. Can you read just a
little bit of it?
>> Okay, hold on. I got my phone.
>> Okay, [laughter]
>> this is like sacred territory. Okay,
here's one that Nick wrote. Mighty
power. This was a couple years ago.
Mighty powers and health to you, my
fellow birthday triplets. Let us dance
under the moon and delight Gaia for
another 12 moons with our dark japes.
An an emoji that I can't don't want to
describe. [laughter]
Um, this is another one from Nick. Dear
my birthday beauties, it's 9:00 a.m. on
our birthday in New Zealand, and I'm
sending you both a massive load of my
wholesome.
Oh, earth sign love. I thought it said
urine when I read it on my birthday, but
now I'm seeing it. Now I'm seeing it
[clears throat] clearly.
>> I thought he said a massive load of my
urine.
>> That would sounds like it could be him,
but earth sign love, which
>> Oh, earth sign love. And Ursan I believe
is is bear like right bear like
>> oh the bear right I wrote back and my
load to you my brother [laughter]
>> but it was a different load that I was
talking about. [laughter]
Um that's just a little taste.
>> That's a little taste and it's it is how
Nick talks. Do you remember meeting him
for the first time?
>> I think it was probably literally on
set. I don't remember. I think he scared
me. You know at first he scared me a
lot. Why?
>> In a good way. Um I No, just because I
think No, he was so funny, but I was
always like trying to replicate his like
behavior on set. Like I'll never forget
I mean you guys all taught me how to
really be on set because I didn't, you
know, I didn't really I'd only done one
job so I didn't know. But like I
remember Nick kind of put not put me in
my place but like kind of reminded me of
something. I probably told you the
story, but like where I was like, you
know how when you're on set you get
treat like actors get treated like
babies and it's so such a weird vibe
like when I haven't worked for a while
and then I go back I'm like this is so
weird. No wonder why actors get so weird
cuz everyone treats you like a baby like
you can't do anything.
>> And I remember like I was just sitting
in my little chair or something and I
wasn't doing anything for a while and
one of the PAs came up and was like do
you need anything? And I was like, "Uh,
sure. I'd take a coffee or something
like that." And then Nick was sitting
next to me like reading a book or
something and he looked over and he
went, "Don't forget that you can get up
and get your own coffee. [laughter] It's
right over there."
And I know that sounds kind of like an
thing to say, but I didn't take
it like that. I was like, "You're
right." I was like, I don't need
that little PA over there to get to walk
over there in my eyesight and pour me a
cup of coffee. I'm like, because you get
in that zone on set where you just turn
into like a couch potato where you're
like,
>> and he it like jolted me. I was like,
I'm never going to ask for coffee again.
Ever.
>> It's so It's so true. And you never
have. And anytime anyone brings you
coffee, you just throw it in their face.
>> I slap it on the bottom so it goes
>> [laughter]
>> not only the liquid, but the cup right
on their forehead.
>> The He's He's so um he is very paternal
and he was very paternal on set. Like
when Nick was there, he would know his
lines and he loved to goof around, but
he wanted to get the job done. Like he
was daddy energy for sure.
>> Yeah, he was daddy. And but he really
did have you you both though you both
had such a perfect balance of like
professionalism but f and fun and I and
I it was a very very good for me to
witness cuz it was like I wanted to I
wanted to be good for him and for you
like I always wanted to be prepared and
but then also be ready to around
and yeah I love I love that about
working with Nick.
>> Yeah. Um,
>> and I have to say like the the April and
Ron stuff started early. I think it was
season one when you two started doing
stuff together.
>> Mhm.
>> And it was really helpful for both of
your characters. [laughter]
>> It was so helpful. I think it I'm trying
to remember. I have one memory of like
that remember that episode when we were
like in the grocery store
>> or something. I think that was one of
those early on ones. I I'm thinking I
think there was an episode in season one
when he hurts his neck and
>> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
>> Right. And he's stuck in the chair.
>> Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. And then I like go I like go
into his I like stand in his office
>> and I'm like I'm like kind of his
assistant that day or something and we
we barely say like anything to each
other. Yeah.
>> We just like stare at each other and
then like it's almost like we're
telepath we were telepathic.
>> Yeah. Both of you are very good at
saying little and talking slowly.
>> Exactly. [laughter]
>> And it's funny that he uses the word
earth sign because he really is like
one could classify him as a bear. He is
a bear.
>> He is a bear
>> and he's a he's a man in a very um you
know you don't find a lot of like men
who can build things. I mean,
>> Mhm.
>> in this profession.
>> I actually I wonder if if if he if
that's a lie,
>> I don't think he can. I don't think he's
actually doing it.
>> It's so weird saying I've never actually
seen him build anything.
>> You ever seen him with a hammer? I
haven't.
>> Nope.
>> And I've seen where he does it, but
there's other people in there.
>> So true. And he comes in and says, "I
made this canoe." And it's like,
>> when? Yeah. When?
>> Yeah.
>> When exactly? [laughter]
>> What question do you think I should ask
him?
>> What does it feel like when you jerk off
to every episode of Parks and Wreck when
you're watching?
>> Let's get a real question that I can
actually ask him.
>> All right. Okay. I have two questions.
Okay. One, have you ever seen a ghost?
>> I want to hear like if he has any like
other realm stories.
>> Oo, interesting. I I don't know where he
would land on that in the on the woo woo
scale of being open to that.
>> Me neither. Me neither. Like for real, I
want to ask him. Yeah. Like do you
believe like do you believe in ghosts?
Like do you believe in that? Have you
have do you have a good story?
>> And do you believe in hell?
>> No. Don't ask him that.
>> I won't.
>> Um
>> believe me, I won't. [laughter]
>> Okay.
>> Okay. Uh how about do you remember a
good time we had working together?
>> Sorry. Sorry. You're right. No, you're
right. You're right. I just immediately
want to know like [laughter]
if you had to haunt one person
in the afterlife, [laughter]
who would it be? And also,
how'd you get started in showbiz? I
[laughter] don't know. Or any am I are
these is this anything? [laughter]
>> Yeah, these are good. These are good.
>> Okay, here's my real question. Okay.
>> If Bill and Ted's excellent adventure
happened to you in real life, what time
period would you go to and who would you
fight? [laughter]
>> Perfect.
>> You know, he's going to have some stupid
to say.
>> Perfect question.
>> Okay, good.
>> That's perfect. Who would you fight?
>> And would you take me with you?
