TV Mad Man

I had to post from a little break to tell you about a certain DVD that came out this week.

ABC’s Better off Ted Season 1 was released today on a 2 disc complete set and it was great to see all my favorite Veridan Dynamic employees together again. Better off Ted surrounds Ted (Jay Harrrington) who is a single father working in a very morally wrong Research and Development firm. Portia de Rossi is the standout as

the hilarious boss Veronica and her alone is the reason to check this critically acclaimed but low rated (aren’t they all) comedy on DVD and Season 2 starting next Tuesday December 8th at 9:30/8:30c on ABC.

The supporting cast is great with Phil’s eccentric lab workers Phil and Lem and his sometime’s lover Linda. Also, this daughter especially in the earlier episodes is crazy funny.

The best episodes of the season: “Racial Sensitivity,” “Pilot,” Secrets and Lives,” “Jabberwocky,” and finally “You are the Boss of Me.”

Better off Ted is a fantasic comedy and one to relieve on ABC for less than 30 bucks! Go out now and buy it!

If you go back to March 18th, the only thing that critics and bloggers were talking about was that Better off Ted, a new ABC comedy that came out of nowhere is the funniest sitcom since Arrested Development. Now on June 23rd at 9:30/8:30c, that comedy miracoulously renewed for a second year starting in January 2010 with Scrubs, is back, with 7 ALL NEW EPISODES. That is three and a half hours of pure comic gold and the first half hour is no exception. It chronicles the journey of Ted (Jay Harrington) trying to become one of the workers and not management. He takes his angry out from his daughter Rose being away with her mom in a underground medievil compettion. It is hilarious thanks most in part to Phil and Lem who just deliver the laughs and never stop. But the side story is still as funny as ever. Linda tries to be nicer to Veronica (Portia de Rossi better than ever) by driving her home but ends up getting her drunk and learning her darkest secrets that both of them regret later.

If you were ever a fan of the show in the first six episodes you will welcome the return and if you have not watched, I beg you to give it a try because you will not be disappointed. Better off Ted is a rare comedy, one that takes real issues but you would not know that they were real because it is presented in a comic masterpiece. By the way, if you thought the Better off Ted pilot was hilarious check out September 23rd when ABC premieres a new comedy Modern Family which I think gave Better off Ted a run for its money. More on that later.

Tonight is chalk full of TV it is almost too much. Obama has caused Idol to switch to Wednesday which means two more hours of TV on already my busiest night of the week…

American Idol – 8/7c on FOX As I said above, the performances have moved to tonight and it should be a great one. It is Motown week and that should mean hopefully a great week for Adam. But why can’t anybody on Idol actually sing something that was written in the last 10 years!

Better off Ted

Better off Ted – 8:30/7:30c on ABC Why America? Why did you not watch Better off Ted? What was taking up your time last week, you could have recorded it? The show barely registered in the ratings but if an increase in viewers is seen that could mean some hope for this brilliant show. Tonight, fallout from Phil’s freezing is causing Veronica to worry for the company. This is not the episode that I thought was second which airs next the week. That episode is hilarious!

Survivor: Tocantins – 8/7c on CBS  March Madness as usual as prevent Survivor from airing again but don’t worry, they castaways are back tonight in…..a clip show. The episode features never before seen footage of the camp life, chatting, and the challenges which always lead to some very awkward moments.

Lost – 9/8c on ABC  What have you guys thought of the Dharma story so far? It continues tonight in a Sayid-centric outing called “He’s Our You.” Could that mean the Dharma people have a torturer in their mix. We learn about Sayid’s time off-island and may get to see his childhood. Also, the producers have said this episode marks that return to the traditional format of focusing on one character for example Sayid and his flashbacks.

Gabrielle Union on Life

Life – 9/8c on NBC  I caught up with Life over the weekend and it reminded me why I am so said this show will be gone soon. Gabrielle Union has been great as Det. Seever while Sarah Shahi is having her baby even though she is still on the show, in a very interesting way. I am glad Gabrielle is back on TV and she was just cast in a great CW pilot with Brian Austin Green that if the script is any indication this could be a great catch for the CW. It is called The Body Politic.

Damages – 10/9c on FX  I have yet to watch the last three episodes of Damages. Have they been good? I am seriously missing this drama but can’t find the time. I will have to make some. Tonight, Daniel returns to Patty life and the FBI change their direction thanks to Ellen’s convincing.

