The prequel series Ted, now streaming on Netflix as of July 1, has been hailed by fans as 'the funniest show ever' and an 'absolutely genius' comedy. The eight-episode first season serves as a prequel to the film franchise created by Seth MacFarlane, who returns to voice the titular foul-mouthed teddy bear and directs every episode.
Plot and Setting
Set in 1993, the series follows Ted the bear living in Framingham, Massachusetts, with his best friend 16-year-old John Bennett (Max Burkholder), John's parents Matty and Susan, and cousin Blaire. According to the synopsis, Ted's moment of fame has passed, and he now navigates teenage life with John, offering a mix of bad influence and loyal friendship.
Max Burkholder takes over the role of John from Mark Wahlberg, who played the character in the films. The cast includes Alanna Ubach (Euphoria) as John's mother, Giorgia Whigham (The Punisher) as his cousin, and Scott Grimes (American Dad, The Orville) as John's father.
Critical and Fan Reception
The series boasts an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, higher than the original film. Fans have taken to social media to express their admiration. One fan described it as a 'hilarious masterpiece,' adding: 'The CGI for the bear is insanely good, you almost forget he isn't real. Seth MacFarlane does an incredible job bringing Ted to life, and the chemistry between the entire cast makes the show feel effortless.'
Another viewer claimed to have watched the series at least 10 times, stating: 'It still makes me laugh every single time. The jokes are sharp, the timing is perfect, and the cast is just amazing. It's absurd, honest, and perfectly delivered.' A third fan noted: 'It's absurd, a little bit chaotic, and somehow still incredibly charming. The show cleverly balances raunchy humour with an oddly heartfelt coming-of-age story.'
Future of the Series
A second season was released earlier this year, but the show's future remains uncertain. MacFarlane has indicated there are no plans for a third season due to high production costs, though he has hinted at a potential film featuring the series cast. For now, Netflix users can stream all episodes of season one, while season two is currently available only on Sky or NOW.
Fans warn that once you start watching, it's hard to stop. One viewer commented: 'Seth is a comedy genius and this project is no different. After putting it on with the intention of watching one at 12:30am at night, I binge watched it and was left wanting more.'
