Better Off Ted

Watch Better Off Ted

  • TV-PG
  • 2009
  • 2 Seasons
  • 8.2  (27,580)

Better Off Ted was a sitcom that aired on ABC from 2009 to 2010. The show was a hilarious satire of corporate culture, following the daily workings of a research and development division at a large corporation called Veridian Dynamics. The show's main character is Ted Crisp, played by Jay Harrington, the Head of R&D. Ted is a good-natured, charismatic manager who genuinely cares about his team and their work, but often finds himself at odds with the more ruthless executives at Veridian Dynamics who prioritize profit over ethics.

Ted's closest ally is Linda Zwordling, played by Andrea Anders, his dedicated and intelligent second-in-command who frequently navigates the absurdities of the office with a dry wit and quick thinking. Together, Ted and Linda attempt to balance the pressures of the job and the antics of their eccentric co-workers.

The standout performance of the show comes from Portia de Rossi who plays Veronica Palmer, the icy and calculating Director of Research who is hell-bent on pushing Veridian's products to market without any regard for the consequences. Veronica's character often provides the comedic tension and helps drive the show's biting satire.

Other notable characters include Phil Myman, played by Jonathan Slavin, a socially awkward but brilliant scientist, Lem Hewitt, played by Malcolm Barrett, a brilliant engineer who is frequently victim to problems with his inventions, and Rose Crisp, Ted's daughter, played by Isabella Acres, who provided moments of levity and character development for Ted.

Throughout the show's two seasons, Better off Ted tackled issues such as government regulation, corporate greed, and the absurdity of modern workplace culture, all while providing laugh-out-loud moments of physical comedy and clever wordplay.

The show's unique tone and clever writing earned it a cult following in its brief run, and while it didn't receive the ratings it deserved, it remains a fan favorite amongst those who appreciate its smart humor and incisive critique of modern society.

Overall, Better Off Ted was a witty and irreverent sitcom that cleverly satirized the quirks and absurdities of corporate life, all while providing engaging characters and laugh-out-loud moments. Its memorable characters and biting humor have earned it a place in the annals of cult television, even years after its untimely cancellation.

Better Off Ted is a series that ran for 2 seasons (26 episodes) between March 18, 2009 and on ABC

Better Off Ted
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Seasons
It's a Party and I'll Lie if I Want to
13. It's a Party and I'll Lie if I Want to
September 1, 2010
Download this never-before-seen episode now! Ted learns how to navigate the "kid mafia" after Rose is invited to a play date with Chet's daughter and Veronica is forced to find her own way into the club. Lem and Phil believe they've taken their friendship with Linda to the next level after they agree to lend her $2500 but are taken aback when they discover she's throwing a party and they didn't make the guest list.
Swag the Dog
12. Swag the Dog
September 1, 2010
Download this never-before-seen episode now! Ted is put in charge of a new employee rewards system where the company doles out tickets exchangeable for prizes. Trouble ensues when he is scrutinized for unfairly favoring Linda because he has a crush on her. Lem and Phil seek respect at work and develop a mafia-like ticket counterfeiting system. Veronica is visited by a "ghost of Christmas future" in the form of a board member who devoted his life to the company but is being forced out.
Mess of a Salesman
11. Mess of a Salesman
January 26, 2010
Ted uses his influence to have a Veridian supply company hire his brother as a salesman, but things don't go as planned. Meanwhile, a charity for girls gives Veronica an award.
Lust in Translation
10. Lust in Translation
January 19, 2010
Ted is able to communicate with a beautiful German executive who doesn't speak English using Veridian's new translation device, but the fact that the voice the device uses is Phil's puts a damper on the mood for Ted.
The Long and Winding High Road
9. The Long and Winding High Road
January 12, 2010
Ted's enemy at work has developed an identical project that Ted's team has been working on, but he decides to take the high road. However, Veronica gets Linda and Rose to help sabotage the rival team's project.
The Impertence of Communicationizing
8. The Impertence of Communicationizing
January 12, 2010
Veridian sends out a memo to the employees about inappropriate behavior, but a typo demands that they now use offensive language. Ted tries to convince Veronica to resolve the issue, but it comes a little to late as the insults are already underway. When she realizes the power of a memo typo, Veronica wonders if her promotion memo was intended for W. Palmer.
Change We Can't Believe In
7. Change We Can't Believe In
January 5, 2010
While Ted tried to deal with a security guard turned stalker, Phil and Lem discover they'll have to face their ultimate nightmare: working directly for Veronica.
Beating a Dead Workforce
6. Beating a Dead Workforce
January 5, 2010
A Veridian employee dies due to overwork while trying to finish Veridian's next major project, a machine that will help people get more sleep. Instead of mourning the loss, Veronica tries to use the incident as a way to inspire the employees to work even harder.
The Great Repression
5. The Great Repression
January 1, 2010
Wen Ted and Linda are both falsely accused of sexual harassment, Veronica comes up with a novel defense: sexual harassment is a disease and no one can be held responsible for it. However, once Veridian accepts that reasoning, people start running amuck.
It's Nothing Business, It's Just Personal
4. It's Nothing Business, It's Just Personal
December 29, 2009
While Lem tries to figure out why Veridian wants him to wear a red lab coat, Ted is forced to step in when Veronica spends all of her time with boyfriend magician, Mordor.
Battle of the Bulbs
3. Battle of the Bulbs
December 22, 2009
Linda makes a small suggestion on Ted's biggest project, a light-bulb that will burn forever, and suddenly gets all of the credit, much to his dismay. Meanwhile, Lem's mother, a brilliant and intimidating scientist, comes for a visit and begins having an affair with Dr. Bhamba.
The Lawyer, The Lemur and the Little Listener
2. The Lawyer, The Lemur and the Little Listener
December 15, 2009
Veronica tries to get information on Veridian layoffs from Rose, who knows a friend in her playgroup. Meanwhile, Lem has an affair with a lawyer who bills him by the hour, and Linda unwittingly makes Phil the main character in her children's book.
Love Blurts
1. Love Blurts
December 8, 2009
Ted and Linda find their perfect matches thanks to Veridian's new genetic compatability program. Meanwhile, Veronica and Lem are matched genetically, and she insists he make a sperm donation for him.
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Where to Watch Better Off Ted
Better Off Ted is available for streaming on the ABC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Better Off Ted on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon, Vudu, Microsoft Movies & TV, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    March 18, 2009
  • IMDB Rating
    8.2  (27,580)