#232 Inside the Magic of Parks and Recreation with Jim O’Heir

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Jeff Dwoskin 0:28

All right, Amy, thank you so much for that amazing introduction. You get the show going each and every week, and this week was no exception. Oh, welcome, everybody to Episode 232 of classic conversations. As always, I'm your host, Jeff Dwoskin. Great to have you back for what's sure to be the classic host of conversations in the land. My guest today, Jim O'Heir. That's right. Emmy Award winner star of Parks and Recreation Jared Gary Jerry, Larry Gergich is here. We're talking all about parks and Jim's amazing career and that's coming up in just a few seconds. And in these few seconds. I hope you tuned in to my amazing interview with John billings bass player from the monkeys. Such an amazing chat with John telling us all about touring with the monkeys. Donna Summer Rick Springfield. That was a fun one. Do not miss that. But right now it's time to head over to Pawnee, Indiana. I had just finished binge watching Parks and Recreation with my wife. I called up Jim O'Hara said I want to talk parks. He was all in we talked about parks. Jim's amazing career. He's so amazing. You're gonna love this interview. Enjoy. All right, my next guest appeared in over 50 Different primetime shows, including friends Brooklyn nine nine Better Call Saul beloved as Jerry Gary Terry Larry Gergich. From Parks and Recreation, please welcome to the show Emmy Award winner Jim O'Heir.

Jim O'Heir 2:05

Yay, the applause it's crazy. The people are screaming The stadium is filled. Hey, Jeff, how

Jeff Dwoskin 2:12

are you? Good. Good. Oh, I forgot I forgot one thing I was gonna say David E. Kelly's Santa go to that was gonna be in there too.

Jim O'Heir 2:19

Yeah, Ally McBeal as well as Boston Legal. There you go. And though in Boston Legal. I was a cross dressing Santa explained that to me. It was a cross dressing Santa. Yes. And it was. It was a really amazing kind of cool episode. It was apparently most statistically, most cross dressers are not gay. In this particular episode, the character was a crossdresser and gay. So there was all sorts of different stuff going on. It was really, it was great. What was crazy. That was my very first scene that I shot, you know, because you shoot out of order, you know, when you shoot all these different things was in the dress. So I walk on set, and I'm like, Hey, Jim O'Heir and address. So yeah, that was a little uncomfortable. But then it turned out a lot of the crew was the same crew from Ally McBeal. So I knew some of them, so it was okay. It was okay. But I actually love doing that role for Boston. Legal Spader was the main. He was my main attorney for that episode. And so getting to work with him for I think it was like eight or nine days was amazing. So yeah, I loved all of it.

Jeff Dwoskin 3:25

Yeah. James Spader is incredible.

Jim O'Heir 3:28

I mean, he's the real deal. He is and plus a really sweet man and caring. I was blown away by him. So what

Jeff Dwoskin 3:36

is Big Sky not done a Christmas episode? Yeah.

Jim O'Heir 3:40

There must be one. I haven't gotten the call. But I didn't do I think I can say because it's already out. Yeah, it was out at the holidays with Tim Allen. I did the Santa Clauses for Apple TV. Plus, I believe I played the Santa from the original Santa Claus movie that fell off the roof and was killed. But guess what? He was not killed. He planned the whole damn thing. And he wanted Tim a human to be Santa. So yeah, that was crazy fun, though. We were shooting in the desert at the Disney ranch in July with the whole getup on the the wigs and the beard and the coats and the pants and the boots and yeah, it was crazy. But yeah, give me a good old Santa roll any day. Jeff. I'm on board.

Jeff Dwoskin 4:29

That's cool. Tim Allen. He's a hometown boy for me. Yeah, from Michigan. You know, I was just from Michigan. Jeremy jam, John Glaser.

Jim O'Heir 4:38

Oh, Mr. Glazer, I love John. My God. Could anyone else have played Jeremy jam other than John? I mean, he was just perfect. He's Yeah, he's just he happens to just be incredibly funny, but also a really good actor.

Jeff Dwoskin 4:52

Yeah, he kind of now that he has, he has that ability. He's a really nice guy, but has a real great ability. How to Play douche bag.

Jim O'Heir 5:02

slimy, slimy, slimy. Yes. 100% slimy. But he's good at it. Oh,

Jeff Dwoskin 5:10

good at it. So I have to say like, I want to work up to parks and recreation, but just kind of be up front real quick is I never watched the show until just recently, my wife and I just

Jim O'Heir 5:22

Oh Jeff, how dare you?

Jeff Dwoskin 5:25

I know. Oh, how dare you? My wife and I, we just binged the entire thing. Oh, wow. So when I reached out to you, I just finished. So this is like, this is huge right now for you. They would ended in 250 2015. But for me, it ended three weeks ago.

Jim O'Heir 5:46

What did you think overall,

Jeff Dwoskin 5:47

I've never enjoyed a show as much. It would surprise me about it. Obviously, you're you get the memes, right? There's a million themes. So in a way you knew pieces of the characters. Sure. And watching the show straight through, besides his brilliant writing, and the threads that kept going through the relationships, the literal relationships between the characters, I can't even think of another show where it was like that deep and so connected, like we're at times you would be emotional. Yeah, where things would happen and like you would, you'd feel it. And it was like, we didn't want to watch the last two episodes, because we didn't want it to end.

Jim O'Heir 6:28

I have people who told me they've never watched the finals, because they don't want it to end. And I'm like, you gotta watch it. Because number one, it does then But number two, you got to see what happens to everybody, particularly a certain Jerry Gergich. Because things go pretty good for Mr. Gergich.

