Top 5 Reasons You Should Be Watching The Good Place

While there’s no denying that we’re in a golden age of television, a lot of modern sitcoms still sound familiar on paper and rarely shake up the status quo. “The Good Place,” however, manages to stand out from everything else currently on the airwaves. The premise alone is ripe with comedic possibilities, centering on a deeply flawed woman who accidental ends up in a heavenly afterlife. The showrunners build upon this unique setup with clever wordplay, an inventive environment, and an ongoing story that takes risks around every corner. For its wit and ambition, “The Good Place” has earned widespread critical acclaim. So why hasn’t it been nominated for a Primetime Emmy already!?

Michael Schur may not be a household name, but he should be given his remarkable résumé. With roots that go all the way back to “Saturday Night Live,” Schur went on to become a writer and producer for “The Office.” Speaking of which, you might recognize him as Dwight Schrute’s cousin Mose. Along with Greg Daniels, he later co-created “Parks and Recreation,” another mockumentary comedy series. Schur scored another homerun upon co-creating “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” which won a Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. He even co-wrote an episode of “Black Mirror” with longtime collaborator Rashida Jones. Now with “The Good Place,” Schur has quite possibly turned in his magnum opus of comedy.

There’s not a weak link in this show’s diverse ensemble, which includes William Jackson Harper’s Chidi, Jameela Jamil’s Tahani, and Manny Jacinto’s Jason. While the supporting cast plays off one another to perfection, the show primarily belongs to its two leads. Ted Danson’s been doing consistently strong work in television for well over forty years. As Michael, the architect behind the titular Good Place, he delivers quite possibly his best comedic performance since Sam Malone on “Cheers.” Kristen Bell, meanwhile, has continually won audiences over as Sarah Marshall, Princess Anna, and Veronica Mars. In “The Good Place,” Bell molds Eleanor Shellstrop into a compelling, relatable, and lovable protagonist, despite her often-questionable behavior.

Sometimes the best comedies are the ones that don’t only make you laugh, but also make you think. While some may classify it as a sitcom, “The Good Place” can also be seen as a provocative piece of philosophical fiction. The show raises numerous questions about morality and ethics, as Eleanor and others strive to become better versions of themselves. Perhaps the greatest argument raised is what makes a person “good” and what makes a person “bad.” Given the complexity of human nature, can people really be split into just two groups? The fact that none of the characters here are perfect makes this train ride all the more thought provoking.

With each episode concluding on a cliffhanger, “The Good Place” has no shortage of game-changing twists and the writers saved the best for Chapter 13. Even if you’ve never seen the show, you probably already heard that the Season One finale has a jaw-dropping ending nobody saw coming. We won’t dare spoil the big revelation in this video, but let’s just say it ingeniously brings everything full circle. After seeing the episode, you’ll want to go back and rewatch the first season with a new perspective. The best part about this twist is that it opens the door for countless possibilities, which makes Season Two even more unpredictable and binge-worthy.


Do you agree with our list? What are some other reasons to watch “The Good Place?” For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.