Adam Scott Explains Why He Never Rewatches ‘Parks and Rec’

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actor Adam Scott recently revealed his reluctance to rewatch episodes of the beloved series “Parks and Recreation,” attributing it not to a lack of time but rather to nostalgia and emotional ties. Scott shared his feelings about the show during a recent interview, expressing how memories of filming often overshadow the experience of watching it again.

“There’s something that I miss so much, which is why I never watch ‘Parks’,” Scott stated. “It makes me sad. It makes me miss everybody. I don’t feel like I ever took it for granted because I was always appreciative of how lucky we were. It was just such a great place to go every day.” Scott highlighted the unique bond formed among the cast, which he believes is rare in the television industry.

Scott’s co-star Rob Lowe, who joined the cast in the second season, echoed these sentiments and reflected on the early days of their involvement in the show. “Look, it’s a little mercenary sometimes,” Lowe mentioned about the television business. “Parks is you and Pratt and Amy and everybody, Aziz and Aubrey. We’re all in our thread. We’re all there for each other.”

Both actors noted that they were not part of the original cast, joining the series when it was still finding its footing. Scott recalled, “They really started finding it on the road. They were kind of figuring it out as they went.” Lowe admitted he had never seen the show before joining, calling it “so different” and likening it to an “indie movie.”

Glimpses into Scott and Lowe’s initial experiences on set highlight the show’s foundational moments. “I remember waiting for our cue to walk into that very first scene,” Lowe described. “We’re standing behind the door. Just met. And in we go. And it’s Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger. We didn’t know what the heck we were doing.”

Further illustrating the lack of direction, Scott recounted a conversation with director Dean Holland. “I remember after the first take, Dean coming up and explaining, ‘So, it is like a mock documentary, that’s what we’re doing, but you don’t need to keep looking at the camera.'” Scott laughed, recalling how he was confused by the presence of the camera during scenes.

Despite initial uncertainties, Scott eventually shaped Ben Wyatt into a beloved character. “You were a huge dick,” Lowe playfully insulted Scott about his character’s early demeanor. Scott admitted, “I was a total dick.”

The actors pondered why generational sitcoms like “Parks and Recreation” are less common today. Scott speculated, “They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. They don’t let the show breathe and find itself.”