diff --git a/mitmproxy/tools/console/master.py b/mitmproxy/tools/console/master.py
index a6885733d..c0d8e05c8 100644
--- a/mitmproxy/tools/console/master.py
+++ b/mitmproxy/tools/console/master.py
@@ -309,13 +309,15 @@ class ConsoleMaster(master.Master):
     def shutdown(self):
         raise urwid.ExitMainLoop
 
-    def overlay(self, widget):
+    def overlay(self, widget, **kwargs):
         signals.push_view_state.send(
             self,
             window = overlay.SimpleOverlay(
+                self,
                 widget,
                 self.loop.widget,
                 widget.width,
+                **kwargs
             )
         )
 
diff --git a/mitmproxy/tools/console/options.py b/mitmproxy/tools/console/options.py
index 706605fc6..f38550f98 100644
--- a/mitmproxy/tools/console/options.py
+++ b/mitmproxy/tools/console/options.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import urwid
 import blinker
 import textwrap
+import pprint
 from typing import Optional, Sequence
 
 from mitmproxy import exceptions
@@ -8,6 +9,8 @@ from mitmproxy.tools.console import common
 from mitmproxy.tools.console import signals
 from mitmproxy.tools.console import overlay
 
+HELP_HEIGHT = 5
+
 
 def can_edit_inplace(opt):
     if opt.choices:
@@ -27,8 +30,6 @@ def _mkhelp():
     keys = [
         ("enter", "edit option"),
         ("D", "reset all to defaults"),
-        ("g", "go to start of list"),
-        ("G", "go to end of list"),
         ("w", "save options"),
     ]
     text.extend(common.format_keyvals(keys, key="key", val="text", indent=4))
@@ -62,8 +63,10 @@ class OptionItem(urwid.WidgetWrap):
         val = self.opt.current()
         if self.opt.typespec == bool:
             displayval = "true" if val else "false"
-        elif val is None:
+        elif not val:
             displayval = ""
+        elif self.opt.typespec == Sequence[str]:
+            displayval = pprint.pformat(val, indent=1)
         else:
             displayval = str(val)
 
@@ -218,8 +221,10 @@ class OptionsList(urwid.ListBox):
                         overlay.OptionsOverlay(
                             self.master,
                             foc.opt.name,
-                            foc.opt.current()
-                        )
+                            foc.opt.current(),
+                            HELP_HEIGHT + 5
+                        ),
+                        valign="top"
                     )
                 else:
                     raise NotImplementedError()
@@ -254,7 +259,7 @@ class Options(urwid.Pile):
         super().__init__(
             [
                 OptionsList(master),
-                (5, oh),
+                (HELP_HEIGHT, oh),
             ]
         )
         self.master = master
diff --git a/mitmproxy/tools/console/overlay.py b/mitmproxy/tools/console/overlay.py
index e1dc50bf5..e874da691 100644
--- a/mitmproxy/tools/console/overlay.py
+++ b/mitmproxy/tools/console/overlay.py
@@ -8,13 +8,15 @@ from mitmproxy.tools.console import grideditor
 
 
 class SimpleOverlay(urwid.Overlay):
-    def __init__(self, widget, parent, width):
+    def __init__(self, master, widget, parent, width, valign="middle"):
+        self.widget = widget
+        self.master = master
         super().__init__(
             widget,
             parent,
             align="center",
             width=width,
-            valign="middle",
+            valign=valign,
             height="pack"
         )
 
@@ -22,6 +24,8 @@ class SimpleOverlay(urwid.Overlay):
         key = super().keypress(size, key)
         if key == "esc":
             signals.pop_view_state.send(self)
+        if key == "?":
+            self.master.view_help(self.widget.make_help())
         else:
             return key
 
@@ -105,20 +109,33 @@ class Chooser(urwid.WidgetWrap):
             signals.pop_view_state.send(self)
         return super().keypress(size, key)
 
+    def make_help(self):
+        text = []
+        keys = [
+            ("enter", "choose option"),
+            ("esc", "exit chooser"),
+        ]
+        text.extend(common.format_keyvals(keys, key="key", val="text", indent=4))
+        return text
+
 
 class OptionsOverlay(urwid.WidgetWrap):
-    def __init__(self, master, name, vals):
+    def __init__(self, master, name, vals, vspace):
+        """
+            vspace: how much vertical space to keep clear
+        """
         cols, rows = master.ui.get_cols_rows()
+        self.ge = grideditor.OptionsEditor(master, name, vals)
         super().__init__(
             urwid.AttrWrap(
                 urwid.LineBox(
-                    urwid.BoxAdapter(
-                        grideditor.OptionsEditor(master, name, vals),
-                        math.ceil(rows * 0.5)
-                    ),
-                    title="text"
+                    urwid.BoxAdapter(self.ge, rows - vspace),
+                    title=name
                 ),
                 "background"
             )
         )
         self.width = math.ceil(cols * 0.8)
+
+    def make_help(self):
+        return self.ge.make_help()
diff --git a/mitmproxy/tools/console/signals.py b/mitmproxy/tools/console/signals.py
index ad2c29629..93f095776 100644
--- a/mitmproxy/tools/console/signals.py
+++ b/mitmproxy/tools/console/signals.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ call_in = blinker.Signal()
 # Focus the body, footer or header of the main window
 focus = blinker.Signal()
 
-# Focus the body, footer or header of the main window
+# Set the mini help text in the footer of the main window
 footer_help = blinker.Signal()
 
 # Fired when settings change