Better Off Ted. ABC doesn’t promote this show that much, but it is currently in its second season, and likely many people haven’t even seen a single second of the first season. Now that season is on DVD.
Better Off Ted centers on Ted Crisp (Jay Harrington), a single dad who is the head of Research & Development department for the Veridian Dynamics corporation. He leads a quirky team of the world’s smartest scientists, including Phil (Jonathan Slavin) and Lem (Lem Hewitt), on a mission to make the impossible possible. Their job is to create products that make money for the company, regardless of how unethical and dangerous these products could be to consumers. Working to appease his beautiful boss (Portia DeRossi), Ted struggles occasionally with his conscience and his attraction to a researcher co-worker, Linda (Andrea Anders).
This show is similar to The Office, mainly because almost all of the storylines take place within a workplace office environment. In addition, Ted often directly talks into the camera to narrate what is going on or shares his feelings or opinions on what is going on that helps move along the episode. Almost every episode of Better Off Ted also explores workplace morales and office politics, which ultimate make this show a satire of big business today. Thankfully, thus far the jokes and writing have been strong and clever.
The cast is great from top to bottom. Their chemistry only gets better as the first season progresses. If there is one negative about this show, it’s that is might rely too heavily on satirical jokes. All of the characters are likable and entertaining to watch, but they really haven’t showed as much depth as the characters in The Office. Maybe they will become that in later seasons, but none of the characters look really unique outside of the premise of this show.
At the very least, Better Off Ted is a clever sitcom that has a unique sense of humor. It might look like The Office, but the first season proved that it’s not a total clone. It’s a great satire on big corporations today, but how long can they make that last? The great acting might be enough to carry Better Off Ted to at least another full season and maybe even a third season. But the actors have to really make the characters unique on their own, if they want to be considered a great comedy.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – Pilot
Ted, who loves his job, runs the research and development department at Veridian Dynamics. He is shocked when the company cryogenically freezes one of the scientists in his department.
Episode 2 – Heroes
Veronica worries about legal problems after Phil suffers problems after the cryogenic experiment. Phil and Lem try to create meatless beef.
Episode 3 – Through Rose Colored HAZMAT Suits
Ted brings his daughter to work. Linda’s ex-boyfriend pays her a visit. Lem and Phil try to work out who’s the boss in their relationship
Episode 4 – Racial Sensitivity
A new motion-sensor system creates racial problems when it proves unable to sense darker skin.
Episode 5 – Win Some, Dose Some
Phil and Lem accidentally treat Linda with an experimental energy patch that has some unusual side effects. Meanwhile, Ted convinces Veronica to help Rose sell wrapping paper to win a trip to Disneyland, but soon regrets it.
Episode 6 – Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Ted’s record as an employee gets deleted from the company computer. While he attempts to reestablish his corporate identity, Linda steps in as team leader.
Disc Two:
Episode 7 – Get Happy
After a survey reveals that the staff is unhappy, Veronica tries to improve their morale.
Episode 8 – You Are the Boss of Me
Ted tries to befriend his underlings in their version of Medieval Fight Club, unaware that they’re uncomfortable around him. Meanwhile, Linda tries to befriend Veronica.
Episode 9 – Bioshuffle
When Veronica, Linda, and Ted end up having to share offices, tensions grow between them. Meanwhile, Lem finds himself in close proximity to a new attractive co-worker and Phil works to find a solution to an acid leak.
Episode 10 – Trust and Consequences
Veridian blames Linda for a perfume with unexpected side effects, and friends fall out when they’re forced to testify.
Episode 11 – Father, Can You Hair Me?
Ted and Veronica deal with father issues: Ted’s team discovers a cure for male-pattern baldness that he hopes will please his father, and Veronica gets news that will change her relationship with her father, the CEO of a rival company.
Episode 12 – Jabberwocky
Ted is forced to create a fake project for Linda rather than admit the commercial that Veridian is going green is false. When other employees try to sign up for the program, things start to go awry.
Episode 13 – Secrets and Lives
The team learns a shocking secret about Veronica when an invention goes awry. Meanwhile, Linda tries to set up Ted with another woman.
The video is given in widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The transfer is great with colors generally looking bright and vivid details everywhere. No major or minor problems at all here, and on par with other new shows released on DVD these days.
The audio included is available in either English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound. There are subtitles available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese as well. The dialogue and music come out loud and clear. No major problems here either.
There are no extras for this DVD set.
If you haven’t seen Better Off Ted, definitely give this season a rent or check out any of the season two episodes on ABC right now. The series is truly worth a watch for comedy fans.
<20th Century FOX Home Entertainment presents Better Off Ted: Season 1. Created by Victor Fresco. Starring Jay Harrington, Portia de Rossi, Andrea Anders, Jonathan Slavin, Malcolm Barrett, and Isabella Acres. Running time: 299 minutes. Rated: NOT RATED. Released on DVD: December 1, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
