MovieChat Forums > Better Off Ted (2009) Discussion > Another good show didn't make it...

Another good show didn't make it...

posted 14 years ago by tonywayne
18 replies | jump to latest

Recently discovered BOT on Netflix. Watched it all the way through; how did they cancel this?! It's brilliant!

What is it with shows like this not making it longer? Arrested Development and Firefly suffered the same thing. Smart show that the audience has to "keep up with". I'm surprised 30 Rock has made it so long, given it's cut from the same thread.

Do networks really believe that viewers enjoy not thinking? Some of the most successful shows of all time have been shows with recurring arcs, jokes that aren't always totally obvious, and smart characters & delivery. Seinfeld and X-Files come to mind. I'd say MASH, but there was a lot of that show that was just too formulaic.

Since BOT is still relatively recent, I'm going to cross my fingers that another network might be interested in continuing it... maybe I'll even write some letters... because this show deserves a longer run (especially compared to all the so-called "reality" content that doesn't deserve longer runs)...

[–] ergo_oxy 14 years ago

It is a sad world where great humor life BOT gets killed. At least it got a second season which is more than I can say for a lot of good shows that have come before. BOT was simply awesome at times, most of it due to Portia - her comedic timing/expression is just out of this world.

[–] drwordsmith 14 years ago

I came to this straight after finishing Arrested Development for the first time (due to the Portia De Rossi link) and I have to say, it is a lot better than I expected.

Sometimes silly, but generally well-written workplace comedy that sticks exactly to what it's supposed to - comedy in the workplace. It's a very solid series and I've seen much worse things stay on air while this got cancelled, which is a shame.

Making a new signature so that "PersonalCheeses" is happy. xoxo

[–] Red_Barn 14 years ago

I'm surprised you say it didn't make it: it had 26 pretty good episodes. That's quite a lot. Fawlty Towers only had 12, I think. Sometimes quality is better than quantity.

[–] tonywayne 14 years ago

Well, sure, I can acknowledge what we did get... but without any kind of clear ending to the series, it just feels incomplete.

Plus, things were really getting going in season 2, so having no more episodes was just so abrupt. That's not how a good, quality series should have to see it's finish line...

[–] drwordsmith 14 years ago

The Fawlty Towers comparison isn't a good one at all.
For starters, British comedy "seasons" are normally just 6 episodes - Fawlty Towers had 2 full seasons of 6 episodes each.
American comedy "seasons" are 22 episodes long - BoT had 2 half seasons of 13 episodes each, or just over 1 full season.

And besides - BoT was cancelled, while Fawlty Towers finished naturally. This show was definetly stopped in its prime, I was really enjoying it by the end of S2.

Making a new signature so that "PersonalCheeses" is happy. xoxo

[–] Red_Barn 14 years ago

I think its better that it stopped before it got stale and repetitive as most American (and some British) sitcoms do. 26 episodes is a lot to celebrate as far as I am concerned. Why they were so damned short is another question.

[–] calartnick 14 years ago

Just watched all of BOT on Netflix, it was a solid show, but nowhere near as good as shows like 30 rock. One thing that bothered me is every woman on this show is blonde and slutty. I'm not saying EVERY female character should be like Liz Lemon, but every girl Ted meets is blonde, hot, and sleeps with him the day they meet him, or at least try to. In general all the "relationship" plot lines were extremely shallow and pointless. The one real unique and great part of this show were Phil and Lem, it makes me think there should be a show focused on scientists in R and D, since those were the parts that were hilarious and different.

[–] Uvtha 13 years ago

On first viewing I would have probably agreed that 30 rock was better, but now having watched both of them more than once, I think better off ted is funnier all around. 30 rock is all about Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin who both have great timing and charisma. The others are funny too, but no where near as consistent as Jack and Liz. However on better off ted everyone is pretty similarly funny, and I find the writing to be wittier over all as well.

Ted only sleeps with two girls if I remember right, one of which yes, he had just met, and the other was Veronica, and it was intimated that had know each other for a long time before. As for sluttiness... I didn't find any of them slutty at all Veronica and Linda dress pretty conservatively honestly.

[–] amplifiedfox 14 years ago

It is truly an amazing show, and I'm shocked it was cancelled as well. It's not even a show you really have to keep up with.

[–] katiekins321 13 years ago

i soooooooo agree! i mostly watch movies because i no longer watch tv due to reality shows and other garbage they mass produce for the brain dead tv junkies that gobble that crap up
if anyone that is involved with better off ted comes across this feedback, i just want to say, i would not know of the show if a relative hadnt told me about it, so shows done well would last longer if its promoted more and it takes time to get into the characters (i thought seinfeld was ok until i got more into the characters, then i loved it!!) i love BOF, please bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[–] vemix 13 years ago

Is there any chance for Season 3 ?

I really like this show :(

[–] done_holding_back 13 years ago

That BOT gets cancelled while The Office is still chugging along is a crime.

[–] DoctorDeNada 12 years ago

I guess there's no understanding taste. I found BOT brilliant while The Office and 30 Rock a borefest. It's weird... i also love Big Bang Theory, but I didn't think it would last, but it did. So who knows.

Don't confuse my lack of funds for company loyalty.

[–] superluvbugx44 12 years ago

Yeah I've seen 30 Rock and I like Better Off Ted much better. I can't believe it has an average rating of 8.1 and it was canceled. >.> There are shows on with much lower ratings.

Too bad. It's pretty funny and I like the characters.. even the company commercials are funny and pretty awesome. :)

[–] bob-1135 12 years ago

I have just found this show in the UK and it is brilliant! So refreshing to find an American comedy that doesn't greet every syllable uttered by the actors with gales of canned laughter a la Friends ( I am proud to say I have never seen a complete episode of that awful dross)