Quirky, off-beat, different; I like it. So far. It had a few LOL moments for myself. Particularly when dude suffered the cryogenic after-effects....:D

I watched it. I agree that there were some LOL moments. I liked the scene with the water fountain.

Liked it

Is the guy that plays Ted the same actor that plays Richard Alpert in "Lost" ?
Richard in "Lost" is the guy that never appears to age in all the different time "flashes"

Watched it. Loved it. If the show remains even half as funny as the first episode, it's a keeper. Absolutely my type of strange, almost brain-damaged humor. I loved the balance of the story with Ted trying to handle the shocking amorality of his boss against the strict moralism of his daughter.

Too many too funny moments to count. You gotta respect a show where a kid says, "You don't freeze people who come to your daughter's birthday party."

Nice thing, too, is the ABC gives quirky shows a fighting chance. While I'm still a little disappointed by the disappearance of Pushing Daisies, no one can say ABC didn't give the show a fair shake.

Watched it. Loved it. If the show remains even half as funny as the first episode, it's a keeper. Absolutely my type of strange, almost brain-damaged humor. I loved the balance of the story with Ted trying to handle the shocking amorality of his boss against the strict moralism of his daughter.

Too many too funny moments to count. You gotta respect a show where a kid says, "You don't freeze people who come to your daughter's birthday party."

Nice thing, too, is the ABC gives quirky shows a fighting chance. While I'm still a little disappointed by the disappearance of Pushing Daisies, no one can say ABC didn't give the show a fair shake.

Yep, pretty good, it was genuinely funny. I also agree about Pushing Daisies, still hard to believe how absolutely horrible the ratings were for that show.

I loved this show, thought it was genius.

Which of course means it will have been watched by 3 million people and canceled in three weeks.

Is the guy that plays Ted the same actor that plays Richard Alpert in "Lost" ?
Richard in "Lost" is the guy that never appears to age in all the different time "flashes"

No it's not Richard Alpert.

I liked the show, and I hope ABC gives it the chance to succeed.

Yep, pretty good, it was genuinely funny. I also agree about Pushing Daisies, still hard to believe how absolutely horrible the ratings were for that show.

Actually, I was shocked that it had been re-upped even once.

Pushing Daisies was about as dangerous of a show as you can produce. Too sugary for the cynical folks. Too mean for the sugary crowd. It was Fractured Fairy Tales taken to a distant extreme.

I kinda suspect that Better Off Ted may face the same firing squad. On the uptick, they've paired it with the best show possible in Scrubs. If you can't get the Scrubs audience to watch and laugh, then there is no hope.

The show as a quirky and funny as the commercials made it out to be. The cast is a nice mix and they could go a lot of places with the working in a research lab premise.

I loved this show, thought it was genius.

Which of course means it will have been watched by 3 million people and canceled in three weeks.

My fear exactly. Loved the opening video montage about what the company manufactures. Especially the last one with the missle strike.

Actually, I was shocked that it had been re-upped even once.

Pushing Daisies was about as dangerous of a show as you can produce. Too sugary for the cynical folks. Too mean for the sugary crowd. It was Fractured Fairy Tales taken to a distant extreme.

I kinda suspect that Better Off Ted may face the same firing squad. On the uptick, they've paired it with the best show possible in Scrubs. If you can't get the Scrubs audience to watch and laugh, then there is no hope.

I gotta agree here. While I LOVE Pushing Daisies I knew from episode 1 it would never last. Too quirky for mainstream. Reminded me a lot of Tim Burton's Big Fish.

I also liked Ted quite a bit, although our ABC Affiliate (it's gotta be the worst affiliate in the country) had the sound messed up for the first 20 minutes so it sounded like a scratched record. I'm just glad they cleared that up before Lost came on.

I really liked it. Too funny when the daughter answered [what is] 6 times 8.

I also liked Ted quite a bit, although our ABC Affiliate (it's gotta be the worst affiliate in the country) had the sound messed up for the first 20 minutes so it sounded like a scratched record. I'm just glad they cleared that up before Lost came on.

The sound I heard from my affiliate (WMTW) was pretty bad at times. It was out of sync for the entire show and dialog was loaded with what sounded like compression artifacts for parts of it. I thought the bad sound was perhaps something from the production of the show since it seemed to come and go as far as I could tell. Maybe poor ADR? I figured the audio sync was a problem caused by the channel inserting stupid lottery numbers at the beginning of the show. They can't do it very gracefully since they still have no HD capability beyond passing through the ABC feed.

Beyond the sound, I liked the show.

The sound I heard from my affiliate (WMTW) was pretty bad at times. It was out of sync for the entire show and dialog was loaded with what sounded like compression artifacts for parts of it. I thought the bad sound was perhaps something from the production of the show since it seemed to come and go as far as I could tell. Maybe poor ADR? I figured the audio sync was a problem caused by the channel inserting stupid lottery numbers at the beginning of the show. They can't do it very gracefully since they still have no HD capability beyond passing through the ABC feed.

Beyond the sound, I liked the show.


Yeah, ours sounded more like compressed artificacts for most of the show (which is a better description than my scratched record analogy). Our affiliate is WHTM in Harrisburg, PA, so maybe it just wasn't limited to them.

I loved this show, thought it was genius.

Which of course means it will have been watched by 3 million people and canceled in three weeks.

Looks like it had 5.8ish million viewers and 2.1 in the A18-49.

Not very good unfortunately since I liked the show as well.

There were audio issues with Comcast Chicago also - some sort of crackling, interference in the audio, and then as the show progressed, there were definite audio compression artifacts of some sort (like a low-bitrate MP3).

But we laughed, so it seemed 1) like it might be worth watching on a weekly basis and 2) this means that it will, like so many shows like it, not be watched by anyone and be cancelled in the very near future.

Ah well.

Liked this show a lot. Although the "shouting" cryogenics man reminds me of a The Simpsons episode when Homer was awakened from hypnosis and recovered scary memory when he was 12(?) years old of discovering skeletal remains. and Homer cannot control himself and just keeps on screaming.
"Castle" also uses a daughter as a sidekick/advisor. What next a paralytic guy in wheel chair as in Family Guy?

Liked this show a lot. Although the "shouting" cryogenics man reminds me of a The Simpsons episode when Homer was awakened from hypnosis and recovered scary memory when he was 12(?) years old of discovering skeletal remains. and Homer cannot control himself and just keeps on screaming.
"Castle" also uses a daughter as a sidekick/advisor. What next a paralytic guy in wheel chair as in Family Guy?

SIMPSONS did it!

Audio on the pilot was unspectacular, but it was a pilot after all. Hopefully they'll be back to normal network quality standards by the second episode.

Can someone cancel this now please to save time?

Quirky? No laugh track? Not set in some generic living room or kitchen? We can't have that sort of show on the air! It's against viewer nature.

I thought it was entertaining but it got killed in the ratings by the spectacularly average Gary Unmarried. Which shows once again that the viewing public generally have the imagination and open-mindedness of a block of concrete. Plus they cast Maz Jobrani from the similarly offbeat Knights of Prosperity - "robbing from the rich to give to themselves" - so that's pretty much an indicator of how long this show will last.

Audio was clear here but I noticed lip sync issues and some compression noise too.

SIMPSONS did it!

