The Good Place: Breaking the Sitcom Mold – Cavemen Radio Show
THE GOOD PLACE -- "The Snowplow" Episode 304 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jameela Jamil as Tahani, Kristen Bell as Eleanor Shellstrop, Manny Jacinto as Jason Mendoza, William Jackson Harper as Chidi -- (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/NBC)
Finding a good sitcom that steps away from the traditional role is tough. Most shows on tv stick to one of two specific formulas. There’s the relatable bunch of friends who live close to one another who get into real life situations such as Seinfeld, Friends, Big Bang Theory or How I Met Your Mother. Then there’s the relatable family who remind us what growing up was like such as The Brady Bunch, The Wonder Years, That 70’s Show and Roseanne. Television has been recycling the same two stories with different characters for years and no one seems to mind. Right now, The Good Place is one of those shows that steps outside traditional sitcoms.
From NBC.com
“From creator Michael Schur (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Parks and Recreation” and “Master of None”) comes a unique comedy about what makes a good person. The show follows Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell, “House of Lies,” “Veronica Mars”), an ordinary woman who enters the afterlife, and thanks to some kind of error, is sent to the Good Place instead of the Bad Place (which is definitely where she belongs). While hiding in plain sight from Good Place Architect Michael (Ted Danson – “Cheers,” “CSI” – in an Emmy Award-nominated performance), she’s determined to shed her old way of living and earn her spot.”
The Good Place stands on its own for individuality too. Not only is it a goofy awkward brand of comedy its also thought provoking. Buried in the censored curse words, twist season finales, and overall likable cast is the debate of what it means to be a good person. Come for the humor, stay for the lessons in philosophy. Two things that otherwise would never go together, roll up perfectly in this NBC sitcom.
If you haven’t yet, give The Good Place a shot. When you get tired of cookie cutter shows that exploit a different decade with family rivalries, it will be your break from tradition. It might not be the funniest show on television but its different enough to capture your interest. There’s only so much Friends or Roseanne style shows you can watch before you’re done with tv for a little while. With characters from all different walks of life, there’s no shortage of situation comedy. The recycled stories have been told for decades now and you know you want something new. Airing on Thursdays, The Good Place could be the new show you’re looking for.[CMRickTwitter]
Rick ODonnell aka Caveman Rick has many years covering the Miami Dolphins, Sports, and all sorts of movies and television.
