Better Off Ted

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 18, 2009
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    58
    Honestly, it's a complete oddball with some charm and a few good lines.
  2. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    50
    Better Off Ted, which feels more devoted to establishing its cool than earning some laughs, is hardly so bad to deserve a bleh from halfway-discerning viewers. Eh or meh would be closer to the mark.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    50
    So thus far, anyway, it's a promising concept inconsistently executed, and perhaps a trifle miscast.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    50
    NBC has some good workplace comedies, most notably "30 Rock" and "The Office." If you do watch Better Off Ted, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself comparing the ABC program to those two shows and finding Ted wanting.
  6. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    50
    Watching Better Off Ted is a bit like reading old Dilbert comic strips--amusing, but the punch lines seem awfully familiar.
  7. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    40
    Hip TV heads may see strains of "Andy Richter Controls the Universe," a 2002-03 workplace quirk-a-thon that was seriously more amusing because its absurdity sprang from its central character's vivid fantasy life, not from a reviled institution.
  8. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    40
    This sendup of corporate life is no Office or 30 Rock. Good guy Ted (Jay Harrington) is just too bland, and heartless villain Veronica (Portia de Rossi) constantly upstages him.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best TV Season of 2009
63
#63 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 76
  3. Negative: 5 out of 76
  1. PrestonJ
    Mar 22, 2009
    8
    Fun, different, completely original, and a great cast. Not much direction but it doesn't need it. Due to it not being a drama about Fun, different, completely original, and a great cast. Not much direction but it doesn't need it. Due to it not being a drama about Docs, Lawyers, or Cops i give it one to two seasons before the network pulls it for yet another crappy rip off of Law and Order (which is still the best procedural cop show on TV).… Full Review »
  2. FilmVirtue
    Apr 6, 2014
    9
    This shows incredible witty humor and even funnier cast makes this really short television comedy and brilliantly created and acted piece ofThis shows incredible witty humor and even funnier cast makes this really short television comedy and brilliantly created and acted piece of comedy history that, unfortunately, was cancelled before It's time. Long before It's time.… Full Review »
  3. TVCritical
    Dec 31, 2011
    8
    For a show's first season this show has done and Exceptional work at laying out it's originality and showing great used of its satirical darkFor a show's first season this show has done and Exceptional work at laying out it's originality and showing great used of its satirical dark comedy and the well rounded personalities of its quirky characters. For a first season the show has great marksmanship because it took aim and hit its target goal which is to become a great, creative, and definitely powerful new comedy that is unique and will become the next big thing on TV. This show has great wit to boot. Although Solid Performance from its lead Jay Harrington (which is at least needed from its lead) and Exceptional Performances from its Breakout actors Portia de Rossi & Jonathan Slavin.… Full Review »
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