Mike Schur, the man who helped bring The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine to network television, has created another potential comedy hit, and this time he’s bringing along Kristen Bell and Ted Danson. The show is called Good Place.
Kristen Bell is currently starring on Showtime’s House of Lies, which is, against all odds, about to start its fifth season. Her contract for Good Place reportedly included the stipulation that she be able to continue working on Lies, which is well enough, considering that any show on Showtime is about as solid an acting gig as one could hope for, especially because they apparently feel very strongly against canceling any shows.
Bell will play Eleanor, a Jersey girl who has the sudden realization that she is kind of an awful person. Good Place‘s other star is Ted Danson, who is now completely free of any CSI obligations. He plays Michael, a man who guides Eleanor through the process of becoming a good (or bad?) person. (It will be a welcome treat if Danson adopts the same stoner sage personality of his Bored to Death character.) It sounds a lot like My Name Is Earl, though hopefully it will steer clear of the subtle Scientology references that series peddled.
The series has received a 13-episode order. Look for it sometime this fall or early next year.