I’m starting to worry my liking of any new show is automatically its kiss of death (look no further than Kings and Pushing Daisies). The most recent example? Better Off Ted. Even though last night’s new episode increased its total viewership from last week, I’m not sure if its 4.7 million viewers (and counting!) are enough to save it from the graveyard. It’s such a shame, too, since the workplace-set comedy is the most promising new sitcom I’ve seen in ages. (Luckily, I’m not alone — Ken Tucker agrees with me, too.)
There’s plenty to like about Better Off Ted, and I can assure you it is much, much better than its eye-rolling title. For one thing, the (small) cast is uniformly strong. Jay Harrington, who you may recall from Desperate Housewives and Private Practice, exudes a cool, easy charm that brings to mind both Jon Hamm and George Clooney. Portia de Rossi is deliciously droll as Ted’s self-absorbed, no-nonsense boss. Admittedly, she’s doing a more socially awkward variation of her character on Arrested Development, but you won’t catch me complaining. She’s fantastic. And the supporting cast — Andrea Anders (Linda), Malcolm Barrett (Lem) and Jonathan Slavin (Phil) — completely sell the increasingly ludicrous story lines, like last night’s episode when Lem and Phil accidentally drugged Linda with an energy-enhancing band-aid. (Pictured: said drugging takes effect!) Stuff like that happens all the time at Veridian Dynamics, the multi-million dollar corporation they all work for. Already we’ve seen someone get frozen (poor Phil!), pumpkins developed as weapons, and beef made out of thin air. The best part? Each episode contains a faux-advertisment for Veridian Dynamics. They’re consistently hilarious.
I like Better Off Ted and it’s cutesy reality-meets-fantasy tone. I just hope it’s around long enough to develop an audience, which might not be in the cards since ABC has been a little cancel-happy these days. (Need I mention Pushing Daisies again?) Have you been tuning in, PopWatchers? If not, how come? Too many other shows flooding your DVR’s?
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I love Better Off Ted. It’s a great show with sharp writing and great performers. But, alas, I also have the past two episodes waiting for me on DVR. How are networks tracking TiVO, DVR, download, and internet viewing of a show? That has to come into play when deciding the fate of a show nowadays.
The show is hysterical. Did you catch the bit about people refusing to give back the wrapping paper trying to look at Santa’s Junk, just as Ted walks by a desk with wrapping paper stretched over an office lamp? Pure Comedy Gold.
“Better Off Ted” is really awesome. I’m not usually one for sitcom’s, but I put this up there with “Big Bang Theory”. It is funny and original enough to keep me coming back for more.
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I totally second your feeling that everything I like is destined for cancellation
It’s sad that shows like Pushing Daisies and Better Off Ted are apparently too unusual to attract viewers. But yes, I love Better Off Ted – it is soooo funny. Last week’s “sensors that don’t see black people” was my favorite so far, but every show has been great. “What if the baby killed a man?” I wish more people would watch. Or that ABC would accept that, if they’re going to bother making offbeat shows, they’re not going to do as great in the ratings as other things.
Love it, but then again I also loved Daisies. None of my favorite sports teams do well either. The opposition should be paying me.
i’ve been watching. on abc.com, since i don’t have a tv in my dorm room. i LOVE it.
I saw the season premiere. It didn’t do anything for me. Too much mugging before the camera, too many irrational secondary characters (none of whom I cared for). To be quite frank, they lost me at the whole freezing a scientist (complete with stationary mugging) subplot. Not. Funny.
Haven’t watched last night’s ep on the DVR yet, but last week’s show about the sensor lights that didn’t register black people was, in a word, AWESOME. I mean, they hired white people to follow the African-American workers around! “My white guy is amazing!” I really hope Better of Ted doesn’t get cancelled in this declining world of sitcoms…
I caught the end of last night’s episode and thought it was pretty funny. I have a question for Style Hunter. Who makes the orange cardigan with lavendar trim that Linda was wearing when she went back ot Lem and Phil’s lab?
I agree…I absolutely love this show, and its getting better every week. If this gets the same treatment as Fresco’s “andy richter control’s the universe,” I will forever be disappointed. I would however be ok if it pulled off an arrested development. Three solid seasons, and critically appreciated (not saying I think it is as good as arrested development), but I also think it may have passed the office and 30 rock as my favorite comedy on TV.