Jeff Dwoskin 6:44

They go really good for you. And so yeah,

Jim O'Heir 6:47

but I will tell you not to cut you off. But I will say this, you know, I've been on, you know, like you mentioned so many different shows. Over the years, I've been very, very fortunate and blessed with my career. Before parks and after parks. It's, you know, a gift because I, I have been a struggling actor in my day. And it's not easy. So I've had many years of busy, which is great. But most shows come and go. It's just the nature of it. They come in they go for whatever reason you never hear from them again. But something about parks. And when I say something, I think it's what you said it's there was such a closeness with these characters. I think that's why we're still out there. And we're not just kind of out there. We're out there, like we're all over the world now. And new generations are finding us like the younger people are starting us and they're getting obsessed with it. I contributed to number one, the writing, of course, make sure Greg Daniels, Dan Gore, all of those guys. But also, Amy Poehler sets such an amazing tone for that set. Because it really does come down to your leads the lead set the tone, you know, if you get a lead, who's, you know, a pain in the ass or grumpy ALL the time or whatever, it can set a tone that is not great. And we're doing comedy. So you don't want a bad tone. You want people that are there. And you know, having fun and bringing it and so I give full credit to Mike and Mike and Amy. Our fearless leaders as we call them.

Jeff Dwoskin 8:12

It comes through I have a million questions for that. But I want to I want to go on the gym journey first and work your way or work back up to parks. I were

Jim O'Heir 8:20

up in people this is gonna be interesting. Oh, it's gonna it's

Jeff Dwoskin 8:23

about to get good. I will say one last thing before we go back in time is when I told people when my wife and I would be out and we would tell people we're watching parks and recs. We're binging it for the very first time. I've never mentioned a show that I've been watching where people were jealous of the fact that we were experiencing it for the first time.

Jim O'Heir 8:43

Oh, I love that. That's sweet. Oh my god. I

Jeff Dwoskin 8:46

love that. And it was just like, Ah, man,

Jim O'Heir 8:49

that's cool. Yeah. I love that.

Jeff Dwoskin 8:51

Alright, so Jim, take me back to Chicago. Yeah, DJ, oh

Jim O'Heir 8:55

man, Chicago's my home base. I started I was a DJ at first I went to college and I didn't know what the hell I wanted to do. And they had a radio station. So I just started volunteering. And I thought this is pretty cool. And so you know, it was heard by I think it said within 12 blocks of the college. I mean, it was just his little college radio station. W L UW. I believed Loyola University and kind of got the blood flowing for that type of thing. So then I went to broadcasting school and I ended up as a DJ in a little town called the Rensselaer, Indiana. And it was a nightmare and wonderful all at the same time. A nightmare because it was this little station run by a crazy man. And so that was craziness. A lot going on there. They paid me $120 A week my rent was more than what I brought in for my paycheck. But the good thing was, I learned so much so much so so we were producing our own commercials. We were you know, so I'm editing you just it was a wonderful learning ground. So I will always be grateful for for that, but from there, I went to Second City in Chicago and started training and improv. And that's when the acting bug, that's I've told the story 100 times, I know the moment when it hit because I was on stage a second city where people like John Belushi and Bill Murray and famous, these famous iconic comedians, you know, learn their craft, and I'm on the same stage. And I remember getting my first laugh. And that changed everything, never thinking it would be my career that I would make money off of it. But I do remember thinking, Oh, well, I need to keep doing this. You know, who knows, maybe I was thinking on a community level where he community theater or whatever what level but never thinking as a full time career, but I knew I loved it. So that's what started that. And then I ended up in a comedy group called white noise. And we were doing some pretty cool stuff for the time in Chicago, it was different. And it got a lot of attention. And then we did a show in, I'm gonna say 91. So we're talking two years ago called stumpings gang and stuff, his gang had puppets and blood. And it was just the craziest show you've ever seen. But it also ended up with this incredible cult following in Chicago. So after a lot of hemming and hawing, we decided we're going to try it out in LA, because you know, LA, the Promised Land, you know, the, it's where all actors have to end up. So we raised funds, before GoFundMe days when you just had to go up to people and ask to help you out. And, you know, we moved to Beverly, as they said, we put everything on a truck, our sets, our homes, our personal belongings, and we moved to Los Angeles, Hollywood, California. And it was the game changer, because it was crazy in this trying to put the show up. We didn't know anybody. We didn't know what we were doing. But we managed and we got it up. And then it ended up kind of the same craziness in LA that it had in Chicago, it opened up doors for me because I was the main person in this thing. So all of a sudden, I had agents and managers wanting to meet with me. Now when I first moved to LA, I did whatever actor does, and I'm sending out headshots all over the place. Nobody's calling me no one's giving a crap. All of a sudden, I'm in this play that's getting, you know, critical attention from the reviewers and word of mouth, and then all of a sudden, they want to have a meeting. And so next thing, you know, I have agents and a manager. And then it's, I have to say, I landed in Hollywood, California, August 4 1994. And I have never since that day, had to do anything else to pay my bills, other than being an actor, which I know is such a gift. Now that being said, there were some years that were really gotten to close, like, believe me, but other years that are, you know, think about acting is when you work, the money is good. So it kinda pulled you over from and the money isn't so good. So in the beginning years, I would be giving these guest spots that would hold me over. So thankfully, I never had to wait tables because people don't like sweating their food. So that worked out good for everybody. Yeah. And then one thing led to another and I was doing co star roles, and then guest star roles. And then I was in pilots that never went anywhere. And then, you know, I guess 209 The untitled Amy Poehler project came calling. And that turned into parks and recreation. It has been a game changer for so many, so many reasons. Like I said, I've worked a lot before parks, but when you're on, you know, a network show for seven years, it just opens up doors, you didn't know whatever be open my ability to get other work. I don't audition as much as I used to because you get offers a lot of times, which is lovely. All my reps know, I'm willing to fight for a job like because sometimes they'll be like, we don't think you should audition for this and I'll read it and I'm like, okay, see, we can get an offer but if not, I'm willing to go to bat for this. So So yeah, so parks then kind of changed at all. And then here we are now in parks is over and we're all kind of working all over the place. Except the only guy who I don't know what happened to him was the guy who played Andy Dwyer. I don't know I I hope he's okay. I just don't know. I don't know whatever happened to him. Chris, somebody right? He

Jeff Dwoskin 14:22

went full time Johnny karate, I think something maybe

Jim O'Heir 14:25

he's doing I hope I hope he's okay.