I'm sure Chef will soon appear and explain that the Simpsons stole half their plots from The Outer Limits. But, please keep your voices down on the subject, lest Harlan Ellison appear and sue all of us plus The Simpsons, South Park and Better Off Ted.

In fact, can we please affirm some manner of recognition of the fact that every one of us owes royalties to Harlan Ellison, since he pretty much thought of everything before we did. I mean, hell, Ellison's probably got a Corwainder Bird credit somewhere at the end of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

And to all who think I am on crack: read up on Harlan Ellison. You will never utter anything as moronic as "Simpson did it" ever again without at least doing some deep background on whether they stole it from a Harlan Ellison-written episode of some TV show.

Actually, I was shocked that it had been re-upped even once.

Well, the first season was actually kind of a mild hit for them. The ratings when it came back were horrible, though.

Onto this show. I liked it, it has a lot of potential. Definitely reminds me of the creators other show, Andy Richter Controls the Universe.

Definitely reminds me of the creators other show, Andy Richter Controls the Universe.

One of the first things I thought of too. I loved that show.

Reminds me of The Loop (on FOX), which I liked and which got canned after 2 short seasons. This show is a goner.

I usually hate sitcoms because they just keep recycling the same jokes over and over. Half the time, it amazes me they don't just recycle the same living room/kitchen set to save money.

However, I really liked this show. But, then again, I'm weird. The show probably won't last, but I'm sticking with it.

I watched it. I agree that there were some LOL moments. I liked the scene with the water fountain.I enjoyed it too. Portia does very well in these types of comedic roles... a la her character in Ally McBeal and Arrested Development. She's a natural.

I giggled at the seeming double-entendre-laden discussion about "being in every cubicle, twice".

Enjoyed the rapid-fire dialog enabled by no laugh track, and the cuts to the daughter's amusing wise-beyond-her-years comments (delivered not in a little-girl sugary way that would make you annoyed, but in a clever old-person-in-a-young-body ironic way that makes you like it).

All in all, a nice follow-on from Scrubs. I'll watch it again.

Well, the first season was actually kind of a mild hit for them. The ratings when it came back were horrible, though.

True, the writer's strike did a lot of damage to Pushing Daisies. Add to that the fact they didn't pick up where the show left off in Season 1, and instead sort of started over again. Some of the demise of Pushing Daisies stems from how they handled the discontinuity caused the strike.

The again, the only freshman show that handled the strike well was Life.

The again, the only freshman show that handled the strike well was Life.
I wouldn't say "well" since the ratings are still somewhat sad for it, but it did certainly survive.

Guess I'm going to have to give this another shot.

Neither my wife nor I thought much of it, sitting through the pilot with no laughs except for the fake commercial at the start.

And yet we loved Andy Richter, love 30 Rock, Scrubs, The Office even loved The Tick (if anyone remembers that one.)

oh yeah I remember The Loop. I loved that show. This one, ehhh, it's okay.

Guess I'm going to have to give this another shot.

Neither my wife nor I thought much of it, sitting through the pilot with no laughs except for the fake commercial at the start.

And yet we loved Andy Richter, love 30 Rock, Scrubs, The Office even loved The Tick (if anyone remembers that one.)
Well, I wouldn't say I laughed out loud, either, but I had a few chuckles - more than with most sitcoms.

However, when the show was finished, I was shocked that it went by so quickly. That's how entertaining it was for me.

Here's the death knell: I liked it and Season Pass'ed it. The Countdown is on now...

Guess I'm going to have to give this another shot.

Save yourself the trouble. I think it's a matter of the type of humor involved. I suspect that folks who like Better off Ted also liked the first season of Dead Like Me.

I was reading a review of Better Off Ted by Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune (whose opinion I largely respect), and she expressed the same viewpoint as you did, Larry. Her view was that the show is basically soulless and mean.

I think you have to enjoy humor about soulless and mean things to enjoy these types of shows.

I liked the show quite a bit and it has plenty of room to get better as well. I do agree the audio was crap, but hopefully that will be fine from here on out as someone mentioned. I really loved Andy Richter COntrols the Universe (same creator). I hope this show does better.

Phil (cryo-man) talks a lot like Leonard from The Big Bang Theory. And in other news: it took me a week to realize who DeRossi is.....:eek:

Great show tonight. Anybody know where you can find the campy music they showcase?

Missed it first time it aired but caught it on the re-run on Tuesday night. I thought it was quite funny but the lip synch problems spoiled it a bit. Also, I thought the PQ was a bit soft. Fwiw, the cryo guy (Jonathan Slavin) was in Andy Richter Controls The Universe (on HDNet).

?

It was a new ep here last night.

They re-ran the pilot on Tuesday. New episode last night.

What, no comments this week?

Well, Phil and Lem definitely have a bro'mance......:p

What, no comments this week?

I thought that the bit with the eletrical control system not being able to recognize the African-American employees was drop dead funny. That and the management "solutions" to the problem tweaked the noses of so many stereotypes that Mel Brooks would have been proud.

What, no comments this week?

Loved it.

What, no comments this week?

It should have been the pilot...frakking hilarious.

This is by far the best new comedy this year. You have to love to fake Veridian Dynamic commercials (lame that they know have to have a better off ted bug to show they are fake).

I'm liking it, and will keep recording/watching. And yes, the main story this week was a HOOT.

This show appeals to a certain sense of humor; if you have it then it can be hysterically funny.

But it seems to me the show only really hits its comedic heights when Portia is on camera (to say nothing of the fact she's stunning). I'm not sure whether I'm laughing with her or at her (I think the latter) but the other scenes don't ever seem to be quite as good.

I really liked last week's episode in which Veronica tries to turn Ted's daughter into a "mini-me". Both absolutely hysterical and kind of sad, in a way.

Too bad it won't last.

I laughed myself silly this week. I really hope this keeps going. It's been so long since a sitcom has appealed to me.

I absolutely love this show now. The wife,too. It gets better every week. Last week's episode with the outsourced to "India" payroll contact line made me laugh so much that I had to rewind 3x to see it again. I sure hope this show lasts.

My wife and I have watched all the episodes so far too. For as much as it's a single cam (which we probably have too many of already) and probably too influenced by THE OFFICE (cant say for sure, never watched it), it seems to work. Kind of like THE MENTALIST, it doesn't seem to do one specific thing spectacularly - there doesn't really seem to be one hook or another that sets it apart, but taken as a whole, it's entertaining, enjoyable, and just a nice basic diversion from REAL office life for 30 minutes.

As for the last episode, I don't think my wife laughed much, but I found myself laughing through pretty much the whole episode. Obviously jokes about racism and political-correctness could easily be done VERY poorly, but this seemed to work.

Has anyone else noticed this particular subject matter handled as well or better?

I absolutely love this show now. The wife,too. It gets better every week. Last week's episode with the outsourced to "India" payroll contact line made me laugh so much that I had to rewind 3x to see it again. I sure hope this show lasts.
It seems to me that the show is taking on every hot button issue in corporate America whether it's racism (real or defacto), outsourcing, in-office relationships and host of others in funny and often, hilarious ways. Portia's "serious" deadpan delivery is so good. The show finds ways to insult pretty much everyone. That's why I mentioned Mel Brooks earlier. Blazing Saddles may have done more to shame racists in America than many serious works and Ted seems to be going down the same path.

Let's face it: any show that does a blacks-only water fountain joke is begging to be canceled.

