"Philly Justice" - Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Transcript

Mike Schur (0:01)

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Amy Poehler (0:30)

Welcome everyone to a very special episode of Good Hang. This is kind of an episode for our listeners. For fans of Parks and Rec, for fans of Good Hang, we have been kind of teasing this thing called Philly justice, which is a fake idea of a TV show that was created on the set of Parks and Rec that we made a 1 1/2 minute trailer for. And we've been talking about the existence of it for a while and we've been listening to you. Your comments have been saying things like, Amy, you cannot be gatekeeping comedy at this at a time like this, or the entire world is in shambles. Amy, please give us Philly justice so we have a reason to live. Or in the name of Lil Sebastian, please. So people are asking to see this dumb thing that we did and we thought why not premiere it only on Good Hang. It's the only place you can see it slash hear it is on this podcast. And who better to talk about the creation of this particular little inside joke that was on Parks and Rec than the creator of Parks and Recreation, the wonderful, amazing Mike Schur. Mike Schur is a producer of all the shows that you love. Mike helped work on the American version of the Office. He went on to create Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn 9 9, the Good Place. He's in his second season of a Man on the Inside at Netflix. He is just an incredible writer, friend, person in the world, and I love him dearly and owe a lot to him. Nothing pleases Mike more than this kind of dumb joke and idea. So Mike is my guest today. We're gonna talk about Philly justice, the creation of it, and we're gonna all watch it together. We're also gonna talk about other things. We're gonna talk about the beginning of Parks and Recreation. We're about meeting at snl. We're going to talk about systems and how important they are to both of us. That work is a place of joy. We're going to talk about all the crazy names he likes to come up with for his characters and we're going to be visited by some very Special actors Rashida Jones, Adam Scott. We're going to hear from a bunch of people who were in Parks and Recreation and in Philly justice, but who are telling us about how we made it, including the great Morgan Sackett, who is a producer on a lot of the shows Mike and I work on. He's an incredible producer and he's gonna let us. He's gonna remind us how we got away with making this dumb trailer. So there's a lot of things going on, but basically. Interview with Mike Schur. We're gonna talk to the cast of Philly Justice. We're gonna watch this minute and a half trailer for the, hopefully the first and only time here on Good Hang. And this one is for. This one's for the fans. This one is for the fans. We heard you loud and clear. We're giving it to you. We don't like to tease around here. We. We like to please and we like to squeeze, and we like to do it with ease. Is this sounding any less gross? Okay. All right, let's get started. Welcome to Good Hang. This message is brought to you by Apple Card calculators make complicated things simple. Like finding the square root of PI, figuring out how long you should tan, whether or not you should cosign for a car, and whatever those other buttons mean. What's not complicated? Earning daily cash back with Apple Card. You earn up to 3% daily cash on products at Apple, 2% on all other Apple Card with Apple Pay purchases, and 1% on anything you buy with your titanium Apple Card. See simple as 3, 2, 1. And Apple Card made it even easier by building a calculator. Love a good calculator. Visit Apple Co Card calculator today and see how much daily cash you can earn with Apple Card. Subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch terms and more@applecard.com I'm sure. I realize I'm with probably the most accomplished podcaster I've interviewed yet is you.

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Philly Justice" Episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Release Date: May 20, 2025

Introduction to "Philly Justice"

In this special episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Amy delves into an inside joke from the set of Parks and Recreation—the creation of a fictional TV show titled "Philly Justice". Responding to fan demand, Amy premieres a 1½-minute trailer of this mock show and brings on Mike Schur, the mastermind behind Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and The Good Place, to discuss its origins.

"Philly justice is a fake TV show that we made up. This small inside joke on set laugh grew into a beast that is still discussed today."
— Amy Poehler [00:30]

The Importance of Creative Systems

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the importance of structured systems in fostering creativity. Mike Schur emphasizes that strong systems provide the foundation for creative freedom, allowing teams to produce their best work without falling into chaos.

"I believe that people do their best work when there's a strong system that also allows for freedom within the system."
— Mike Schur [11:26]

Amy agrees, highlighting their collaborative experience on Parks and Recreation as a testament to maintaining creativity without disorder.

The Genesis of "Philly Justice"

"Philly Justice" originated during the fourth season of Parks and Recreation, amidst the depiction of Leslie Knope's political aspirations. A behind-the-scenes photo of the cast in formal attire sparked the humorous idea of a legal drama set in Philadelphia. This playful concept was embraced by the writers and gradually evolved into detailed scripts and character backstories.

"We were all in the mode of that kind of show... and by the way, this is very important for everyone to understand."
— Mike Schur [45:01]

Character Naming and Development

Mike Schur shares his passion for inventive character names, inspired by Monty Python's penchant for quirky nomenclature. He strives to create unique names that avoid real-life associations, ensuring originality and preventing legal issues.

"I decided that every character who appeared on the show was going to have a first and last name... I go for the weirdest names."
— Mike Schur [35:01]

Examples include:

Trod Frankenstein – A local reporter with a peculiar name.
Tyrion Fonzarelli – A blend of iconic TV characters.
Ophelio Pippepipepi – An entirely unique creation.

Production and Execution

The trio explains how the fictional "Philly Justice" was not intended for public release but grew organically as the writers enjoyed creating elaborate backstories and scripts. Utilizing existing sets from Parks and Recreation, they clandestinely filmed scenes, giving life to the mock show without formal announcements or plans for distribution.

"There was not a point to this. It wasn't like, we're gonna put this on the DVD or we're going to."
— Mike Schur [49:23]

Premiere of the "Philly Justice" Trailer

The episode culminates in the premiere of the "Philly Justice" trailer, a tongue-in-cheek courtroom drama that satirizes traditional legal shows. The trailer, lasting approximately one and a half minutes, features witty dialogues and exaggerated character archetypes, embodying the playful spirit of its creation.

[Trailer Transcript Highlights]
"The show that broke all the rules."
"Of course, they're never going to let me in their little club and experience."
"Pink, John, Adam Poehler, Rashida Jones, Kathryn Hahn, and Dylan McDermott. I'm a judge now, and you're guilty."
"Welcome to Philly, bitch."

Guest Interactions and Reflections

Alongside Mike Schur, the episode features appearances from Rashida Jones, Morgan Sackett, and Adam Scott, who contribute anecdotes about the playful production process and the camaraderie among the cast. They reflect on the seamless blend of humor and creativity that made "Philly Justice" a beloved behind-the-scenes project.

"We decided every character needs a first and last name, so no more 'man in crowd'."
— Mike Schur [35:01]

Looking Forward

Amy teases future collaborations and potential expansions of "Philly Justice," hinting at more episodes or projects inspired by this creative venture. The episode wraps up with heartfelt thanks to the guests and a final viewing of the "Philly Justice" trailer.

"Thank you, Mike and Morgan, for making Philly Justice a reality. Let's get Philly justice back together."
— Amy Poehler [73:47]

Notable Quotes:

"I'm just going to have this Kate can do it. This isn't gonna work. We're gonna give up the Super Bowl slot."
— Mike Schur [32:12]
"Everyone in New York already knew you. And I was just like that."
— Mike Schur [22:24]
"Rashida said, someone had said we look like we're in a legal drama. And I think Rasheeda maybe just said Philly justice."
— Mike Schur [46:35]

Conclusion

This episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler offers an engaging glimpse into the creative processes behind beloved TV shows and showcases the enduring friendship and collaboration between Amy Poehler and Mike Schur. By unveiling "Philly Justice," listeners gain insight into the spontaneous and joyous moments that fuel successful television productions.