>> Yeah,
>> cuz you know you want to. You know you
want to. I mean, I have to say you guys
were like a strong duo for a million
reasons, but both you and Nick have a
fortitude, like a way where you could
face you. You you guys are very
emotionally and physically strong. Like,
you mean you and Nick were the only two
cast members to play on the Parks and
Wreck softball team.
>> That's right. Still got my uniform.
>> Um, all right. Well, that we got our
question. I don't want to keep you okay
with time. All right. I'm going to Not
okay with time. I'm actually But but why
do you want to do something? [laughter]
>> No, but you told me you were going in 15
minutes. Okay, then I'm good.
>> I'm out, baby. I'm out. Watch me. In
less than an hour, I'm going to be on
that stage ripping apart.
>> What do you have to do between now and
the show? I am interested. Before I let
you go, what's your routine?
>> Um, I'm literally supposed to be there
in like 20 minutes. I'm going to get a
shower. I'm discussing right now.
>> Oh, you're at home. [laughter] Okay.
You're not at the theater. We're Okay. I
didn't time my day out very well.
>> Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you for doing
this.
>> But I can actually do anything.
>> Yeah.
>> If I really put my mind to it.
[laughter]
>> It's gonna be a nightmare getting a cab.
I This is what I literally am going to
do.
>> Yeah.
>> Get a shower in like the mo in like 2
minutes.
>> I believe in you.
>> Then I'm going to run to 6th Avenue and
I literally mean it. I'm going to run.
It's rush hour and I'm going to hail a
cab and that cab's going to fly me up
there and it's going to be exhilarating.
And then I'm just gonna I'm just hope I
won't, you know, hope I can get myself
in character in time. I'll start in the
cab.
>> I'm gonna let you go right now.
Codependently, I'm worried about you.
And um Okay. Thank you for doing this.
Thank you, Plazy. Love you. Miss you.
>> Love you. Love you and love, Nick.
>> Yeah.
>> And Okay.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> All right. I hope you get out of there
sometime. Okay. [laughter]
Okay. Drink water. Okay. [music]
>> This episode is brought to you by
Visible. Let's be honest, wireless can
feel like a world of traps. Expensive
bills, hidden fees, and promises that
just don't hold up. You start to feel
stuck. Don't fall for the trap. Escape
to Visible, the ultimate wireless hack.
Get unlimited data and hotspot powered
by Verizon. One line, all for just $25 a
month. Taxes and fees included. You
heard that right, just $25 a month. Get
great coverage and a reliable connection
with Visible. Switch today at
visible.com and start saving on wireless
terms apply. See visible.com for plan
features and network management details.
All right, listen up. Ralph's King
Supers, Harris ter, Food for Less,
Kroger, and more are now on Uber Eats
and you get 40% off your order of $30 or
more. Maybe you're trying a new recipe
and need some lastminute ingredients. Or
maybe the kids made a mess and you're
lower on cleaning supplies than you
thought. Whatever you need, you can get
it delivered in as little as 25 minutes.
So, order now on Uber Eats and get 40%
off your order of $30 or more with code
Kroger 2026. Plus, Uber 1 members get 0
delivery fees. Orders of $30 or more,
save up to $25. Ends May 31st, 2026. See
app for details.
Hold on. Sit down on the mic. Get on the
mic so I can Oh my god, Nick. Okay,
listeners, Nick has brought me a bag of
treats.
>> Well,
>> God, I love What do we got? What do we
got?
>> We talk about making things.
>> Yes. Which we will.
>> Um, this this is uh the first project in
my book is a slapstick
>> little woodchucks
>> because and I thought you would
appreciate this. Um, when Lee and I Do
you remember Lee, by the way?
>> Of course. Yeah.
>> Um, we've had so much fun. We go on tour
and Lee does wood. She makes one of
these on stage with a bench
>> while I sing and I'm a jackass. And when
we were pick when we were figuring out
the projects for the book, I said,
"Look,
>> I'm any kid that you go in the woods
with and you're like, let's find a good
stick. Let's let's make something."
>> A good percentage of kids are going to
be like, "This is a sword or a gun or
like this is
>> an implement of violence. Let's make war
or whatever."
>> Yeah. It's it we do, you know, I hate
that about [clears throat] us, but we
have it. So, I said we have to have a
weapon in the book, but [laughter] I
have a comedy weapon,
>> the slapstick.
>> May I see?
>> Yeah.
>> So, for those that don't know, the word
slapstick came from this. And this says
butt joint on it,
>> which is a type of of wood joint. It's
not something pur,
>> you know. I've never used a slapstick.
>> Many haven't. I mean, I had never heard
of one. It's from like Comedia Delarte
or Punch and Judy shows use them
>> and it's and the great the great thing
is you can pretend to hit people
>> and it and it makes a noise and you know
and so you make a reaction.
>> Yes.
>> And you have comedy.
>> You can do spanking. You can do fake
spankings.
>> Um I want to talk about your uh book and
all the stuff you make in it. And what
before Well, hold on. You also brought a
water bottle. Oh yeah. Sorry.
>> Is that your Offerman wood shop water
bottle?
>> It is. Yeah. But that I you know
>> I have that too. I have one of those.
>> I just got rid of the one you gave me.
That huge one from making it.
>> Yeah.
>> I finally wore it out like a month ago
and I replaced it.
>> Are you a big um We're going to get into
a lot of stuff today, but how much water
do you drink a day?
>> Generally, I've been doing a lot of
working out because I did a a job where
I had to work out.
>> Brag.
>> Uh not a not a huge deal. Um, I got
[laughter]
Well, I got super jacked for
>> How much can you lift? Like, what do you
lift in these days?
>> Um, two I I lift uh uh uh Cyber Trucks.
[laughter] I do two Cyber Trucks.
>> You go up to them and lift them up.
>> And then I put people in them.
Uh but I I I got crazy. I And then I did
actual wrestling.
>> Oh my god.
>> I trained with a wrestler. [laughter]
There's so many places to go from what
you just told me because number one,
I've wrestled with you in a small way on
set and you're very strong.
>> Thank you.
>> Um, you have the body like you have the
carriage of someone who I feel like
would be good at wrestling. Did you
wrestle when you're in high school?
>> I tried. I I my uncle was a wrestler and
I I tried wrestling and it and quite
honestly my dad was a was great at
basketball and baseball. Yeah. So, I
went out for wrestling uh one year and
was like, "No thanks." It was really
hard.
