Will Arnett’s Playful Question Stirs Nostalgia Among ‘Parks and Recreation’ Fans

LOS ANGELES, CA — During a lively appearance on a recent episode of “SmartLess,” comedian Will Arnett playfully questioned actor Adam Scott about the possibility of having had an emotional affair with a coworker, prompting a wave of nostalgia and laughter among fans of “Parks and Recreation.” The episode aired on Monday, March 17.

Scott, 51, was enjoying a light-hearted riff-off with hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Arnett when the topic shifted to more personal queries. The trio realized they had yet to delve into more intimate subjects with their guest, leading to a series of humorous inquiries about Scott’s family and relationships.

“Have you ever had an emotional affair with a coworker?” Arnett, 51, quipped, referencing Scott’s role as Ben Wyatt, who romantically pursued Leslie Knope, played by Arnett’s ex-wife, Amy Poehler.

Fans quickly took to social media to react to Arnett’s playful jab, with one user commenting, “An unprovoked question posed to Adam Scott by Will Arnett.” Many acknowledged the comedic nature of the exchange, with another stating, “There are so many layers to this, dear God.”

“This is taken out of context; they are all laughing at the start from a joke, and this is a run-on of the joke,” another commented.

The beloved series “Parks and Recreation,” which aired on NBC from 2009 to 2015, depicted the humorous antics of employees in the parks department of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. The show featured a stellar cast, including Poehler, Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, and Chris Pratt, and has remained a fan favorite since its conclusion.

Before their split in 2012, Poehler and Arnett were one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples, both on-screen and off. The couple first met in 1996, sparking a connection that lasted through their marriage and eventual separation in 2014.

Arnett made a cameo as a potential love interest for Poehler’s character in ‘Parks and Recreation’ before her character found true love with Scott’s character. Arnett and Poehler share two sons, Archie, 16, and Abel, 14, and have maintained a strong co-parenting relationship since their divorce was finalized in 2016.

“It’s been almost 10 years and my kids are so lucky that Amy is their mother,” Arnett told The Guardian in February 2022. “And I’m so lucky that we’re such a huge part of each other’s lives, even more so than we were five years ago.”

The emotional toll of their split was evident, with Arnett describing the experience as “excruciating” and revealing he cried for an hour on the side of the road while driving to a set during that difficult time.

After his divorce, Arnett was briefly linked to interior designer Elizabeth Law before forming a relationship with Alessandra Brawn in 2019, welcoming their son, Alexander Denison, in 2020. Poehler is currently dating Joel Lovell, marking her first public relationship post-divorce.