A Predictably Insightful Interview On Youth And Politics With Artisanal Human Nick Offerman

Nick Offerman is just as authentic in real life as he seems on-screen.

The actor and comedian most famous for his role as Ron Swanson in the incredible Parks And Recreation is touring Australia in a couple of weeks and will in the process transform us into a rugged, rustic country with all the strength and definition of a finely-whittled spoon. But it’s before this that I speak to him on the phone from the US. His voice has a distinct gravity and reverence that makes me fairly certain he could move a mountain just by demanding that it step aside. He feels crafted, like an artisanal human.

The sell-out tour was originally slated as The Summer of 69: No Apostrophe: a double-act with Megan Mullally, a comedic heavyweight in her own right who appeared in Parks and Rec as the infamous Tammy two, starred as Karen in the hit show Will And Grace and is married to Offerman in the real world where we all live. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts forced her to withdraw from the tour. But, in its place, Offerman will be performing his solo show Full Bush which he’s played to rave reviews around the US and Canada. This is probably good news for Australia, as frankly, this nation could not have handled such passion.

“I understand that the show will certainly be much less good looking than when the two of us are together,” he tells me. “It’s still going to be hopefully a very savoury repaste, but the dishes will be a lot heartier and we’re going to have to go without the cupcakes.”

“I was just absolutely gobsmacked that anybody would buy a ticket to see me in Australia and New Zealand. I hope they don’t find out that I measure things using the imperial system rather than metric because it is quite shameful.”

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“I’d Rather Shake Hands With Somebody Than Get Into A Fistfight”

Offerman describes his show Full Bush as “taking an old fashioned farming mentality and trying to apply it to the modern age of information and social media.” This is a philosophy that’s clearly grown from within. His passion for practical arts such as woodworking has shone through his work, which is all imbued with a romanticism towards the authentic and practical.

“I really enjoy using tools and being outside and knowing how to take care of myself without all the comforts of society, but that’s something you have to seek out. I would imagine Australia is probably similar that the urban population is probably not great at starting a fire without matches.”

Whether it’s through iconic characters like Ron Swanson or through his own stand up, Offerman has become an international symbol for a kind of thoughtful throwback from the digital to the tangible. Like Bruce Springsteen before him, Offerman’s brand of humble and honest hard work is quintessentially American. It’s an aspect he seems proud of, if selective about exactly what that means.

“I hope that I represent the good parts of America,” he says. “I understand wholeheartedly the shitty parts of America. I would not want them to infiltrate my country either. Even though I live here among them, I try to keep them out of my own sphere as best I can.”

Importantly, Offerman is careful to not mistake practicality for brutality. He’s very much in control of the image he projects and works to make sure it’s not manipulated into something with which he doesn’t agree.

“I remind people a lot of the time that I’m an actor and an artist. One of the characters I’ve played is a guy who has a certain amount of manliness but he’s just a practical guy. He uses tools. He’s a woodworker. He’s not afraid of pugilism but it’s also not his first choice. I look up to people like that. I’d rather shake hands with somebody than get into a fistfight.”

It seems Offerman has a certain respect for those who are contemplative, self-reflective and practical, and a disrespect for the self-aggrandising and deluded. This includes the so-called militia currently involved in a standoff in Oregon.

“There’s this thing going on in Oregon right now where some crackpots have taken over a remote bird sanctuary claiming they are somehow staging a coup against the tyranny of our government. I just find the whole thing so embarrassing and sad because we live in a nation that by and large is soft and comfortable. We are not required to be in the outback or under siege in any way. We simply have to decide if we’re going to drive a Chevy or a BMW or if we’re going to get our meal at McDonalds or Burger King.”

Incidents such as this have helped Australia to win over Offerman, particularly from a political standpoint.

“In general, especially since gun control is such a hot issue in America right now, I have such a respect and admiration for Australia for the deal that they put through; one that our powers seem to be ignoring. You want to say, ‘these folks seem like they have a pretty good idea, it worked pretty well, can’t we acknowledge that?’”

