The Enduring Impact of “The Good Place” as a Comedy TV Show
“The Good Place” has finally ended, leaving many comedy fans pining for the next big show. This isn’t an easy loss to get over, and comedy sitcoms now have big shoes to fill. Below is a quick primer on the show — even though it’s done now, it’s never too late to start watching to see what the hype is all about.
A plot like no other
Even philosophy students themselves consider moral philosophy a bit of a drag, especially as it gets into the granules of what it means to be a ‘good’ human (pun intended). Creator Mike Schur found inspiration from several bad behaviors he noticed while driving around LA, which he then used as a jumping-off point to consider what it would be like if the afterlife ran on a system that tallied good and bad points.
In order to vet the show’s plot points, Schur worked with philosophy professor Todd May to work through the philosophical issues that the writers found themselves in. In hindsight, comedy ended up becoming the perfect vehicle to illustrate where Kant’s categorical imperative falls apart: is it moral for people stuck in hell to lie and pretend to be demons in order to get out of hell? To find the answer, you’ll have to watch the show.
Relatable characters
These kooky philosophical issues came to light wonderfully through the show’s cast. The show featured Hollywood favourite Kristen Bell as the fast-talking Eleanor Shellstrop; Bell was joined by stellar co-stars William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, Ted Danson, and D’Arcy Carden. The cast’s chemistry made this show unique, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else bumbling around through the afterlife.
The costumes of the show were also one of its best details. While each character had their own distinct style, their clothing options remained incredibly relatable. This is great news for people who want to take a style tip or two from the show. Eleanor was rarely seen without a comfy flannel and those who want to copy her look need to simply throw on one of Woman Within’s classic flannel shirts. The flattering silhouettes of these shirts are an added bonus, as the shirts were made to look good on just about anybody type. At the other end of the fashion, the spectrum is Tahani al-Jamil (played by Jameela Jamil), whose look can be copied with this sapphire blue Unique Vintage gown and black stilettos. Oh, and don’t forget a huge and elegant jewel necklace and lots of poise!
“The Good Place” was a truly one-of-a-kind show that married incisive humor with in-depth examinations on moral philosophy (while excelling at both). It was also a show that was populated by relatable characters who many viewers came to see as friends, in away. The interplay of a unique plot and a relatable cast make “The Good Place” a comedy sitcom for the history books.
