Nick Offerman, the actor who plays Ron Swanson on the NBC series “Parks and Recreation,” has been around for years, but few of us noticed because he wasn’t yet “Ron Swanson.” He was simply Nick Offerman, a struggling actor with a boat-building side job that bounced around in bit parts in a series of movie and television shows. In fact, for much of his career, Offerman went up against Rainn Wilson for the same parts, and the two developed a friendship during those auditions. That’s how Offerman landed the job of Ron Swanson: Rainn Wilson put him in touch with Greg Daniels, the showrunner of “The Office,” while Daniels was developing “Parks and Recreation.”

Pre-”Parks and Recreation,” very few of us might have known that he was married to Megan Mullally (they met while doing a stage production together in 2000), but for the most part — despite 45 roles or so before landing “Parks and Recreation” — no one had a clue who he was, even though he was an occasional presence in our television lives.

Here are the highlights of his pre-Swanson career, with a NSFW warning on the last slide, which depicts his full-frontal presence on “Deadwood” back in 2004.

In 2004, while his wife Megan Mullally was hosting “Saturday Night Live,” Offerman made a cameo appearance in a Golden Globes sketch.

In 2001, Nick Offerman played the boyfriend of Megan Mullally’s character on a special one-hour Thanksgiving episode of “Will and Grace.”

In the first season of “The West Wing,” Offerman played Jerry in an episode titled “The Crackpots and These Women.” You can watch that clip here.

In 2005, Offerman played Schlubb in Sin City, the Fat Man who (along with Little Man) were a pair of low-rent hit men with “delusions of eloquence” who use pretentious, pseudo-poetic words in daily conversation to mask the fact that they’re both incredibly stupid and incompetent at their chosen occupation.”

In 2003, Offerman appeared in three episodes of the second season of “24″ as Marcus, a Los Angeles resident who, with Rouse and Cole, reacted with racist hostility after the detonation of a terrorist nuclear weapon.

In 2005, Offerman appeared with Abraham Benrubi (“Parker Lewis Can’t Lose,” “ER”) as two-dimwitted brothers, Karl and Lou Steele, in Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Dangerous.

Before “Parks and Recreation,” Offerman’s most substantial role was as a recurring character in “George Lopez,” as the off-and-on love interest of the show’s antagonist, Benny.

Offerman appeared in two episodes of “Gilmore Girls,” as the brother of Jackson, who was the guy who married Melissa McCarthy’s character.

In 2003, Offerman was featured on an episode of “King of Queens” called “Thanks Man.” Offerman played “The Man,” a guy with an eye patch.

In 2005, Offerman played a cop in the so-bad-it’s-kind-of-good Christina Ricci horror flick, Cursed.

In 2007, Offerman starred in “American Body Shop,” a improvised sitcom on Comedy Central that ran for 10 episodes before it was cancelled. It actually looks OK.

Finally, in 2004, Offerman appeared completely naked in an episode of “Deadwood,” as Tom Mason, an attempted assassin of Wild Bill Hickock who was subsequently killed by Wild Bill Hickock.

The Super Bowl (NBC, Sunday) – I’m really hoping it’s a good game, seeing as I’ve already seen all the commercials and I don’t care at all about Madonna’s halftime performance. I make this plea every year, but PLEASE let Wu-Tang do the halftime show next year. No frills, either. Just the house lights and 30 dudes on stage, all of them with live microphones. That would be the best.

Puppy Bowl (Animal Planet, Sunday) – I’ve spoken my piece about this already. You are free to watch if you want. (Full lineup here.)

Luck (HBO, Sunday) – This show looks really promising. I kind of hope War Horse shows up at some point. I love that guy.

Fringe (FOX, Friday) – From TV Guide: “Peter and Olivia are on the trail of a killer equipped with a toxic weapon that defies chronological description.” I have no idea what the end of that sentence means, so I’ll just assume they mean nunchucks and move right along.

Spartacus: Vengeance (Starz, Friday) – Why did we ever stop wearing togas? They’re super comfortable, look cool, and are easy to slip on and off — like some sort of masculine sundress. I would happily wear a toga to formal functions instead of a suit. I’d feel so free and relaxed.

Downton Abbey (PBS, Sunday) – Say what you will about PBS in general, but if nothing else, I admire them for the ballsiness of running a new episode on Sunday night. “Super Bowl Schmuper Bowl. We’re airing British people! FROM THE EARLY 1900s! Like it or love it, world.”

Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday) – C-Tates preview of this episode, from Burnsy: “Yo girl, u like jokes n sh*t? Check dis, boo – Haha, yo I be C-Tates n sh*t n I’m in dat new movie Da Vow wit Rachel MC Adams, right? But maybe u know me from dat other sh*t like GI Joe n Step Up. But yo girl, I ain’t here 2 save no rec center. Naw, son, I’mma save da 30 Rock center. LIVE FROM ZOO YORK, IT B SATURDAY NIGHT!”

Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve were presumably very simple, paint by numbers romantic comedies whose success hinged more on jamming a hundred recognizable faces into their trailers than on any actual artistic merit. (“LOOGIT HONEY! IT’S THAT GUY FROM THE TEE VEE. AND HE’S IN A MOVIE WITH THE GIRL FROM THE TEE VEE. AND THERE’S THAT OTHER GUY FROM THE THING. IT MUST BE GOOD. LET’S SEE IT AND THEN GO GET DINNER AT OLIVE GARDEN.”) I say “presumably” because I have gone — and will continue to go — to great lengths to avoid seeing them. But I am also someone who watches a ton of TV, so I am more than familiar with their commercials, which are also formulaic and ripe for parody.

I say all this because “30 Rock” aired a fake trailer for a film titled Martin Luther King Day last night, and it was spot-on. “Saturday Night Live” did their own spoof of these films a few weeks ago, mainly as an excuse to roll out a bunch of celebrity impressions and rib Seth Meyers about his appearance in New Year’s Eve, but “30 Rock’s” version was much better. They showcased a bunch of stars, mimicked the style perfectly, threw in some absurd gags, and still managed to wrap it all up in under a minute. Take notes, kiddies. This is how you do it.

Downton Abbey (PBS) – Did you know that the whole first season of this show is available for free on PBS’s website until the 17th? You didn’t? And you, like me, have really been meaning to get caught up on it because all those stupid smart people keep saying how good it is? Sounds like we’ve got a busy weekend.

Golden Globe Awards (NBC, Sunday) – HAVE YOU GUYS HEARD THAT RICKY GERVAIS IS EDGY AND DOESN’T PULL PUNCHES? I KNOW! SO ZANY. (More importantly, did you know that we’re live-blogging the show over at the Uproxx mothership? I’m gonna get drunk and call Fassbender a wanker. He knows what he did.)

Fringe (FOX, Friday) – What it do, nerds?

Miss America Pageant (ABC, Saturday) – Whatever happened to that one beauty pageant girl who loved to party? You know, the blonde one. I liked her.

Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday) – Hosted by Daniel Radcliffe, with musical guest Lana Del Rey. I have never seen nor heard anything either of those people have been involved in. I’m okay with that.

Hell on Wheels (AMC, Sunday) – Season finale. I couldn’t really get into this show because one of my history teachers spoiled it for me back in high school when she taught us that the railroad eventually got completed. Same lady ruined Titanic for me. What a bitch.

Napoleon Dynamite (FOX, Sunday) – Series premiere. Kinda weird how every single person from the movie was available to do this cartoon eight years later. It’s almost like the movie was an overrated piece of junk and their careers never took off the way everyone thought they would. Huh.

Shameless/House of Lies/Californication (Showtime, Sunday) – I just finished my “Californication” spec script. Lemme know what you guys think: DAVID DUCHOVNY: Hey, I’m kind of a tool. PRETTY GIRL: [removes shirt]. (repeat until credits)

There’s entirely too much new TV this weekend to squeeze into this post. Feel free to add anything I didn’t include in the comments.

Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday) – Charles Barkley hosts. I love Charles. I do. But the reason I love him is his unfiltered, off-the-cuff observations about things, not necessarily his ability memorize lines and perform live sketch comedy. Fingers crossed. (Preview after the jump.)

Shameless/House of Lies/Californication (Showtime, Sunday) – Season premieres for “Shameless” and “Californication,” and series premiere for “House of Lies.” I, for one, admire their commitment to quality programming and gratuitous nudity.

The Firm (NBC, Sunday) – The premiere of the series based on the John Grisham book and Tom Cruise movie. Let me get this on the record: if any shady Southern law firm wants to offer me a wheelbarrow full of cash to work for them, I am ALL EARS. Seriously. I won’t ask any questions as long as the checks clear.

Merlin (Syfy, Sunday) – Season 4 premiere. I had no idea this show existed until about five minutes ago. Hi, I’m a TV blogger!

Downton Abbey (PBS, Sunday) – Season 2 premiere. I have Season 1 on my DVR, and I want to get through it before Sunday night. It is also the first weekend of the NFL playoffs. There is a 0% chance I am successful. Such is life.

The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday) – Homer gets a political radio show and endorses Ted Nugent for president. TYPICAL LIBERAL HOLLYWOOD ELITE LOOKING DOWN ON THE COMMON FOLKS FROM THEIR IVORY TOWE… what now? Ted Nugent. Oh. Nevermind.

Hell on Wheels (AMC, Sunday) – “Hell on Wheels” would be a good name for a satanic roller derby team. Think it over, devil worshipers.

Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-off (Food Network, Sunday) – I covered this yesterday, but you should also read Max Silvestri’s hilarious write-up on it at Grantland. I’m beginning to fear I might start watching this show. I don’t have to explain myself to you people.

Just about everything is in reruns tonight. Maybe think about reading a book or something.

Saturday Night Live Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas (NBC) – A rerun from last year featuring a bunch of the show’s Christmas sketches. “A Very Gilly Christmas” sounds more like a threat than anything else.

Who’s Still Standing? (NBC) – I have nothing to say about this new trivia contest except this: I would annihilate every person on this show. Every single one of them. That’s not me being cocky, either. That is A FACT. You should see me when I play Trivial Pursuit. Total bloodbath.

Larry the Cable Guy’s Star-Studded Christmas Celebration (Comedy Central) – Nope.

Chopped (Food Network) – It says tonight the contestants have to include marmalade in their appetizers, rabbit in their entrees, and vanilla ice cream in their desserts? What?! I could do that. There better be a secret ingredient like sardines or a gallon of orange soda, or I’m going to be extremely disappointed.

Flor Salvaje (Telemundo) – I put this show’s TV Guide summary through an online translator, and it spit out, “A young woman comes to an oil village and begins to work in a cabaret in order to keep her sisters. There she is converted to a strong woman and capable of defending what she loves most in life.” This sounds better than anything on American television tonight. By a LONG SHOT. Working in an oil village cabaret sounds like something they’d threaten you with if you weren’t holding your own at a classier establishment. “DAMMIT DENISE! You better start hitting your marks, or so help me God you’ll be working in an OIL VILLAGE CABARET by this time next week!”

LATE NIGHT GUESTS: Harry Connick, Jr. and Scott van Pelt on Letterman; Robin Wright on Ferguson; Charles Barkley and Berenice Bejo on Leno; Tom Cruise on Fallon; Patton Oswalt and comedian Joe Mande on Conan. So, yeah. Just watch Conan.

Daniel Radcliffe — aka Harry Potter, aka the sixth richest actor in Hollywood, aka Entertainment Weekly’s Entertainer of the Year, aka notorious Broadway dancer groupie, aka alcoholic – is set to host “Saturday Night Live” on January 14th, three weeks ahead of his new movie, The Woman in Black, the movie that will introduce pediophobia to a new generation of teenagers. It’s not Radcliffe’s first stab at comedy — he was featured in Ricky Gervais’ “Extras” back in 2006 as a 16-year-old chain smoker. But this is “SNL,” and “SNL” chews up even great comedic talents, so I wouldn’t expect much from his turn as host. I’m not sure what direction the writers will take, though I suspect a Harry Potter versus Twilight skit will take shape, and maybe they’ll exploit the creepy sexual obsession a lot of middle waged women seem to have with Radcliffe. He’ll probably also cross dress, because apparently that’s what British people do for laughs, although if you try it here in America, GLAAD will sic its minions on you.

The good news for Radcliffe is that he’ll be following Charles Barkley, who will host the January 7th episode, and after that, I’m sure anyone would look favorable by comparison. Fun Fact: The last time Charles Barkley hosted, Nirvana was the musical guest. Nine months later, Kurt Cobain blew his brains out. COINCIDENCE? I think not.

It was like 2000 all over again. Jimmy Fallon hosted “SNL” this past weekend and he brought along with him callbacks to his older skits (Barry Gibb! Cowbell!), as well as Rachel Dratch, Horatio Sanz, Chris Kattan, Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, and Jude Law (for some reason), for one of the show’s most enjoyable episodes in years. The cast’s energy level, inspired by Fallon’s infectiously gleeful presence, was extremely high, and everyone brought their A-game.

Fallon actually made for a better host than he ever did repertory player. Too often during his seven-season run on “SNL” from 1998-2004, he inadvertently hogged the spotlight — not just because of the mid-sketch giggling, although that didn’t help, but because he naturally (and unintentionally) mugged to the camera. That’s why he, and people like Conan, make for good talk show hosts; they need the attention on them, and they’re not afraid to do something and look silly for a cheap laugh. But this only works if the spotlight’s supposed to be on you and only you, not you and everyone else you’re acting with. On Saturday, it was all about Jimmy.

Just the best — no mention of the dumb “don’t make me sing/dance” sketch — on the following pages.

I find the Boston Teens, now Boston Twentysomethings, funnier than The Lovers, but not as amusing as DJ Joey Mack, Jarret of Jarret’s Room, and Barry Gibb. In other words, I didn’t hate that the show began with Fallon and Rachel Dratch as Sully and Denise, but I wasn’t ecstatic to see them, either. (Though I’m totally pissed they name one of their kids Squeezebox — I had dibs.)

