Take a walk back in time to explore some of the more unique odd jobs from the past with Chris Parnell in This Job Is History. Parnell makes his podcast hosting debut in the Wondery series, which sees the comedian playing a version of himself as he interviews a variety of people from the past and get some insight for their bizarre and unexpected jobs that have since been lost to history.
Having risen to stardom with his time in the Groundlings and on Saturday Night Live, Parnell has become a household name thanks to his performances both in front of and behind the camera, including such live-action hits as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and 30 Rock and beloved animated shows Rick and Morty and Archer. Wonderfully tapping into his sense of humor, This Job Is History marks the perfect podcast hosting debut for Parnell and for fans of both the comedian and history.
Screen Rant recently got the opportunity to chat with Parnell to discuss This Job Is History, some of the more unique jobs explored through the podcast, his thoughts on hosting more podcasts, the futures of Rick and Morty and Archer, and more.
Parnell on This Job Is History
Screen Rant: I know I always say I'm excited to talk about whatever we are talking about, but you always come to me with great projects, and This Job Is History is another wonderful project that you have in the works. I am a few episodes behind, but I've been listening to it since it launched, and it's a lot of fun. How did the concept for this podcast really come about?
Chris Parnell: Well, I would love to take credit for the concept, but it came from the fine people at Wondery. I don't honestly know what that process was, but they came to me and told me about it and said, "Would I be interested?" And I was like, "Yeah, that sounds like fun," and then we had a couple of online meetings to talk about it and what it should be, but in terms of the creation and the writing thereof, they certainly deserve almost all, if not all, the credit.
Were you at all involved in helping with the writing of the scripts for each episode, or was that all on their part?
Chris Parnell: No, that's all on their part, they're open to me tweaking things as I want to, but they're really good scripts they sent from the beginning. So, the only thing that I and Elise, who plays my producer Linda, or whoever the guests are, there are moments where we get to improvise, so we'll do some of that. But, no, it's written by people who are very good writers.
Now, are you given the opportunity to do your own research into the jobs you're going to explore each episode ahead of time, or do you kind of go off of what they give you?
Chris Parnell: Well, they send me a brief of all the research they've done about the job that we're going to be talking about in that particular episode. So, I read those and it's they're handing me the research materials they found, so it makes it a lot easier for me.
Is there any one that you've read so far that you've been wanting to dive into further on your own outside of the show?
Chris Parnell: I mean, they're all interesting, but I have a pretty limited amount of time to do anything that's not just working or being with my kids, so I haven't delved in anything any further.
Even though they are all such fascinating jobs, is there any one that you've really enjoyed getting the opportunity to explore thus far?
Chris Parnell: Yeah, I mean, they're all pretty interesting to me. The first one we did, Funeral Clown, was kind of amazing, just the juxtaposition of those two words, "funeral" and "clown", like, "How is this possible?" But, apparently it was a thing back in ancient — I can't remember if it was Rome or Greece. I know it's a big difference, but I can't remember. [Chuckles] We recorded that quite a long time ago, but yeah, there are always things that come up like a Resurrectionist or Alchemist. I'd heard of that, but to sort of learn more of the specifics of what that meant at the time, it's always interesting.
Obviously, with vocal recording, it can be done individually, but have you gotten the opportunity to actually record alongside your co-stars for these episodes?
Chris Parnell: I usually do, yeah, I've recorded a few times from my booth back here at home. But I usually go in most of the time, and Elise, who plays Linda, she almost always records from New York, but she actually did happen to be in LA one time for a record session, so that was nice to get to meet her in person. And then, we have a cast of actors that sort of rotate through for different parts, and then a new person will come along every now and then, but yeah, most of the time I get to record with my fellow actors, and that's usually somebody who comes from an improv background.
So, is it hard almost for you to then pull back and make sure you're sticking to what's there, or do you have fun,really going in and improvising with your fellow co stars?
Chris Parnell: It's not hard to stick to what's there, and they're flexible enough that they're very open to whatever I come up with, but they're not generally super big chunks that we improvise. There's room for an exchange back and forth and sometimes, we definitely find good stuff that way. But, I haven't been onstage improvising in so, so long, so the only time I find myself improvising is if it's in a TV show, or occasionally in a movie, or in This Job is History, which is probably where I do it most regularly. But yeah, I give it my best, I feel a bit rusty overall in the improv arena, but it's fun to do.
Well, there you go, this show opens that door back up for you then to start exploring it more. I don't recall if there's been a set number of episodes, do you know how many jobs they have lined up for you to explore?
