30 Push-Ups for One Flub? Adam Scott's Intense 'Parks and Rec' Ritual Revealed

It's a comedy show, but the workout was dead serious. Adam Scott, known for playing the lovable nerd Ben Wyatt on NBC's 'Parks and Recreation', had a punishing routine for whenever he messed up a line. According to costar Jay Jackson, who played the iconic newsman Perd Hapley, Scott didn't just apologize—he hit the floor.

The 30-Push-Up Penalty

Jackson shared with Entertainment Weekly that Scott was a "no-nonsense" actor on set. Whenever he'd flub a line, Scott would immediately drop and do 25 to 30 push-ups. "I don't know if it was punishment or to get his mind focused," Jackson recalled, "but he'd come back and do the scene to get his mind right."

For Jackson, who spent 22 years as a real broadcast journalist before turning to acting, this display of "craft" was both shocking and respectable. While he was used to the grim reality of news reporting, the sheer intensity of a sitcom actor trying to perfect a joke was a whole new world.

Aziz Ansari’s Eye Rolls

Not everyone on set was as stoic about the push-ups. Aziz Ansari, who played Tom Haverford, often mocked the ritual with a classic eye roll. "Whenever it would happen, Aziz would go, 'Oh boy, here come the push-ups,'" Jackson said. Despite the comedy of the situation, Scott's dedication never wavered.

This level of focus isn't surprising to fans who've followed Scott's career. His transition from comedy to the hauntingly intense drama 'Severance'—which earned him Emmy nominations—proves that his discipline pays off. It turns out that those seven seasons of 'Parks and Rec' were a masterclass in professional grit.