After 24 glorious episodes full of corporation-mocking satire and slapstick-y situations, Better Off Ted is dead at the tender age of two (seasons, that is). While the exact cause of death is uncertain, it's likely that Ted's untimely demise came at the hands of its former Tuesday-night counterpart, Scrubs, which has been suffering from the terminal (and apparently contagious) low-ratings disease for quite some time.
Instead of giving Ted the chance to join its more-successful Wednesday-night comedy lineup—which features The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town, and the void left by Hank when it was axed after just two episodes—ABC opted to let Ted keep suffering on Tuesdays while it replaced Hank with Modern Family reruns. And as of tonight, the network will air new Scrubs episodes in the Wednesday-at-8pm time slot.
Ted is survived by its talented and under-appreciated cast members, some of whom have already landed starring roles on other shows even though the cancellation hasn't been (and probably won't be) formally announced.
Jay Harrington, who played the titular Ted Crisp, will bring his wholesome charm (and hopefully his raunchy sense of humor) to Nathan vs. Nurture, a new NBC comedy from the executive producers of Aliens in America. Prior to Better Off Ted, Harrington had several multi-episode arcs on big shows like Desperate Housewives, Private Practice, and Summerland.
Andrea Anders, who starred opposite Harrington as Linda Zwordling, has also joined a new show. She'll be starring opposite Friends alum Matthew Perry in Mr. Sunshine, a forthcoming ABC comedy.
But not all of Ted's cast members will be making such a smooth transition. This cancellation is the second suffered by Portia de Rossi, who played Veridian Dynamics boss Veronica Palmer. De Rossi previously starred in the similarly short-lived-but-beloved FOX comedy Arrested Development. At least we can take comfort in the fact that the Arrested movie is in the works.
Jonathan Slavin, who played ambiguously effeminate scientist Phil Myman, hasn't yet announced his post-Ted plans. Like Harrington, Slavin has a few multi-episode arcs under his belt, including one on Summerland. He also starred in Fox's gone-too-soon comedy Andy Richter Controls the Universe.
Malcolm Barrett, who played the yang to Slavin's yin as the lovably goofy scientist Lem Hewitt is also in limbo. Before Ted, Barrett had bit parts on Monk, Psych, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He also starred in the 2009 film Imaginary Larry and appeared in this year's Academy Award-winner The Hurt Locker.
Services will be held in front of televisions and computer screens everywhere, after which the show's quick-witted puns and unresolved sexual tension will forever live on in our memories. And whenever ABC decides to release the show on DVD.
Mourn with TV.com writer Stefanie Lee on Twitter: @StefAtTVDotCom
Comments (58)
You guys can still save Better off Ted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It's made the top 5 in "save one show".Vote here:http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b174881_save_one_show_vote_now_final_five.html?choiceIDs=%2C75072&captchaEntry=&13718=75072&poll_uword=still
ABC has decent shows from time to time but they cancel em. No more than 1 or 2 seasons and bye bye. This comedy will be missed.
ABC Sucks, this should have been a wednesday comedy block show, and scrubs should have been left to die last year. BOT deserves to keep going its witty, and funny and just a great show, my wife threw a fit when we started watching it and then i told her that it was probably getting canceled.BRING BACK BOT!
ABC is horrible at managing shows. They usually fail to see a way to save a decent show. Its rather sad really. And it doesn't do a whole lot for their fan base.
What this people have after fantastic shows as Testees and Better off ted???
I can't see this everlasting Scrubs anymore and was so happy surprised with
these two shows. And then they last one or two seasons and goodbye.
It is a shame!!!!!
aww so upset about this, this show was funny had a great cast and I watched every Tuesday, Portia is soooo funny and well come on Ted is adorable! Arrested Development was one of the best shows on t.v and it was canceled this leads me to believe maybe we should re-think who is rating these shows and maybe get some fresh young eyes in there.
I have to say I'm a bit confused, but optimistic. A Chicago Sun-Times columnist (and long time supporter of BOT) put out an article the day after this was posted with quotes from ABC PR specifically saying that BOT has not actually been cancelled. They are saying we'll know more for sure in May. But, as far as I'm concerned, until it comes from official mouths we should stay optimistic and perhaps throw a few letters or e-mails their way.
I liked this show. It often reminded me of my own workplace. At least I could laugh at the corporate stuff that way.
Fail ABC, fail.
I'll miss Better of Ted, even though it wasn't the best show.
It had no chance of surviving alongside the final season of Lost. Just not the right demographic I'd say. Too bad ABC didn't slot it in place of Hank. Would have made for a 2 hour "must see" comedy arc on Wednesday. BOT is a wittier show than Modern Family could ever hope to be, and perhaps ABC couldn't stand to have it or Cougar Town shown up in the ratings?
What a waste.
all though i didn't get into the first few ep of season i think this show really up its game and became a really good show same to see it go
Clearly, network execs are making decisions based on nothing more than what they spent on getting shows out to the public, not the content or acceptance. Shows just how badly MORE syndication is needed!! Networks are the stegasaurus stuck in the La Brea tar pits!! Giants that clearly have outlived their usefulness, objectivity, and ability to see past their parking space in the lot!! At least with free syndication viewers have an open ear listening to their input beyond the almighty sponsor's(genuflect!!) Perhaps if we as viewers start singling out the larger advertisers and warn THEM of less sales rather than complaining to an earless corporate office with our opinions, we may be able to retain control of TV beyond the remote!!