Make Me A Supermodel – 10/9c on Bravo  Check out this competition if you have the chance because you know Bravo reairs it a million times a week. The show is so fun and compelling if a reality show can be. Tonight, they models travel to Montreal to work at their fashion week. Taylor steps in as the more important judge as Tyson is off this week. In side note, I am actually liking Taylor even if she is just a pretty face.

I’m back! I returned from my awesome vacation on Saturday and now I am ready to get back in the swing of things. First, here is my review of ABC’s awesome new comedy:

BETTER OFF TED

The cast of Better off Ted

What ABC’s says: “Better Off Ted” is a new office comedy about successful good guy Ted who runs Research and Development at the morally questionable Veridian Dynamics. No achievement is too far-fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian. Need cow-less meat grown in a test tube? Done. Need pumpkins that also double as weapons of mass destruction? No problem. Ted’s a single dad to a seven-year-old girl and he loves his job, but he’s starting to take a closer look at the company’s extremely dubious practices. Do you manufacture the best teeth whitener ever if it could also kill off all of the planet’s fish? Probably not, but… Ted’s also fighting an attraction to co-worker Linda, who enjoys small acts of rebellion against Veridian (she’s secretly stealing and hoarding all the company’s creamer packets). But he holds back about his true feelings. He’s already had his self imposed “one office affair” with berboss Veronica. Incredibly beautiful (if seemingly devoid of conscience and emotion-free), Veronica lets nothing get in her way when it comes to serving Veridian’s needs.

Fun Facts:  I have seen the first 2 episodes, and they get funnier and funnier. The 1st episode was shot as a presentation which is not a full pilot. So, I am excited to see the full version.

The Plot in My Words:  Verdian Dynamics is the company that is only out for itself. Looking to find the most money possible, and doing whatever it takes, which often means leaving its customers and employees in the dust. Ted (Jay Harrington) is one of the biggest people in the Research and Devlopement team. He tries to keep his morals in tact but it is often hard to do, especially with a boss like Veronica (Portia De Rossi). Who is a tough female executive that cares a whole lot about VD. Ted is friends with Linda (Andrea Anders) who is the office rebel who loves to screw over Verdian. She hates the fact that the company gets everything they wants but also is just doing the job until her secret children book is over. The show focuses on two developers Lem and Phil (Malcolm Barrett and Jonhathan Slavin), who are a duo that loves to fight there amazing minds. They are the stars of the company which often leads to trouble.

The Good…: Everything is great about this comedy. It is the most original comedy to come to television in years. The original premise is just a hot bed for great story ideas in just the first and second episodes. The whole cast is so solid and are all at there best roles in years. Jay and Andrea have great chemistry as Ted and Linda, while Portia is just fabolous as Veronica, who has this dry pan humor that is awesome. However the real scene stealer is Isabella Acres who plays Ted’s daughter Rose. She is the sweetest thing, especially in the second episode where she goes to work with her dad. 

The show breaks the fourth wall, that means Ted’s character talks directly to the audience or the camera. It so works in the show and gives the show even more funny.  Also, what makes the show hilarious in the first place is the plot. The hilarious opitions the producers have is endless. The first episode has like 3 inventions or stories that are all equally funny.

The Bad…: Nothing what so ever!

Overall: Please, Please watch this show. It is so original and quirky it is the kind of show that will get lost in the shuffle. If you watch Lost, tune in a half hour early of Better off Ted, and you won’t get disappointed.

Today, ABC has finally announced where two of there new comedies will land on the network’s schedule. Two very hilarious comdies, one that I have seen, one I haven’t will be airing this March with two of ABC’s semi-successful comedies. Here is the news:

Better Off Ted

Beginning March 18th, Scrubs will launch the new ABC laffer Better Off Ted starring Jay Harrington. This means that they will replace the Wednesday’s at 8 repeat of the previous week’s lost. The date is perfect. This is the week that many speculate that American Idol will switch to 9 and move Lie to Me at 8. Less Competition!  Better Off Ted is amazing, that is all I have to say. It is pee your pants funny. I really hope it succeeds.

In the Motherhood

Beginning on March 26th, Ugly Betty will disappear for awhile. Instead, the new comedy In the Motherhood will air at 8/7c followed by the Christina Applegate laffer Samantha Who?. From the promo I posted earlier, Motherhood will be hilarious and it is great to see Megan Mullaly and Cheryl Hines on TV again! The competition will be semi light. NBC has My Name is Earl/Kath & Kim for awhile, which both have been faltering, on CBS the always good Survivor, on FOX and The CW, Bones and Smallville. Go ABC comedy!