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Oh how I love
an irreverent comedy. Comedies that throw
humor at you that rely on a bit of an intellect
to enjoy. Unfortunately you don’t
find these too often in the TV world. Generally
we get the lowest common denominator of
stupid, rehashed jokes. Not so with ABC’s
“Better Off Ted.”
“Better Off Ted” focuses on
the little seen world of R&D. That’s
Research and Development for the Intellectually
Challenged. The series premiered earlier
this year and introduced us to Ted (Jay
Harrington), a corporate guy who heads up
a team of scientists bent on ruling the
world… well, actually they’re
scientists bent on making the impossible
possible (but world domination really sounded
better… didn’t it?). Their goal
is to prove they can do anything…
and make a lot of money for Veridian Dynamics…
the company that employs them. Doesn’t
matter if a project is ethical… as
long as it makes money.
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I didn’t catch this series when it originally
aired as it somehow never got on to my radar (ahhh…
corporate jargon). But I heard that it created
a benchmark (another one) in the world of corporate
comedy. And let me tell you, corporate comedy
is the greatest. I’ve worked in the corporate
world for over 18 years… and let me tell
you… “The Office”… “Dilbert”…
it’s all real. After all, “college
is just educated stupid…” “Better
Off Ted” takes this premise just a little
bit further by adding hilarious over the top experiments
like freezing people or pumpkins that can kill.
Well, I say over the top… I’m sure
every ridiculous product seen in this series has
been seriously worked on in this country.
Anyhow, “Better Off Ted” uses all
of these ideas, as well as the usual off limits
inter-office romance to great effect, making it
one of the funniest shows I’ve seen this
year. Those of you who were astute enough to notice
the paradigm (another meaningless yet impressive
sounding corporate term) of my saying I missed
the show, only to say I had seen it…well,
if you didn’t go to college, you probably
figured out that there might be a DVD release…
and you’d be right! 20th Century Fox has
released all 13 episodes from the first season
on a 2-disc set. There are no special features
to speak of, but it gives you a chance to at least
see what you missed.
I learned the other day that “Better Off
Ted’ was renewed for a second season and
for once I find reason to celebrate. Rarely do
good shows get this opportunity. I think I’ll
be adding it to my DVR in 2010!!
Episodes:
Pilot
Heroes
Through the Rose Colored Hazmat Suits
Racial Sensitivity
Win Some, Dose Some
Goodbye Mr. Chips
Get Happy
You Are the Boss of Me
Bioshuffle
Trust and Consequences
Father, Can You Hair Me?
Jabberwocky
Secrets and Lives
Starring: Jay Harrington, Portia de Rossi
Extras: None
Specifications: Widescreen (1.70:1); 5.1 Dolby
Digital
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 12/1/2009
MPAA Rating: NR
http://www.foxconnect.com
We'll give Better Off Ted: Season 1 a B.
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