Collider’s Steve Weintraub couldn’t resist the opportunity to discuss Seth MacFarlane’s upcoming project, The Orville, during an interview with the Family Guy creator. It was announced earlier this year that Peacock will be making a Ted prequel series, which would reconnect viewers with the world’s foulest-mouth teddy bear, who previously debuted in the 2012 blockbuster with Mark Wahlberg. MacFarlane will return to reprise his role as the film’s eponymous protagonist’s voice. MacFarlane took some time out of the conversation to talk about the show’s filming process. It was also pointed out by the show’s writer and director that Ted is a groundbreaking series in terms of its use of CGI characters. In addition, he discussed the series’ tone in relation to the films:
“It’s going really well. There has never been a television series in which the lead character is entirely computer-generated. The fact that this hasn’t really been done to this amount for television is something that we’ve been accustomed to in movies. That’s interesting. It’s going quite well. Basically, this is a prequel that takes place in 1993 and celebrates that era, enjoys the nineties, and traces Ted’s puberty, I think. Adolescence for Ted and John. Growing up in a Boston suburb was also a major factor. If you’re from that region, it’s fun to try to reproduce the experience. As a whole, the settings feel a little out of place. However, everything is proceeding according to plan at this point. Tonally, this sequel is very faithful to the original. People who liked the previous movie and liked the tone would probably appreciate this one as well. We’ll stick with what has worked. In the meanwhile, we’re exploring new territory and fleshing out John and Ted’s backstories in a way that we hadn’t previously explored in the film. I believe, however, that this programme is going to be a huge hit with ‘Ted’ fans.”
When Ted was released in 2012, it became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time with $550 million in international ticket sales. People were drawn in by the presence of a figure who is often associated with children and who uses vulgar language and makes filthy sex jokes. If so, may we expect to see (and giggle) Ted’s nasty comments in the series as well? As stated by MacFarlane: “Yeah, I see now. Basically, it’s a movie. In this environment, there are no broadcasting standards to be found. It’s an adult-oriented farce. So our rules are the same as they were for the film. It’s not any different this time around. You have complete freedom to express yourself verbally.
For something like ‘Ted,’ the difficulties are more external. If anything, the atmosphere is less hospitable to humour now than it was previously. In order to keep Ted Ted around, we have to be aware of it. We want to make sure that it doesn’t change. Having said that, I have no complaints about Peacock. That this was an R-rated comedy and that it will be an R-rated comedy on the programme is understood. That’s why nothing has changed,” he says. Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh co-created and co-run Ted (Modern Family). So far, we know that MacFarlane will be joined by Alanna Ubach, Scott Grimes, Giorgia Whigham, and Max Burkholder, who will portray the youthful version of John Bennet, played by Mark Wahlberg in the original film. Ted’s 10 episodes have yet to be released by Peacock, who has not stated date for their release.