Ben Schwartz discusses going ‘ultra viral’ for iconic ‘don’t be suspicious’ line

Hey, TikTok! Money please!

Ben Schwartz’s TikTok Viral Moment

According to Ben Schwartz, the biggest thing the actor has ever done in his career was Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on Parks and Recreation, given how quickly his “don’t be suspicious” scene with costar Jenny Slate blew up on social media. Countless TikTok users continue to use an audio sample from this to accompany various videos, from pets trying to sneak a snack to people generally acting odd.

The TikTok Phenomenon

It was “the biggest thing that has blown up in the biggest way,” in addition to something he didn’t know was happening initially, Schwartz tells Entertainment Weekly. He recalls a friend telling him about how TikTok works with audio sampling.

Behind the Scenes on TikTok

“I was like, ‘Oh! That’s so cool. If I were a kid, if I were a comedian at the beginning, that’d be so fun. You could collaborate with people.’ They go, ‘But you’re in one of them!'” Schwartz recalls. “And I go, ‘What do you mean?’ They showed me a dog slowly trying to steal some food. It was millions of these videos. That was one thing that became ultra viral that I don’t think people even know that it’s me doing the noise. They just think the sound is funny.”

Ben Schwartz’s Impression on TikTok

In season 7, episode 12 of Parks and Recreation, titled “One Last Ride, Part 1,” people gather for Jean-Ralphio’s funeral, not knowing he faked his death for the insurance money so that he and his sister, Mona-Lisa (Slate), could open a casino in Tajikistan. As they attempt to sneak away from cemetery, the two knucklehead siblings tell each other, “don’t be suspicious,” which then quickly spirals until both of them turned the phrase into a song and dance. It was a moment, Schwartz says, he and Slate improvised.

Continued TikTok Influence

“People, as a bit, sometimes will take GIFs of me and send them to me as a response to myself,” he adds. “Sometimes I’ll be like, ‘Oh yeah, I can’t make it. I’m so sorry,’ and then ‘don’t be suspicious’ or ‘you’re the worst'” — another popular Jean-Ralph GIF — “will come up. That’s usually how I see it.”

Schwartz will next be heard, if not seen on screen, in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, in theaters this Dec. 20. He also scored a role in Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, the upcoming BenDavid Grabinski-directed film with Eiza González, James Marsden, and Vince Vaughn.

You might say he’s currently…”flu-u-u-ushed with ca-a-a-ash.”

FAQs

What was Ben Schwartz’s biggest viral moment on TikTok?

Ben Schwartz’s biggest viral moment on TikTok was his “don’t be suspicious” scene from Parks and Recreation that quickly became a popular audio sample on the platform.

How did Ben Schwartz react to his TikTok fame?

Ben Schwartz was initially surprised by his TikTok fame and how users were using his audio sample in various videos, from pets to people acting odd.

Credit: ew.com