In most parts of the world, “Good afternoon” is a perfectly polite and harmless greeting. But inSpirited, Apple TV+’s gleefully irreverent 2022 holiday musical, the phrase becomes something far more outrageous. At the heart of the phrase’s transformation is Ryan Reynolds, whose character Clint Briggs turns a simple phrase into a riotous anthem of rebellion in the film’s most unexpectedly hilarious musical number.
What starts as a throwaway line evolves into “Good Afternoon,” a showstopping, toe-tapping spectacle that blends classic Broadway bombast with pure comedic chaos. The song prompted viewers to ask, “Was good afternoon an insult in Victorian times?” The truth is more interesting than you might think. Regardless, how did such an absurd musical number come to life — and why does it work so well? Let’s dive into the origins, execution, and unexpected brilliance of the song that became the soul (and sass) ofSpirited.
Spirited’s Showstopping “Good Afternoon” Musical Number Explained
Clint Uses It As A Vicious Insult In The Song
The context of a musical number is as important as the song itself. The “Good Afternoon” number explodes midway through the film during a pivotal moment when Clint tries to throw Present, played by Will Ferrell, off his game, even though Present is trying to redeem him. Clint and Present end up in Victorian England, where Present is originally from, and Clint sarcastically uses the phrase “Good afternoon”, which is meant to shut Present up in an argument.
After Clint says “Good afternoon,”the movie launches into a full-blown musical extravaganza, where the phrase is repeated with joyous malice. Clint and Present sing and dance through the streets, spreading chaos and riling up passersby with a relentless barrage of “Good afternoons,” complete with marching bands, choreographed dancers, and a chorus line of chaos. The number captures a turning point in Clint and Present’s relationship. It’s Clint’s moment of dominance, but it also exposes cracks in Present’s morals and complicates their relationship.
Also,Dame Judi Denchmakes a cameo appearance during the song. A wall that breaks off a building then serves as a dance floor in the song, adding to its levity. Plus, a fake-out death at the end of the number is certain to get a few laughs. “Good Afternoon” proves thatthe cast ofSpiritedcan pull off an impressive and hilarious musical number.
No, “Good Afternoon” Wasn’t An Insult — That’s Why Ryan Reynolds' Idea Is So Hilarious
Scrooge Says The Phrase A Lot In A Christmas Carol
Contrary to popular belief, the phrase “Good afternoon” was never considered an insult in Victorian times. However,it was made the basis of theSpiritedmusical number because Scrooge barks “Good afternoon!” all the time inA Christmas Carol, which is what the 2022 Christmas movie is based on. Justin Paul, one of the songwriters for “Good Afternoon,” discussed how the song came to be, and how Reynolds played a major role in the song’s development. In an interview withThe Playlist, Paul said:
“But I think the idea of turning it into this phrase that it became this sort of very naughty, horrible insult, I don’t know if it was the screenwriters, if it was Ryan coming into the picture of as they were developing the piece. But then I know that the first time that Benj and I ever met on this project,Ryan sort of said, ‘Look, here’s the deal. My number one wish for this project is that there is a song called ‘Good Afternoon.’ And it’s using the idea of this being just a terrible vile phrasethat is hurled at people as an insult in London.'”
Reynolds also commented on the song’s meaning in that same interview. He said that his kids have taken the phrase “Good afternoon” and run with it. Specifically, Reynolds said:
The beauty of it culturally speaking is it gives permission to say good afternoon to anyone and everyone. My kids do it now. And also alternatively take offense to it. My three-year-old, I wish I was making this up, is totally true, whenever someone says, “Good afternoon” and she hears it, she says, “How dare you?” And I think it’s fantastic. That’s where I feel like the job is occasionally effective.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Well, maybe it’s not historically accurate, but “Good Afternoon” is still a jam and makesSpiriteda delightful Christmas comedy, and that counts for a lot.
