Ted: Season One (2023) [Blu-ray review]

Ted: Season One was surprisingly good. Hell, it turns Alanna Ubach into a TikTok sensation. Seth MacFarlane’s Ted franchise has always blended crass humor with a weirdly heartfelt core, and the 2023 Ted series for Peacock continues that trend while flashing back to the early days of Ted’s life with his best friend, John Bennett. Set in 1993-1994, Ted acts as a prequel to the 2012 film, expanding on the friendship that set the whole series rolling.

What is Ted if not a movie about a stoner teddy bear?

Ted follows teenage John Bennett (played by Max Burkholder) and his childhood teddy bear Ted (voiced and motion-captured by Seth MacFarlane) during their high school years in Framingham, Massachusetts. Ted’s free-spirited, trouble-making ways often put the two in ridiculous situations—from sneaking into school to swap out an AV room’s VHS tape to staging elaborate pranks. The series depicts Ted’s attempts to fit in and stir up chaos while John deals with the woes of being an awkward high schooler.

In addition to the shenanigans at school, the Bennett household plays a key role, with John’s mother Susan (Alanna Ubach) and fiery father Matty (Scott Grimes) offering their own comedic dynamics. Meanwhile, John’s cousin Blaire (Giorgia Whigham), who’s staying with the family, serves as the voice of reason—or at least tries to, amid all the hijinks.

It’s like Young Sheldon, but less in your face

If you’re a fan of Seth MacFarlane’s brand of humor, this series delivers in spades. The jokes are crude, sometimes bordering on tasteless, but that’s part of what makes Ted… well, Ted. While the series is filled with raunchy humor, it also carries that undercurrent of genuine friendship between John and Ted, similar to the films.

The comedy often pokes fun at suburban family dynamics, early 90s high school life, and the absurdity of Ted’s very existence as a talking teddy bear. Ted also doesn’t shy away from darker humor, often employing MacFarlane’s signature politically incorrect punchlines. What keeps it all balanced is the nostalgic setting—those familiar motifs of high school woes and suburban shenanigans make the series relatable while providing a window into how Ted and John became the dysfunctional pair audiences first met in 2012.

Let’s talk about the Ted Season 1 Blu-ray

The Blu-ray release from Universal provides an enhanced viewing experience that brings out the best in Ted’s digital fur and the suburban 90s backdrop. The HD transfer looks great, and the animation work used for Ted’s CGI feels sharper and more realistic—if one could call a swearing teddy bear “realistic.”

The sound quality also benefits from the Blu-ray upgrade, allowing Walter Murphy’s musical score to shine alongside Norah Jones’ opening theme, “Everybody Needs a Best Friend.” The dialogue is crisp, and each of Ted’s foul-mouthed tirades comes through without missing a beat, keeping that signature irreverent charm front and center.

The Ted series captures the spirit of the original films while leaning even more into Seth MacFarlane’s humor, with a focus on the mischief of Ted’s early years. The prequel aspect adds a fun layer to the backstory of Ted and John, giving fans insight into how their dynamic formed. While not every joke will land, the series makes up for it in sheer audacity and nostalgia for those awkward high school years.

Final thoughts

The Universal Blu-ray release makes revisiting—or discovering—Ted in its prequel form all the more enjoyable, with crisp visuals and plenty of bonus content to explore. If you’re a fan of the movies, or if you just love Seth MacFarlane’s comedic style, this release is worth adding to the collection. Ted might not have grown up yet, but this prequel shows that even as a young (bear), he’s as raunchy and irreverent as ever.

Ted: Season One is now available on Blu-ray from MovieZyng

90

Buy Ted Season 1 on Blu-ray

MovieZyng