It's so funny because I've tried to figure out what TikTok is, but I apparently am just too ancient. We could probably dance our way out of this scene. And it was like, they're shooting from far away. And you can see how you want to see it, but I saw it as a great big lawn in front of me. Also, we were in a cemetery, from what I remember. Maybe one of us said, “don't be suspicious,” and the other one started going off it, but it was not a very thought-out thing. I don't know if he was like, maybe you guys should sing.I remember practicing the song with you before, Jenny, like near a tree. Mike Schur, who's a genius of all geniuses. But maybe when we were there, I think Mike directed that up. Which means it wasn't even in this version of the script. Let's hit it.' And I say, 'Oh yeah, time to start a casino in.' And then it says, “sing-song to Tajikistan.” Then it says “they run off,” and that's it. You got the insurance money?' And Jenny says, 'No doubt, no doubt. And then it says 'pan over to a tree behind which Jean-Ralphio and Mona-Lisa are hiding.' Then I say, 'Okay, they bought it. Jenny: Is it anything like what happened?īen: All it says in the script is, 'pan over, there is the Rabbi played by Dave King.' Which is amazing. The “Don’t Be Suspicious” scene itself-did you guys improvise that? Was it choreographed?īen: I found the script. It was like how they dress babies, but adults. And Ben is also going to be in a denim outfit or whatever. Jenny: Well then they leaned into it and the wardrobe department, they would be like, so Jenny, you're going to be wearing this denim cap. It really felt like we got onto just a turbo thing once we became those characters.īen: Great stupid outfits, and sometimes matching stupid outfits. Jenny: Well, once you start, you just can't stop it. We tried to harmonize once and then started doing it every time. Fantastic.' And then we tried to harmonize. You said 'Really?' And I go, 'Yeah, I just sing a little bit.' And you go, 'Great. Great.' That was literally what happened. And I know that everyone's used to it, but it felt so heartbreaking.īen: I remember also saying, 'Hey, sometimes when I play this character, I sing a little bit' and you go, 'Got it. And I just remember thinking, I watched this, I know that they do this to Jerry.

And I remember, that one of the first scenes I shot was where she tells Jerry “hard pass.” She's like would hit, would hit, would hit, hard pass. And I was like, why did you think of me for this? This person is literally called the worst person in the world. Joe Mande, one of the writers on the show was like, I wrote you this character. I was really, really nervous to be on Parks and Rec. And it's very different than my own personality. But I felt like it was a special connection. But I will say that it seems like the Mona-Lisa and Jean-Ralphio vibe really started on the set of House of Lies because you're just very easy to joke with and everybody jokes around with you so much, Ben. Jenny: Ben and I had worked together on House of Lies before, and it was a nice coincidence that we got to work together again. They're like, 'Yeah, we were watching Parks and then heard your voice.' It's crazy how long ago we did it. Like my friend's kids and stuff like that. I've learned that younger kids watch it now. It was wonderful.īen: It's so lovely to consume. But this summer during quarantine, my fiance was like, 'It's weird that you've never watched it.' And I was like, 'I'm just afraid I'll see myself, and something bad will happen.' And he was like, 'No, I just don't think that's going to happen.' And we watched the whole thing. Jenny: I don't remember when it aired because I notoriously do not watch a lot of the things that I'm in because they make me feel weird about myself and how I sound and look. What do you both remember about the day the finale aired, if anything? This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. But how has this scene in particular taken on a life of its own with a new generation-especially since some of TikTok's Gen Z users don't even know the origin of the clip? Schwartz and Slate have seen the memes, and below they discuss filming the scene and its second life on the internet.

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