>> Yeah, it's so hard.
>> It and and I wasn't I wasn't great. Um I
was uh I didn't I didn't have the fire
to to like to overcome to
>> the vision quest, if you will.
>> Yeah. Exactly.
>> And in your 50s though, when you have to
get buff, that's hard.
>> I was unable to approach the lunatic
fringe. [laughter]
>> Um but I' I've always loved being an
athlete. Yeah. Uh, and so, um, I've
always maintained an athleticism, but,
uh, it it was actually pretty fun. I
worked with a this great trainer named
Grant Roberts who does this. Yeah.
>> And he's super good at it. And it
actually was only four times a week, 1
hour each,
>> and there was nothing crazy. A bunch of
protein.
>> But remember when Pratt was doing um,
Guardians, like he had to eat crazy
amounts of food all the time.
>> The good thing is I'm a former pro
wrestler. [laughter]
your character was.
>> There's there's no like shower scene
where I'm like langangerously, you know,
showing my Chris Pratt abs,
>> right?
>> Uh, in fact, it's in my contract with
that language. [laughter]
>> Um, I'm glad we're talking about sports
cuz I kind of want to start with young
Nick Offerman today in high school in
Manuka, Illinois. Like athletic kid in
the drama club.
>> Well,
>> and I'm not saying that those two things
don't go together. It's just in the 80s
like what was it like being a drama kid
and a sports kid? The thing is, I there
wasn't a lot of culture. And when I say
this, I love my town and like and my
family, but like there wasn't um there
wasn't a lot of counterculture or
>> uh so so like we had the Beatles, but
only their first three records, you
know? Like [laughter] when I got to
college and they were like, "Check out
the White Album." I was like, "What?
[laughter]
I already loved Please Me." Um, and so
there like the the drama kids weren't
fully drama kids and the jocks weren't
fully jocks
>> cuz I think the school in town were
small enough
>> and there just wasn't a lot to do. I I
was definitely a polymath and I think it
was just because I
>> I didn't I hadn't figured out what I was
going to do and so I was just kind of
trying everything.
>> Do you remember what made you try out
for your first play? like like you know
>> I definitely there there's a famous in
my family there's a famous uh like uh
Super Eight movie from our fishing cabin
when I was like 11 and and it was when
you go to the Cubs game and you get a
free jersey 3/4length like white body
blue sleeves cubs and on the back was a
Keebler elf uh tree and the Keebler
elves sponsored the jersey and uh I'm in
that jersey and and the camera's going
around every family member and they're
all like ducking away from the camera
and it gets to me kind of literally
going like just pointing at myself and
making faces like you have if you have a
camera you you found the right
>> Isn't that funny that like you can see
that sometimes in people where they're
like even just your reflection in a in
in like the store window or a mirror
like I used to do commercials on my
bathroom sink in the mirror to myself
just like one day
>> I'm going Someone's gonna be looking at
my face.
>> I mean, Megan had the my my champion
wife Megan Mali had the wherewithal.
[clears throat]
>> She knew like when she was a kid, she
would sit in a room and and do Barbara
Stryand records into a hairbrush
>> to the point where she could now
perfectly she's like a Broadway star
because she did that.
>> Yeah. I didn't have any like I knew I
wanted to entertain and I knew that I
loved Jim Ignatowski, Christopher
Lloyd's character on Taxi.
>> Oh yeah.
>> Where I was like that guy is so weird
and like scary but he's super funny.
>> I feel like that's somehow that's what
I'm drawn to.
But I had no, it wasn't until
late in when I was trying to figure out
where to go to college that I was like,
"Oh, you can I can try and do acting as
a job." And you know, very early on in
your career and my career, we meet in
Chicago and we're both kind of in
Chicago in the early 90s trying stuff
just like, you know, trying to get hired
and but how do you get to Chicago from
like how do you move there? I had this
crazy moment uh where I was I took my
girlfriend who was a year older than me
to audition at the University of
Illinois for their dance department. And
to this day, it's so miraculous. I must
have been loitering in the hallway
[laughter] because these two theater
students who I then came to know, I
don't remember how it started. I wish I
had a a film of this. They they were
somehow it was like, "Hey kid, why are
you loitering in the hallway of the
theater facility and somehow we we
struck up a conversation and they said
they were theater students and I said,
"What does that mean?" And they said,
"You can study acting." And I was like,
"You got to be kidding me."
Like, [laughter] because I told my
guidance counselor at school that I want
to be an actor and he was like, "That's
not available. You can't do that."
>> And then I said I want to be a musician.
And he was like, "Come on.
What are you going to do with that?
>> That'd be really interesting to dig into
this guy's forgotten dreams
>> for sure.
>> Sounds like there was a lot going on
with him.
>> But they had told me you can't be an
actor. So then I met these students that
were like, "We're going to the UN like
this great state school. They have a
conservatory program." And and I said,
"Okay, so you you become an actor, then
what?" And they said, "You can get paid
to do plays in Chicago." And I was like,
you I took them by the lapels of their
coat and was like, are you
kidding me? [laughter]
They told me you can't that this you
can't do.
>> I heard no one makes any money.
>> I did. I had no idea that this was I I I
just want to say I relate cuz I didn't
know anyone who was an actor growing up.
And although I wasn't discouraged in
that way, it just didn't seem like a
job. It was like, what do you mean like
be an actor? Yeah.
>> Like it just seemed like that's stupid.
And so we meet in n in the early 90s in
the attic of a house.
>> That's right. All I remember is that you
always love to punch me in the arm.
>> Yeah. I have a thing about
>> I took as a compliment
>> big time. Uh it is it's a love tap
really. But, you know, I I think you
know, and again, I might this might be
revisionist history, but I remember when
we met, I you felt very familiar to me,
even though, you know, we hadn't we
didn't know each other, even though at
the time you were in kind of in deep
character for a play. [snorts]
>> Oh, right. It was That's right. Cuz it
was during Clockwork Orange at Stephen
Wolf and I
>> uh was riding a big motorcycle and I had
a shaved head. I was experimenting with
what Nick was going to turn out to be
like. Um, [laughter] I had a shaved
head, but I kept the front inch of my
hair, right,
>> down into a full beard and I dyed it
different manic panic like punk colors.
So, it looked really scary.
>> Really scary. And it is the thing about
you that's so great to your to the
Jimnatelli of it all, which is like you
are able to look scary, but you're not
not a scary person at all.
