He's Gotta Have It

I rewatched the first "Ted" film the other week and wondered as part of my review whether this series would be able top keep to the same sensibilities as that film had. To my surprise, largely it does - as the movement direct to the steaming service Peacock in the States (to Sky/NOW in the UK) mean that Network rules don't apply.

Set in the mid 1990's, with his celebrity status as a talking teddy bear now behind him, Ted (Seth MacFarlane) settles into life with the Bennet family. The family include his best friend Jon (Max Burkholder), Jon's Dad Matty (Scott Grimes), Mother Susan (Alanna Ubach) and Cousin Blaire (Giorgia Whigham). Sick of him sitting at home all day, Matty insists that Ted should go to school with Jon, which Jon is in favour of as he's getting bullied anyway, a fact that Ted is unable to really help with. They soon discover that the key to their predicament is one of life's great coping mechanisms, Marijuana.

This version of "Ted" is essentially a traditional sitcom. In the sense it largely resets itself after each episode, both in terms of character emotion and the overall plot. It's less traditional in that the episode lengths are inconsistent, which only a streaming service would allow them to get away with. I see some professional reviewers complain about the low number of episodes, but it has a main character who is almost entirely CGI, so I'd imagine the rendering on him alone takes weeks. I would say though that Ted doesn't look quite as polished as he does in the films.

It's a similar sense of humour to the films. It has its cake and eats it too by putting it's questionable lines and casual phobias in the voice of the dumber characters, usually Ted himself or Matty. I laughed quite a bit though and thought some of the stranger moments were pretty good. I don't necessarily buy that Max Burkholder's character is the same one as Mark Wahlberg's but I thought he was quite funny too.

It's been quite a success I think, so I hope that they'll get to make more. I guess we'll see.

This episode brought immense joy and laughter, with each minute delivering a perfect blend of humor. Ted's character, in particular, stood out, showcasing an incredible level of comedic brilliance. The entire episode, orchestrated by the mastermind Seth MacFarlane, was a testament to his genius in making characters shine.

The humor was relentless, and Ted's antics had me in stitches throughout the episode. MacFarlane's ability to craft such memorable and hilarious characters is truly commendable, creating an atmosphere where every moment is infused with comedic brilliance. The episode's overall execution was flawless, capturing the essence of humor in a way that resonated with the audience.

One standout moment was the unexpected OJ scene, which took me by surprise but turned out to be incredibly amusing. It demonstrated MacFarlane's knack for incorporating unexpected twists into the narrative, keeping the audience engaged and entertained. The comedic timing and delivery in this scene, as in the entire episode, were nothing short of perfect.

Seth MacFarlane's mastery in storytelling and character development was evident throughout, allowing each character to shine in their own unique way. The writing was clever, and the humor was not reliant on explicit language, making it accessible to a broader audience. This is a testament to MacFarlane's ability to create content that is not only funny but also inclusive.

As the episode unfolded, the laughter became contagious, and it was impossible not to be swept away by the comedic charm. The comedic genius of Seth MacFarlane was the driving force behind this, as he effortlessly weaved together a tapestry of humor that resonated with viewers of all tastes.

In conclusion, the episode was a triumph in comedy, with Seth MacFarlane's brilliance shining through every moment. Ted's character, the unexpected OJ scene, and the overall execution made it an unforgettable experience. The laughter induced by this episode was not only genuine but also a testament to the enduring comedic talent of Seth MacFarlane.

As the last episode of season one it's a good way to put it all together. They leave it with his girlfriend from prom leaving town and many possibilities for season 2. I feel seven episodes is pretty short for a season but I'm just hoping that season two doesn't get cancelled. Over all it was enjoyable and binge worthy.

Seth did a great job of lining up the story line and making it feel like I was watching an extension of the movies, many of these TV shows that are based off of the movie tend to have some type of issue with the characters, this one hits it out of the park with the young version of johnny and Ted, not only can I not wait for the 2nd season, I really think this show could be one of the next greats, like family guy, American dad, or the simpsons.

The way Seth makes the characters almost come alive is and has always been one of my favorite traits of his shows. The acting in this show is great and the actors casted fit their rolls perfectly, this show is relatable and gives a recognizable feel to it.

VERY excited for a season 2 if they decide to green light it.