And of course, it's my type of humor. That also means it's your type of humor, y'all. And has anything that is our type of humor ever survived for long? Cripes, the longest run of any show that was my type of humor I can remember is Mr. Show with Bob and Dave. I'm sure Veridian would be glad to tackle Mr Show's plan to blow up the moon.

So, we shall love Better Off Ted for as long as ABC is daring enough to air it.

I thought the second show was even funnier than the first one! and phil reminds me of that skinny guy on big bang theory,and also has some of the mannerisms of BEAN ,so far so good.

3rd episode was hilarious.

My wife and I are really liking it and the fake Veridian Dynamics commercials :)

I noticed that Phil isn't screaming anymore. I'm OK with that, though.

Seriously, my fellow AVSers. This is the best new comedy on TV in several years now. If you're not watching it, you are definitely missing out. Tell your friends, enemies, everyone you see to start watching.

Honestly I am laughing my butt off at this one... which means it is going to die the death soon :(

This show is definitely finding legs. I hope they stick with the more harsh humor of the most recent ep. Surprised this show is on a major network, seems like it would fit better with "Always Sunny" and "Testees" on FX, both of which serve up similar humor.

I just hope they continue to iron out the delivery. It is such a single punchline BAM BAM style, I'd like to see more build-up (the evolving treatment of the black employees is a step in the right direction).

We have any numbers for ratings?

This show is comedy gold.

Very funny episode tonight.

We have any numbers for ratings?Random numbers pulled from Variety:

Pilot was 2/6 (18-49), 5.6 million.

April 1 was 1.8/5 (18-49), 4.7 million.

April 8 was 1.7/5 (18-49), 4.04 million.

Very funny episode tonight.
Loved the "hurricane-proof dog" in the commercial:D

Loved the "hurricane-proof dog" in the commercial:D

I hear you can buy them in the same aisle where they sell the black market beagles from Firefly.

Y'know, that hurricane proof dog may have been the happiest any creature that ever existed will ever be. Science brought that dog pure joy. That dog was one with the universe.

I lost it when the blond chick was prattling on about how writing on stuff doesn't mean you own it, after stealing the baby.

The last couple of episodes have been really good. Love the main girl, Linda, she is insanely attractive.

god i hope this stays on, tonights episode was hilarious. this show is really getting its legs

"You couldn't pull off a caper if it was sitting on a plate of lox."

And from a few weeks ago...

"We have a problem. The food division just told me that the extra-fun mac and cheese I'm supposed to be presenting to the shareholders causes blindness if eaten more than twice a week. Plus, no matter how long it's cooked, it never gets hot." Veronica (Portia De Rossi).


Clever and fast. I watch regularly, and really enjoy some of these bizarre lines.

But somehow I'm still not yet taken as I was with "Arrested Development". Give it some more time, I suppose. Definitely superior to "In The Motherhood" and "Parks and Recreation". (Also, I do NOT watch "The Office").

Another great episode. The Linda character is very hot.

Favorite line: "but rebooting would shut down veridian's entire worldwide operations and that means money which the company never parts with unless forced to by a government stronger than they are, and there's only 3 of those left."

I wonder how many picked that crisp is the british slang for a [potato] chip.

For whatever reason, ABC seems willing to let us have a full season. As always, hilarious. Although the Veridian commercial this week was the first one that bombed. That's been my favorite element so far. I now desperately need a hurricane-proof dog.

For whatever reason, ABC seems willing to let us have a full season. As always, hilarious. Although the Veridian commercial this week was the first one that bombed. That's been my favorite element so far. I now desperately need a hurricane-proof dog.
Possible correction, as ABC is calling this next Wednesday's episode the "Season Finale". Since we know that there are 13 episodes in the can, and just about every TV metrics/ratings-related site is calling the show cancelled, this appears to mean that this next episode will be the SERIES finale.

"You couldn't pull off a caper if it was sitting on a plate of lox."

Or (paraphrasing): "The government never pays more for something that kills fewer people".

That's it, just 7 episodes? What is ABC's problem? Why can't they give a show some time. This is the best new comedy on TV.

Unfortunately, for the viewing masses (and the TV execs), "best new comedy" is a very subjective phrase. Viewing figures and the metrics in general are pretty much always how these things are decided, and those figures appear to have spoken volumes to those in a position to make programming decisions.

And if this is canceled, it makes me wonder why I ever bother watching any new shows. Maybe the networks have been like this since the 1950s but as I get older I get more aggravated with every cancellation.

First Arrested Development, now Better off Ted?

Stop killing every show I like, thanks.

And if this is canceled, it makes me wonder why I ever bother watching any new shows. Maybe the networks have been like this since the 1950s but as I get older I get more aggravated with every cancellation.
No, they haven't been. For years, the networks didn't have overnight ratings and they didn't have stockholders that had access to them. You also didn't have all the buzz generating outlets (good or bad) like you do now. The "water cooler talk" was literally taking place at the water cooler.

The networks (like every corporation) are under constant pressure to show growth each quarter. A small dip in revenue results in a huge drop in the stock price. A huge drop in the stock price results in the stockholders wanting a head or two to roll.

There's no such thing as a long term stock investment anymore. The days of letting your money ride for a couple decades in IBM are gone. We've taken on such a massive day trader mindset that we can't tolerate anything other than an uphill climb on the graph.

My wife and I too love this show. I sure hope that the morons at ABC give it a chance...cutting it to 7 episodes is annoying but I guess they think they can get better May sweeps numbers from some moronic replacement reality show. This show is a grower. Jeez. I hate networks! At least Arrested Development last 3 seasons.

It is disappointing to get into a new show that gets pulled from under your feet. At least you can say that you caught it and enjoyed it...

i liked the line about the "stupid question filter" :)

The Season Finale has been moved from tomorrow to Tuesday May 5 due to the President's news conference. There is talk of bringing this show back next season.

From HOTP:
In its debut season on ABC after seven years on NBC, "Scrubs" has been a modest performer at 8 p.m. Wednesday. But it has helped launch new comedy "Better Off Ted," with both series enjoying critical praise, strong support at the network and talk about possibly extending the pairing into next season.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=16355168&postcount=34023

Would be thrilled to see it come back. I love this little show :)

Possible correction, as ABC is calling this next Wednesday's episode the "Season Finale". Since we know that there are 13 episodes in the can, and just about every TV metrics/ratings-related site is calling the show cancelled, this appears to mean that this next episode will be the SERIES finale.

I can't say we didn't see this coming. Overall, it's not a demographically broad show. The fact that all of us are sitting here discussing shows that are viewed as cultish awesomeness but overall numbers failures demonstrates we suck as a demo.

Congrats to all. We suck better than most. That's something. We'll go watch some other show and kill it to. We'll bury it right next to Arrested Development and Firefly.

I have to admit I'm watching the movie Network right now, and now I'm wondering if it wouldn't be awesome if Ted were murdered by Marxists and his epitaph was "The first man who was killed because he had lousy ratings."

Oh, man . . . we need to watch more crap and buy more energy drinks. It's the only way we can save our shows.

Congrats to all. We suck better than most. That's something. We'll go watch some other show and kill it to. We'll bury it right next to Arrested Development and Firefly.I'd like to add two more shows to the list of "I can kill it by watching"...