>> Which uh which I've learned to
appreciate. There was a time when I'd be
like, "Shut up." I'd pull my knife out
on you if you [laughter] said that.
>> Yeah. But
>> and then I'd apologize.
>> Yeah. I mean, I remember talking to you,
I guess, punching you in the arm. I
remember talking about the play that you
were in. I remember that company and you
know, at the time in Chicago, there were
like different ways into the same
creative experience. I feel like they
are kind of a big soup now, but at the
time it was very important that like
serious theater and then improv and
sketch and they were like never the
twain shall meet.
>> I tell you something, I so this is like
uh early to mid '9s. I was so ignorant
even then that if I had I had no idea
that
>> like I was a big fan of SNL as a kid. If
I [clears throat] had any idea that
there was a pipeline to that you you
know what I mean that you guys had even
could get an audition or anything. I had
no idea. In fact, I remember just
thinking like you guys so you guys make
stuff up in a bar. Like what? We we're
performing works of literature.
[laughter]
>> Yeah. Believe me, we felt that vibe and
we were like, "Yeah, we know. It's uh we
have some notes. It's 3 [laughter] hours
long."
>> Yeah.
>> I have to say, if I may just digress,
you have some of the best posture.
>> Wow. Thank you.
>> of any friend of mine. And it feels like
that. Thanks a lot.
>> And that feels like it comes from a core
training, like a you have great posture.
>> I do. I mean, I um Thank you. I I It's
something that I do have to think about,
especially after our show. Everything I
got offered was like somehow overweight
uh barbecue master
>> and it's all these guys in their tidy
whies in the mirror crying some one way
or another. [laughter]
And the first couple I was like, "This
is interesting." And then I realized,
oh, I need to I need to stay in shape
>> so that I can get a variety.
>> That's Well, you you love to transform
your bod. You are you come from a
physical body place with a lot of your
characters
>> and and and I do feel like it's,
>> you know, so Ron Swanson on Parks and
Recreation had a physicality to him that
felt like you understood really early on
um and played with
>> and you talked about it a lot. It's
really interesting to me. But before we
get to that, because I do want to talk
about that, let's just talk about you
getting that part. I know you've spoken
about it a lot, but I think the
physicality was part of the part was
like what you understood really fast
about him cuz you're right. If you in
the wrong hands, he's a joke. He's a
total clown.
>> Sure. Um, sorry, I'm I'm being a little
moved by uh we we've never talked about
our show. I And I also haven't seen our
show.
>> Wait, are you crying?
>> No, I'm not crying. [laughter]
>> I thought you were gonna cry.
>> I was thinking about this pork dish.
[laughter]
>> We haven't talked about our show.
>> No, we haven't. And that and it's
>> I mean, we've talked about it with each
other all the time. But
>> for sure, but but not in this.
>> No, not publicly. I mean, where do we
even start?
>> People totally like it.
>> I just listen. I just came here from a a
book tour in the UK.
>> Yeah.
>> And guess how I close every show? I play
5,000 Candles. And I had the these
incredible these two sisters named Flo
and Joan opening for me. You would
They're these super funny sisters who do
funny songs. And I mean, when you say
I'm in a crowd, a theater of 2,000
people and you just say Parks and
Recreation or Ron Swanson, the the roof
flies off the place.
>> I know. And you're just like, you guys,
that was a long time.
>> It was a long, you know, my son just
turned 17, which is when we started the
show, 17 years ago.
>> Holy cow.
>> And I know, think about that. [laughter]
And the fact that there's still people
are still dressing up for Ron Swanson at
Halloween and people said that you got
us through the pandemic and people are
saying my kid's just starting it. And
like it's it's unbel I don't I mean I
know we knew I got to say and I I think
I can speak for us both. We were old
enough and I don't know maybe a little
like we knew what we had at the time you
and me. We really did
>> for sure
>> and we tried to enjoy every minute of it
but like Ron Swanson is would be in the
hall is in the hall of fame of
characters. I mean he is he is this
person that people feel con what is it
like
almost 20 years later interacting with
that kind of work like how do people
interact with you
>> it's interesting I mean mostly first of
all I'm so stupidly grateful like from
start soup to nuts and also people are
so nice to me and respectful I think of
Ron like [laughter] people approach me
with the difference and also a little
fear.
>> Yeah.
>> Um but they're they are really polite to
me where I they I usually have to say
please call me Nick or you know cuz
they're shaking and they're scared.
>> Mr. Swanson if I may.
>> Yeah.
>> May I approach Mr. May I approach the
bench?
>> They do. And um and so I'm for all of
that. Um I'm I'm super grateful. It's
certainly weird too. there there are
thorns on the rose or or or pits in the
peach of like
um Ron's politics or or Ron's what Ron
represented sort of as a paradigm
>> uh some people with poor uh reading
comprehension were like oh he's he's a
shotgun guy like finally [clears throat]
>> so they so they mistook Ron for sort of
things they wanted to represent in
themselves
>> yeah And usually it was something
old-fashioned or right-wingish like
misogynistic or Yeah.
>> or violent or anything like that.
>> And so that's been weird too where
people love the character and I've even
had people argue with me online where
they'll say something about
like they'll say Ron definitely would
have voted for this jerk. And I'll and
I'll be like hang on hang on one second.
And I'll call Mike, sure, the main
creator and writer, and say this,
somebody said this, do you? And he would
give me a par he, you know, he would
whip out a perfect paragraph of that's
hilarious, right? But also, why Ron, for
example, anybody that went from the
world of business to the world of
politics, Ron would think was a fool
because Ron's like, "What are you doing?
You were a [laughter] capitalist."
And so then I would, you know, this is
back when I used to participate when
social media wasn't just a cesspool.
>> Yeah.
>> But I I would go back and say, "Mike,
here's what Mike sure says." [laughter]
>> And they'd say, "Nope."
>> They would say, "No, he you guys don't
know. You guys don't know about Rod
Swanson." And I was like, "Well,
[laughter] I'm just going to leave it at
there." Like,
>> "Yeah,
>> I I thought I did, but I guess you got
me on that one." Do people come up to
you and say, "People call me Ron
Swanson?"
>> Yeah,
>> I get that a lot with Leslie Nope.
People say, "I'm like Leslie Nope." And
usually that means like, to your point,
it can mean a bunch of different things.
It can mean I work hard and I'm fighting
the good fight. It can mean I kind of
drive everybody crazy and I talk too
much and I'm, you know, like it can mean
a million things.
