"Not many people know this, but I happen to be famous".
With social disconnection and isolation an ongoing theme and concern in 2020, I thought it apt to shine a light on Ted Danson and draw some parallels between brand archetypes and a couple of his most notable roles; especially those that facilitated a sense of belonging.
Starting with Sam Malone: an ex-ball player for the Red Sox and the owner of Cheers; the place for people to see their troubles were all the same. At first (ahem) blush, Sam was a classic Lover archetype (Chanel, Agent Provocateur); driven by lust and easily distracted.
But as the seasons evolved and the connections between Sam and his friends strengthened, so too did his desire to create a place of belonging. It's an attribute that underpins the Everyman archetype (Lynx, Target and every local pub in town). Sam created and nurtured a place where everybody knew each others' names and he was its heart and soul.
Danson's other roles have been equally compelling over the years:
Himself: A souped up version of The Innocent archetype, purely to get under the skin of Larry David. Do you remember when LD complains that TD describes everything minor or major in life as, "just heaven"?
Michael from The Good Place: A desire to be a Ruler (Mercedes-Benz, Vogue) and Creator (Lego, Apple), but an alternate-reality that ends in the emergence of a Hero (CFA, and our current healthcare workers).
Thank you, Mr Danson for your inspired and eclectic contribution to the classic comedy and dramedy landscape. Your colourful characters and the shows in which you've starred have continued to give us a break from all our worries and they sure have helped a lot.