It’s hard not to notice that Offerman’s political statements have the same direct, no-nonsense philosophy apparent in so much of his work. Perhaps the defining element of his characters more than any other aspect is that they’re sensible and straightforward. Offerman himself believes it’s in part due to the nuances and complexities of our time that make his character Ron Swanson so beloved.

“People say they wish they had someone like that in their life because they have too many choices to make. Especially in the world of media, we want everything to be black and white when of course all aspects of the world are some shade of grey.”

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“More Woodworking And Knitting. Less Candy Crush.”

Despite his projected exterior, it would be a mistake to consider Offerman a luddite or dismissive of the digital world. He’s by no means a crotchety old man demanding you immediately get off his lawn. (Still, I would by no means recommend going on his lawn without permission, no matter how pristine it’s kept). He doesn’t dismiss the youth but rather seeks to understand and share his own wisdom with them.

“I try to keep an open mind,” he says. “The younger generation is so much smarter and more accomplished by the time they’re 18 than I am, yet they seem, for better or worse, able to split their focus between say, watching a theatre performance and typing on their smartphone. While initially that infuriates me, I try and take a step back and say okay, there’s good and bad to this.

“Anytime I am lucky enough to speak to an audience I try to convince them to engage in more woodworking and knitting and less Candy Crush.”

It’s a unique message and one that’s resonated with Offerman’s audience, quickly transforming him into an icon of ‘retro-masculinity’. But it seems this position is not merely borne out of a rejection of modern life but rather a nuanced comprehension of what it can give to us, and what is still lacking.

“A lot of my audience seems to really respond to the notion that when they’re fully engaging in the world of the internet and social media they can let it consume their lives. If they’re not doing work or engaging with another person they’re on their device, whether it’s their phone or laptop, and eventually they become very depressed.

“It’s something I recognised years ago and I thought that I could to speak to it because I’ve been there in my life. Sometimes with TV watching, sometimes with video games, and I had my own bouts with the internet and social media. My solution is just like with anything that’s an addictive escape whether it’s alcohol or drugs or a sex addiction or Facebook: to allow yourself enough of it that it’s pleasurable but don’t let it control your life.”

Of course, that’s not to say Offerman is buttoned-down and boring. In fact, his comedic edge was evident from his very first headshot.

As it turns out, the story behind this photo wasn’t just comedic but also practical and a defiant statement to the industry. Also, it’s very funny on account of the big prop dick.

“I’d just graduated theatre school,”Offerman says. “I was terrible at acting, I was 23 years old, but I was full of hubris and enthusiasm. I arrived in Chicago to start working as a professional and everyone in the business, agents and casting directors, began to pigeonhole me and say you’re a bus driver or a plumber or a rapist so you’re going to want headshots to reflect that.

“I was completely offended and said ‘Don’t you understand I’m amazing?’ because I was so ignorant. As an act of defiance I had that headshot done and sent it to everyone in Chicago. I thought it was very funny and at least two people agreed with me of the hundreds that received it.”

It might be silly, but that headshot also speaks to what makes Offerman such an interesting and unique talent. It’s serious, yet hilarious. There’s an inescapable masculinity (you know, on account of the gigantic dick) but it’s without bravado or aggression. Offerman is one of the most popular comedic talents working in the world today but that’s only the beginning of what makes him interesting.

He stands for the old fashioned but not the ignorant. He respects hard work, manners and taking pride in what you do, whatever you do. People notice that. It means something.

As we signed off he ended the chat by saying “Good work” and for some strange reason those two words hung in the air. They had a gravitas that can only come from someone you respect greatly, and who has earned that respect. Dad had spoken.

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Full Bush is touring Australia and New Zealand from January 29. If you don’t already have a ticket either buy one now or carve one out of wood before it’s too late.

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James Colley is a political satirist and professional idiot. More from him at jamcolley.com or @JamColley.