remember when: CAST of PARKS AND RECREATION

It's been a while since we ventured into Remember When territory, but seeing as though tonight's big NBC comedy premiere is the long-awaited third season of Parks and Recreation (in fact, it's airing right as we speak), I figured it was time to take a stroll down memory lane (oh, and I realize I skipped Aziz - he just hasn't had a whole lot of appearances outside of P&R)...

The eventual SNL go-to and one-time MVP Amy Poehler made a few brief appearances as Andy Richter's little sister on Late Night with Conan O'Brien before donning Leslie Knope's power suits.

Mustachioed Ron Swanson portrayer Nick Offerman wasn't always so stiff-collared - one of his first appearances was as a chain-smoking rocker in the fourth-season opener of ER.

Though Rashida Jones has been around Hollywood since birth thanks to dad Quincy Jones, before her regular role as a teacher on Boston Public, she had a villainous appearance on Freaks and Geeks.

Before the stoic April Ludgate became Aubrey Plaza's career-making role, she had a one-line bit part on an episode of 30 Rock as a - get this - enthusiastic and perky NBC page.

Though he was discovered while waitering at Bubba Gump by actress Rae Dawn Chong and cast in her movie project, Chris Pratt's breakout role was on The WB's Everwood.

Before turning on the funny playing Mark Brandanowitz, Paul Schneider had a penchant for indie dramas, including co-starring with Zooey Deschanel in All the Real Girls.

When she wasn't working the stand-up comedy circuit, Donna portrayer Retta made her first on-screen appearance as a sassy (surprised?) restaurant hostess on Moesha.

Before becoming the office joke Jerry Gergich, Jim O'Heir had loads of TV appearances, including an early one as a barhound in an episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun.