New art imagines if Seth MacFarlane’s live-actionTedseries had been developed as an animated show. The series acts as a prequel to MacFarlane’s film duology, which stars Mark Wahlberg and the voice of MacFarlane as the titular teddy bear come to life. The show is set in the early 1990s and features a leading cast including MacFarlane, Max Burkholder, Alanna Ubach, Scott Grimes, and Giorgia Whigham. After a successful debut season,Tedseason 2was greenlit and has wrapped production.
Artistrichietoonshas imagined ifTedwas done in MacFarlane’s familiar art styleseen in shows likeFamily GuyandAmerican Dad!The art features the main characters from the Bennett family alongside Ted in front of their home with a new title,Ted and the Bennetts. It translates the cast from the TV series instead of regular MacFarlane collaborators Alex Borstein and Ralph Garman, who originally played the parental roles in the firstTedmovie.
What This Means For Ted
The Series Is Not MacFarlane’s Only Live-Action Show
MacFarlane’s art style has become synonymous with adult animated comediessince 1999 whenFamily Guydebuted. Despite being cancelled after a few short years and then being picked up again after successful DVD sales,Family Guyseason 23is set to kick off on June 21, 2025 after airing two specials earlier on Hulu.American Dad!and the short-livedThe Cleveland Showalso utilize the same familiar style that stands out as MacFarlane’s signature in animated sitcoms.
If the show had been animated, Ted would likely come off feeling too similar to other farcical cartoon sidekicks.
Aside from animated shows, MacFarlane also created and stars in the live-action sci-fi seriesThe Orville, which has its own dedicated fan base. DespiteThe Orvilleseason 4having an uncertain future, the show proved thatMacFarlane can deliver heartfelt and comedic shows outside of the animated world. Whether the show returns or not, it did lay the groundwork for MacFarlane to create new projects outside the world of animation.
Our Take On Ted As An Animated Series
It’s Best Left To Live-Action
AsTedfollows in the footsteps of the earlier movies, it makes sense for the series to be in live-action over another animated show. The absurd comedy of a foul-mouthed bear who enjoys smoking pot plays better with other actors, and occasionally a toy truck, interacting with him. If the show had been animated, Ted would likely come off feeling too similar to other farcical cartoon sidekicks like Brian fromFamily Guy, Roger fromAmerican Dad!or even Tim the Bear fromThe Cleveland Show.
Despite the art showing an interesting look at what could have been, the show in live-action continues the legacy of the previous installments. Without the throughline of a recognizable visual style, the show would feel disconnected from what came before.Tedultimately is a unique comedy that has made its own impact on streaming.
