Skip To Content
JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT.
Join thousands of readers who support our workBECOME A MEMBER
The Schmooze

‘Parks and Rec’ Star Ben Schwartz Totally Confirms ‘Stranger Things’ Theory

Those of you still going bananas over the 80’s-tastic Netflix original “Stranger Things” may be familiar with the fan theories buzzing around the internet about the show. There are speculations about who the monster really is, about the fate of Barb, and about what’s going to happen next season, if there is a next season (which we will link to, but not explain, because spoilers).

One of the more light-hearted fan theories going around is based on the fact that “Stranger Things” character Steve Harrington, the slightly rehabilitated entitled ass and teenage male love interest, looks a whole lot like Parks and Recreation character Jean-Ralphio Sapperstein, a not-so-rehabilitated entitled ass played by Ben Schwartz. Is it possible, asked the internet, that Steve goes onto become Jean-Ralphio’s father?!

During an episode of “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” Ben Schwartz “confirmed” that Jean-Ralphio is indeed Steve’s son. He was later backed up by “Parks and Rec” co-creator Mike Schur, who Tweeted that while he couldn’t confirm or deny if Steve was Jean-Ralphio’s father officially, “Steve is definitely his real dad.”

Check out the video here:

Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief

You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.

And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

Republish This Story

Please read before republishing

We’re happy to make this story available to republish for free, unless it originated with JTA, Haaretz or another publication (as indicated on the article) and as long as you follow our guidelines.
You must comply with the following:

  • Credit the Forward
  • Retain our pixel
  • Preserve our canonical link in Google search
  • Add a noindex tag in Google search

See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs.

To republish, copy the HTML by clicking on the yellow button to the right; it includes our tracking pixel, all paragraph styles and hyperlinks, the author byline and credit to the Forward. It does not include images; to avoid copyright violations, you must add them manually, following our guidelines. Please email us at [email protected], subject line “republish,” with any questions or to let us know what stories you’re picking up.

We don't support Internet Explorer

Please use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge to view this site.