How Aubrey Plaza Landed A Role On "Parks and Recreation" | Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

You appear on this fantastic television show, in a

role

that was perfect for you, this great

role

of April on "Parks and Rec." And I'm curious: how did that happen? How did you get that role? a weird series of little things that happened, but specifically it was because, I don't even know how to start, but basically I came to Los Angeles because I was interested in the Judd Apatow movie, "Funny People," which I got, but He was trying to cast a completely unknown comedian. That's a completely different story, but he wanted to cast a comedian and I wasn't doing stand-up, I was doing improv and sketches at UCB. be a stand-up to get that role or whatever.

And then Allison Jones was casting that movie and I didn't have an agent at the time, but because I got into the audition process for that, I flew to Los Angeles. for a week to do a chemistry read with Seth Rogan and then while I was in Los Angeles, Allison Jones said to me, "Would you mind going to a couple more meetings? And how do you feel about that?" And I had no idea what was going on, because I thought, this is crazy. I thought, I had nothing to do in New York. He was doing comedy stuff, but I said, "Sure, I'll go to whatever meeting I want, ma'am." I don't give a shit." (Conan and Matt laughing) And then she basically said: This infuriates any actor I know, believe me.

I know. There are so many hungry actors out there. I'm sorry. I'm Allison Jones, a prominent casting director. .Do you want to do some important reading? Hey, I don't have anything to do. I was kidding. Secondly, Allison Jones changed my life, okay? to whatever. Do you know what you did? (Conan and Matt laughing) Did you go to hell and sign a contract in 1993? Do you know what I did? I'll send you to these couple meetings or whatever? ". One of them is with the creators of “The Office” and “The Office” was on the air at the time.

It was huge. And then I thought, yeah, I'll go meet "the office people." I don't give a damn. shit, ma'am. (Conan and Matt laughing) And then, and so on, but I was in LA for the first time so I was like, LA, I was wearing jean shorts. I was like no, I didn't realize the weight. of that meeting. And then I went to the set of "The Office." It was somewhere in the damn Valley or I don't even know where it was, but all I remember is walking in, I think it was Mike Schur's office. And I kept seeing "The Office" actors like Mindy Kaling and BJ Nova and people walking around.

And I'm like, Oh my God, those are the people from "The Office." And he said, "That's because we're on the set of "The Office." And I was like, this is crazy, man. And then we were waiting for Greg Daniels. And then Greg walked in and again, they hadn't written the pilot at the time. They were just talking about how they had Amy and they were talking about ideas for the pilot or something and then, I don't know, I don't even know what I did. Mike Schur says, "She was the person. weirdest thing I've ever met." I wasn't being weird, okay?

I don't even know what I was doing, but Greg walked in and then, do you know how weird Greg was? It's. Yeah, I do. Greg and I immediately, neither We even literally started talking about the meaning of life. I didn't even know what we were talking about. It was like we were on drugs or something. He came in and said, "What happens after you die?" Well, this is what I've been saying. "I don't know, man, what do you think?" And then we said, "By the way, this is Greg's process. This is how he casts. Steve Carrell was apparently terrible at his audition, but then he had a really good theory for what's at the end of the universe and Greg, that's what Greg wanted to know.

Well, all I remember is that I have a picture of Greg, I mean he was doing a Rubik's cube, but he wasn't to say he was knitting something or I don't know if he was. Greg, he was probably knitting a Rubik's cube. Well, he was knitting an eye contact Rubik's cube and then I just remember, he was like, I don't know and I was like, this guy is really weird. we were talking and then Mike was just looking at him, what am I watching here? And then he basically started telling me the idea of ​​the show and he was like, "Amy will have an assistant and maybe it'll be like that." "It's a stupid idea" or something.

Not exactly. But I basically thought, "Oh, I should have an assistant who is a college intern, who is very smart, who only does it for credit, and who hates everyone, but who is good at his job, but he doesn't give a shit." or something like that. I basically introduced him to the character and then he was like, “Uh, okay.” And then, (Conan laughing) And then, and then, (Conan laughing) I told Greg Daniels. exactly what my character was and how he would fit into the show, and he was like, “Uh, okay.” No, I don't know what happened.

So basically I figured out that was it. And then I left and I was like, well, that was weird and then basically a couple of weeks later or something, they called me and said, "You're on this show." I think the original pilot that they wrote, the character's name was Aubrey. It was just Aubrey in the pilot. And then when NBC, I guess, was going to approve me, they auditioned me to play me. Yeah. They said, "You have to audition now." Am I up to playing myself? I hope to get the role. Then I went in and auditioned where I was, I don't even know what I did.

And then they changed to April and that was it. And I say, great. He didn't even want to appear on television. (Conan laughing) I was trying to get in movies, bro. Let me say one thing, because sometimes the universe, everything comes together in a way that's too nice. Greg Daniels, who directs "The Office" and with Mike Schur, is doing "Parks and Recreation." He and I started in the business together, just a quick reveal, as writing partners and we've been

friend

s forever and text all the time. And Greg I love him and he's brilliant, I love him too.

Really super fun. It's a little bit, his mind works differently. This is a text I received this morning on the way to Larchmont, to come do this podcast, not knowing that Greg's name would come up. to Aubrey. I got this message out of the blue from Greg. I haven't heard from him in a couple of weeks and I just received this text message. I had a strange dream in which you hurt your left hand. I hope you're great." (Matt and Aubrey laughing) Never, I just picked up my phone and said, okay, you mentioned Greg. I have to do it.

I don't know. That sounds sexual. I know. So I'll call him later to find out. exactly what happened in this dream. You hurt your left hand while masturbating. What's wrong? Do you remember us, (Conan laughing) What the hell happened here? What were you doing with your left hand and Greggie? Yes, exactly. Made of concrete, that thing broke my hand. You guys did this and then you went around and accused me of being a pervert. I know. I know. If it's wrong, it feels so good. Doesn't it, Conan? (Conan laughing) Well, that's fascinating. You're on. Scott Pilgrim vs the World" directed by Edgar Wright in one week.

Oh my god. When does that happen? Man, I was at the right time, in the right place, in the right jean shorts. I just realized that when I auditioned for the Late Night Show in '93, he was wearing very short jean shorts. Oh really? Do you remember when I first met you for this podcast? You were wearing super short jean shorts. That's how it is. Hey, you gotta show a little leg, honey. A little more than that. I had to show my little shelf underneath. He wants to play in the big leagues. That little ledge that Tom Cruise climbs in "Mission: Impossible." Oh Lord.

I was lucky. I was a lucky little waitress from Queens.