>> Sure. I I mean I I feel like when I
think of Leslie Nope, I I think of her
bulliance the most like that that
sometimes and sometimes when people are
like that it's a very heroic
characteristic but it can be too much.
>> Yeah.
>> Because you're like okay like I I'm
doing what you asked me to do. Uh but
and when people say that to me about Ron
Swanson, it it's like it usually means
their tacern
>> like [laughter] and and they're like,
>> you know, like I imagine a husband in
the grocery store
>> carrying like 112 pounds of stuff and
his wife's like, "Let's just get a
cart." He's like, "No, I got this. I got
it. Just keep going."
And so being too stubborn or like
relying too much on
>> I could just remember us doing scenes
together and I would have a hundred
words to your one
[laughter] and I would just circle
around you in that office just like and
you would just sit and watch me and the
it it was like old archetypes of like
the you know different two different
animals in the same room basically and
that was What's was so fun is playing
those energies and then as we got more
comfortable like flipping those energies
and having fun with those energies. But
like those early days of just being able
to just kind of come in and buzz around
while you stood your ground was so fun.
That was really fun game and and just
picturing that you describing it and me
picturing it [laughter] made me think
>> there's that giggle
>> of Shauna Mway tweep on Bcam on a on a
scooty scooter
>> and she she we would always make her
laugh and she would slam into the wall
behind her.
>> Yeah. The camera operators were in the
room with us a lot and they we they were
part of the family for sure and we would
make them laugh. And um you talk pretty
you don't talk as slow. You you talk
differently than Ron, but you talk
pretty slow.
>> I I'm the slowest talking. Like,
>> how do you do that?
>> I don't know. Anything that I see myself
in. [laughter]
Even now, I'm like, pick it up, man.
Like, what is your deal?
>> Oh my god. I'm the exact opposite. I'm
like, babe, take a breath, dude.
[laughter] I mean, now that I have a
podcast, I hear myself and I'm like,
and I'm like, whoa. It's weird to what
especially when people enjoy when people
like praise some acting work and I and
you know I I have to watch everything
like like like watching your baseball
swing to make you know see what's
working
and every time I'm I speak my dialogue
at
>> I feel like could you I feel like I can
do an impression of you. Can you do an
impression of me?
>> I I would never want to.
>> Really? I'm going to do you right now to
your face. I don't have it in me.
[laughter]
>> Well, I have it in me.
>> When you were playing Ron uh on the
show, what did you do? Like what were
some like ways to get into that
character? Like was was it wardrobe? Was
it the mustache? Was it
>> I mean the it's it's funny. Uh Megan,
we've been together for 25 years and
only about 5 years ago. God bless her. I
mean, you've seen the crazy ways I I I I
never get cast as like goodlooking
people. So, I get I get cast as I'm
like, "Okay, great. I'm going to shave
the top of my head off and have like
Larry from the Three Stooges hair." And
Megan's like there there was one time I
was doing a play and she wouldn't let me
get in bed cuz I looked so upsetting and
[laughter] I slept on the couch for two
nights before I figured out I could put
on a stocking cap [laughter]
and then I got in. But she 5 years ago
she finally said, "You know what? I
really don't like your facial hair."
>> BLESS her heart.
>> I know. after 20 years of it. She's I
mean I think she has liked it at times
but it's a it's a practical thing where
she said it's a mouthful of thistles
like
>> yeah some we're getting into it she it's
and I was like well when you put it that
way it is like a bristle brush it's like
the kind of brush that people farmers
have to get the mud off your work boots.
It's a really stiff brush
>> and if you have sensitive skin at all
and you have a makeout sesh you can just
be totally redfaced.
>> Right.
>> Yeah. And so and and and so now we
negotiate. Uh so I've got some work and
so I'm maintaining a mustache for the
moment, but in a couple weeks I'll be
shaving it.
>> Yeah.
>> And something I've noticed is my talking
changes.
>> Oh.
>> When I have the mustache, I call it a my
constipative rectus. It's like a a sort
of invisible clamp comes over me
>> and and things become more stenuran and
more like Sam the Eagle from the Muppets
like where my I can feel my brow more
and when I shave
>> I look 15 years younger and I [laughter]
and I just become boyish where I'm just
like
>> okay guys.
>> Yeah, what's up?
>> Um but do you give free mustache rides
until you shave your mustache?
[laughter] I don't
>> You've always charged for mustache,
right?
>> Always charge. Yeah.
>> And I've always thought that was rude.
So, we do this thing where we talk to
someone who knows our guest to get a
question from them.
So, we talk to Aubrey.
>> Oh, Jesus. [laughter]
[snorts]
>> I know. And there's nothing we can use.
It's barely usable. [laughter]
>> Born on the same day. She speaks of that
and she might read us a little bit of
some texts that you guys had back and
forth. [laughter] Nothing bad. Nothing
bad. Um, you guys share a birthday and
um, I feel like there was, you know,
there's so many people that talk about
on the show obviously that we worked
with and that we love, but Ron and
April's relationship to me, especially
in the rewatch, is very special. Most
most of the podcasts so far I'm
willfully not crying by the way.
>> Yeah.
>> Like I I know that you would like some
crying.
>> I don't I don't care either way.
[laughter]
>> Like like if you just say Ron and April
>> I know
>> I'm in trouble. [laughter]
>> Ron and April.
>> I mean there I have a lot of love for uh
all of this subject matter. [laughter]
My
>> Wait, I have tissues. Oh, slap.
[laughter]
>> Don't hit me with the slapstick.
>> Look, I have good hang tissues. Those
are um I'll just keep them here just in
case.
>> All right. [laughter]
>> Um
>> you were saying so. But Ron and April
because because
if we're going to extend the mommy daddy
metaphor definitely Aubrey/Arpil was our
daughter on that show and we both of our
characters kind of helped raise her
>> and loved doing it and by doing it like
any good parent you learn something
about yourself by doing it. Like,
[sighs]
you know, Leslie learned that like her
kind of pushy ambition it needs to be
replaced with like a gentle listening as
to what people want and need from her.
And Ron learned what? [clears throat]
>> Ron didn't learn anything. [laughter]
Ron learned what rap music was.
>> Yeah. Yeah. What? But I mean, what was
it like doing scenes with Aubrey?
I mean, it was uh it was so fun because
she um you know, she could uh she she
could uh meet me in my own game.
