When the first Ted movie released in 2012, comedy in film and television looked a lot different than it does now. The style of humour was common at the time for an R-rated comedy, but some may call it offensive by today’s standards. If I’m being honest, I didn’t think this prequel series could work without sacrificing its edginess, but I’m happy to report that’s not the case. Ted is one of the funniest shows I’ve seen in a long time.
This series is bound to offend some folks and ruffle a few feathers, but none of the humour comes across as being in poor taste. That’s because, to go along with all the limit-pushing jokes, there’s also a surprising amount of heart. I was genuinely surprised by the handful of endearing moments, which gave the characters and series as a whole a little more depth than I expected. Not all of the jokes work, and there’s a little bit of that Family Guy style randomness that drags on a little long, but it’s been a while since a show made me laugh this hard.
The series follows a teenage John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg’s character from the movies), as he navigates high school in the ‘90s with Ted by his side. Ted and Johnny are the main characters, but this show excels thanks to its excellent ensemble. In fact, some of the best moments come from other members of the Bennett household. Alanna Ubach is the surprise MVP of the series, as John’s timid and conservative mother. Her line delivery is outstanding, and her character brings a perfect contrast to the brashness of the Bennett men.
If you’re a fan of the Ted movies or just Seth McFarlane's brand of humour in general, this prequel series is a must watch. It doesn’t break the mold in terms of sitcom structure, but it’ll have you in stitches from laughing so hard. All 7 episodes are now streaming on Peacock in the U.S. For Canadian residents, episodes 1-3 are available on Showcase, with new episodes dropping every Thursday night.
3.5/5
Review by: Benjamin Garrett
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