Jeff Dwoskin 14:29

So it's funny, like, you know the order you see things right. And so I knew Chris Pratt as guardians of the galaxy, Chris Pratt. Whoa, before

Jim O'Heir 14:38

that's interesting. Yes.

Jeff Dwoskin 14:41

Before so now I'm watching I'm watching parks is is not as buff as he is. He's not your age. And like,

Jim O'Heir 14:47

Oh, he's back sometime. Yeah.

Jeff Dwoskin 14:51

There's a funny in one season where he's like, Oh, I stopped drinking beer last time. Yeah, he's so funny though. I hope he does like some big calm When he type style, I mean, I know he's funny as Star Lord. But

Jim O'Heir 15:03

here's what I'll tell you when we all went to see Star Lord, you know, we went to the premiere. And, you know, we only knew what he had told us about it and whatever. So we were all excited. And that opening scene where he's kind of just, you know, he's got the Walkman and he's doing the thing. It's like, I knew right then in there, they're letting him do what he does. And that's the best thing you can do for any actor. Let them do what they do. And from that on, it's brilliant. I mean, he does it so well. He doesn't just play comedy. Well, he's incredibly funny. He's off the cuff funny. I don't know if you've seen any of the outtakes on YouTube. Some of them are filthy, but it's worth checking them out for people who haven't seen them because it was like that all day, every day for seven years. Just cracking each other up and having a great time and getting the good work done.

Jeff Dwoskin 15:53

Those outtakes Yeah, I was gonna be the master. There's there was one going around. I think about Kim Kardashian. Oh, yeah, that's the big one. So funny. So funny. Sorry to interrupt this incredible conversation with Jim O'Heir have to take a quick break. I want to thank everyone for their support of the sponsors. When you support the sponsors. You're supporting us here at Classic conversations. And that's how we keep the lights on. And now back to my amazing conversation with Jim O'Heir. He's going to share with us how much improv played into the magic we see on screen and we're back. You want the improv background? Amy Poehler, obviously, with a huge improv background. Like I was going to add like a lot of times like with Aziz, like where they would just start rattling stuff off. You know, like, I in my head. I was like, Oh, I wonder if they just let him go. Like, were you just wait was in private? Or was that like written?

Jim O'Heir 16:47

Here's what I'll tell you. People give us a lot of credit for improv thing they feel so much of it was improv improvised. It's not true. We did improvise literally every day, after every scene, we did what was called a fun run, which meant just do whatever you think, you know, the beat, you know, what's got to be accomplished in this scene, you know, the points we have to hit. So they would just let us go. And two things came from that sometimes wonderful things for the show, just like off the top of our heads. But to in my opinion, it kept us so tight as a cast. We got to play every day. Like that's a gift. But that being said, those scripts, Jeff, we're so tight. We didn't I mean, yes, sometimes we rattled and there's there's certain episodes where I know for a fact Amy's rattling and just she's so damn brilliant. But in general, it was the script. In general, it was the script. And then people would pitch ideas while you're doing it. You know, what have you added this or that. But the one that I always go to like for Amy, is I'm going to say, I get confused. But I'm going to say season two, the hunting trip when Ron gets shot in the head. And Amy is having a conversation with the park ranger. And she's got to be careful what she says because she knows that we don't have the licenses we need and it could screw everything up Iran. And this park ranger is a huge misogynist, who just thinks she's a nothing woman. And what Amy came up with during that people listening, go back and check that it will be worth it's on YouTube. It's worth checking out just just brilliant. Just brilliant. And Mike sure will tell you he thinks one of the greatest lines the show ever had Chris Pratt made up when Amy had the flu or Lesley, and she's walking by Andy and he goes, Oh, I found out what you have. I looked it up on the computer, you have connectivity issues. And that is Mike said it's one of the funniest lines the show ever had. And he goes I didn't write it. Just made it up. Yeah. So we got to play a lot. But in general, those scripts were strong. I mean, really strong

Jeff Dwoskin 18:55

was the writing team along the way. Very consistent. Because some of the some of the callbacks, even the subtle callbacks, like I always I tell people when I'm trying to give an example of what I thought was so brilliant is later in the series when they're doing a big concert, I think and they're singing and they start singing the little Sebastian Sarabhai, little Sebastian Yeah, and they cut the back. And they cut to Adam Scott and, and Wyatt, and he just goes like this, you know, he makes it was so subtle, but it was like seasons later that it was such a subtle call back and I'm like, That's so brilliant. Like that's knowing the world to that point.

Jim O'Heir 19:37

We had some writers who were there from day one until the day we closed up shop. That is a testament to the show, because a lot of times writers come and go they get another opportunity. If you're on a hit show. There's hate around you. And so you have other opportunities and a lot of times they take them totally understandable. Most of them stayed where we were and not just the writers. From my understanding. We kept at five percent of our crew for seven years. That never happens. That doesn't happen. And even in the very finale, the final season what it was decided NBC said to Amy in Mike, what we'll do whatever you guys want to do and want to do a full season, what do you and Amy and Mike decided a final 13. So when you announced that there's a chance, you're going to lose a lot of your crew, because they're going to take shows that are going to be 22. And you can't blame them. Those are that's their livelihoods. But no one laughed. They were all like, No, we got to see it through. So it really wasn't a special place. So yes, we had a lot of the same writers the whole time. And so those little callbacks, and Mike was very much he wanted it to be Simpson s where it was its own little world. You saw the same background people coming and going. And the buildings, you know, it was he wanted those references. He wanted it to be like our own little pony like it's its own little world. So, yes, and keeping a lot of the same writers, you can do that.