>> She took my cuz one of the things one of
the formative things when we started the
show was I said to the guys, I mean, I I
just couldn't believe it. I couldn't
believe that they created a part for me.
Like I I I was so aware that uh if if
someone had said to me, "Write your
dream part."
>> I would have written something so much
stupider [laughter] because I'm not Mike
Sher, you know? Like I would have been
like, "Okay, he's got a he's got
a motorcycle and [laughter] he always
wears t-shirts with no sleeves." Like it
would have been like some 12year-old's
version of like it's he he's like David
Lee Roth [laughter]
>> and it would and it would have been very
superficial. And in my final audition
with you, uh, which I, you know, I had
to audition for five months to get the
job.
>> Wow. I didn't know it was that long.
>> Yeah. It was Well, it started with
>> It started with Adam and I were brought
in to read for a role named Josh,
>> right?
>> And it was it was chemistry reads with
Rashida,
>> right? And you know, if you're going in
to read a chemistry for a TV show, guess
who you don't want to walk in the
door? Adam Scott.
>> Adam Scott. chemistry machine.
charisma. Believe me, I had to
do scenes with him. I was like, "This
guy,
>> I'm his I'm like his [laughter] plumber
if I'm lucky."
>> And u
>> gorgeous. Both of you have gorgeous
hair, though.
>> We Yeah, they were.
>> And And people should know this is your
hair.
>> It is. But they also photographed the
fleshy parts. Um but so so that was
crazy and that didn't work and somehow
Mike and Greg also were stuck on me.
Thank God. I mean they called my agent
and said it's not going to happen.
If you can imagine we're not going to
cast you as someone who Rashidita has to
kiss [laughter]
if you can wrap your head around that.
But we really want you on the show. And
there's this part of of Amy's boss that
should have really been like 20 years
old. Yeah. Yeah. I think they were
thinking a lot older in the beginning.
Yeah.
>> But and I was and I was like I don't
Great. Whatever. And and so then they
had me come in and they read every guy
in the world. So then finally it it it
the net got as wide as possible. Then it
narrowed narrowed narrowed and they
brought me in one more time for like and
and Mike said, "Okay, we're looking at
like eight guys." And then you came to
town and and Mike said, "All right,
we're gonna have you come in and uh and
read with Amy and this is it. This is
going to be it." And it was one of those
things. This happened to me a lot where
I got the job and uh it it blew my mind.
Um
>> also, you cried. We called you and you
cried.
>> Oh, I sobbed my eyes out. I mean, I said
to Mike, I'm going to I was like, I'm
going to I said I'm going to openly
sobb, but I want to stay on the phone.
[laughter]
>> I was 38 years old. Like, I had been
through a lot of experiences where
>> I almost got a life-changing job, and
this one was so much better than any of
them had been.
>> Before we get off of parks, because I do
want to talk about the other stuff that
you have done um and are doing.
Favorite episode? I know it's hard to
pick, but just like, you know, pick one.
>> Don't overthink it.
>> I have two answers in there, and it's
funny. Um, but one is called Ron and
Tammy,
>> and one is called Leslie and Ron, I I
believe.
>> But I mean,
you know, Megan is just
the most wickedly funny person I've ever
met. Uh, and getting to again the
alchemy of of what Mike and the writers
came up with for her to do, you know,
the two of us ba banding together
against this evil librarian, slapping
her face with like a big of beef
jerky. [laughter] Like we're just like
Mike knew that, you know, he was like,
"Do you think Megan [laughter] would uh
>> I'd still have people come up and go,
you really got the library right? those
people over there. I'm like, what? The
people that run the library are like,
Tammy, [snorts]
that's insane.
>> That's so funny.
>> But they they Yeah,
>> but the but then the, you know, the
entire series paying off in this episode
that was such a gift that was like this
crazy oneact play. Yeah. Um
>> Oh god.
>> Oh, here it comes.
[laughter]
[clears throat]
>> I love that episode so much. And it was
so like senior our senior year. That was
the other thing. Totally. It was like
senior year. We got to be in that. We
got a whole week together in that room.
>> That whole thing that they did with
uh where where you know Ron that the
that whole story uh going into that last
season was so gorgeous because they had
laid so much pipe.
>> I know.
>> For Ron to like swallow his pride and
come to ask you for a job and and then
the way it all went down. Um, that was
possibly the greatest thing about the
show for me was the history of of me and
Tammy bred so much hilarity. But then
what developed between Ron and Leslie um
was was the first time in my life that,
you know, that I was counted on by a
show to, you know, to carry uh some
emotional weight.
>> Yeah. And it was and also I think just
like a great example of like the
different kinds of love. I mean we
really lionize romantic love and we'd
make a lot of art about it but there's
so many different ways to love.
>> Yeah. and love, platonic love and
friendship and the idea of like being
there for each other and being going
through things with each other and like
mentor mentee and then equals and then
and just and also just the idea if we're
to really widen out that people don't
have to agree to treat each other with
respect.
>> Totally
>> remember that.
>> Yeah. Um,
okay. Speaking of beautiful roles, Nick,
The Last of Us. Oh my god. Let's both
get a tissue. That was so good, Nick.
>> Well, thank you.
>> That was so beautiful. I mean, I
remember texting you right after and
congrats on winning the Emmy.
>> Yeah. Crazy.
>> I mean, it was so How did you get that
part? Well, [laughter]
I wrote a joke about this uh they needed
a guy who could use a shovel and there
were only three of us in Hollywood.
[laughter]
Harrison Ford passed and Jane Lynch was
not available. [laughter]
Um I uh Craig Mason who wrote that I
mean that everyone knew when you read
that script you were like this is going
to if we don't this up this is
going to
>> Yeah. win awards or whatever. For for
many years, my godson uh had a a little
league team and I sponsored it. It was
the Offerman Wood Shop little league
team and Craig uh was one of my little
league dads. So, I I was just friends
with him from a pretty wholesome place.
Um, and we had expressed some mutual
affection for each other's work over the
years, but I he got a hold of me and was
like, I'm sending you something and you
have to do it. And I read it and it was
funny cuz Megan and I had just had a
talk about
that. I still to this day my vice is
that I overload my calendar with fun
with
>> I have seen that in real time when we
worked on making it together, a really
fun show together. you would tell me
your year and I would think this too
shall not this isn't going to hold too
many things.
>> The problem is it it's I I love it. It's
all it's all but that's that's my
advice. That's my problem.