(1) "Boomtown", terrific police/crime show from back in 2002-2003. Outstanding, great cast, changing perspective repeat views of the same event by different cast members... just a fantastic idea for a TV show premise (yes, often seen in movies).

But the it was ratings challenged, and the suits came in to "re-tool".

Obviously, it was "too difficult for average viewers to follow" so the second season they made it "linear", eliminating all of the underlying magic of the show. No more flashbacks and multiple views of the same event. It turned into a total uninteresting dud of an average police drama.

They even brought in Vanessa Williams for some stunt casting in the second season, and she made it even worse.

What a shame. History.


(2) "Karen Sisco", with Carla Gugino and Robert Forster. From the same general 2003 timeframe. Another well-acted, well-written, well-directed, well-conceived drama... destined for the graveyard.

This one lasted a total of 10 episodes before being yanked.

Naturally, I loved it.

Dude, you sometimes wonder. I mean, there are certain shows that draw in the wrong demographic (us). What's wrong with us a demo? Do we not evangelize our shows to others well enough?

Now, I have to admit that Better Off Ted looked like cancellation bait from the gun. And this is all with the understanding that ABC deserves credit for giving shows a chance (heck, Pushing Daisies even got a second season).

Oh, well. I think I said a while back we better love how ever much of the show they were willing to give. Better to have loved and lost, yada.

Ah, don't remind me about Boomtown. Excellent show (even if it was like the entire cast of Band of Brothers).

I'd like to add two more shows to the list of "I can kill it by watching"...

(1) "Boomtown", terrific police/crime show from back in 2002-2003...(2) "Karen Sisco", with Carla Gugino and Robert Forster. From the same general 2003 timeframe....

Similar likes, Boomtown was very good, but Karen Sisco was great. After seeing Robert Forster's performance in Jackie Brown I was hoping to see a lot more of him, and Gugino was the cherry on top.

Andy Richter was one of my favorite shows. I think Victor did a great job with Better Off Ted. Though some of the initial ideas were recycled a bit from Andy, themes like jet pack, and motion sensors come to mind. Ted took it to the next level. I dont mind that it's gone, I really dont expect much form audiences.

Better off Ted was definitely a redo of Andy Richter, but that didn't bother me as we could certainly use another Andy Richter Controls the Universe.

Sucks that the last show was a rerun...

I *think* there is one show left, that will air next week, Tuesday May 5th. It was scheduled for this week, but Obama bumped it.

I *think* there is one show left, that will air next week, Tuesday May 5th. It was scheduled for this week, but Obama bumped it.
TVbythenumbers.com has an article about the show's creator's response to this week's rescheduling:

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/04/29/better-off-ted-creator-responds-to-getting-bumped-by-obama-press-conference/17717

Share and enjoy!

TVbythenumbers.com has an article about the show's creator's response to this week's rescheduling:

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/04/29/better-off-ted-creator-responds-to-getting-bumped-by-obama-press-conference/17717

Share and enjoy!

Loved it! I want to work for Veridian Dynamics!

Don't forget, season finale is tonight!

Don't forget, season finale is tonight!
We're there! Just out of curiosity, have anyone seen any promos for this "season" finale, since prior to the reschedule of last week? One thing I'd have to fault ABC for is NOT PROMOTING THE SHOW (on air, at least). I've sat through who knows how much other crap that ABC has foisted on us, and NOT ONE PROMO yet.

This doesn't exactly bode well for a return ("Scrubs" status notwithstanding)

Another great episode. I hope this show returns next season.

Also, Portia de Rossi was looking hot with her hair down.

Another great episode. I hope this show returns next season.

Also, Portia de Rossi was looking hot with her down.

I agree on both counts. It's hard for Portia not to look good, she's perfectly cast in her role. I've started catching 'Arrested Development' on HDNet and she is a total riot.

If they don't renew this, you'll find me throwing cats at a few ABC execs.

Did Veronica drop a "frak" in there or was I hearing things?

Did Veronica drop a "frak" in there or was I hearing things?She was looking for aspirins.

"That's how we keep our employees... GRUNTLED" (or something like that).

Also, Portia de Rossi was looking hot with her hair down.That slow-motion strut in her gray suit with hair down and flowing... sheer genius.

I especially enjoyed her post-survey interview with the bean counter, and then her total turnabout dealing with the drones. Hilarious!

She really has perfect comedic timing and delivery, plus perfect facial moves and body language. I've been a fan of hers ever since "Ally McBeal". And "Arrested Development" confirmed my feelings.

Where's the frakking aspirin?
Oh, there it is.
Good job, cabinet.
Oh, God. I must stop.

She really has perfect comedic timing and delivery, plus perfect facial moves and body language.
It really is some of the best casting I've seen in a while.

Where's the frakking aspirin?
Oh, there it is.
Good job, cabinet.
Oh, God. I must stop.

LOL.

By the way, that is kinda fun to do, especially if there are strangers around you. Just start talking to or about inanimate objects like they're real people. First you'll get a confused look, but people usually figure out pretty quickly you're messing with them. :p

Nice to see Merrin Dungy; haven't seen her since King of Queens & Alias.

As we may have some people somehow viewing outside the US...

Since we know that there were some 12/13 episodes filmed, and only 7 were shown domestically, do we know if any of the remaining episodes were shown elsewhere? It's not been uncommon for such things to happen in past, so I thought I should ask.

Still no definite news, hm?

Better Off Ted renewed!

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41097
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003771.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Better Off Ted renewed!

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41097
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003771.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Easily the most shocking renewal of the season so far (yes, more shocking than Dollhouse).

Not that I'm complaing!

I assumed since I really enjoyed the show it would naturally be gone.

Great, forgot to program the machine to catch the first one but loved all the rest of em. It does remind me of Arrested Development a lot, very funny in a quirky off beat way:D

Better Off Ted renewed!

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41097
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003771.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

I am astonished.

You know, I got thinking that this has been a surprising year for renewals.

I mean, Chuck was renewed, despite NBC's all-out offensive to crush everything people like on the network. Dollhouse was renewed. Castle was renewed. Who would have figured that both Joss Whedon and Nathan Fillion would break their big network jinx in the same year?

My gawd. What's next? Jericho returns?!

Great news. Correct me if I am wrong, but are there unaired episodes from this season yet?

Great news. Correct me if I am wrong, but are there unaired episodes from this season yet?

Yes, six I think. But that made the renewal decision easier. Carry these unaired eps to next year and the renewal is cheaper since they can produce 6less episodes and still have a full season.

“Better Off Ted” will air Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m., next fall/winter following the run of “Dancing with the Stars The Results Show.”

“Better Off Ted” will air Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m., next fall/winter following the run of “Dancing with the Stars The Results Show.”

you mean next winter/spring....

you mean next winter/spring....

I thought DWTS ended before Thanksgiving, that's still fall.

From Fredfa's "Hot Off The Press" thread at the top of the 'HDTV Programming' page:

TV Notes
ABC to Air New 'Ted' Episodes in June
By Josef Adalian, TV Week - May 29th, 2009

Better Off Ted" is getting some summer exposure.

ABC today said that it will begin airing new episodes of the first-year comedy Tuesday, June 23 at 9 p.m. The show has been on hiatus since May 5.

Six episodes from the first season of "Ted" remain in the can. ABC is positioning the summer run of the show behind its new reality series, "The Superstars," which will air from 8-9 p.m.

