Ted Danson Says ‘The Good Place’ Had Real-Life Ethics Professors 'on Speed Dial'...

[TMC]

...to Make Sure the Show Was 'Right'

https://people.com/ted-danson-says-t...-right-8740938

'The Good Place' ran for four seasons, from 2016 to 2020, and starred Danson, Kristen Bell, Jameela Jamil, William Jackson Harper, Manny Jacinto and D'Arcy Carden

By Esther Kang and Julia Moore Published on November 6, 2024 03:56PM EST

Ted Danson is giving fans more insight into The Good Place's behind-the-scenes research.

During an episode of his Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, the actor, 76, revealed that the writers of the hit NBC sitcom regularly consulted experts in ethics and philosophy for accuracy in their scripts.

The Good Place ran for four seasons, from 2016 to 2020, and followed Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Tahani (Jameela Jamil), Jason (Manny Jacinto) and Chidi (William Jackson Harper) as they navigated the afterlife. Though they initially believe they've entered "the Good Place," the quickly realize that their errors in judgement in their human lives have landed them in "the Bad Place."

Through studying ethics and philosophy, each person attempts to shed their old ways of life to earn a true spot in "the Good Place." The series also starred Danson as afterlife "architect" Michael and D'Arcy Carden as Janet, an AI being who assists the group in the afterlife.

After the actor noted how the series has been used in ethics courses in various universities, Danson also revealed that production also sought the advice of those in the field.

"On speed dial, we had three or four ethics professors who would talk to the writers daily to make sure what we were talking about was right," he said. "Sometimes it's good to get a second, third opinion."

The series ended with Michael and the crew restructuring The Good Place, allowing people to leave the afterlife once and for all whenever they feel ready. One by one, each character fulfills their destiny before making their grand departure.

“It was perfect. It was an absolutely perfect goodbye,” Danson said of the finale in 2020 on the Today show. “It’s how you hope the universe works, really.”

He also revealed that the cast formed a tight-knit friendship throughout the show’s four seasons and had a sleepover at his home a few weeks before the finale.

“Mary had everyone come over and we had a sleepover,” he said of his wife, actress Mary Steenburgen. “It makes a party even better when you can wake up, have a coffee and reminisce.”

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At the time, Danson joked he was "not feeling very legendary" due to his hangover after the festivities.

“I tend to handle transitions by doing something a little too much," he added. "My kids took me to Stonewall. We missed the cabaret, but we played pool into the wee hours.”