Finishing Up The Season: Better Off Ted

My feelings toward this freshman show at the time of its pilot weren’t overly favorable, since I have a long history with short-lived ABC comedies. It’s been a few years since I truly liked and appreciated two ABC shows that faded quickly and were canceled just as quickly (“Sons and Daughters” and “Crumbs”). Since then, I’ve gotten attached to shows with pilots that surpassed my expectations in that they weren’t terrible, like watching “Carpoolers” because its pilot made me laugh a few times after “Cavemen” set my face in a permanent cringing imprint. In any case, “Better off Ted” was far more charming than I thought.

I have continued to enjoy the premise of the series more and more as it went on over its first set of seven episodes. The focus has very little to do with the show’s title, and Jay Harrington really serves only as the narrator and the straight man, which is a very appropriate role for him. I’ve watched Mr. Harrington for a while, predating his arc on “Desperate Housewives” as a doctor trying to woo Susan, going all the way back to his serious role as a hardworking federal agent husband on “The Inside.” He’s not terribly funny, but he’s appropriately goofy and a good fit for the lead role in this show. His part didn’t seem to have been ironed out or finessed fully for most of the season, but they really got it right in the season finale. Ted’s desperate, yet still casual, wish to be liked by everyone resulted in him taking everyone out and goofing off until things got too unserious. His flirtation with Linda is another great aspect of his character. Then again, it’s really not the main point of the show.

The show is actually about Veridian Dynamics, a humorously awful company which could have, and I fully expected to be, a one-line joke. Somehow, the writers have managed to keep it fresh (or rather, never fresh because they don’t use real stuff for their products). I really enjoy the Veridian Dynamics commercials that air midway through the episode. I like that the episodes don’t start off with the commercials but they rather serve do drive home the theme of the episode. I hope that this doesn’t fade away like these kinds of gimmicks (as used in the pilot of “Six Feet Under,” for example) often get tossed out after first attempts. Then again, shows like “NCIS” add in their own special brand of uniqueness later in their seasons, so perhaps next season “Better off Ted” will have even more tricks up its sleeve.

The cast as a whole is terrific. I’m become increasingly impressed with all of them as I’ve realized that there isn’t even one series regular who bugs me, or fails to sufficiently entertain me. Lem and Ted are great, and while they started off being pretty annoying and the cryogenic freezing plotline didn’t bode well with me, they’ve come into their own and I enjoy their constant bickering. Andrea Anders has finally found a role that fits her talents, after starring in two extremely poor temporary comedies (“The Class” and “Joey”). Her role as Linda, and her chemistry with Harrington, is both endearing and funny. The real star of the show, however, is Portia de Rossi. Don’t hate me, but I’m not an “Arrested Development” fan, though I am happy to see all the alumni (namely movie stars Jason Bateman and Michael Cera, “Chuck” player Tony Hale, and “30 Rock” guest star Will Arnett) doing so well. De Rossi is great here as the dry, emotionless Veronica, whose sensibilities perfectly complement Ted’s eternal laidback optimism. This is a much greater cast than I would ever have expected. Wonderfully, “Better Off Ted” has been given a renewal for a second season, and my hope is that its second go-round allows it to come into its own rather than fail because it can’t sustain additional episode plotlines.

Pilot: B-
Season finale: B+
Season grade: B
Season MVP: Portia de Rossi