ABC has renewed "Ted" for a second season of 13 episodes. That batch of episodes is set to air sometime midseason.

"Better Off Ted” stars Jay Harrington and Portia de Rossi. The show, from 20th Century Fox TV, is executive produced by Victor Fresco.

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/05/abc_to_air_new_ted_episodes_in.php

Even better, we get to see a few new ones this summer before they start up the new season. That should help viewers remember the show when it comes back in the fall too:D

TV Notes
ABC to Air New 'Ted' Episodes in June



Sweet!

My DVR has scheduled the new episode that will air on Tuesday, June 23.

I watched the rerun last night; hilarious stuff.

From Fredfa's "Hot Off the Press" thread at the top of the 'HDTV Programming' page:

Critic’s Notes
'Better Off Ted' returns
By Alan Sepinwall, Newark Star-Ledger - June 22nd, 2009

Here's something you don't see every day: a Summer Burn-Off Theatre run for a show that isn't dead yet. But since it's for the workplace comedy "Better Off Ted," one of the funniest shows on TV right now, I'm not complaining -- just puzzling it out.

ABC's been spending a lot of time lately cleaning out unaired inventory of shows with no future: "Pushing Daisies," "Eli Stone," "The Unusuals," "The Goode Family," etc. Tomorrow at 9:30, ABC will air the first of six episodes of "Better Off Ted" that didn't air before the show came off the schedule in early May. But where those other series have been canceled, "Better Off Ted" is on next season's schedule.

Ordinarily, when a series produces more episodes than it can air in one season due to the quirks of the schedule, the network will just roll those episodes into the next, so that the following season will have more original installments and fewer repeats. ABC did that with "Grey's Anatomy" after its first year, and a few times with "Boston Legal," and Fox is going to do that this fall with " 'Til Death."

So why are these "Ted" episodes airing now? Two theories:

1) As of now, the next season of "Ted," along with the new season of "Scrubs" (with a combination of new and old cast members), is set to air at midseason, between installments of "Dancing with the Stars." That's a tight window, and both "Scrubs" and "Ted" got orders for only 13 episodes, and if the ABC schedulers think the only place for those shows is as the filling of a "Dancing" sandwich, there isn't really room to air these six leftover "Ted" episodes.

2)"Ted" was a surprise renewal because of its low ratings. By mixing in these six leftovers with repeats of the seven episodes that aired in the spring (last week saw the rerun of the brilliant episode about the company inadvertently installing water fountains that their black employees couldn't use), ABC will be showing the series all summer, and doing that thing that we're always asking networks to do these days with shows that need to find a bigger audience. The numbers for this summer run will undoubtedly be even smaller than in the spring, but with any luck they'll include some new viewers who sample the show, like what they see and come back at midseason.

Whatever the reason, I'm just glad to have "Ted" back, and tomorrow's episode neatly (and humorously) explains why.

In case you didn't watch the first run -- and judging by the ratings, you probably didn't -- "Ted" stars Jay Harrington as the one relatively normal man in a frighteningly large, impersonal and more than a little insane worldwide conglomerate known as Veridian Dynamics.

(The highlight of each episode tends to be the faux commercials for Veridian, its products, and its corporate philosophy. The latest suggests that the only thing separating humans from worms is that humans have bosses, and ends with the tagline "Bosses. Necessary.")

In tomorrow's episode, single dad Ted finds himself with time on his hands while his ex-wife has their daughter and tries to hang out with research-and-development drones Phil (Jonathan Slavin) and Lem (Malcolm Barrett). Phil is excited, but Lem is suspect about trying to be friends with his boss, comparing it to a ventriloquist offering to pal around with his dummy: "At the end of the day, you know who's sleeping in a suitcase."

Lem is right to worry, as Ted gets way too into the Medieval Fight Club that some of the low-level Veridian employees have been conducting in the sub-basement -- then takes advantage of his role as their boss to keep them in line when they object.

(While Ted is designed to be the straight man, it's a credit to "Ted" creator Victor Fresco and his writers that they started to let Harrington occasionally be strange -- but in a more recognizable way, like his obsession with competition -- and funny as the first season went along.)

Meanwhile, Linda (Andrea Anders) learns a similarly uncomfortable lesson about befriending your boss when she tries to bond with cold, controlling executive Veronica, who begins using Linda as a repository for dark secrets like how she used to feed her sister in her sleep "so she wouldn't be skinnier than me." (As Veronica, the hilarious Portia de Rossi makes sociopathy seem like a sound career strategy.)

Toward the end of its spring run, "Better Off Ted" was hitting its insane workplace beats much better and more consistently than the episodes of "30 Rock" that were on at the same time. Hopefully, enough people discover it in this summer run to make ABC look smart for having renewed it.

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/06/better_off_ted_returns_sepinwa.html

The article above reminded me of what I'd intended to comment on when last week's episode first aired. It was really quite surprising to have them address (what can be) a hot-button issue in what appeared to be a very non-PC way. It seems like whenever issues of racial inequality come up (even in comedy), there seems to be some plan or intent on the part of the writers to send a message or teach a lesson of some sort, so it quite surprising that the characters, nor Veridian Dynamics really gained any additional insight from the episode (apart from the possible expenential expenses related to human resource management....).

I was curious - has anyone else seen a comedy address issues in this way before?

This is a show I was going to follow and completely forgot. So for the next 6 weeks, they will air the unseen episodes and then will rerun the earlier episodes throughout summer? If I keep recording them, I should have all the episodes from this season, right?

>ABC will air the first of six episodes of "Better Off Ted" that didn't air

Does that mean they have more than 6 episodes they are holding on to?

No, it's just means six episodes were left unaired

LOVE this show! Without a doubt, this is THE most amusing thing on TV right now. We typically end up having to rewind at least 5 seperate times per episode because of the roaring laughter in the room. Too bad people are overlooking this for some of the other crap that's considered as "funny" these days. The Veridian ads are superb!

One of my favorite bits from last night was when Phil and Lem were postulating that Veronica never leaves but just turns herself off at night. And then later while drinking with Linda, Veronica just goes head down to the table as if turned off.

Admit it, how many of those DVRs backed at once for the final scene? Just once?

This scene? I am ascared.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8169/ted1.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/5618/ted0.jpg

Does this show have interlacing artifacts at times or am I seeing things?

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4746/lem.jpg

Admit it, how many of those DVRs backed at once for the final scene? Just once?

I'm totally infatuated with Andrea Anders. She's 1 part girl-next-door, 1 part drinkin' buddy, 1 part sexy-ass vixen.

Love the Xena outfit! :)

Damn, my DVR cut off the ending before the credits. Thanks for the screen caps.

Admit it, how many of those DVRs backed at once for the final scene? Just once?
With my wife also watching, it didn't seem to be the BEST time to be backing up the DVR to take extra time admiring Andrea's amazonian pulchritude.

But, it was recorded for future reference anyway....;)

Damn, my DVR cut off the ending before the credits. Thanks for the screen caps.
So did mine :mad: I wanted to see the ending no matter what was happening and I saw them talking about being the leader or something and it just quit. I capped it in HD too so doubly bad:p
I guess I may have to pad the ending and beginnings again like the old days to make up for crappy clocks or them playing games to screw up time shifters.

i'm totally infatuated with andrea anders. She's 1 part girl-next-door, 1 part drinkin' buddy, 1 part sexy-ass vixen.

