Sitcoms come and go. It’s what they do: pop up, produce timely and relevant content, and then conclude. Most people have one cherished sitcom they grew up with, and it’s the one that set the standard for all the others to follow. People don’t care about the criticisms thrown at sitcoms, and with good reason. Sometimes, a sitcom comes out of left field, creating a story so different and unique that it breaks the mold. I’m here to talk about a 2009 sitcom ahead of its time, Better Off Ted. This satirical comedy only got two seasons, and we’re never going to recover from its loss.
Better Off Ted is a satirical sitcom about a research and development department and all the corporate mischief it includes. Created for ABC, it starred Jay Harrington (Ted Crisp), Portia de Rossi (Veronica Palmer), Andrea Anders (Linda Zwordling), Jonathan Slavin (Phillip Myman), and Malcolm Barrett (Lem Hewitt). The show seamlessly mashed office drama with lab shenanigans, creating a highly entertaining show about an evil company and the humans that work for it. While the foundation may sometimes feel all too real, the result was one of the most comedic and quotable shows of its generation.
Satirical Workplace Comedy
Most of Better Off Ted takes place inside Veridian Dynamics, a megacorporation with questionable goals. The company is known for conducting experiments on its employees, aggressive spins, and producing many concerning products. The cast gets to see that all firsthand, with the characters providing a variety of reactions based on what is happening.
As for the storytelling style, Better Off Ted cleverly uses different tools like off-the-cuff anecdotes and fourth wall breaks to color the narrative. Ted Crisp (Jay Harrington) acts as the main character and narrator, which not only lets him break the fourth wall on occasion but also lets his opinion slip through the cracks. This further forces the human side of the plot. Likewise, the series loves referencing things happening off-screen, which is great for comedic effect and dodging expensive CGI scenes.
[RELATED: 7 Best Sitcoms to Watch on Netflix]
Hitting the Nail on the Head
While Better Off Ted was billed as a comedy, and it certainly is, there’s no denying how hard this series hits at corporate policies. The show does more than tease concern about a corporate dystopia – it portrays one, albeit in a brightly lit environment. On more than one occasion, the characters in this show have had to stop and ask themselves if they’re doing the right thing. Sure, the company has created lots of helpful tools for people (probably), but let’s be real, they also make lots of harmful devices. In other words, the show’s playful commentary style opens the door to a larger conversation about corporate environments and their end games. Often, it feels like the core narrative is humanity versus the company, even while they all happily continue to collect paychecks. Irony.
On the bright side, Veridian Dynamics’ cut-throat attitude to products made much of the comedy possible, as a healthy work environment would never ask to cryogenically freeze an employee or have a dangerous goo leak through several floors and offices. Yet those are everyday occurrences in Better Off Ted.
[RELATED: I’m Still Mad This Netflix Show Got Cancelled After Seven Episodes (And Ended on a Cliffhanger)]
The Ultimate Fate of Better Off Ted
Better Off Ted began airing on the ABC network in 2009, and while it was well-received by critics, the witty sitcom didn’t pull in great numbers. Against all odds, the show did land a renewal, which even die-hard fans were too afraid to hope for. Unfortunately, the viewing numbers continued to get worse, resulting in the show’s cancellation in 2010. This was a tragic moment, especially for viewers watching at the time, as two episodes remained unaired (though eventually found their way online officially).
The show may be ten years gone, but it still has a loyal fandom. Its witty humor and quippy comments make the show binge-worthy, while some of the stranger scenarios are perfect for quoting. Fans of Arrested Development or 30 Rock will likely appreciate the fast-paced humor and style, while those looking for a cast full of chemistry will get more than they bargained for. All things said and done, Better Off Ted is an underrated sitcom and a total hidden gem, and we want it back.
Better Off Ted is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
The post This Satirical Sitcom from 2009 Is Still One of My Favorite Shows (Bring it Back!) appeared first on ComicBook.com.