Chris Parnell: I think the setup is we're going to do 18, and then I guess, depending on how that goes, they will potentially give us 40 something more for this first season. I don't know if they've got all the jobs lined up, I suspect they do, or I suspect they're close to it if they don't have them all, because we've got a number of recording dates lined up. I just got my materials for what I'm actually recording tomorrow, so yeah, obviously they have to stay ahead of it, and get everything in order, and get the scripts approved before we actually go into the record.
I know you don't want to necessarily spoil what you have coming up, but can you give me some hints of some of the jobs that you're going to be exploring in your next records?
Chris Parnell: Let me look up what the one is tomorrow. Oh, this one, we're going to do Phone Booth Repair Woman, that's coming up tomorrow, we'll be recording, and then I have no idea when it will actually start to stream. But, I don't honestly know which ones have been put online yet or not, but like I said, there's Alchemist, there's Resurrectionist, there's World War II Pigeonnier, and quite a few others that we've recorded that I'm not in on it enough to know what's actually been put out there yet. [Laughs]
Well, you're a busy man, I can't fault you for that! And, like you say, these are recorded so far in advance that you never know what's coming up, I remember with Rick and Morty, when we've talked about that show, you had a similar thing where you were like, "Oh, it's been so long, I can't tell you what I don't remember."
Chris Parnell: I know it's true, it's true! I recorded several episodes today just before this for season 7, I think we wrapped up season 7, they will probably go back and do some re-records, but yeah, I think we're very close to being done with the recording of season 7. It has to be animated, they have the animatics, but it's still going to be finished out from an animation point of view, and then they're already writing season 8.
Exciting news on that front, then, as a Rick and Morty fan, I always love to hear that. Coming back to the podcast, I love the tone of it, it's such a great combination of informative and playful at the same time. How much of that came from from you finding that in the booth and with the direction, and how much of that came from the scripts themselves?
Chris Parnell: A lot of it's in the performance, the scripts are certainly playful, and very well-written. I think when they approached me about it, they had a sense of who I am and the kinds of things I do, obviously, and I think they just had a sense that the tone that they were looking for was going to be very much in my wheelhouse. The challenge, I guess, for me is trying to make sure I'm connected to the other actors as opposed to just reading the lines. The more I can act it and sort of be present for, I think the easier it is to listen to, the less rote or stilted it is, but, that's generally always the case. And then I usually have to play another character or two in the script often, so I try to figure out what those characters are going to be beforehand, so I'm prepared, because I can wing it, but it's better if I plan ahead.
So in speaking of coming up with all of these characters, your voice is one of the most well-known ones at this point, whether it be from Progressive ads, or Archer or Rick and Morty, but for a lot of audiences in recent years, with Archer and Rick and Morty, they're used to that certain kind of character that you're generally used to playing. What is it like for you to branch out and voice other kinds of characters from these weaker kinds of guys, even someone like George Washington in the new Night at the Museum movie that you just did?
Chris Parnell: It's just fun, it's just nice to get to do as many different kinds of things as possible. It's why doing the Groundlings was so fun, it's why doing Saturday Night Live was was so fun. When you're not just gonna be this kind of put upon, sort of weakling, pathetic kind of guy. In the context of Rick and Morty, and Archer, they explore Jerry and explore Cyril a lot, so they're not just that, but yeah, it's nice to get to do other things, it's fun to be able to be as many different things as possible.
Is there any character so far in the podcasts that you've loved getting to help bring a life outside of, of course, playing yourself?
Chris Parnell: Let's see if I can remember, Grant. [Chuckles] There's been a lot of British characters, though I don't know that I can remember the specifics of any of them. But, I always feel like I would never play an English character on screen or in film, not in any kind of serious way, certainly. So, I try not to take myself too seriously and accept that I'll do the best I can with a British accent, but it's not gonna be pristine. But, quite a few of our guests who come in, the other actors, are very good at it, even Elise is. I do okay, but there are a lot of Brits in there.
So, what do you then think is the key to finding that right balance in a fake British accent between cartoonish and just comedic enough?
Chris Parnell: Well, you know, it kind of depends on what the nature of the scene we're recreating is, so usually, it veers more towards — well, I don't know, I was gonna say it veers more towards the cartoonish, but I'm usually just doing it the best I can, just trying to, when I feel like it's right, tilt it towards a more comedic interpretation, which is usually the case. But, sometimes you're just going to try to make the scene happen in a way that makes sense, and is as believable as possible.
These are the scenes that we do, where we recreate an event from the past with a guest who is from the past, and Elise, also, will pretty much always play other voices too. Sometimes, we'll have other actors come in just to do those recreated portions, or maybe an extra actor, because whoever's the main guest can do lots of things, they're very versatile, so they'll probably do the main character in the reenactment, but then we might even have another actor come in to do another part to just just mix it up.