>> Yeah.
>> And Megan and I had just had a talk
about where I was like, "Okay, I'm going
to
>> take a break.
>> I'm going to I'm going to do less."
>> And this thing came in and it and they
needed me in Calgary for a month and the
I didn't have the month.
>> Yeah. And so, but I read the so I so I
had Megan uh read the script and she was
like, "Guess what, buddy? You're going
to Calgary."
>> Um, okay. We I mentioned it. We made a
really fun show called Making It about
Makers and like the process of making
it. You have little woodchucks, the book
that's all about like your guide to
tools and tom foolery, but it is
the idea of making things has always
been very important to you. You've
spoken about it a lot, the spirituality
of it, like how important it is for your
life, your peace of mind. You work
primarily with wood, but all different
types of material.
Why are you writing you and you've
written many, many books. This book is
for little people. Why is how do you get
little people, young people to get
interested in making things and why is
it important for them to do that?
>> I I just took my mom and dad on this
book tour with me in the UK and we were
just talking about how they brought me
and my siblings up in a house where it
wasn't talked about. They just taught us
all to sustain the family. Like part of
the family was we make things together
whether it's a meal
>> or you know if we are mending our
clothing or building making firewood,
building out buildings, we'd gardened.
Um, and woodworking is a is a great way
to think about what's this made of.
Yeah.
>> And that it's true of everything. Who's
making this?
>> Who made this car? Who made these shoes?
Who made this pie? Are they having a
good time?
>> Yeah.
>> Are they being cool with our resources
the way they're making this car or, you
know,
>> Yeah. Beautiful. I I I you can feel it
in here. It's awesome, Nick. It's so I
love it.
>> Thank you. people are are responding
really well to it because
>> all of us I'm I'm
>> a kid who looks at a screen too much
like we all understand that
>> and making things with each other
whether it's your family or your
neighbors or your co-stars
>> is a great way to not look at a screen
and and still have a delightful life.
Can I show you a prop?
>> Yes, of course. the the thing sitting in
my shop is uh so I wanted to make a
guitar because because I tour and I do
songs and I thought if I if I do that
with a guitar I made
>> amazing
>> I'm done I can just do that for the rest
of my life. Uh guitars are daunting. So
I started with a ukulele.
So, this is a a mahogany ukulele, and
I've got um
>> Wow.
>> 12 of them sitting in my shop that are
just the bodies and the necks waiting to
be put together. Uh
>> this is beautiful.
>> It's instrument. So, I think probably
instruments and boats.
>> Can you play the ukulele? Can you play
some?
>> Let's see if it's in tune. [music]
Um, would you like to hear my ukulele
song?
>> Yes, please. [music]
>> Whiskey, you were sent from heaven
[singing] above. And Ben [music]
Franklin said that beer is proof of
God's love. But too much of either will
earn me [singing] a shove from my wife
whom I'd like to stay the husband of.
I love beer and whiskey. Perhaps a bit
too much given the chance I'd fall off a
bar stool daily to keep me out of the
pub and also out of Dutch. I make things
like this soprano ukulele.
I'll give you one more verse. Everywhere
I go, people staring at a phone. Sitting
in a crowded room completely alone. It
gives me more willies in the twilight
zone. Our brains are hooked on that
like a dog on a bone. Put down your
gadget and look me in the eye so our
interaction [clears throat] can proceed
more gay.
Silence your tablet and ejaculate aside
to the sweetly strumming sounds of
ukulele. [music]
>> AH, NICK, [screaming and applause]
THAT WAS SO GOOD. THERE'S There's more,
but that felt like enough.
>> Now [snorts] you're going to get me
going. Now you're going to get my
waterworks going. Okay, we're going to
end our um our interview today with a
speed round. And um
you don't you
>> got you got the wrong guy for a speed
round.
>> I would [laughter] need you.
>> I should just do one snap or two snaps.
That should be all I'm allowed. Um, but
you mentioned hot takes and people
having hot takes and how we don't really
need hot takes. I want your hot takes on
history and philosophy.
>> Okay.
>> Because I know you love history. You
love philosophy. I'm going to try
lightning round today, but I'm going to
only ask you questions about history and
philosophy.
>> Okay, I'll try to go fast, but that's
that's pretty pretty daunting.
>> Okay, I know. Well, don't worry. It
won't be hard. Aristotle.
Smart or weird? [laughter]
>> Smart. Kier Kagard used different
pseudonyms to debate. What What would be
a pseudonym you would use to debate?
>> Oh. Um, Pyotus
[laughter]
>> Freud. Yes or no?
>> Uh, no.
>> I say no, too. [laughter]
Okay. Um,
true or false? The unexamined life is
not worth living.
>> Uh, true.
>> I think therefore I am. True or false?
[laughter]
>> False.
>> You cannot step twice into the same
river.
>> Oh, true. That's a that's a huge one.
That's that's on my that's on my up on
my board.
>> Is it?
>> Oh, yeah. It's it's something that that
occurs to me a lot. Um, you know,
uh there's nothing you can never
recapture, especially in our business.
Mhm.
>> Um, you know, if like if if we ever uh
had [clears throat] cause to do some
sort of reboot or something of Parks and
Wreck.
>> Yeah.
>> Uh,
it's not the same river.
>> Different river. Yeah.
>> Can't step twice into the same river.
>> No.
>> Uh, I'm a joker. I'm a smoker. I'm a
midnight toker.
>> True.
>> Now we're moving on to history.
>> Okay.
>> What was the coolest thing Egyptians
invented?
man. Uh,
>> in your opinion,
>> this is a guess cuz I don't know. I'm
not sure if that was Egyptians. I was
going to say irrigation.
>> Yeah, I think so.
>> But yeah, they did. If if people
disagree with that, they're wrong.
[laughter]
>> Cleopatra, smash or pass?
>> Uh, pass. [laughter]
>> The Vikings got to America before
>> that is tired.
>> Yeah.
>> The Vikings got to America before
Columbus. Why doesn't anyone talk about
that?
>> Um because uh because the Vikings did
not have good PR.
>> Mhm.
>> Columbus had a great
>> press rep. Columbus didn't even set foot
on the mainland.
>> He like hit [laughter] an island.
[gasps]
>> Um Okay. And now we get to Aubrey's
question for you. So Aubrey had she had
a few questions. Her first one was, "Do
you believe in ghosts?"
>> Okay. Uh no. But but I don't disagree. I
when people do I believe them.