I agree….damn good show. Little mix Andy Richter Controls the Universe and Arrested Development with a dash of Scrubs. Favorite moment from last night when Linda tearing thru a flood emotions while facing her nemesis, the crying baby!
I feel the same way, and could list so many shows that I loved that ended well before their time.
I’m a big fan of Better Off Ted….wasn’t too sure about it at first, but last week’s episode with the motion detectors was one of the funniest episodes of any tv show that I’ve ever seen.
Here’s hoping it lives to see the fall….and while we’re at it, here’s hoping for more Chuck too!
I completely forgot about it last night. Would it kill them to advertise a bit more? They did enough of it before it premiered.
I absolutely adore this show. If you enjoy:
30 Rock
Andy Ricter Controls the Universe
Arrested Development
WATCH THIS SHOW!
I’ve watched and enjoyed a couple episodes, especially the one where the lights don’t see black people (the fountain gag? horrifyingly hilarious). I don’t think ABC is the problem, it’s Nielson America. Networks only advertise the shows that they think Gomer-America will watch. Glee is gonna get flushed too, I know it.
Jeremy, I totally agree with you! I actually caught up with this show the second week it aired and have added it to my already busy DVR. I was actually talking to my co-workers about last night’s episode at lunch today. Hopefully I just added three new viewers. Although I tend to share your luck with liking shows that end up getting canceled. Veronica Mars anyone????
I am so sad for KINGS. I thought that show had potential.
The show is great. It is dry humor and most Americans can’t understand it. Spend some money ABC and advertise this show more.
Thanks for mentioning it. I was concerned that it wasn’t getting any media buzz. I, too, love the unreal-reality of it. Last weeks was pure comedy genius. “We see you!”
I’m watching it! But I have the feeling (probably encouraged by the presence of Jonathan Slavin) that it’s going to go the way of “Andy Richter Controls the Universe”. I hope it catches on, though…I just love it! And Jay Harrington is adorable, and Portia de Rossi is amusingly uptight and awkward, but obviously intelligent, and Andrea Anders is a great romantic foil!
I can see why pushing daisies was cancelled—after a while the narrating got annoying—it was charming at first and then wore on you after 10 eps—this on the other hand could be the next “office”—ABC needs to get smart and keep it!
I enjoy the show, I’ve been watching. It’s entertaining no matter what, but I think it has enough going for it that it could develop into a really good show given some time. Granted, ABC doesn’t have a good track record for that. I miss Pushing Daisies!!!
I hope and pray this show stays. It should replace My Name is Earl and it would be comedy heaven with Ted, Parks, Office and 30 rock.
I’ve watched a couple of episodes and have enjoyed it. The concept may seem outlandish, but when you get down to it, it’s just a clever workplace sitcom. The writing is sharp, and the acting (and chemistry of the cast) is great. I can see shades of The Office, 30 Rock, and even Arrested Development…and all of those are extremely good influences. Unfortunately, like those aforementioned comedies, Better Off Ted’s ratings leave something to be desired. Here’s hoping ABC (who doesn’t have much of anything to boast of in the sitcom department) sticks with it!
Love it. I’m not able to watch much TV these days due to other commitments, but it’s one of only a few shows that I watch as soon as possible.
This show is seriously great. I just think it’s a shame that shows that are legitimately smart and don’t try to dumb down the content can’t seem to get anywhere. What does this say about us as a society?
I won’t watch it BECAUSE it looks good. ABC is way too trigger happy with its line-up, and I’ve been burned by this network too many times.
After 4 episodes, I’m already in love with this show. It has moved up to Do Not Delete status on my DVR. It is witty, quirky, and hilarious and has an amazingly strong cast. Everyone on the show is funny…you rarely get that in a show! I hate how cancel-happy most networks are these days. Most shows need time to gain an audience but I feel most nets only give a show 5 or 6 episodes before making a decision. What’s up with that? Also, it takes a lot of shows a couple episodes to find their stride, but the beauty of this show is it already found its stride and is going strong after only 4 episodes! Please don’t cancel this show! And if you haven’t tuned in already, please do!
I was completely surprised by how much I loved this show…as far as comedies go its right up there with 30 Rock which I love…I also hope they give it a chance…I have lost or am in the process of losing too many shows I like…which seems odd to me because so many other shows I dislike have no problem sticking around…