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Better Off Ted

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Portia de Rossi, Andrea Anders, Jay Harrington, Where to watch: ABC, DVD, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Humor in whipsmart workplace satire is aimed at adults.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Ted's boss throws morality out the window in the name of profits and success, and so does Ted ... until he's faced with a sticky ethical dilemma involving a co-worker. Now he's trying to do his job with a clearer sense of right and wrong.

  • Violence:

    Some cartoonish physical violence pops up, usually in the form of unethical experiments gone awry. For example: A man is cryogenically frozen, kids are shown playing with unnamed chemicals, and company commercials include footage of missiles exploding.

  • Sex:

    A central plot line revolves around whether or not Ted, a single father, will have an interoffice affair with Linda, a single new hire. But Ted makes a reference that he already "used up" his interoffice affair, pointing out that "you only get one." It's revealed through flashback that he, in fact, already slept with his superior, Veronica, although no skin or sensitive body parts are shown -- they only appear slightly tousled.

  • Language:

    Mild, mostly rare, usage of terms like "bitchy," "shut up," "scrotum," and "moron."

  • Consumerism:

    Veridian Dynamics is all about products and consumerism, but none of what they produce is actually real.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Better Off Ted

Parents need to know that this workplace dramedy is more or less a "black comedy," meaning it's presented with deadpan seriousness -- but isn't meant to be taken seriously. Most kids probably won't get the joke, but older teens who tune in may appreciate the satire. The language is pretty tame for primetime, but there are a few words (like "bitchy" and "scrotum") that might be too much for tweens. There's also some sexual innuendo and casual references to office affairs, although the show goes out of its way to keep things suggestive rather than graphic.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether the fictional corporation portrayed in this series could bear any resemblance to an actual company. How do you think actual companies handle ethical dilemmas and the development of new products? What if there were no governmental safeguards in place to police corporate and scientific ethics? Do you think companies would still behave ethically? Families can also discuss satire. What makes this show satirical? How does it compare to other sitcoms set in the workplace?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    kjinho
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    anonymous211
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Really Funny

    This is one of my favorite t.v. shows. It has a little bit of sexual comedy and language, but the language is rare and not very bad. There is a bit of sexual humor but no "parts" and it isn't worse then most other shows out there. Overall, really funny, but not for kids under 8 or 9ish

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Adult Reviewer
    buygeodon
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Buy geodon online

    Yes, great )

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Adult Reviewer
    gospurs57
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Funny office comedy--teens and up

    Better off Ted is incredible! It might be the next best office comedy. I love the Veridian Dynamics commercials at the beginning of each episode. Yet, I can't believe how many people think this show is dumb! Better off Ted is without a doubt the most underrated half-hour sitcom on TV. Knowing ABC, it's possible that this smart, witty show could be canceled.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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