Is there any guest actor that you really enjoyed getting to perform alongside for these episodes so far?
Chris Parnell: Well, they're all kind of amazing. Mary Birdsong has come in quite a few times for us, and she is always a delight and fantastic. I'm gonna forget most of the other actors names off the top of my head, David, I'm forgetting your last name, and then there's me there's so many good actors who come in. But, I guess Mary's the one that I've worked with the mos, she's brilliant.
I've always been a fan of Mary's, especially coming off of RENO 911!. With her then brought up, with your own past in sketch comedy, and RENO 911! back with new episodes and specials, have you talked to her at all about trying to join them for one of their crazy adventures they have in the works?
Chris Parnell: No, I'm so out of it, Grant, I didn't even know that was happening. I had no idea that was happening with RENO 911!, but that's great, that's awesome. If they want to have me be a part of it, that would be amazing. But no, she and I haven't talked about it, because I didn't know it was happening.
Well, maybe if she comes back for a future episode of This Job Is History, you'll have to throw it out there, be like, "Hey, I heard RENO's back, you got anything?"
Chris Parnell: Yeah, I'll definitely nag her. [Chuckles]
So now, if I recall from my research, this is your first dive into podcasts?
Chris Parnell: Yeah, certainly in terms of hosting one, I've been a guest on a lot of podcasts, but was the first time to host one.
Obviously, you're familiar with voice acting, but how does it compare for you between recording for a podcast versus recording for an animated show or commercial?
Chris Parnell: Well, with This Job Is History, I'm being a version of myself, it's me, but it's me who's more excitable and sort of invested in what the story is going on more than I necessarily am about most things in my life. [Laughs] Not that I'm a curmudgeon, per se, but it's a show, so you have to bring a certain amped-up energy, so it's about that, it's being a more upbeat version of myself.
But, ultimately, it is a kind of acting, because it's not just me, so it's mixing that part of me in there with trying to really connect with the other actors, so that it feels personable, because the first time I listened to one of our episodoes, I thought, "Okay, yeah, that's not bad, but I feel like I can personalize it more, I feel like I can make it more intimate and try to have more of a connection with the other people in there," and hopefully still keep the energy where it needs to be, but just connect better in a way that sounds more believable. Just people having a conversation.
So then with that said, what would you say are some of the biggest talking points you have going into recording sessions with your other actors to find a way to connect with them as a person before they dive into their characters?
Chris Parnell: When you're working with people who know what they're doing, you kind of don't need to, really. In my experience, I do that if I'm shooting like a part in a movie, where I maybe some heavy scenes or something, and I'll meet the other actor ahead of time, and we'll talk about it, we'll just get to know each other. But with something like this, they've done hundreds of shows, and I have, and so there's just an expectation that when you're working at a certain level of professionalism, the other people are just going to be able to bring it, and that's the case, certainly, it always has been with This Job Is History.
I'm glad that you've had that connection with those people. So, now that you've gotten into the podcast field, what are your thoughts about either creating your own podcast, or hosting another one in a comedy show format?
Chris Parnell: I'm certainly open to hosting something if somebody presents me with something, I'm open to doing something else. I don't necessarily have a drive to try to create my own, I'm more interested in trying to create maybe a TV show, or something like that, any kind of energy I have creatively like that will probably be channelled towards an on-camera sort of project. Because, as much as I love doing the voiceover, and I'm very thankful that I get to do it, I still prefer, if I have a choice, to do in-person acting on-camera. This Job Is History is one of the few things where I do get to be present with at least some of the other actors, and because of Zoom, it can also feel like there's a certain intimacy there, too, but it's fun to be on a set and be with other people doing your thing.
Especially, like you said, when you have a history of SNL and such where you you have so many people that you get to work with on on set at any given time, versus now, you have mostly technicians, and maybe one other actor over Zoom. So, hopefully, you get more on-screen time in the future, even going back to Anchorman, as small of a role as Garth was, he's still one of the standouts for me.
Chris Parnell: Aww, thanks Grant.
For my final couple of questions, I did want to look away from the podcast, as someone who is an SNL vet, and who has been a sort of spokesperson for a company, I don't know if you saw the news yesterday, but Maya Rudolph is now going to be the main M&M's spokesperson. Having worked with her before, what are your thoughts on her now taking up a big spokesperson job in a similar vein to your turn as the Progressive Box?
