It wasn’t until I got to the end of the first episode of ABC’s new comedy Better Off Ted that an unexpected series popped into my head. “This is kind of like Arrested Development,” it said. Of course, I argued with it. This is nothing like Arrested Development, I countered. You’re only saying that because Portia de Rossi is in it.
“It’s the whole tone of it. The quirkiness, and yes I know that word is overused but it’s so appropriate right now, you don’t even know!” But, I insisted, Arrested Development was this huge cast and this family. “I didn’t say it was the same show. Nowhere near. It’s an attitude, Jason. There’s an attitude of confidence that comes out with a pilot episode and says ‘BAM! That’s how you do it!'” I had to agree with myself on that point. This show came out firing on all cylinders.
I love that Ted’s “voice of reason” comes in the form of his daughter, who’s seven or eight years old. Despite being set in an enormous company, the cast at this point is a grand total of six people, two the aforementioned Ted and his daughter, Rose. Two more are a package deal: Phil & Lem. They’re genius research scientists, sheepish and cowardly. And then you have the women, the rebellious Linda and the buttoned down stereotypical middle manager, played by de Rossi.
For now, this seems to be sufficient. For me, a good test of the quality of a show is how quickly it moves through its half-hour, or hour. This one was done before I knew it. There are so many little gems throughout it just fills the time seamlessly. And I don’t even want to blow them for you. Luckily, ABC is streaming the episode for you so you can go watch it right now (just look under ‘Free Episodes’). Then come back and tell us what you thought about it.
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Mar 19, 2009 @ 17:30 EST5EDT
It made me miss Andy Richter all the more, I may not be able to like it as much as a result.
I enjoyed it, and will definitely watch it again, but I didn’t find it that funny. Arrested Development was quirky, yes, as is Ted, but AD was ALWAYS funny.
good, not great. i felt it tried too hard at times. the talking to the camera annoyed me.
it just wasn’t that funny. we shall see…
Well, I never found Arrested Development funny, but I really enjoyed Ted. Reminded me of another favorite that lasted 11 episodes…Sons and Daughters. At first the “scream” annoyed me, and by the end, the timing of it had me laughing out loud. So, I’m sure it will be canceled.
Comedy is so subjective. :-)
I’m curious, mod, do you like 30 Rock? I think the humor is very similar to AD.
I didn’t watch it closely (it was on in the background) but also caught the AD similarity. Not only Portia de Rossi, but one of the characters was very Buster similar, and the edgy humor without a laugh track rarely exists on prime time TV.
Pleasantly acerbic and understated, and I agree everything jelled perfectly in the pilot. I’ve long missed Andy Richter Controls the Universe, so have high expectations for more of this show.
From what I could tell, Ted runs the entire R&D division for V.D., so I think his boss Veronica would be a senior VP or something.
I liked it and will give it a few viewings, til ABC takes it off the air.
I liked how di Rossi’s character referred to the upper management as only “them” or “they”. Having worked for a large company, I completely understood.
I LOVED this, and I thought the same thing. It is very much like Arrested Development. I hope it keeps that same vibe. Since AD left the air, there has been noting like it on TV, and it’s nice to have something with the same feel back. I really hope this show makes it.
https://www.joeonthetube.com
I did not get this show. Maybe it is like Arrested Development; I didn’t find anything positive about AD either. I don’t know, I just feel like there should be something funny, or at least interesting, about a comedy. I just missed this one completely.