Ted

In 2012, Family Guy and American Dad creator Seth MacFarlane introduced the world to Ted, a foul-mouthed teddy bear who was magically brought to life by his young owner’s wish. Whereas the film and subsequent sequel followed the pair’s antics later in life, this prequel series turns back the clock to just after the bear’s initial stardom died down. It’s 1993 and Ted (once again voiced by MacFarlane) has returned to Framingham, Massachusetts where he stays with his now-16-year-old best friend John (Max Burkholder), John’s parents (Scott Grimes and Alanna Ubach) and his college student cousin Blaire (Giorgia Whigham). It’s the quintessential set-up for a 90s family sitcom, which MacFarlane takes great glee putting his own spin on.

It’s no secret that MacFarlane has a soft spot for older media. A classic Family Guy scene saw Stewie Griffin dance with Gene Kelly, for example, and Ted 2 even opened with a 1950s-inspired dance number. The creator likewise draws from TV’s past for the prequel series, with classic shows like Full House being a notable influence. While this show features the archetypical characters, familiar plot lines and the charming opening credits of a family-friendly show from early 90s, the twist is that Ted is anything but.

Like the movies, the series is brimming with crude humour and the creator’s other idiosyncrasies that viewers of his other works will be acquainted with. MacFarlane is once again the star of the show as the titular stuffed animal and brings a tonne of energy to each episode. Though he’s not sharing the screen with Walberg this time, Burkholder and MacFarlane nevertheless have a winning rapport. They riff off each other’s lines brilliantly and give the impression that they really are lifelong friends. Their chemistry is fundamental, and watching them get up to mischief is a lot of fun.

The gags come thick and fast, with many of them relishing in the unapologetic silliness of the premise. Not all the jokes land successfully, however. There are points where the script feels like it’s going through the motions and choosing the easiest or rudest punchline available. Fans of Ted’s previous outings will undoubtedly get a kick out of this prequel series. However, it won’t win over anyone who’s already turned off by MacFarlane’s humour.

Andrew Murray

Ted is released on Sky on 9^th February 2024.

Watch the trailer for Ted here: