In 2009, NBC gave a shot to another "mockumentary" type of show, called 'Parks And Recreation'. It is safe to say that the show was a big hit, lasting seven seasons and 126 episodes. Fans might argue the show deserved more time and a few additional seasons. What made the show so special is the fact that a lot of it was actually improvised. Chris Pratt recalls eating 16 racks of ribs, just because he had no lines and wanted to make the cast laugh.
Pratt also recalls putting on a lot of weight and the creators being totally fine with it and even encouraging more, "I remember in the first couple of seasons, just unintentionally, I’d gotten a little fat and I was watching the episodes. I was like, ‘Oh God Chris, you really let yourself go,'” he recalled. “And then I was like, ‘But this is some of the funniest stuff you’ve ever done.’ And I went to Mike Schur, our creator, and I said, ‘I wanna gain like another 30-40 pounds.’ And he was like, ‘Ok.’ And so I did.”
It was much the opposite for Pratt when it was time for 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. On the contrary, he got in the best shape of his life. We saw his range in the film and how great he can be in a different role - which leads to the main question, why didn't he abort on Parks And Rec sooner?
Having The Time Of His Life
Yes, opportunities arose during his time on the show. However, Pratt made it clear, not once did the thought enter his mind, "Oh, man, it’s funny that you would ask that because it never once occurred to me… I’ve never even asked myself the question. That was never… That would never happen. I would never ever leave this show!”
For Pratt, the special connection he had built with the others on the show, was far more important than an extra pay, "You know, I’ve been in this business for 15 years, and I’m realizing the things that really matter about what you’re doing, for me at least, are just the relationships you have while you’re doing it. And for me, this show… I mean, I hope that I could possibly have the good fortune of finding another group of people like this, but I don’t expect I ever will. I don’t care how much money someone would offer me or what I could be offered, I wouldn’t abandon ship. There’s no way. This team was awesome, and the process of making this show spoke to me and was so perfect for me like the way I like to work. Like it’s loose, and it’s fun, and you get to try something new every take, and you get to you have the opportunity of making Amy Poehler laugh or making Adam Scott laugh."
We love the fact that Pratt stayed loyal to the show. Ultimately, the bond with the cast and the success of the show kept him there throughout the show's journey. He would become a huge film star following the show's end.
Sources: IGN & EW
