Ted

As someone who loves just about everything Seth MacFarlane does it's not surprising that I absolutely loved this Ted series. MacFarlane is back as the voice of Ted and he's as funny as ever. This series takes place 20 years before the movie, back in 1993. Ted is just coming off all the fame and tries to live a normal life with his owner/best friend, John Bennett, who wished Ted to life. Max Burkholder does a good job as John Bennett. He even gets his voice to sound like a young Mark Wahlberg. While Ted is the star here and there are plenty of other funny people, the other stand out here is Scott Grimes as John's father. You might know Grimes from another MacFarlane series called The Orville (another good show). I loved the movies so I was hoping this wouldn't be a let down. It's not. It's as funny as the movies were. I can't wait to watch this all the way through again.

This might annoy some people but this series is honestly better than the first two movies in terms of it's direction, humour & writing. The acting is very well done and this exceeded way past my expectations not that I ever expected to hate this show because it's Seth McFarlane. For crying out loud this guy knows how to make people laugh and Scott Grimes I love that guy "hey were at dinner!" it gets me every time his character is awesome he says what he thinks and believes and honestly he just doesn't care. For those who aren't aware they have renewed the show for a second season there's stuff online about this it's definitely happening and ya know what good for them. I've seen this twice now and I still love it if your in the UK the only way to watch this is on YouTube because we don't got Peacock here.

I'm writing this review after watching the first season and I have to admit I loved it! I watched it not expecting much, given I didn't particularly enjoy the two Ted movies, but oh boy this series was a treat. The cgi of Ted was done so well that there wasn't a single moment that made me think "oh it's not really there". The humour was actually funny this time around, the kid protagonist sells it as a younger version of the movie protagonist. I appreciate very much how the mother is depicted, so many modern series have a mother who's alcholic or she's indipendent and strong. Not here, she is a loving mother that loves to be that, and that's fine. I also liked the father, and despite me don't minding the girl I still have no clue what she is supposed to be. Is she a cousin? Why is she living with them? In the movies there was like a flashback scene but she wasn't there, so is she a new character introduced in this prequel series? You know I'm looking too much into the lore, this is Ted not Futurama.

Anyway, would I reccomend it? Absolutely, go on and watch the bully episode.

Season 1.

Based on the success of the original 2012 film and its sequel three years later, was initially surprised that this concept was adapted into a mini tv series. Now of course it takes place in the early 1990's with our lead character of John being a teenager. The series very much represents a lot of the 1990's with its clothing, video games, furnitures, and frequent pop culture references.

As seen in the films, the comedy is very much on par with a lot of crude jokes and witty dialogue. They don't water down the product as this series is very much for mature audiences as equivalent to an R rating.

Seth MacFarlane does great voice work as Ted. The actor portraying John certainly gets better as the show progresses. The actress portraying Blair may be the standout as she's the smart independent voice of reason and social conscience. The father is the more laid back occasionally aggressive drunk type while the mother is the more nice easy going pushover one.

Each episode has enough laughs but their stories do vary and do get serious at times. From the opening episode dealing with buying drugs, to the following episode with the bully and his absent father. A Halloween episode is in there which may be the highlight (ep. 4) mainly because it brings the pairing of Ted and Blair. To the final two episodes which felt more serious dealing with issues (Blair seemingly "coming out", John's prom wanting to lose it). Although they each of course have comedic moments but the laughs were less the final episodes.

Overall a very entertaining mini series with eye opener results with a nostalgic factor for people to enjoy. We are now anticipating the second series and it has been reported in the works.

Am a big fan of Ted, Ted 2 and Seth in general so was hoping this would be good.

I wasn't initially sold after the first two episodes but it gets better and better and funnier and funnier as it progresses! Really like the characters, they grow on you and it becomes classic Ted with the back story.

Great 80's throwbacks, film references etc which is great for me and along with the hilariously vulgar jokes there is the usual warmth that comes from the story line and characters.

Give it a chance if you are a Ted fan. Really hopeful of another season at some point but doesn't look like for now.