This sketch, on the other hand, I really liked then (2000-2001 season) and love even more now. I have no idea why it’s funny (Tracy’s dancing? Horatio’s acoustic riff?), but it is.

Nasim Pedrad as M.I.A.=YES.

Never would have guessed they’d bring this one back. I just wish it had been Keith Richards in the mirror instead.

Fey, Poehler, Fallon, Meyers. In that order. My favorite part was Amy doing the “awooga” sound effect.

I hate everything about War Horse (from the play to Spielberg’s wet snot rag of a movie), so it was nice to see “SNL” mock how ridiculous the plot is. I mean, come on, it looks like the horse is crying! Having the sketch from the point-of-view of audience members Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig was a nice touch too.

I didn’t want to like this sketch, but I found myself laughing almost despite myself. The premise (Beethoven introducing his band the way a funk singer would) was solid, however, and all the musical and names puns were amusing enough (and Hitler!), in a dumb sort of the way. It seemed like something that would have felt more at home on Fallon’s talk show, though. But: the tuba shall now forever be referred to as “music’s answer to the fart.”

NBC’s comments section for this skit is great:

thank you. thank you. thank you. ive in florida. tebow is ok. jaguars new owner. Khan. Football is Football. sseason ticket holder and like the new owner already. wear your mustache with pride.

Its nice to see that Christianity can be so quickly mocked and seen as a joke. Why not mock Islam? Make fun of Jewish people? Because it isn’t the right thing to do. I can’t support a network that is openly hostile towards Christianity.

Started watching SNL back in the 70s so have been aware of your parodies for a long time. Must say this one was enough to make me never watch SNL, same crap I can get on the Leno Show. I would love to see you “cutting edge” comedians try this with a muslim. BTW, if you really think that Tebow expects God to carry him through the game, you’ve never watched football or him as QB. Why is it you can’t come up with better material. Since the 70s-80s, its the same concepts just differen

I’m as surprised as you are that no Patriots fans have cried foul at the depiction of Belichick as Satan. Yet.

If you’re ordinary, and you love Christmas, I have just the spot for you. It’s called Granny’s Fancy Kitchen Table. Opened and subsequently condemned in 1976 after a knife fight between burn victims, Granny’s Fancy Kitchen Table is a creation of Fatty Urkles. This place has everything: Ghoulish depictions of Americana, nine-year-old pimps disguised as a wholesome American family, an old man who’s not wearing pants and, of course, Spud Webb. And look who just walked in: Tranny Griffith carrying a hollowed-out turkey full of drugs, condom balloons, and lubricant. Don’t be fooled by the holiday setting: Underneath the table there’s an orgy of midgets, gimps, sunburn drifters and gay scientists swimming in a kiddie pool full of mashed potatoes, gravy, and the severed limbs of melted Barbie dolls. It’s just the place to capture the holiday spirit.

(Buzzfeed via Burnsy)

Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday) – From Access Hollywood: “‘There were a lot of [skit] pitches about my boobs,’ Katy told Access Hollywood on Thursday. ‘I was cool about that, but I’m not sure all of it [got] in. So we’ll see.’” Wait. I know she’s married to Russell Brand… but who’s the other boob she’s talking about? BAZINGA! [finger guns]

Luck (HBO, Sunday) – HBO’s horse racing drama by David Milch (“Deadwood”) and Michael Mann (“Miami Vice,” Heat) debuts on Sunday night with a sneak peek weeks before it’s actual start. I would have put this up top, but I really didn’t want a giant picture of Dustin Hoffman at the top of the page all weekend. But it does look promising.

Boardwalk Empire (HBO, Sunday) – After last week’s Full Oedipus, I’m not sure exactly where else there is to go. Poison someone with hemlock? BAZINGA AGAIN! [Greek finger guns]

Boss (Starz, Friday) – The season finale of the Kelsey Grammer political drama. This show is really fun if you close your eyes and imagine Sideshow Bob never got run out of office for voter fraud.

Snowmageddon (Syfy, Saturday) – When we had that “Snowmageddon” thing in real life a couple years ago, I guaranteed that it would become both a band name and a movie within five years. I’m well on my way to rubbing THAT in some people’s stupid faces.

The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday) – The show’s Christmas episode flashes forward to 2041, when “The Simpsons” is still on the air, I imagine.

The Good Wife (CBS, Sunday) – I interned and/or hung around at a couple law firms, and no one drank as much midday scotch as they do on this show, or other lawyer shows. I was lied to. I demand a full refund of my legal education.

Dexter/Homeland (Showtime, Sunday) – I was actually upset when I heard “Homeland” was really good, because it means there’s now another show I have to start watching or get yelled at about. I’M DOING ALL I CAN AND BY “ALL I CAN” I MEAN WATCHING KIND OF A LOT OF THE FOOD CHANNEL GEEZ.