Love the xena outfit! :)

+1

I'm totally infatuated with Andrea Anders. She's 1 part girl-next-door, 1 part drinkin' buddy, 1 part sexy-ass vixen.

Love the Xena outfit! :)


That sums it up. I have always liked her.

My DVR (Dish) stopped before the credits too. In fact, it seemed like there should've been at least another minute before they got to the final scene. This is infuriating behavior on the part of the network, because it DID start on time, within 15 seconds or so.

Like more than a few others here (I'm sure), having recorded network and cable TV for 20 years now, it has pretty much always been a good idea to start early and run late, as whatever anyone might call the "correct, precise time" (yours, your VCR/DVR, the cable provider, the network, etc.,) have rarely coincided with each other.

Yes, except when more programs you want to record come on and you end up with skipped timers because you forgot to babysit the DVR. My DVR has two tuners and I've still missed programs when the season is in full swing.

Like more than a few others here (I'm sure), having recorded network and cable TV for 20 years now, it has pretty much always been a good idea to start early and run late, as whatever anyone might call the "correct, precise time" (yours, your VCR/DVR, the cable provider, the network, etc.,) have rarely coincided with each other.

Just use the series manager and pad the end time by a minute or two.

That was great last night. And I concur Ted, Linda is smoking hot.

Next week is a repeat, but new episodes are scheduled for 7/14 and 21.

Aside from all the other lead characters being cast perfectly, I can't think of the last time I saw a character played as slickly as Ted. Great show, and I loved this week's Veridian commercial too.

I really enjoyed last night's episode.

Phil: 'We call it the voice of god'
Ted: 'No, we don't.'
Phil: 'No, we don't.'

Had my first true LOL moments with last night's episode:
1) Linda's button popping incident (hitting Ted in the forehead - hey that rhymes! :D)
2) The message written on tape on Linda's, ahem, rear (similar to those "If you can read this, you're too close" bumper stickers) during the closing credits (shame on you if you missed that!)

We laugh out loud pretty much every week with Ted (last week MIGHT have been just a bit less funny - a slight imbalance with the humor of uncomfortability), but they were definitely back on track with last night's episode.

I was also rooting for Lem to get the girl, but I suppose that would throw the Lem/Phil balance off.

It's such a shame that this humor doesn't appear to be connecting with the public. Of course, it might help if they showed just a few more promos - I saw only one since last week, in addition to the one during the last break in Superstars. With these ratings, ABC may feel that they need to reconsider their renewal....

Superb episode.

Dangerous show to watch while running on the treadmill. I nearly choked on my Intrabolic at several LOL moments. That stuff is expensive!

My favs: Acid goo = Ass goo / Acid Interface = Ass face :D

Great show, excellent episode....if this were on FOX or NBC, it would've been canned already!

Great show, excellent episode....if this were on FOX or NBC, it would've been canned already!

...in favor of something REALLY great...

...like a reality show with some has-been, 4th-rate "celebrity"...

...you know, something unique.

No one else saw the latest (Tues) new episode?

Well, we now know that the sex between Veronica and Ted led to a significant plot point (regarding whether or not a certain e-mail was sent or received).

Well this time my HD cap was perfect as far as time so I'll be watching it later, probably put this and the last show on one DVD. It looked pretty good while I was editing it and the few places I stopped and watched for a bit.:D

No one else saw the latest (Tues) new episode?Yes, it was one of the best yet IMHO.
Portia is great at playing her character.

Yes, it was one of the best yet IMHO.
Portia is great at playing her character.

I loved how she got her hairstyle. That was one of my fav LOL moments from that episode.

2 more new episodes left.

I thought the last two eps have been a little weaker, but still great.

"Millions and millions of people have died...and millions more have become sad."

Classic. :D

ABC has played with the schedule. Instead of tonight and next week, the last two episodes of this season will now air on Tuesday, August 11 from 9-10 EDT.

I absolutely love the sarcasm in this show.

Somehow, I have a feeling that this last-minute reschedule will not help the ratings at all (given the number of times this same sort of change has happend to the show), and running both episodes in a row will only make it worse. Is ABC just trying to get rid of it for the season now?

Actually the change could help it get an audience for next season, since on 8/11 it will follow "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."

Actually the change could help it get an audience for next season, since on 8/11 it will follow "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."
So, as long as the potential audience (from tonight, and next Tuesday) are informed about the change (and ABC has been showing basically NO promos recently), they'll be sure to catch it in 2 weeks? I hope so, but recent viewership trends don't give me much hope. Of course, if Millionaire does well, I might have to change my tune...

I love this show, but since there's nothing else I watch on ABC (aside from local news), the only way I keep up with their moronic scheduling is through this thread.

If it wasn't for you guys, I'd have no idea when it was on.

Tell me about it -- I just came to this thread to find out what happened, as the Tivo didn't get the message about the schedule update.

It was in my Dish guide until literally a few hours before it was supposed to air.

I think ABC is almost assuming that they can get more veiwers from carry over of shows like Superstars and Millionaire than already watch the show so they are not even caring about the current crop of viewers.

It was in my Dish guide until literally a few hours before it was supposed to air.
On Comcast, the guide was NEVER updated, so the DVR dutifully recorded 30 minutes of bachelorette, thinking it was Ted.

On Comcast, the guide was NEVER updated, so the DVR dutifully recorded 30 minutes of bachelorette, thinking it was Ted.

Mine too. I nearly lost my lunch, even on the fastest of FF settings trying to get rid of that drek. :(

On Comcast, the guide was NEVER updated, so the DVR dutifully recorded 30 minutes of bachelorette, thinking it was Ted.

Same happened on Time-Warner in San Diego.

I forgot about this one coming back so last night I watched the Medieval Fight Club episode on ABC.com. Very, very funny. I love Portia De Rossi. Her delivery of Veronica's insane lines is hilarious as are Linda's reactions. The bit about her grandmother was priceless. Also loved the Veridian commercial about the bosses and being a worm. What an outstanding marketing campaign:D

Reminder: The last two new episodes of the season air tonight at 9 and 9:30 EDT.

Did the ep that was overrun by The Bachelorette finale ever get re-aired or is one of tonights eps?

Did the ep that was overrun by The Bachelorette finale ever get re-aired or is one of tonights eps?
We got the impression here that the episode that was intended to be shown that week, (and the one intended for last week) are both being shown tonight.

^^^That is correct.

Two great episodes of Ted tonight. I really want this show to come back next season.

Two great episodes of Ted tonight. I really want this show to come back next season.

It is coming back. There will be 13 episodes that air on Tuesdays between the Dancing with the Stars runs from December to March.

It is coming back. There will be 13 episodes that air on Tuesdays between the Dancing with the Stars runs from December to March.

That's great.

I thought the 1st episode "Jabberwocky" was better. The presentation with Ted and Veronica where they present Jabberwocky was hysterical.

On the West coast they are just finishing Jabberwocky right now and going into the next one :D
I'm capping it right now in HD as I type this and hope nothing runs over this time or anything to screw it up.
Looking forward to the next season and hope they keep up the great writing and story lines.

The new season of "Better Off Ted" premieres Dec. 8th at 9:30PM (after "Scrubs"): http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17438624#post17438624.