Jeff Dwoskin 21:00

It definitely had like a Simpson vibe, where the characters could come and go and like all of a sudden, those same guy getting his shoe shine by Brad or Oh, yeah.

Jim O'Heir 21:12

The only guy I ever got to shit on in the whole series. I got to talk down to him once.

Jeff Dwoskin 21:19

So you get the Amy Poehler project. Notice untitled Amy Poehler project. Yeah, I understand you originally auditioned for Ron Swanson.

Jim O'Heir 21:30

I did, but so did everybody, dude. Like when I went to audition for Ron, because you gotta remember it's NBC. It's Amy Poehler. And it's a straight to order. It's not a pilot. So it's got a lot of heat around it, because this is a show that they're making. They're beginning with six episodes. They're not doing one and let's see what happens if it gets picked up. No, they're shooting this show. So it had a lot of attention. And everybody auditioned for it. And I've seen online, some of the people who auditioned for the different roles, and it's really funny. Even Adam Scott had additionally had an originally auditioned for it and didn't get it. But then of course, obviously he came into the show. So yeah, I auditioned for Ron Swanson, they must have I did something that entertain them enough. When it was time to do Jerry, they called to see if I would be interested in I went in and I read. It's always good when you go for me at least when you go into an audition room. You know, you want to have a little banter, a little something to talk about. Now remember Greg Daniels and Mike sure who created parks. Well, Greg was the main guy who brought the office to America. And Mike was a writer on the show. And he also played Mo's. So I mean, they're both ensconced in the office. Well, the last gig I did in Chicago was with Steve Carell. So I knew Chorale. So it gave me a little something to chat about, which is always good. And we had great conversation. I loved it. And from what I hear, you know, then I did the audition. And from what I've been told, Greg looked at Mike and said, he's funny, put him in the chair, and we'll work out. And that's how Jerry began.

Jeff Dwoskin 23:04

Because originally it was supposed to be it was originally conceived as like a spin off of the office.

Jim O'Heir 23:09

Yeah, it was weird. Apparently, you know, because your office was such a big hit. They said to my or to Greg, you know, give us something else give us a spin off. But I think they realized really quickly, that and the first week and I feel like we lost viewers initially because a lot of people thought the Leslie Knope character was a lot like Michael Scott. And we already had a Michael Scott. And that was never their intention. So when season two started, they turned away from that, but I think we lost people on season one. I think they've come back people, you know, the show is obviously done well, but people thought it was too much like that. And that was never their intention, and yet somehow came off that way. You know that Lesley was kind of bumbling. And you know how goofy Michael was. But they corrected it. And the thing is, normally, if you just do a pilot, you can correct those things. Because you watch the pilot you go, here's what worked, here's what didn't work. And then you correct it. We didn't do a pilot. We did six episodes. So there we were with those six episodes, but they they made some big adjustments between season one and season two.

Jeff Dwoskin 24:14

Yes, very noticeable. They definitely, definitely found their footing and definitely created the world that we all know. And

Jim O'Heir 24:23

I've even told people that I'm sure that they would hate that I do this but I've told people start with season two and then go back to season one. Because there's some great stuff in season one, some really great stuff. But the lezlie character is so different than what she turns into that some people are like I was too much like Michael Scott. Okay, well start with two and then go back.

Jeff Dwoskin 24:43

That is good advice. But you do need to watch one because there's so many

Jim O'Heir 24:47

there's so much there's great stuff in one but I do think you can start to instill know what's going on. I don't think you have to see one to be able to follow the story.

Jeff Dwoskin 24:58

Absolutely. So I always I I always tell people Oh, you have to watch the godfather. Because if you don't watch the Godfather, you miss a million references. There's a million references to the relationships. And yeah, the same is true for Parks and Rec. Oh, it's like if your gifts or like on Tiktok. And all these things you need to have seen the show to know, this is where that came from. Yeah. And so that's been opening up my eyes a lot.

Jim O'Heir 25:25

Now that you know, yeah, you know, it's

Jeff Dwoskin 25:28

so exciting for you. So you get this awesome job. And then you didn't start off as a series regular, right. But you became one.

Jim O'Heir 25:35

Yeah, read it. And I who played data, we were brought on as recurring guest stars. And it was, they were so honest, like even my agents at first, they said, We don't know if you want to do this, because I you know, I worked a lot. And they said it kind of, you know, they're being they were being very honest. They said, We don't know what's going to happen with this. But at the beginning, there's going to be a lot of them just kind of in the office and my agents. I mean, to their credit, they weren't being idiots. They said, You might feel like you're a background player. And there's nothing wrong with being a background player. But at this point in my career, I hadn't done that in many, many years. But for me, it was a no brainer. And I said it to them. I go, you guys, I'm willing to take the chance. Because look what happened to those background players in quotes on the office, your Kevin and your Phyllis, and your Angela, and Stanley. I mean, they are all, you know, huge. And so I obviously I did it. And then in season two, I knew less than halfway through the season, because they were giving me an episode like wrapped around my character. And I thought, Wow, I'm not even a regular. But then we got the call that they were in negotiations to make me irregular. So I knew what was happening. But yeah, technically, Rata and I were not series regulars until season three, but I've never missed an episode. I'm in all 126 of them. So you know, sometimes with something to say sometimes very little to say. But I liked that I was in

Jeff Dwoskin 27:07

all of them. That's awesome. That's not normal, right? I mean, it's not normal.

Jim O'Heir 27:10

Yeah. It all was weird. And the other played out perfectly.

