It's hard to say which character on The Good Place was the funniest. Each had their moments to shine and brought the audience to tears, both with laughter and sadness. But it can't be denied that Chidi Anagonye had a way of making fans crack up with his dorky and obsessive personality.
Chidi was the gang's moral compass, making it hard to believe he was sent to the Bad Place. But his character development revealed his indecision made him just as culpable as anyone else. Throughout that development, Chidi gave the audience a few good laughs.
The Trolley Problem
As Chidi struggles to teach a dirtbag human and literal demon ethics and morality, he introduces the gang to a classic philosophy question known as the Trolley Problem. Michael claims he can't fathom what the right answer is without being in the moment, so he creates the Trolley Problem for him, Eleanor, and Chidi to relive over and over again.
Chidi's reaction to the debacle highlights his inability to make decisions. It's really just a way for Michael to torture the philosopher, but the audience can't help but laugh alongside him.
His Original Death
The first time Chidi died was so surreal the audience couldn't help but laugh. After his best friend put him through a test to show he couldn't handle being his best man for his wedding, the two stood outside for hours as Chidi tried to decide where to eat lunch.
The indecision leaves him rooted to the spot, right at the perfect place for serendipity to strike. An air conditioning unit falls from the apartment window overhead and crushes him. Chidi's inability to choose is the death of him.
Escaping Hell
As the gang blends into the Bad Place, Chidi takes on the persona of Trent. But only because Dax Shepard's cameo demon confuses him for a fellow demon he worked with in the past. Chidi has such an acute sense of morality that he can't even fathom lying to demons in hell.
As a group of demons surrounds him asking for torture help, his nervous dance and strained face make the fans simultaneously laugh and feel bad for him. But he makes it through by recommending moral philosophy as a form of torture.
The Red Boots
Chidi's colleague Henry gets a hideous pair of red boots that cost a fortune. When he asks Chidi's opinion, the moral philosopher tells a little white lie and says he loves them. For most people, that would be the end of that situation. For Chidi, it's pure torture.
He drives his girlfriend at the time crazy with his agonizing over telling that lie. When Henry buys Chidi a pair of the same boots, it gets worse. Chidi can't keep up the lie and tells Henry the truth after the professor comes out of surgery.
Deciding on a Muffin
During his second round on Earth, Chidi experiences events that leave him confident enough to choose a breakfast muffin. But when he learns about the cruel practices of blueberry harvesting, he's thrown back into a spiral of indecision.
As he lays out his reasoning while talking through his options, the vendor selling the muffins looks on, mystified. For most, muffins are a simple treat or meal. For Chidi, they're a test of morality. It's a classic moment that reveals how easy it is for humans to go back to their old ways.
His Surprise at Eleanor's Thirst
When the gang battles demons at a bar, Eleanor unabashedly talks about her arousal of Janet's fighting in the situation. Chidi throws Eleanor a look of pure shock while screaming, "How are you this close to being dragged to hell and still horny?"
True, Eleanor's bisexual thirst at the moment is funny. But Chidi's utter disbelief at something so classically Eleanor is even funnier. It's William Jackson Harper's delivery of such a ridiculous line with an earnest tone that makes the moment stand out.
Chidi's Test
The team arrives at the judge's chambers and agrees to undergo tests to see if they can get into the Good Place. Chidi's is simple. Choose between two hats. As much progress as Chidi made in Michael's fake Good Place, he still had a long way to go.
He fails the judge's test, taking 82 minutes to decide which hat to take. He overthinks the situation, rationalizing why the judge would choose the two styles and colors. He believes there is a right answer. In truth, there isn't. He just needed to make a choice.
Every Stomachache
Chidi was in a constant state of agony, as everything caused his stomach to hurt. Lying gave him a stomachache. So did having to make decisions. It somehow became an endearing trait though, as every character knew when a fresh stomachache would come. They were all prepared for Chidi's mantra, "My stomach hurts."
But he became so predictable, the demons were able to make a rendering of him in their hall of fame. Moments like that are funnier as they come from a place of truth.
Who, What, Where, When, Wine
The shirt on its own makes fans laugh, especially knowing it's the kind of thing that would make Eleanor yell, "Ya basic!" But Chidi's breakdown as he walks the supermarket aisles shirtless sparks uncontrollable laughter.
When an employee approaches him and tells him he needs to put on a shirt, he grabs the first one he sees with the words, "Who, What, Where, When, Wine" and puts it on with a psychotic smile. It fits way too tight and is nothing like what the nerdy professor has worn before.
You Put the Peeps in the Chili Pot
As Chidi's breakdown continues after he discovers he died and was brought back to life, he goes to class to give a lecture. But instead, he ends up singing and dancing as he makes a disgusting concoction of chili with the gross Easter marshmallows, M&Ms, and who knows what else.
Eleanor finds him blissfully making his weird meal as his students look on in confusion. One student asks him to teach them something useful for the final exam and he goes off on a rant. Only Eleanor can bring him back from the edge.