>> Ah, well said. Do you uh do you believe
in hell?
>> No.
>> Um and if you could go back in a Bill
and Ted kind of way where you could
basically you could get zapped back to
any point in history and um
>> sounds like a good movie.
>> And so you've never seen Bill and Ted?
>> No, I missed a lot of stuff.
>> Oh my god. Fun. It's a great one. Well,
anyway, they zap back in like a time
machine. Um right. And Bill Yeah. And
they go back and they're just Bill and
Ted in different in They're just two
dummies. It's like dumb and dumber in a
time machine.
>> Totally.
>> Um and um they So what if you could zap
back in the time machine to any era? Who
where would you go? Who would you fight?
And would you take Aubrey with you?
>> Oh man. Um yeah, if taking Aubrey is an
option, of course. Like and weapons are
involved, by all means. Um, I uh I
suppose I would go uh to the Roman
Empire and
>> I knew it
>> and I would have Aubrey fight them with
her wilds
>> and uh I would discover Cumberland
Sausage and [laughter] take over the
British Isles and become king.
>> Cumberland sausage got made people king
[laughter]
>> in my hands
in this narrative.
>> You'd be the sausage king.
>> God damn right. Yeah. Guys, we guys
[laughter]
we could do this
or
>> follow me.
>> You could try this sausage.
Have you heard of carowway seed? Come
with me.
>> Um, why do you love history so much?
>> Um, I don't
>> Do you?
>> I do. I'm I'm I mean I think because I'm
fascinated with what we are,
you know?
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. but also what
incredible creatures we are.
>> Like it's when you look at my own
anybody's the foibless of your own life.
Uh
>> and you look at like I don't know a lot
of what's going on in our in our world
right now. It's astonishing
[laughter]
that the lights are on. Like it's pretty
crazy that that a civilization has even
lasted this long.
>> Do you believe in aliens? I I I'm I'm
agnostic about all that. I I It seems
like there is probably life in the
universe.
>> Yeah.
>> But until I get to shake hands with them
or uh I don't mean to be racist,
whatever their lamb appendages.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Um
you know, all of all of those things. I
I think I think there's a lot we will
never know as humans and I like dwelling
in that. M
>> so if there are ghosts or spirits uh I
don't I don't I don't think hell exists
cuz that's a fiction written in a book
by people
>> um but uh that that sensibility whatever
the afterlife is um I I don't think
anyone will ever know what it is and so
>> if some people are like I speak to
spirits or whatever I have I have no
cause to disagree with that
>> they just have never talked to mayhem
>> that's a very Ron Swanson answer
actually it's a very libertarian Ian
answer basically which is like
>> to each his own.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Everyone should be allowed you know
their their own trip and to to like what
they like.
>> Um and last question Nick what are you
watching listening where do you go right
now to laugh? Where do you where right
>> there there are two shows uh cuz
I feel like it comes up a lot that
there's not a lot of great it's not a
great time for comedy on television. Um
the the big hits like Hacks and Studio,
those are the make us laugh quite a bit.
But there are two that we've really
loved that I that are more obscure that
I would love to
>> your listeners to know about. One's
Australian and it's called Colin from
Accounts.
>> Yes. Excellent show.
>> So funny and also so heartwarming. Like
really moves me. Then there's one in
England called I think it's called Such
Brave Girls. Do you know that show?
>> I do very well. Cat Cat Sadler.
>> And And I think the credits, the opening
credits, the are the words spelled out
in pubic hair on a tile floor on a
bathroom floor. And that's it's a great
example of the the tone of the show.
>> Yes.
>> It's so delightfully filthy um and so
funny.
>> Um that is a great show. That's a
hilarious show. And those ladies are
great. There's a lot of good stuff out
there. You just got to find it.
>> You just got to find it. [snorts]
>> Um, Nick, did we cover everything?
>> I think we did.
>> I think so. Yeah. You know,
>> did we did weigh in on Aristotle? Yeah,
we did. [laughter]
>> You and you said pass on Cleopatra.
You're not going to smash.
>> Yeah. Come on.
>> I love you.
>> I'm not I'm not gonna step in that river
twice. [laughter]
I mean,
you came all the way from England. You
just landed. Thanks, buddy, for doing
this.
>> I know. Imagine how fast I would talk if
I hadn't just gotten off a plane.
>> What should we just try to do this like
every month?
>> Totally.
>> Um, I love you. Thank you for doing
this.
>> I love you. Thank you.
>> And, um, I can't wait to make something
else with you soon, someday.
>> Amen.
>> Yeah, that would be awesome. But thanks
for make for doing this and making this
and thank you for my slapstick.
>> Oh, is it is it mine?
>> If you would like it.
>> Oh. Oh, no. This is the one you travel
with.
>> By all means. It says it says butt on
it.
>> It does say butt jointed on it.
It scares me a little bit. [applause]
>> Thank you so much, Nick Offerman, for
being here today. I love you and um it's
always good to spend time with you. And
for this polar plunge, I I do want to
just highlight something I didn't get a
chance to talk to Nick about, which is,
you know, we spoke a little bit about
the physicality of Ron Swanson and how
important it was uh for him to figure
out that character, but do yourself a
favor when you're watching Parks and
Recreation. Take a look at how Ron runs.
It's one of my favorite things about
Nick is Ron Swanson runs in a very
specific way. And sometimes he wipes
out. And when he wipes out, it's
beautiful. It's like stunt level
wipeout. But I can't explain it other
than to say it just gives me total
delight uh the choice Nick made to run
the way Ron runs. And um I'm I'm
justiculating for those listening so you
can't see, but it's just so funny. Um
the tucked in shirt, the way Nick sits
when he plays Ron Swanson, the way he
stares, all of that stuff is just like a
masterclass I think in comedic acting.
And um probably you know what a trained
actor learns um and I wouldn't know but
um [laughter]
but anyway look he's that he's a it's a
genius at work watching Nick work and um
so happy he could join us. Thank you for
listening uh to Good Hang and we'll see
you soon. Bye.
You've been [music] listening to Good
Hang. The executive producers for this
show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss
Berman, and me, Amy Polar. [music] The
show is produced by The Ringer and
Paperkite. For The Ringer, production by
Jack Wilson, Cat Spalain, Kaia McMullen,
and Aia Xenerys. For Paperkite, [music]
production by Sam Green, Joel Levelvel,
and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music
by Amy Miles.
>> [music]
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.