SerpApi.Org
As with almost every sitcom, Parks and Recreation has occasionally incorporated jokes that may or may not land among some of the show's cast members.
In the case of prominent star Rashida Jones, for examples, such a joke took the form of a seemingly purposeful dig at her personal connection to the music industry.
As Jones revealed during a 2025 appearance on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast, Parks and Rec's writers specifically included a joke in the episode, "Sweet Sixteen," that referenced the star's background in R and B.
In said episode, Jones' character admits to not having heard of the Grammy nominee, Ginuwine, leading Tom to remark that "not loving '90s R and B" is number three on his "Oh no no list."
Discussing the scene on the podcast, Poehler asked Jones whether Jones had to pull out some impressive acting abilities to truly sell the joke.
“It’s still one of my biggest complaints,” Jones said of the scene.
As many fans of the show and/or Jones might recall, the actress is the daughter of famed R and B star Quincy Jones, best known for his seven decade career in the genre and for winning a grand total of 28 Grammy Awards in the music industry.
Above all things, Jones' biggest complaint regarding the joke had to do with her personal love for '90s R and B, with Genuwine himself remaining one of her personal idols and favorite musicians.
“I remember we did the table read for that,” she continued, “and I was like, ‘No, no. No one’s going to buy it, because I don’t buy it. Pick anybody else on this cast to try and play that in an honest way. It is so unfair that you’re making me do this.’ It still hurts. It really hurts.”