Jeff Dwoskin 27:15

Did you ever kind of weigh on you to be the punching bag. I know you guys all had a good relationship outside. But when you watch the show, it's like, oh my god, everyone. Even if they bring in a random girl scout and you said

Jim O'Heir 27:30

yeah, it never did. To be honest. The other actors, especially Pratt, they had more issues with it than I did. Like sometimes Pratt would go, Jimmy, this one seems really mean. Like, dude, it's funny. And we're all getting paid really well. It's okay. We can we can do this. And when the cameras weren't rolling, it was nothing but love. So no, it never, it never bothered me. There was a little concern as we were winding up, you know, the old how, what's the Bob Denver fear? Now, a lot of people won't know what I'm talking about. But he was Gilligan from Gilligan's Island. And you know, when you get known for a certain character so much he will tell you he couldn't work after that, other than as Gilligan. So I was like, Oh, damn, am I just gonna get these punching bag rolls or whatever? Well, thankfully, that has not been the case. I play also, I'm shooting a film now where I'm nothing like Jerry so yeah, it's it's okay. But there was a little fear of oh, boy, when this is over what happens, but thankfully, it's been good.

Jeff Dwoskin 28:37

While you had like a decade's worth of acting, probably

Jim O'Heir 28:39

I did. But you know, set again, 126 episodes every week. You know, people put things in their head. So it was a concern, and not a concern to the point I was like, losing sleep over it. I'm not gonna like over dramatize it, but it was a concern. So grateful that that wasn't the case. And yet, I do realize, you know, on my gravestone, somewhere, it was a Jerry, Gary, Larry Terry Berry, whatever. And I will mostly be known for that. And I'm 100% okay with that. I'm couldn't be prouder.

Jeff Dwoskin 29:12

No, it is amazing. I mean, you know, it's, it's sort of like the catch. I saw Henry Winkler who was on Park. Parks. Yeah, he was talking. I've seen him interviewed, where he's talking about how he couldn't get work for a long time after the fact. Because that's how everyone saw him.

Jim O'Heir 29:27

We live in a world where, especially if you bit you know, you're this is who you think somebody is. I've been I did a, you know, sometimes I'll go to the colleges and talk to the kids. And it was somewhere in Boston, I believe. This girl came up to me after the q&a, because they line up for pictures and autographs or whatever. And I could tell she was kind of out of sorts, because everyone else was so excited. And we were laughing and taking pictures. And I said Is everything okay? And she said well, not really like oh, what what's going on? And she says, Well, you were much dirtier than I expected. And then It was like beds. I am not Jerry Gergich. I am I know who you saw for all those years, but Jim O'Heir goes blue at every chance. So it was quite an eye opener. Like people, like, you know, a lot of the, you know, we've all taught but like Amy doesn't do social media, she says people are so mean they can be so mean. And, you know, she's like, I'm not dealing with that, which I totally respect that good for her. But for me, I mean, I can count on one hand the main things that are said to me, because people think I'm Jerry and so they don't say mean things. I mean, every once in a while, there'll be some stupid thing or whatever. But I also don't read much of it. But I you know, I know that there's a lot of Jerry love out there. And I you know, I'm okay with that. It's all good.

Jeff Dwoskin 30:48

All good. All right, very cool. So your character while the punching bag? They did give you some cool.

Jim O'Heir 30:55

Oh, do they give me the coolest? Yes. A beautiful wife and a big dick. I got it all.

Jeff Dwoskin 31:03

It's a really funny scene. It's the mums episode of checking, checking for moms. And he's a man. He's got the biggest penis I've ever seen. I don't even know if he has moms. I forgot to check. I got this right.

Jim O'Heir 31:14

But listen to this. I found out later, they shot it both ways where he said that man has the smallest penis I've ever seen. So when I found that out, I'm like, Oh, thank God, you didn't do that. Thank God, you didn't do that. Yeah. And then they give me Christie Brinkley as my wife. And these three beautiful blonde girls, as my daughters. They took care of Jerry and Mike will tell you they had to because you know, there had been so much put upon Jerry over the years. Mike's like, we got to give them reason to live. Like there's gotta be something that he's living for. And as it turns out, he has a family who loves him. Then he walks on water. And when he's home, it is all good. And his family is his priority. I mean, as much as I think Jerry loves his co workers and would do anything for them. It's his family that gets him through the day. And how awesome is that? It complained about that.

Jeff Dwoskin 32:11

Christie Brinkley amazing. So

Jim O'Heir 32:13

that is, you know, Amy said it best. After she did the first episode with us. We were all talking and Amy said she lights up a room. She just lights up a room. And not just that smile, but her whole her whole persona. She walks in a room and it's brighter. And she's a good storyteller, like an amazing storyteller. And she's been through a lot. Believe me, I keep saying to her write a damn book. She's really been helicopter crash, like just oh my god. She's really been through it. And she's tell some great stories. And we were so lucky to have her. And it was lucky. She didn't know who we were. She didn't know anything about the show. But her daughter was obsessed with it. And so she said to her daughter, they taught me they do some show called parks and the daughter goes Parks and Recreation. And she goes yeah, that's it. They want me to be somebody's wife. And her daughter sailor told me later she goes I was thinking, Okay, well, that's that's they're married, that's the boyfriend and she goes cherry Gergich his wife is because yes, that's it and she goes, Mom, you got to do it. You got to do it. So sailor would come out with Christie when she shot because Christie was lives in the Hamptons. So she had come out with her mom when she shot the episode because she loved the show and wanted to be around the characters and stuff. So it was a it was a true gift to get her because she brought so much, you know, we just loved her just loved her.

Jeff Dwoskin 33:38

And that was another running kind of joke with Ben Wyatt. And I tried to figure out why.

Jim O'Heir 33:47

It's like what has happened?

Jeff Dwoskin 33:49

It's like, is she hypnotized? is like one year, I'm just gonna I could say nutmeg and she'll snap out of it.

Jim O'Heir 33:56

Yeah, the first time he meets Gail, I think it was at maybe the Christmas party episode. He's just what is going on in this world? Yeah, I love that.

Jeff Dwoskin 34:07

Right. Like you said, like, in the end, you get a great send offer all the beatings that you took. I did you did. You got to be mayor.

Jim O'Heir 34:15

I mean, we love Well, spoilered I guess

Jeff Dwoskin 34:19

2015 I'm the only one who hasn't seen.

Jim O'Heir 34:23

I ended up being the mayor of Pawnee for like 30 years. We see me at 100 years old, which you know, it was five hours to get into that makeup. And Christie comes up to me and she goes, Oh, Jim, look, they gave me a little wrinkles by my eyes. I'm like, Oh my God, because of course she still looked amazing. But you have five hours to get in. And it was it was rough. Those last couple of weeks of shooting were very emotional. I couldn't get through a scene without crying. Because there was so much ending not just to show I've been on shows that ended before. But knowing that day to day this crew, this cast, these writers these producers are no longer going to be In my day to day world, it was a lot and I remember one of the scenes of my final birthday party. My family is throwing me when I'm 100. The director, it was Dean Howell and somebody goes, Jim, I gotta get at least one take where you're not crying. I go, dude. I'm trying so hard. I'm not I'm believe me if I could anyway, so I think we eventually got one but it was tough.

Jeff Dwoskin 35:21

I love hearing that you are crying. It's so dude

Jim O'Heir 35:25

was all of us. It was a tough couple of weeks. It was really tough.

Jeff Dwoskin 35:29

The I tell you where I kind of I was met. I lost a little bit on the Leslie Knope Governor's speech where she was Oh, yeah. And I it was it was it was emotional. We felt really close all the all the characters. Yeah. The funny thing about you dying at 100 Is everyone pretty much else didn't age like Christie Brinkley and and then they kind of imply that a as well as lino became president, you can

Jim O'Heir 35:58

take out however you want. Yeah. I mean, some would say she's president. Some have said, Governor, that Ben's governor? Yeah, there's there's ways to go with it, because they show up to my funeral. And there's obviously Secret Service of some sort. So yeah, it could be whatever you want. To me personally, Jim O'Heir, just from these characters. I want to think she's president, that would be a hell of a presidency

Jeff Dwoskin 36:22

in my heart. That's what I mean. And they spell your name wrong. And I love the passionate you were about being a notary, and, and then you got the 21 stamp. So

Jim O'Heir 36:37

I mean, that right there, Jeff. And again, I'm not a writer. So when I say this, that is absolutely brilliant. A 21 stamp salute. Like, who comes up with that, but these people did.

Jeff Dwoskin 36:49

It's brilliant. I mean, and just to tie it back to when you became a notary, I mean, like, Who would think like, oh, let's, how can we work in the notary part, into a funeral? I mean, how do you even think

Jim O'Heir 37:00

of that? Yeah, the whole I know, always blown away. I wouldn't say every week we'd leave the table read. We normally did it on a Wednesday, sometimes on a Thursday, depending on what was going on. And I'd say to every, they did it again. They did it again. I never knew how I'm not a writer, I was just constantly blown away by the material that they were giving us constantly. And every once in a while, there'd be a script. And I'd say while this wasn't as strong as the usual, but by the time we shot it, because they could tell him that the read through this is missing something. And then by the time we shot at the next week, it was there. It was ready to go. It had been rewritten. And it was super great.

Jeff Dwoskin 37:40

That level of self awareness is special. Sorry to interrupt these amazing stories. But we have to take a quick break. And we're back. And we're going to talk all about Aubrey Plaza and that amazing Seth Meyers cast get together after the finale. And we're back. Let me ask you about Aubrey Plaza. And let me specifically say that while I'm jealous that your wife got to be Christie Brinkley, in researching for this conversation. I know where you're going. That was trumped 1,000% by you. Out with Aubrey Plaza on Seth Meyers show.

Jim O'Heir 38:20

Yeah, hard core. I mean, we weren't it wasn't a peck on the cheek. No, that was this was tongues flying. Yeah. What happened was the final night that they were going to airparks Seth Meyers had offered us the whole hour, you know, the whole cast the whole hour? For two reasons. One is dear friends with Amy. And two, he was obsessed with the show. Like he would fly into LA and do a panel with all of us. And he would tell them no, don't give me questions. I'll be able to do it. He had his own. He loved the show so much. So anyway, we're on the show for the hour. And we do a toast thing. It was really a wonderful, just wonderful hour, we did a game where we toasted you pull the name and you're toast to that person. It was lovely. You know, anyone who wants to can find it all on YouTube, I would imagine. But then the only thing we knew that was planned was the game of the toast. And then at the very end we were going to sing by by little Sebastian Pratt was going to be on guitar. And that's really all that was planned. Everything else was just going to be whatever happened in conversation. So at the last commercial break before we sing bye bye little Sebastian. Aubrey leans over and she goes, Do you want to make out during the song? And I go, Yeah, well, cars. So we did. And it's not just great watching us do this because it's so ridiculous. The old guy with this young, beautiful girl. But when you watch the other cast members faces when they realize what is happening and make sure is there and it's just horrifying. They're just sick and vital. They the only one who knew what was going to happen was Adam because he was sitting between Aubrey and I so he was only one knew it was coming but Amy didn't Don't read up on Aziz literally puts his hands up in front of his eyes like No, no, no, I can't see this. Yeah, that was something that was pretty amazing. Jealous, are you Jeff?

Jeff Dwoskin 40:14

Yeah, that's yes. I'm not gonna deny that. Aubrey was one of the reasons we kind of backed into parks because my wife and I were watching White Lotus season two. And like I said, I hadn't seen the show. But I had seen so many clips and knew that our replays, especially like on talk shows is just crazy, in a good way. And so we started watching it my wife like we loved Aubrey. So I'm like, Well, if you like this, we should watch Parks and Rec. And that's perfect. Because she's amazing on Parks and Rec, right?

Jim O'Heir 40:47

Apparently the casting director, the casting director called Mike and I just met this girl that you have to meet. So she went over, I've met with her. He said, he's told you the story goes, I'm still afraid of her to this day. He goes, but I knew we had to have her because she's so quirky, and funny and different. And you know, she used to be a page at SNL. When Amy was at SNL, she was a page there. And now, a couple months ago, she hosted the damn thing. I mean, it's pretty wild. It's pretty wild.

