Ever sinceA Man on the Inside’s trailer was unveiled, many fans ofThe Good Placejumped to the same conclusion about Ted Danson’s new show, but the actor’s replacement for the high-concept afterlife sitcom isn’t what it so clearly seems to be. AlthoughA Man on the Insidecertainly isn’t Danson’s first project sinceThe Good Placeended after season 4, it is certainly a show that has sparked people’s imaginations the most for a very specific reason - even if they’ve bought far too heavily into a misguided (but fun) theory.
Danson will continue to lead thecast ofA Man on the Insideseason 2when the heartfelt sitcom returns in 2025. Theending ofA Man on the Insideseason 1essentially confirmed a massive overhaul of characters, given thatCharles Nieuwendyk’s cover was blown at San Fransisco’s Pacific ViewRetirement Home. Eagle-eyed viewers who also happen to be fans ofThe Good Placemay have noticed several nods to the show that also starred Kristin Bell as Eleanor Shellstrop, butA Man on the Insidealso provides undeniable evidence that the two projects are separate.
Charles' Family In A Man On The Inside Proves Ted Danson Isn’t Reprising His Role From The Good Place
Charles' descendants are evidence that he isn’t just Michael with a new name
Speculation started to swirl when the first footage ofA Man on the Insidewas released that Danson was once more playing Michael the demon fromThe Good Place.The two projects share a creator in Michael Schur, and several similarities between Michael and Charles make it seem as though Danson is reprising his former role. Michael endingThe Good Placeas human certainly makes this possible, but the fact that Charles has had a biological family for decades debunks the theory.
A Man on the Insidealso features guest appearances fromThe Good Placeactors, such as Marc Evan Jackson and D’Arcy Carden.
Michael is thrust into present-day Earth inThe Good Place’s finale, which roughly aligns with when the episode aired in 2020. So, 2024’sA Man on the Insideseason 1 is only a handful of years after Danson’sThe Good Placecounterpart’s big lifestyle change. Therefore, it would be impossible for Michael to not only have an adult daughter, but also multiple grandchildren. Simply put,Michael just wouldn’t have had enough time for this family to be brought into existence. Plus, Charles' heartbreaking backstory of dealing with the loss of his wife also wouldn’t fit in with Michael’s timeline.
Why A Man On The Inside Not Being A Sequel To The Good Place Is A Good Thing
The Good Place ended exactly when it needed to (& when it was supposed to)
Many fans ofThe Good Placewould surely celebrate any decision to revive the sitcom, even in a cryptically meta way, as was believed to be the case forA Man on the Inside. However,The Good Placewas only ever intended to be four seasons long. Thankfully, it didn’t succumb to the temptation to pad out its narrative and make room for additional episodes, which is what contributed to its solid and focused storyline. For Schur to setA Man on the Insidewithin the same canon asThe Good Placewould cheapen the original show’s dedicated approach.
8 The Good Place Easter Eggs & References In Ted Danson’s A Man On The Inside
Ted Danson’s brand-new Netflix show, A Man on the Inside, contains these 8 Easter eggs and references to Danson’s other hit show, The Good Place.
Having said that,A Man on the Sidestill scratches the same itch thatThe Good Placedid- albeit without the fantastical aspect of navigating life after death. Danson’s charismatic performances as both Michael and Charles bring his characters to life in a way that only he can, and he’s brilliant at addressing both the emotional and comical elements of each respective project. Plus, Schur manages to introduce the same brand of larger-than-life characters inA Man on the Insideas he did inThe Good Place, while also making them surprisingly tangible.
The Good Place
Cast
Eleanor Shellstrop finds in The Good Place, both the name of the fantasy comedy series from creator Michael Schur and a fictionalized heaven where those who have done good in life will end up. However, Eleanor discovers that the life she was believed to have led was a lie, as it seems The Good Place got the wrong “Eleanor Shellstrop.” When it’s revealed that three others are there under the same false pretenses, they concoct a plan to truly become “Good” to earn their place there - while hiding the truth.
A Man on the Inside
A retired professor finds renewed purpose when enlisted by a private investigator to go undercover in a San Francisco retirement home. The series unravels the mysteries and intrigues within the community, blending suspenseful investigation with the complex dynamics of aging and secrecy.
