LOS ANGELES – The popular comedy film “Ted” has found a new home on Peacock, the streaming platform. The release of this prequel comes at a time when comedy movies have faced declining fortunes in theaters, with only a few celebrity-led projects making the cut each year. Noteworthily, big names such as Adam Sandler, Melissa McCarthy, and Kevin Hart have turned to streaming platforms. However, “Ted” stands out as one of the biggest comedy hits of all time, which explains its presence on Peacock.
In this throwback to the school days of John Bennett, played by Max Burkholder, and his talking stuffed bear best friend Ted, voiced by Seth MacFarlane, the premise relies heavily on the bear’s ability to say rude things. The opening theme of the show, reminiscent of MacFarlane’s popular animated sitcom “Family Guy,” sets the tone for a well-made live-action series with similar characters. Burkholder skillfully channels Mark Wahlberg’s over-the-top performance and Southie accent from the original films. While the rest of the cast may be equally frustrating or hilarious depending on viewers’ tolerance levels, the focus largely revolves around the friction between John’s parents, Matty and Susan, and the introduction of a new cousin character adds a quirky spin to the formula.
Surprisingly, the legendary Patrick Stewart, who narrated the films, does not make the transition to the series. However, Ian McKellen, Stewart’s friend and X-Men nemesis, steps in and delivers some memorable lines in his limited appearances.
The humor in “Ted” largely follows the same pattern as the films, relying on outrage and shock value. The bear’s ability to say truly awful things is at the core of many jokes. Punchlines range from references to Jewish people, cannibalism, and John Belushi, to recycled jokes from other comedy movies. This predictable and familiar humor may be a drawback for viewers who are already familiar with MacFarlane’s work, especially “Family Guy.”
Despite its initial hiccups, the series gradually finds its stride around the halfway mark. A new wild character is introduced, injecting a fresh dynamic into the show, and Ted’s pop culture references only grow stronger as the episodes progress. However, with only seven episodes, “Ted” lacks an overarching narrative and feels more like a collection of standalone sitcom episodes rather than a cohesive season.
Nevertheless, the series offers comfort-watching potential and captures the enjoyable aspects of its cinematic source material. The chemistry between John and Ted remains superb, with Burkholder seamlessly taking over Wahlberg’s role. Nostalgia-driven giggles and clever callbacks to the movies add to the appeal of this genuinely decent comedy.
In conclusion, “Ted” finding a new streaming home on Peacock speaks to the current landscape of the comedy genre. While comedy films struggle in theaters, streaming platforms have become a refuge for big-name comedians. The success of “Ted” as one of the all-time great comedy hits further justifies its presence on Peacock. Though the series may not offer groundbreaking humor, it serves as a solid addition to Seth MacFarlane’s body of work.