Jeff Dwoskin 41:18

It's a great story. Yeah, it's it's so cool. Tell me Nick Offerman story.

Jim O'Heir 41:24

Oh, Nick is just the greatest Nick is, you know, the old term salt of the earth. That's just who Nick is. Six months ago, I don't know. He texted me and he said, Any chance you're in town? I said, Yeah. What's going on? And he goes, Well, I'm gonna open for some band. Because Nick does this one man show kind of all over the world. Like it's a huge success. He said, I sing by by little Sebastian, what would you think about just walking out while I'm singing it and you sing it with me? And so I did. And of course, the place went crazy. Because number one, they went crazy when Nick started at you know, Ron Swanson. And then here comes Jerry Gergich. And it was, you know, it was crazy. But Nick is just good people. We never could figure out how we didn't know each other because he's from the Chicago theater scene. I'm from the Chicago theater scene. But our paths did not cross at least that we remembered. Maybe something did happen, but we never did a show together. Which is so hard. He's done so many shows. I've done so many shows, but it never happened. He's one of the good guys.

Jeff Dwoskin 42:25

It's funny. He his crazy ex wives Tammy? Right. The Tammy? Yes, Tammy is right. And then you had a crazy wife Tammy on strip mall, Julie Brown. Oh

Jim O'Heir 42:37

my god. Dude, I totally forgot about that. Yes, I did. Julie Brown. Yes. Oh, my God. Let me tell you. Here's what I always say about that show. It was the dumbest show I've ever been on. But damn, did we have a good time? I mean, we had fun. Julie Brown is so awesome. Oh, I wish I could think of the name of I'm not going to the guy who co created with her. I can picture him. But anyway, they I mean, it was so silly. There was an episode where a train went through my head and I'm still alive. And like it was just craziness. But my God, we had a good time. It was silly, but really fun. And that was my first series regular on a show. And it was for Comedy Central. So I of course was super excited. Like that's, that's a gift. And we did two seasons and it was just, it was great. Just great. I can't believe I haven't thought of that. A lot of years.

Jeff Dwoskin 43:34

Julie Brown must have been hurt because she's her homecoming queen got has got as one of the funniest things.

Jim O'Heir 43:41

And you know, she turned into a live show before COVID. And I went and saw it. It was hysterical. And it takes it continues from where the song left off. I won't say what happens in case people end up seeing it. But there's more to the story of than just the cheerleader shooting everybody. Ah, yeah, that was

Jeff Dwoskin 44:01

always more to the story. It was always more to the story, Jeff that Victoria Jackson was in that she went on live to or perhaps she was Yeah, the one episode I kind of I caught on YouTube. You were having like an acid attack. There were hemorrhoids.

Jim O'Heir 44:16

I should go check that out. It's been so long. Crazy stuff.

Jeff Dwoskin 44:23

Crazy stuff. So let's see what you want an Emmy, you're an Emmy Award winning

Jim O'Heir 44:28

a Daytime Emmy. I had never done a soap opera in my life. I didn't know what that even was. I knew what they were but I didn't know how they worked. And we got a call. They were kind of doing like a, you know, like a kind of celebrity cameo and they used me and Monica Moran, who was on Everybody Loves Raymond. She played Brad Garrett's wife, Amy, I believe. And so we did a couple of the episodes and I got nominated. I thought it was a joke truly thought one of my friends were busting my balls like this is BS. because I was in a car heading to Chicago to, I don't know, film something, and the call came in and he said, Hi, I'm so and so from Bold and the Beautiful and I said, Hi, like, okay, yeah, I want to congratulate you on your nomination. I go for what? He goes for the me. I go, why. So while he's talking, I'm thinking it's one of my buddies set me up. And so but I Google it on my phone while he's talking. And it's like, oh, hell, there it is. Yes, I'm up for an Emmy. So I wasn't, I was shocked. I was super shocked. And then I wasn't going to go to the ceremony, nothing against the Emmys. But I, my two friends, well known comedians who are doing a show that I had said I would be at, and it was the same night. And I said, I just, I promised them and whatever. And so I got a call from CBS saying, we would really appreciate it if you went, we'll get you out of there right after your category. So they made it as convenient for me as they could. So I said I would go never thinking in 1 million years that I would win. I mean, truly no thought of a speech. No, because I was up against people who are sobbing and you know, soap operas, and they're trying and they're this and that. And anyway, so Larry King announced the winner, and he goes, Jim, oh, I just like, you know, the cameras stuck in your face. Because I was ready to do that fake applause for the other person. I'm like, oh, congratulate, you know, the fake. Oh, good for them, and then get my ass out of there. But I couldn't because he said my name. And then and I've told this to people. And you can see it if you if you can find the video where I when all that went through my head was Oh, my God, that name is so familiar. I did not click that it was me just because I had no expectation of it. And then the girl next to me from the show was like shaking me it's because you won. You won. Why? But so then I got up there. And I just I didn't know what I was gonna say. And I just was like, speak from the heart. So I gave my little speech, blah, blah, blah. But I never got to my friends show because then you have to stay for press and party and verb a member but but yeah, so in my dining room, there is a me. It's kind of cool.

Jeff Dwoskin 47:13

That's pretty awesome. Yeah, yeah, I like it. What's not to like? So yeah, this show that my wife and I are obsessed with his friends and you are on friends. I did have friends years there last season. Yeah. Last season. And you were with Chris's first wife Anna, which

Jim O'Heir 47:28

is so funny. I met Ana before he ever met her. He didn't know her at that point. We were the two guest stars. And you know, we she had not done. She had not done multicam before. So she was a wreck nervous. I mean, we're all nervous just by the nature of it when you're guessing because you can lose your job in a heartbeat. But she was just really nervous. But it was such a wonderful. The cast was wonderful. And Schwimmer was directing. And he was great. So they really made us feel very, very comfortable. But we'd be walking back to the cars at night and you know, just chatting or whatever. So I used to joke with Pratt. I'm like, Dude, you're lucky I didn't make my move my friend. Yeah, she would have been all my she would have been all over this 50 Something here. Oh.