I really looked forward to watching Better off Ted. I hate they won't be continuing.
this just sucks ...
What are the ABC execs thinking?! They're losing a gem and they don't even know it.
Excellent call, JulioRodriguez. I can't believe According to Jim was on for THAT LONG! --stefanie
Damm*t. I really hate I won't see more Better Off Ted....
laugh tracks should be banned from the airwaves!!!!
This is TV today. This show was so fresh and funny! and " no laugh track"!But instead they keep on some of the dribble shows that just aren't there.To me, this was an intelligent comedy show!Its like government, you deserve what you get, and we get stuff like 2 1/2 men and moronic shows like this!
not surprising. good shows get canceled. vomit-inducing trash like Real Housewives continues to roll on.
Thats horrible but this is the same network that renewed According to Jim for 8 seasons.
This is unfortunate...we were just starting to watch it this season and absolutely loved it! The catch phases were the best out there - I can't remember laughing so hard at a tv show in a very long time!
That sux, this was an awesome show. Hilarious. I'm one of the biggest Scrubs fans, but they really should have ended it at the 8th season. The finale was brilliant. Season 9 is just awful, stopped after 3 episodes, way to go Bill Lawrence.
Better Off Ted will be missed. It was a great show and it's a shame that it's been cancelled.
NOOOO! I saw that Scrubs was on last night and was so upset to see it there instead of Ted. Please, give the new show a chance! Don't try to keep beating a dead horse...ABC had so much potential...
So sad! It will be missed! RIP Better Off Ted
This was a great show and I'm going to miss it. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't have the sense of humor to appreciate it.
It was one of the best comedies out there, great acting, writing and funny as hell. Will be missed.
The show was original and well written! Of course it was going to be canceled. There is no popularity contest, no phone in, no celebrity opinions, it just wasn't mainstream or boring enough to stay afloat. I will miss this show.
they should have ended Scrubs last year and let it go out with a bang. then when Hank was cancelled, Better off ted would have been moved to Wednesday to make what in my opinion would have been one of the best comedy blocks in years. Better off ted was one of the best shows on tv. well written and well acted. Especially by De Rossi.
Someone kwon if is going to be an end or a final episode ?
Such ashame! Querky shows never seem to last... BOT will be missed!
Man, WTH... This was a great show
Better Off Ted is such a great show, one of the best sitcoms I've ever watched.These are really bad news for television, because one can see everything is oriented to cheap laughs and vulgarity.
this show is incredible! perhaps too clever for the average viewer... ABC was the wrong home for it to begin with...rest in peace :(BTW- what about the remaining 2 episodes?
this deeply saddens me. Better Off Ted was the funniest show in YEARS. I wish tv studios would get their head out of the butt known as ratings. Neilson is such a flawed system. they have to pick you to participate, and then they think that means everybody is represented. if that's the case. EVERYBODY SHOULD BE PART OF THE RATINGS GROUP! i'd gladly sign up and take part in it because the only way it's 100% correct is if 100% of everybody with a TV takes part in it. and they should have aired it Wednesdays at 7 since it premiered a month after Hank wa cancelled, even though I don't see why everybody loves Modern Family, i have never liked it. as for CW picking it up, GOD NO. they would oversex it and try to make it "hip" and they'd ruin it. CBS would have the better chance, even though only good comedy they have is How I Met Your Mother, don't even get me started on The Big Bang Theory, it's like Modern Family for me, don't find it funny at all. Accidentally On Purpose and Old Christine are alright though, the rest needs to go. actually, half of what's on TV needs to go. very little number of shows that are good actually stick around for long these days, and it's a shamemoreless
I love this show. this hurts. ABC sucks. Again.
This really really sucks!!! How cant they understand that people love this show??!
ABC thank you very much! they never believed in this show! I'm so mad at ABC right now!
its really sad, the cw should pick it up they need the help. or better yet cbs get rid of two and a half men and keep better off ted
ABC is really starting to disgust me with how they set their ratings standards. Better of Ted was a hilarious and unique show. Scrubs is horrible this season and should of ending after JD left. I can't believe they are keeping that over Ted. After LOST is done I'm think I'm quitting the network.
Stefanie or anyone else...Any idea what ABC's plan is for the last two episodes? I've been looking everywhere and can't find.
Well, I ve heard several times that ABC stands for Already Been Canceled. Just look at the Forgotten. Awesome show, created to promote project EDAN(Everybody deserves a name), is probably going to be canceled, because of the bad ratings.People just dont know what to expect from the shows like this. Well, the show is about people working for the forgotten network and solving crimes without police help. Did you really expect more action? Its the best they(the writers could do).Oh, and RIP better of Ted!
- - - - NOOOOOOO!. I hope the Nielsen ratings system is 100% accurate, because it has become the ultimate modifier of the appearance and soul of tv shows that shows up on our tv sets today. I will miss this show (especially Portia deRossi). sigh.
NOOOO!! I really liked this show. It was very funny and had great characters. I loved the episode where the office memo went out with a typo and everyone started insulting each other as a result.
Alas! Alack! Knee slappingly funny show. Too bad.