Chris Pratt Stood Up Against Mean-Spirited Jokes on ‘Parks and Recreation’

Jim O’Heir, beloved for his role as Jerry Gergich on Parks and Recreation, has revealed a heartwarming anecdote about co-star Chris Pratt in his new book, Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation. The book includes a candid conversation where Pratt reflects on his discomfort with some of the jokes directed at O’Heir’s character.

O’Heir’s Jerry was the sitcom’s lovable punching bag, often mocked by his colleagues and called by the wrong names like Gary, Larry, or Terry. While the humor resonated with fans, Pratt admitted he sometimes felt the jokes crossed a line.

“I’m not a huge fan of mean-spirited humor,” Pratt shared. “If it’s funny, it’s a joke. But if it’s mean for the sake of being mean, I don’t love that. I cared about Jim and wanted to make sure he was okay.”

Pratt recalled a specific incident involving a printer gag where a piece of paper read, “Jerry sucks.” He voiced his concerns, saying, “I don’t think that’s funny.” While Pratt typically went along with the show’s humor, moments like these made him speak up.

O’Heir, however, assured Pratt that he never took the jokes personally. “You checking in on me meant the world,” O’Heir told him. “You have the biggest heart.”

This glimpse behind the scenes highlights the bond between the cast of Parks and Recreation, proving that the show’s off-screen friendships were just as strong as the on-screen laughs.