Ted Danson Says The Good Place Had Real-Life Ethics Professors 'on Speed Dial' to Make Sure the Show Was 'Right'

Ted Danson gives fans a better look at it Good placeresearch behind the scenes.

During his episode Where everyone knows your name podcast, the 76-year-old actor revealed that the writers of the hit NBC sitcom regularly consulted experts in ethics and philosophy for the accuracy of their scripts.

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. Although they initially believe they have entered a “Good Place”, they quickly realize that their errors of judgment in their human lives have landed them in a “Bad Place”.

(L-R) Kristen Bell, D’Arcy Carden, Manny Jacinto, Jameela Jamil and Ted Danson in ‘The Good Place’. Colleen Hayes/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Kristen Bell, D’Arcy Carden and William Jackson Harper reunite sweet ‘The Good Place’: ‘My Loves’

Through the study of ethics and philosophy, each person tries to discard his old way of life in order to earn his rightful place in the “Good Place”. The series also starred Danson as afterlife “architect” Michael and D’Arcy Carden as Janet, an AI being who helps the group in the afterlife.

After the actor noted how the series was used in ethics courses at various universities, Danson also revealed that the production also sought advice from those in the field.

“On speed dial, we had three or four ethics professors who would talk to the writers every day to make sure what we were talking about was accurate,” he said. “Sometimes it’s good to get a second, third opinion.”

Ted Danson on ‘The Good Place’. Colleen Hayes/NBC Ted Danson compares playing Mr. Mayor to The Good Place’s Michael: ‘A lot of fun to poke fun at’

The series ended with Michael and the restructuring of the team Good placeallowing people to leave the afterlife once and for all whenever they feel ready. One by one, each character fulfills their destiny before the big departure.

“It was perfect. It was an absolutely perfect send-off,” Danson said of the 2020 final. Today show. “You hope that’s how the universe really works.”

He also revealed that the cast had formed a strong friendship over the course of four seasons and that they had a sleepover at his house a few weeks before the finale.

William Jackson Harper reflects on The Good Place ending: ‘There was a lot of weird crying’

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

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Danson joked at the time that he “doesn’t feel very legendary” because of his post-celebration hangover.

“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 until the wee hours.”

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Source: HIS Education