Excellent! I am really getting my quirky show fix :)

I can't wait either! BoT is like the office version of Scrubs. Love it!

Great news. This was the best new comedy of the summer.

I'm really looking forward to this too. One of my favorite new comedies.

Almost missed the return of this.

If you don't watch Scrubs you might too if you are not in front of a TV in 2 minutes.:)

Great episode, and really glad this show is back on the air...very funny.

Now you'll have to excuse me, I have to change into my bear suit. ;)

I accidently stumbled into 'Ted last night; I had no idea it was back already..

Man, this show is just so great. I really missed it.

Very funny episode, one of the best in its short existence.

Great to have Better off Ted back.

But where was the Veridian Dynamics ad?

Bumped into this show last night by accident. Glad I watched. Loved the humor. I was laughing out loud at all the crazy lines people were saying. Good chemistry among the actors.

Great to have Better off Ted back.

But where was the Veridian Dynamics ad?

Hopefully, the Veridian ad was just a one-time omission. One of the best parts of a fantastic show.

Great episode. Forgot just how much I missed it.

Unfortunately the ratings were not very good and it dropped 1.6 million viewers from the "Scrubs" lead in. Tell all your friends to start watching this so we can get a third season.

"She's gullible, and she slept with you on the first date. Check to be sure her mother's not fat, and if not then I say put a ring on it!"

Unfortunately the ratings were not very good and it dropped 1.6 million viewers from the "Scrubs" lead in. Tell all your friends to start watching this so we can get a third season.

Like rezzy, I had no idea it was on...until Today.

Unfortunately the ratings were not very good and it dropped 1.6 million viewers from the "Scrubs" lead in. Tell all your friends to start watching this so we can get a third season.

Unless your friends are Neilsen households, it won't matter, right?

Like rezzy, I had no idea it was on...until Today.

I didn't know but my DVR did (still had series recording set up).

Last night's Veridian Dynamics commercial was hilarious. I was just remarking to a friend during the break for that they did not seem to be doing those commercials this year. I love the awkward situation Lem was in.

Great episode. I also figured out that Ted and Dom Draper are like good/evil twins.

An episode made a local reporter's top ten list of 'seismic' (her word) episodes of TV for 2009...

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/18/seismic-episodes-2009/

Item #7

That truly was a great episode.

Enjoy them while we can, the end is near. They are going to start burning off episodes.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17765746&postcount=45890

Highly unfortunate.

Although initially my wife and I did not like this program, we really warmed up to it and it is now one of our favorites.

Sad new indeed but not exactly unexpected....

Here's life imitating TV...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/12/22/hp.webcams/index.html

Here's life imitating TV...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/12/22/hp.webcams/index.html

That is both hilarious and sad at the same time. :) :(

HP: The REAL Veridian Dynamics! :D

It sucks that it is looking like it will be cancelld, but heck, I was surprised it was renewed at all so anything we get this year is a bonus, at least that is what I will tell myself when I cry myself to sleep at night that such a great show can't find an audience. ;)

Last night's episode was pretty good. Lem dilemma with his mother was hilarious. Although that actress is too young to play his mother.

Last night's episode was pretty good. Lem dilemma with his mother was hilarious. Although that actress is too young to play his mother.

I thought the same thing. Khandi Alexander would have been better to play Lem's love interest, not his mother. Ms. Alexander is only 50 years old and looks a bit younger. It seemed so odd to make her an older mother.

But still, great episode. ABC better not cancel this one.

I've got to tell you, hearing that this is likely to be cancelled hurts, especially after last night's episode. This one was one of the better ones, chock full of great lines, from "it takes a village to destroy a village..." to the scientist named Hitler to any number of others I can't recall right now.

We are all cursed with a sense of humor that no one else gets.

I just downloaded and re-watched "Racial Sensitivity"(the sensor episode). It's also the ep with one of my favorite lines of the series: "Walk away tall. WALK AWAY, tall". :D

I'm will really cry if they cancel this show. I love it.

Here are last night's numbers.

Better Off Ted
- 2.766 million viewers
- 1.9/3 HH
- 1.0/3 A18-49

Sorry to say it, but this show is toast.

Sorry to say it, but this show is toast.

I knew it from the first episode, as I said.

This type of humor is wasted on networks. It's a miracle any of these type of shows with quirky off-kilter laughs make it to a second season or past six episodes. I'm surprised Community is going to be around a full season.

This week was full of hilarious sarcasm and that type of humor doesn't translate to a wide generic audience.

Another show for the DVD collection and another show that can be featured on someone's "Shows that shouldn't have been canceled" list in the future.

Who cares about the numbers!! This Tuesday was the week of a holiday when no networks ran new programming outside of holiday specials or reality. Most scripted programming already was on hiatus a week or two ago.

If ABC is going to judge whether or not Ted lives or dies based on three weeks in December, that's a load of crap. I know it wouldn't be the first time ABC made a s--t programming decision, but still. It's getting pathetic that so many of these original, smart series are wasted on a joke network like ABC.

It's getting pathetic that so many of these original, smart series are wasted on a joke network like ABC.

Still the better option than Fox. Apart from animation I can't remember the last time I watched a sitcom on Fox or one I liked that made it to a full season.

This is a perfect show for a cable channel. Are you listening Comedy Central? The cast and production costs would need to be reduced however.

Whoever does the closed captioning on this program needs to get fired!! :mad:

Half the dialogue was missing from the CC effort. Yes I heard it all fine, but it's ridiculous for lots of dialogue not to appear in CC!

ABC needs to get rid of the the company that does their CC effort and replace it with a better one (like CaptionMax which does a fine job over at NBC!!)

No one else watched last night? Another great ep, but the audio was 'glitchy' for the entire duration....:mad:

I forgot it was on...plus I didn't expect new episodes during the holidays. O_o

And my TV guide says there are two episodes this Friday after the game, and another two episodes next Tuesday. They are apparently burning them off as fast as they can. Enjoy now, because soon we'll be missing it.

January 1, 2010:

TED AND LINDA ARE ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT,
ON ABC'S "BETTER OFF TED"

"The Great Repression" - When a misunderstanding leads oddball Sheila (guest star Merrin Dungey) to falsely accuse both Ted and Linda of sexual harassment, Veronica comes up with a solution to avoid having them punished. She convinces Veridian to classify sexual harassment as a disease so anyone accused of it can't be held responsible. But when the employees get wind of the new rule, things start to get a little crazy in the office, on "Better Off Ted," FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Better Off Ted" stars Jay Harrington as Ted, Portia de Rossi as Veronica, Andrea Anders as Linda, Jonathan Slavin as Phil, Malcolm Barrett as Lem and Isabella Acres as Rose.

Guest starring are Merrin Dungey as Sheila, Jake Dogias as Alvin. Jennifer Irwin as Denise, Jake Dogias as Alvin, Jerry Kernion as Keith, Said Farid as Steve, Chistina Ferraro as Gail, Kristi Clainos as Erica and Wilmer Calderon as Carlos.

"The Great Repression" was written by Becky Mann & Audra Sielaaf and directed by Reggie Hudlin.

"Better Off Ted" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary Closed Captioning. This program carries a TV-PG,D,L parental guideline.

For more information on "Better Off Ted," visit ABC.com.

The new episode is the one that airs immediately after the Rose Bowl. First of all, it's a holiday so many people are not watching TV as they normally do. Second, if you record it, 99% chance you'll miss it because the game WILL run over. It always does.

