10 Years Later: Jay Jackson Reveals the Surprising Perd Hapley Line Fans Still Shout
Parks and Recreation star Jay Jackson discusses the most requested Perd Hapley lines 10 years after the series finale. Discover why the '1.5 stars' line is a fan favorite.
Even a decade after the cameras stopped rolling in Pawnee, one local broadcaster's voice still echoes in the streets. Jay Jackson, the actor behind the wonderfully literal Perd Hapley on Parks and Recreation, recently shared that fans haven't stopped quoting his character since the show ended in 2015.
The Unexpected Popularity of Parks and Recreation's Perd Hapley
According to Entertainment Weekly, Jackson is often surprised by the specific lines fans choose to highlight. While tourists often shout general greetings, the most requested line on Cameo and on the street is a deep cut from Season 5. Fans constantly ask him to repeat: "It's a heartwarming story, but it's just not believable. Which is why I give it one-and-a-half stars."
Jackson admits he doesn't quite understand the fascination with that particular quote. "I don't even know why they want to hear it, because it wasn't one of the main lines of the show," he told EW. Another fan favorite involves the moment Perd realizes he isn't actually holding his microphone during a broadcast.
From Real-Life Reporting to Pawnee Legend
Before becoming a cult icon in Pawnee, Jay Jackson spent decades as a professional broadcast journalist, notably with KCAL9 News in Los Angeles. He revealed that Perd Hapley's unique cadence was inspired by real-life newsman Furnell Chatman. By mixing his own serious reporter voice with Chatman's "over the top" delivery, Jackson created a character that remains a fan favorite 10 years later.
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