Parks And Rec’s Jim O’Heir Recalls The Time Chris Pratt Checked In With Him About A Particularly ‘Rough’ Jerry Joke

As a die-hard fan of Parks and Recreation, I must say that this show has been an unparalleled source of laughter for me over the years. And now, as we revisit Pawnee, Indiana once more, it’s fascinating to peek behind the scenes and understand the camaraderie that existed among the cast, particularly with the inimitable Jim O’Heir, who brought Jerry Gergich (or Gerry, or Larry, depending on the day) to life.


Among the most entertaining TV shows that can be watched multiple times, “Parks and Recreation” undeniably holds a spot in this category, especially as it recently celebrated its 15th anniversary on NBC. As fans revisit Pawnee, Indiana for another round of laughter, they gain insight into the life of Jerry/Gerry/Larry (Jim O’Heir), the character who was often the butt of jokes, and how the rest of the cast interacted with him off-screen.

In this rephrased version, here’s how you can put it:

In a more conversational style,

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As a devoted fan, I must confess that sometimes while watching Parks and Recreation, it seemed like the cast might have been a bit tough on Jim O’Heir and his character’s misfortunes. However, during our chat, O’Heir shared that this was far from his reality. In fact, he emphasized that there wasn’t any juicy gossip about the show’s cherished cast because “it didn’t happen.” What truly warmed my heart was hearing O’Heir rave about his time on the show and how unique and special it was for him. (It’s no wonder there was a Parks and Recreation reunion at the Agatha All Along premiere!) In fact, he even reminisced about his co-stars reaching out to check on him when Jerry Gergich delivered some particularly dark jokes. In his own words:

One day, Pratt asked me, “Jimmy, this seems tough on you. Are you alright with it?” I believe it was during the burrito incident when they teased me after I fell into the creek. I joked that I had mugged someone and the like. In response, I told him, “Dude, let me clarify a few things. First, it’s just funny – humor is humor. Second, thank you for your concern, friend. Third, we’re all earning a good wage. I think everything’s fine.” So, essentially, I wanted everyone to know that Jerry is doing well.

In case you remember, during Season 2’s “Park Safety” episode, Jerry Gergich suffered a dislocated shoulder. This occurred at a park while he was attempting to fill the park’s hummingbird feeders. The actual cause was dropping his burrito in a creek, but Jerry claimed it was due to a mugging out of embarrassment. (The episode boasted one of the best guest stars on Parks and Recreation, featuring Andy Samberg). Here’s a clip from the episode available on the show’s YouTube channel:

To honor O’Heir, during filming for that episode, Chris Pratt checked with O’Heir to ensure he was comfortable with the recent jab at his Parks and Rec character. As O’Heir confirmed, Pratt – who later became famous in numerous movies and TV series – wanted fans to know that he enjoys every bit of the messy physical scenes as Jerry, going so far as to ask the show to let him perform those stunts himself rather than having a stunt double do it.

Take a look at Jim O’Heir’s memoir titled “Welcome To Pawnee: Tales of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation” right away! Enjoy revisiting the series on Peacock with your subscription.

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2024-11-20 00:39