Jeff Dwoskin 48:11

It's a funny theme. Because like, you mess up the mess up? Of course. Yes. Pre Jerry. So. And then. Matt LeBlanc. You were an ad with him. That was one of your early roles.

Jim O'Heir 48:24

Yeah. And it was, I think that was you have the first movie I ever did. And it was, you know, the they were such a hot property all the friends people. So they were throwing movies at all of them. Yeah, I got on his and I played the announcer but I every time I think of that movie, I just think that it was a husband and wife team, if I remember correctly, and they were little people and they have to play the monkeys in these outfits. And they were so hot. But the the heads were animatronic. So they were controlled. And then they would put what my memory is like they would put a what looked like a blow dryer in their mouth to pump air conditioning in because they were running bases in Santa Clarita, which is basically the desert of LA in July like it was it was crazy. Yeah, really, really crazy. But I had fun. I had a good time.

Jeff Dwoskin 49:16

And then did you have a good time on Curb Your Enthusiasm? Everyone seemed to enjoy that. Yeah, that

Jim O'Heir 49:20

was so quick. You know, I knew Jeff Garlin from Chicago days. So he didn't have any scenes with him. But he was on set. So that was great. Yeah, that was such a different process. Because you don't get a script. You get an idea of what's going to happen and then you create it. And that's you know, I was raised, raised but did a lot of improv. So I loved it. And then when things are working, they'll say, Okay, let's keep this let's keep this this didn't work. Get rid of that. So it's a different way to work. But I love that it was different on a film right now, in Connecticut. I know I always say that can't say much about it just by the nature of things, but we're shooting it in a very odd way because of certain effects. Send this film. And it really makes it fun because it's not the normal what I normally do every day. And so I like when things get mixed up a little. And that's curved was like that. I like that.

Jeff Dwoskin 50:12

That's awesome. All right, let me ask you a question. Are you in the Mandalorian? Season Three?

Jim O'Heir 50:16

Oh, here's what happened. So I think I can talk about this, but Rob Lowe has been doing a podcast called Parks from recollection. And for the record, I have now taken that over. So Rob still comes and goes, but it's now me with my co host, Greg Levine, who's one of the writers from Parks. But when I was doing the episode, when Rob was hosting it, I was a guest, and I was shooting Better Call Saul in New Mexico. Yeah, Albuquerque. So I had to say the same thing. I can't say what I'm working on. And Rob goes, Yeah, Jim can't say what he's working on. But I can tell you it rhymes with bar wars. Well, he just randomly said that. Well, next thing you know, it's in the papers Jim O'Heir guesting anyway, it turned into a whole thing. So now that being said, there has been my agents reached out to them, because they're like, there's been a lot of press about this. So I will say this, as of now. Not that I know. But I also think that could happen. I hope

Jeff Dwoskin 51:15

that'd be awesome. And that'd be awesome. You aren't Mike Shures. Other show Brooklyn nine nine. Yeah. A couple of those

Jim O'Heir 51:21

episodes. Yeah. Of that show. That was Greg. I mean, Dan Gore, who was one of the main guys on Parks him and Mike co created. Brooklyn nine, nine. And Greg are Yeah, Mike stayed with us to continue with parks. But Dan went over to Brooklyn nine, nine. And Dan called and he goes, Listen, we have this idea. And as I've told them many times, don't even ask, just figure out my schedule. And if we can do it, I'm there. I will do anything for these guys. They have proven that they're brilliant. So I know whatever the material is, will be good. And also, they gave me Jerry, and I will be forever grateful. So yeah, I did a couple of episodes of that. And I'd worked with Andy before Sandberg. And I've worked with him a couple of times since so he's great, but I had never worked with Andre, Andre browers. So that was really exciting. Because he's awesome. So I got a real kick out of that.

Jeff Dwoskin 52:14

My favorite part about Andres character is he's he's gay, but he plays the straight man. Exactly. I love Lonnie.

Jim O'Heir 52:22

Yeah, and I played a homophobic share like sheriff is the dumb ass.

Jeff Dwoskin 52:27

So, Jim, thank you for spending all this time with me. I can't thank you enough. Where can people keep up with you on the socials?

Jim O'Heir 52:33

Instagram? The real Jim O'Heir Twitter Jim O'Heir, Facebook. I think Jimbo. Yeah. Oh, H E. IR. It's spelled a little different. Yeah, I'm out there. But actually check out the new parks from our collection podcast. Starting with season four. I am the host one of the hosts one

Jeff Dwoskin 52:52

that I will put links to everything. Thank you so much. Thanks for hanging out with me.

Jim O'Heir 52:56

This has been fun. Great questions. Jeff. You brought up memories. I haven't thought it in a lot of yours.

Jeff Dwoskin 53:01

Thank you. Take care, dude. Everyone the amazing Jim O'Heir Gary. Jerry, Larry Terry, whatever you want to call amazing actor who just brought that character to life on Parks and Rec. I was so excited to talk to him. He was so kind. He talked to my wife after for a quick bit. She really wanted to meet him. I hope you enjoyed all those amazing stories and behind the look into parks and recreation. Check out Parks and Rec collection gyms. Now, the CO hosts of that awesome podcast so much Jim O'Hara to keep in your life and do not look for him on the Mandalorian. Now we know he's not there. We knew it anyway, because it already aired. But I had asked him anyway. Now we know why that was even a rumor. So that's cool, right? All right. Well, the interviews over can't believe it. Episode 232 has come to an end. I want to thank once again, my amazing guests, Jim O'Heir. And of course, I want to thank all of you for coming back week after week. It means the world to me, and I'll see you next time.

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