It Was Amy Poehler Who Recommended Andy Samberg Jump Ship To Sitcoms. What She Said Just Before Brooklyn Nine-Nine Came Along

It Was Amy Poehler Who Recommended Andy Samberg Jump Ship To Sitcoms. What She Said Just Before Brooklyn Nine-Nine Came Along

As a long-time fan of comedy and a devoted follower of Amy Poehler’s illustrious career, I can’t help but be in awe of the profound impact she has had on Andy Samberg’s journey into sitcom stardom. Her guidance and encouragement during their time collaborating on “Parks and Recreation” left an indelible mark on him, shaping his decision to take on the lead role in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”


Amy Poehler serves as a beacon of inspiration for numerous individuals, particularly young comedians. Her impact on comedy is significant, and she frequently collaborates with her dearest friends. This was the case for Andy Samberg, who performed alongside her on SNL and delivered an outstanding guest appearance on Parks and Recreation. It seems that something Poehler said to him during this time on her NBC show left a lasting impression on the actor, leading him to achieve great success with his own acclaimed sitcom, Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

In a recent interview on Kevin Hart’s Peacock talk show “Hart to Heart,” Samberg shared insights about his journey from working on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” to becoming the lead in a sitcom. He expressed that appearing as a guest star on “Parks and Recreation” was a pivotal moment for him, and it was Amy Poehler who encouraged Samberg to pursue a career in sitcoms. He stated:

Amy proved invaluable to me. When I appeared as a guest on Parks and Rec, she welcomed me with open arms, saying, “It’s quite relaxing here, Samberg. I adore everyone I collaborate with. The hours are flexible, it’s amusing, and everybody is pleasant.” I agreed, “I can see why.” That guest role was significant because when Mike Schur and Dan Goor approached me about Brooklyn Nine-Nine, I responded positively, “That sounds promising.”

On Saturday Night Live (SNL), the workload is notoriously demanding, featuring long hours and intense deadlines for creating sketches that air live. Former SNL cast members have shared their exhaustion and anxiety from this grueling routine. In contrast, working on a sitcom can seem less draining and more manageable for comedians. It’s no surprise then, that after her time at SNL, Poehler found solace in Parks and Recreation, and would recommend the same path to Samberg.

Additionally, the actor from Palm Springs felt reassured having professionals like Mike Schur and Dan Goor involved. Schur is recognized as a contemporary sitcom mastermind, contributing to the creation of hit series such as The Office, The Good Place, and Parks and Recreation. Dan Goor too boasts an impressive resume in comedy writing, with credits on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show, and later Parks and Recreation. Given Poehler’s past successes and the duo’s extensive experience in her comedic realm, Brooklyn Nine-Nine seemed like a logical choice.

The outcome of the choice proved to be wonderful in the end. Despite being canceled by Fox initially, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” continued to garner affection from viewers and ultimately got revived on NBC following a strong fan campaign.

The group of actors on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” similar to the cast of “Parks and Recreation,” clearly enjoyed collaborating. This led to Samberg’s rise as a leading man, and since then, he has explored various creative ventures like “Palm Springs” and “Celeste and Jesse Forever.” Up next for him is a dramatic part in “Lee,” alongside Kate Winslet.

In summary, Poehler appeared to prioritize Samberg’s well-being throughout the process, and it is thanks to her that “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” was brought to life in some capacity. We are all indebted to her for her role in its development.

Andy Samberg enthusiasts have the opportunity to rewatch his performances in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” via Netflix. Additionally, by subscribing to Peacock, they can enjoy his guest role in the second season’s premiere episode of “Parks and Recreation,” titled “Park Safety.” Both shows feature episodes from their time on Saturday Night Live as well.

Read More

2024-07-17 20:37