Chris Parnell: Well, I assume she's gonna be on camera, in person, as opposed to just being the voice of an animated box like I was, but Maya can do anything. Maya is an incredible impressionist, she's a great actor, she's a great singer, she's really funny, and she's very personable, and she's very likeable. So, choosing her, I think was very wise on their part.
Maya can't do any wrong, even when she goes into drama, she's always phenomenal watch. You teased earlier that Rick and Morty season 7's recordings were wrapping. Obviously, that show is generally under lock and key as far as story details go, but what can you tell me what we can expect from the next season?
Chris Parnell: I'm trying to remember. I don't think there's really — if I could remember something. [Laughs] I kind of remember what we did today, but yeah, I don't think I can really talk about any of it, we like to keep it all as secret as possible.
As an actor, when you go into interviews, how do you feel about having to keep so much of it to yourself, especially when you can tell that the interviewer, such as myself, gets really excited to want to talk about that subject?
Chris Parnell: Well, it's a little frustrating, because yeah, you want to be able to share what's going on, but, in the interest of the show, it's better to keep it under wraps. And then honestly, as I've mentioned before, I think in other interviews with you, I forget them after I've recorded one, I kind of forget it, and that's usually because I'm just there by myself in the booth.
Well, actually, I'm always there by myself in the booth, and then there'll be Ricky, our engineer in the control room, and then I'll be talking to Scott Marder and Suzanne Belk on the Zoom, and Scott will be directing. But yeah, especially when I see Rick and Morty, or Archer, it's a delight, because I am seeing it for the first time, but also I've probably forgotten most of what I recorded and most of what the episode is about, so it's like getting it all fresh.
Hopefully we get those details soon then, because it's always great to see what comes from the Smith family. Since we've touched on Archer a little bit, can you give me any kind of insight on how the future of that show's looking?
Chris Parnell: I think you got a pretty good sense of the big shift that happened with season 13 without Mallory around, sadly, without Jessica. But yeah, I think it's gonna be more of us doing spy stuff, but we've just started recording season 14, so it remains to be seen what else is gonna happen.
Well, there we go, that's good news that you're already back at work on the next season! But, on that note of Jessica, I talked with Jon and Aisha and Lucky right before season 13, and heard their thoughts on it, but how did it feel for you going into that season and recording knowing she wouldn't be a part of the group this time around?
Chris Parnell: Well, we had been briefed beforehand about how they were going to handle that, and they did it in a brilliant, really sweet and loving way. Feeling like that was her departure from the show, and her departure from life, was handled in a sensitive, I think, beautiful way, as long as we did right by Jessica, hopefully. I like the direction it's going, you can't replace Jessica, nobody's trying to, she brought a certain thing to the show that's just going to be gone, but we get to keep doing it, thankfully.
Yes, her energy will always be missed. For my very final question, there has always been talks swirling about a potential live-action Archer movie, and I'm curious what your thoughts are on that potentially happening, and whether you think it would work as a live-action movie, or if it should stay animated, especially since Jon finally got The Bob's Burgers Movie recently?
Chris Parnell: I'd love it if it happened, especially if I was involved with it. If it happens, that would be very cool. But, I don't know that there's an assurance that any of us would get to play our actual characters. I think, if anything, it might be more likely to have an animated movie version of the show, but I'm open to whatever.
I would be happy with it, especially if it stayed animated, although I will say, my idea has always been for the actors who can't come back for live-action, they dub the original actors' voice over the live-action stars, get the best of both worlds.
Chris Parnell: I don't know that you're gonna get too many actors who want to have their voices dubbed in English. [Chuckles]
That's fair, but the one fancast I always see for Archer is Jon Hamm, and he seems like he's a pretty fun guy to the point he could be down to have H. Jon Benjamin voice over him for the movie!
Chris Parnell: He is a fun guy, he's a good guy. I don't know how he'd feel about that. I can't speak for Jon, but I think he would probably feel like he could bring enough of Jon's style to the live-action version that that wouldn't be necessary, but you can also put a wig on Jon and dapper him up. [Laughs]
About This Job Is History
Where the oddest jobs from the past meet a comedian from the present… and it’s awkward! On this weekly show, Chris Parnell (SNL, Rick and Morty) welcomes guests who have held some of human history’s most unexpected and downright bizarre jobs: funeral clowns, garden hermits, VHS clerks, and everything in between. With the help of his tireless producer, Chris hears from the essential workers from decades and centuries past. Because before there were actual medical doctors, there were barber surgeons. And before there was Instacart, there were milkmen. Wondery’s This Job Is History is a funny, absurd, and informative look into how time can change the way we live and work.
This Job is History airs new episodes Mondays on Wondery.