ABC really wants this show dead to schedule a new episode after a live sporting event on a holiday.

I forgot it was on...plus I didn't expect new episodes during the holidays. O_o

Exactly what ABC wanted. Just watch, they're gonna turn around and shout about the "low ratings" because they set it up to have low ratings.

No one else watched last night? Another great ep, but the audio was 'glitchy' for the entire duration....:mad:

I capped it in HD and will burn to disk later and check it out. I've liked every episode they've done so far, some more then others but every one was good to me. Another cool show that gets the axe once I like it.

No one else watched last night? Another great ep, but the audio was 'glitchy' for the entire duration....:mad:

I DVR'ed it and just watched it. Absolutely hilarious.

No one else watched last night? Another great ep, but the audio was 'glitchy' for the entire duration....:mad:

Audio was fine here, as was the humor.

I forgot it was on...plus I didn't expect new episodes during the holidays. O_o

You need a DVR then you will never miss an episiode.

Exactly what ABC wanted. Just watch, they're gonna turn around and shout about the "low ratings" because they set it up to have low ratings.
As great as this show is it had crappy ratings last year and probably shouldn't have been renewed to begin with. So I'm just counting all the episodes this season as a nice little bonus knowing it's finishing out it's run.

I forgot it was on...plus I didn't expect new episodes during the holidays. O_o

Yep ... ABC has been sprinkling various "new" episodes over the holidays ... blink and you'll miss 'em. Death by willful neglect.

Couple great moments and lines this week. I'll have to rewatch, because I'm sure these aren't quite right.

"Are you purring?"
"You're so paranoid, no wonder the company has to secretly manipulate you."

Couple great moments and lines this week. I'll have to rewatch, because I'm sure these aren't quite right.

"Are you purring?"
"You're so paranoid, no wonder the company has to secretly manipulate you."

No, those are correct! :D

Was the incredibly small office in the first season? I seem to remember something like it.

I thought the scene with everyone crammed into the office was great. Watching the background reactions of Lem and Phil while Ted and Linda were arguing was hilarious. The red coat scene were funny too even though it was obvious it was a social experiment.

Yes it was and it was just as funny then, hopefully they change their minds and continue the show as I think it's one of the best half hour comedies I've seen in a long time.

Ted is dead. ABC scheduled a new episode on a holiday after a sporting event, local affiliate didn't even bother showing the new episode. Guess they thought highlights of the game that just aired were more important. I'm officially done with this show and I'm done with ABC as a network.

They have a new show coming out (The Deep End) that looks like a cross between Eli Stone and Samantha Who? Looks like this thread is dead, too. I don't know why ABC bothers anymore..

Well if they did this on purpose I think they learned all this crap from fox. Take a great show, schedule it against any important sporting event, then preempt it when the event runs long and either not bother to reschedule or move it to some time that nobody will know it's on. After that declare it a ratings failure amd cancel it.
I hope they keep going and maybe we need to let them know many of us actually like and watch the show.

Too bad. Tonight's episode was pretty funny. Favorite line (from Veronica):

In ten years, honey, you'll look back on this moment and think "ohhhh."

Too bad. Tonight's episode was pretty funny. Favorite line (from Veronica):

In ten years, honey, you'll look back on this moment and think "ohhhh."

It was one of the funniest "BOT" episodes during its short run. Hysterical actually.

Great, great episode. Up there with the color sensors episode.

And of course Veridian Dynamics would have a Dalek lurking in the sub-basement! :D

Damn shame if this goes away. It's intelligent humor, but that makes it too much for the average viewer. I hope it at least garners some Emmy nominations this year.

Oh well, there's always the DVD set when (and if) it comes out.

Last night's episode was hilarious. There were so many great moments it would be hard to list them all.

Great, great episode. Up there with the color sensors episode.

Agreed.

That's the sound of me deflecting your whiny bitching with my happiness shield...Boobwardly...More molesty...lmao.

Last night's episode was hilarious. There were so many great moments it would be hard to list them all.

:mad: Of course, the episode WEWS dumped is the funniest one. Count me as one who hopes there is a Season 2 DVD.

I caught up on Burn Notice with the New Year's marathon - so weird to see "Ted" in a different role. Played it great though, perfect wide-eyed terror LOL

I watched that episode on the DVR but a game and post game-yackfest stole the last 10 minutes. We were able to watch the end portion on Hulu. I hope both seasons are eventually on disc. I gonna miss this show ... sigh!

Anyone else spot this blink-and-miss-it reference from last week's episode?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e251/kngfu/vlcsnap-2010-01-04-08h35m33s24.png

I must have blinked because I missed it completely.

Caught up last night on the past two episodes. OUTSTANDING!

I actually laughed and laughed out loud, at some of the brilliant ideas, lines and delivery. Portia was "on fire"! Too many top wisecracks coming fast and furious to even remember and try to quote here. Absolutely terrific.

Definitely the funniest and cleverest episode I've seen. If they could keep this up they might develop a following...

Aanyway, I noticed that my DVR auto-scheduled something like two episodes per week for the near future, as if ABC is really trying to burn this one off quickly... probably to avoid competition with AI which starts next week.

Anyway, I thought these past two BOT episodes were gems. Ted's interaction with the hot office mate who'd returned from lunch and offered herself to him, followed by Ted's interaction with Veronica and using the same lines but oddly gender-reversed, and Veronica's Rommel and Patton analogy reaction, and "I don't know what means, you crazy sexist, but..." and "my thong is in the mood to accept visitors...", I mean it was just gold.

Anyone else spot this blink-and-miss-it reference from last week's episode?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e251/kngfu/vlcsnap-2010-01-04-08h35m33s24.png

I must have blinked because I missed it completely.

It was in more than that scene. It was right by the door as they walked in.

I sure hope this show doesn't get the ax... I think it is VERY funny, well written and has some great comedic delivery. It's one of my fav new shows and would hate to see it go....I also love the Veridian Dynamics commercials ... they remind me of the "Brown 29 - Another fine product brought to you by Uranus" commercials .... anyone remember that movie?

Agreed that the sexual harrassment episode was a hilarious high point for the series. It has really reached "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" level.

Cmon ABC. Don't kill it.

Anyone else spot this blink-and-miss-it reference from last week's episode?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e251/kngfu/vlcsnap-2010-01-04-08h35m33s24.png

I must have blinked because I missed it completely.

I have no idea as to what you guys are referring too. O_o

I have no idea as to what you guys are referring too. O_o
It's obvious to anyone paying attention...

Sigh....

The big gold-colored thing in the closet with the dome-shaped head and two lights on said dome in the back to the left of Lem as you view the picture.

It's a Dalek from the Doctor Who series! (I don't watch 'Doctor Who' that often and even I recognized it! :D)

Veridian Dynamics invented Daleks? No wonder they're in such trouble.

The big gold-colored thing in the closet in the back to the left of Lem as you view the picture. It's a Dalek from the Doctor Who series! (I don't watch 'Doctor Who' that often and even I recognized it! :D)

Ah. Thanks. I loved the old-school Doctor Who as a kid but I didn't remember that thing. Then again I don't remember what I had for dinner yesterday so that's not surprising. :p

An outstanding show. Sad that ABC didn't do the job to get the audience.