The bright, optimistic world of Pawnee feels like it belongs to another time. Adam Scott, who played Ben Wyatt on the beloved NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” is speaking out about how the show’s cheerful tone might not survive in today’s political climate.
Scott, currently promoting his new horror film Hokum (out May 1), sat down with Variety to reflect on the legacy of the show. While fans still use the series as a comforting escape, Scott believes the America of 2026 is a far cry from the America of 2015, when the show ended its seven-season run.
He pointed directly to the shift in national innocence following the rise of Donald Trump in politics. The actor notes that while people still crave hope, the context for that hope has drastically changed, which would force the writers to take a different approach if the show started today.
“Our Country May Have Lost What Was Left of Its Innocence”
Looking back at the show’s legacy, Scott acknowledged the strange feeling of watching the show now versus when it first aired. He explained that the show aired its finale just as the political landscape was about to shift dramatically.
“I think back on ‘Parks and Rec’ and the hope and joy that it brings people. It’s so lovely to hear from people that it helped them through the pandemic or helps them through trying times now. And it is a dark time right now. And I do feel like our country may have lost what was left of its innocence in 2015, when Donald Trump stepped up and stepped into politics. And it’s easy to forget just how much our country has changed in the last 10 or 11 years.”
Scott’s comments highlight the stark contrast between the fictional struggles of the Pawnee Parks Department (like fighting for a park or sinking a giant lemonade) and the real-world political battles that dominate headlines today. He suggests that the wholesome, government-positive vibe of Parks and Rec would be harder to sell without acknowledging the current reality.
Why ‘Abbott Elementary’ Gives Scott Hope for the Genre
Despite the gloomy outlook, Scott does not believe there is no room for funny, thoughtful sitcoms about public servants. He pointed to a modern success story that proves audiences are still hungry for this type of content.
Scott cited ABC’s Abbott Elementary as a show that manages to balance humor with a realistic setting, even in a divided climate. He feels that while Parks and Rec would be “different,” it doesn’t mean it would fail.
“But as far as whether it could kind of survive or how it would sit in the now if it started now: Certainly, it would be different. But something like ‘Abbott Elementary’ is able to maintain this really lovely tone, and it’s able to be hilarious and heartfelt and all of those things in a climate that isn’t always conducive to that. They’re able to protect themselves and make this great show. I think there’s always an audience for that.”
He acknowledges that shows today have to work harder to protect their tone, but the audience’s desire for laughter remains a constant.
Remembering Ron Swanson’s Real Politics
Scott’s comments arrive alongside a broader discussion about how the characters of Parks and Recreation would navigate the Trump era. His former co-star, Nick Offerman, has been very clear about where his character, Ron Swanson, would stand.
Last year, Offerman shut down fans who assumed the libertarian, meat-loving character would be a Trump supporter. He asked the show’s creator, Mike Schur, to confirm that Ron would have despised the former president.
Offerman recalled Schur’s reasoning: “Swanson would’ve despised Trump, because Ron loved capitalism. And Trump made the stupidest move you could make as a capitalist, which is to go into public service.” Offerman added that Ron is a “good person” who would hate Trump’s disrespect toward women.
Offerman famously reacted to a homophobic social media post that misused a clip of Ron Swanson, simply stating, “Ron was best man at a gay wedding you dumb f–k,” proving that the character’s gruff exterior always hid a heart of gold.
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While fans miss Ben Wyatt, Adam Scott is busier than ever. He is currently in theaters with Hokum, a horror film that is giving him a break from the tense world of Lumon Industries.
Scott also continues to star in Severance, the hit Apple TV+ thriller. The show recently finished airing its second season, and while Season 3 is officially expected, production details remain under wraps. Scott is likely to return as Mark Scout once the writers’ room finalizes the next chapter of the story.
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