Comedy: Great News & The Good Place
The afterlife is getting a fun twist thanks to dead Eleanor, who’s in The Good Place.
Moving on up
You’d think that losing her life was the biggest issue facing Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) in The Good Place (2016- current), but it isn’t. She’s woken up “alive” in a paradise called The Good Place – it’s where you want to be because it’s the perfect utopia. The grass is green, the birds are singing and everyone gets along. But Eleanor isn’t meant to be there! “She’s been mistaken for another Eleanor,” laughs Kristen. “A kinder Eleanor who lived a much better life. Now she needs to figure out a way not to be found out.” And that means lying to her new friends…
THE LIVING DEAD
Michael (Ted Danson, DB Russell on action series CSI, 2000-2015) is “the architect” – he’s the guy in charge of the neighbourhood that Eleanor’s living in and it’s his job to
guide her and hold her hand… but it’s going to test his patience.
Chidi ( William Jackson Harper, Everett in 2016 drama film Paterson) was an ethics professor and helps Eleanor hide her secret so that she stays around – they’re soulmates.
Janet (D’Arcy Carden, Gemma in dramedy Broad City, 2014- current) is The Good Place’s walking, talking information hub. If Eleanor has a question, Janet has the answer.
Jianyu (Manny Jacinto, Wing Lei in action series The Romeo Section, 2015current) is a silent Buddhist monk in the afterlife, having been a noise-making DJ in real life. Ex-philanthropist Tahani (Brit radio DJ Jameela Jamil) has a love-hate relationship with Eleanor, but does that mean she’ll protect her?
NOT-SO-SWEET TREAT
The eight frozen yoghurt stores in The Good Place doesn’t sell real frozen yoghurt. “I wish!” laughs Kristen. The actors are really eating coloured mashed potatoes.