Movies

How ruffles ignited a feud between Isaac Higgintoot and Alexander Hamilton on ‘Ghosts’

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In my perspective as a movie critic, “Alexander Hamilton: A Founding Father, Acclaimed Writer, and an Ardent Supporter of the U.S. Currency – or was he a Counterfeiter?” offers an intriguing twist on the life story of one of America’s most influential figures. This film delves into the lesser-known side of Hamilton’s legacy, raising questions about his financial dealings and leaving audiences to decide: Was he a founding father, or a ruffling thief?

According to Thursday’s CBS comedy “Ghosts”, it seems that history may have misrepresented the greatest rivalry. Instead of Hamilton and his dueling partner Aaron Burr, the real competition could have been between Hamilton and a virtually unknown figure from the American Revolution: Isaac Higgintoot (Brandon Scott Jones), who is among the ghostly characters residing in an upstate New York manor, where the series unfolds.

Hamilton, portrayed by Nat Faxon, grabbed the fashionable shirt frill that Isaac had purchased from the tailor. This action turned Isaac into the butt of jokes during a dinner gathering at John Jay’s home, where they were supposed to sign the Declaration of Independence, because he lacked an appropriate neck adornment for the occasion.

For four seasons, Isaac’s contentious relationship with the man who graces the $10 bill has been a recurring theme in “Ghosts,” often spoken of as part of its folklore. It’s not too surprising that he bears a grudge, given his supernatural nature and centuries-long confinement to the same property. However, the reason behind their dispute remained unclear until the episode titled “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle,” penned by John Blickstead and Trey Kollmer, and directed by Richie Keen.

To fully understand the tale behind this ghost, The Times consulted Jones, Faxon, as well as the creators of “Ghosts”, Joe Port and Joe Wiseman.

Shots fired

In a new twist, “Ghosts” delves into the life of a real historical figure for the first time with a substantial plotline focusing on Alexander Hamilton. Given the favorable public opinion of Hamilton, particularly after Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit biographical musical, the creators, Port and Wiseman, felt it necessary to present a grittier portrayal of him if they were going to tackle this story.

While the episode includes a subtle nod to “Hamilton” for its fans, producer Port explains that the concept behind it was to create a “Curb Your Enthusiasm” style tale centered around our nation’s founders.

Television

Previously recognized as a character actor and comedy scriptwriter in Hollywood, Jones now holds a significant role within the cast of ‘Ghosts’ airing on CBS, which is set to return for its fourth season this coming Thursday.

As a film enthusiast, I often found myself aligning with Larry David’s blunt and combative character on that HBO show. In this particular instance, I felt Isaac could have managed the situation differently with Hamilton. However, I believe Hamilton had his reasons, giving him a bit of a “jerk” edge. This added complexity to the story, making it more intriguing.

Moreover, Wiseman points out that humor often stems from individuals blundering, overestimating themselves, or allowing pride to cloud their judgment. True wit is seldom found in perfection.

The (not so) perfect foe

In contrast to Matt Walsh’s character in the show, who is an evil ghost causing constant trouble and refusing to stay in Hell, the Hamilton character in “Ghosts” isn’t immediately portrayed as a villain. It’s not just that Isaac holds a grudge over a minor issue; it’s that his adversary was admired by their common friends and he’s the one who left an enduring legacy. As a result, the creators of “Ghosts” chose to cast a comedic actor known for playing likable characters.

Port stated that we were looking for a comedian who seemed fitting for the character we’ve been building anticipation around for four seasons.” or

“According to Port, our ideal candidate was someone hilarious, who appeared worthy of portraying the character we’ve built excitement for over four seasons.

Faxon was ideally suited for the part. Hailing from New England, he recalls that educational excursions to significant American landmarks such as Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the Freedom Trail were frequently emphasized due to their proximity. Moreover, he earned his degree at Hamilton College, a place where he once portrayed the ghost of the college’s namesake in a skit with his comedy group.

He mentions that his primary worry was preventing the portrayal of Hamilton from appearing overly general or vague. It’s crucial to strike a balance between delivering comedic elements and maintaining a sense of authenticity in the performance, he adds.

Faxon says he put a lot of trust in the script and in Keen, whom he already knew.

Additionally, Faxon carried unique traits that were in line with the era; notably, he was recognized for his wide smile, which was never requested for alteration or improvement.

He stated, “No one ever asked me to visit the library and imitate his appearance and actions. Instead, it was focusing on the humor and the situation at hand that mattered most. I believe this approach is more crucial than striving to be an identical copy of the man himself. So, my own teeth were used in the role.

The unreliable narrator?

In this narrative, events unfold through a series of flashbacks intended to motivate Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), who’s currently at odds with another chef. However, the question arises: How authentic is the entire account?

In Jones’ opinion, even though there might be periods of silence when you’ve been with the same circle for such a long time, it’s fascinating that his character had never shared this particular story with any of his companions before.

Moreover, he expresses doubt about the accuracy of every detail in Isaac’s account, suggesting that while the general gist might be true – like Alexander Hamilton possibly stealing his ruffle – he wonders if Isaac may have embellished or altered certain aspects of the story to provoke Jay.

The fundamental concept of the series revolves around these spirits being unsure as to why they’re trapped in limbo and uncertain about the specific actions required for their release from it.

At the start of the season, Isaac pledged to improve himself,” Jones notes. “It seems he’s found it challenging to discover paths for that self-improvement. In this particular situation, sharing a story that might make him appear less favorable to his friends appears to represent growth, at least in terms of humility.

The episode subtly conveyed an additional lesson: Don’t dismiss something valuable simply due to exclusion from it. Isaac, in his disappointment over the failed dinner party, overlooked the important document that resulted from it.

Port shares, “For many years, we’ve been involved in this line of work, tackling numerous sitcoms and even pursuing roles on those we admired. When we don’t land a role on a cherished project, it can breed resentment and lead us to forgo enjoying something worthy that we might otherwise appreciate.

Unlike neck ruffles, scorned writers never go out of style.

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2025-02-27 14:32

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