'Ted' Season 2 Review
- Connor Petrey
- Mar 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 7
Season Two.
Aired On: Peacock.
Release Date: 03/05/26.
Genre: Comedy.
The Verdict: A Must-See
John and Ted are back for more mischief in season 2 of this surprisingly effective prequel series. For a little background - the original Ted from 2012 remains to this day one of my all time favorite comedies and its sequel remains an incredible disappointment. So when the prequel series was announced, I was excited for the return of my favorite teddy but also cautiously optimistic for obvious reasons (being a series, a prequel, CGI, etc). Yet it turned out to be absolutely brilliant television and one of the best, if not the best series to have hit Peacock.
It’s been nearly two years since we last saw this dynamic duo on our screens and if there’s any certainty of what to expect, it’s that the humor persists. Season 2 oddly feels more scattershot narratively than last season, with 30-minute plots that don’t seem to flow as well as before. But even so, the jokes still land and the weirdness of this show remains intact.
The character of Ted continues to be the striving force of the show, with most of my personal laughter generated from his retorts to other people’s behavior. MacFarlane was born to do a lot of roles in his lifetime, but Ted genuinely might be my favorite of them all - his voice works so earnestly within the body of the innocent teddy bear.
In terms of the other cast, Max Burkholder is battling for the spot as the superior John Bennett at this point. His connection with the nonexistent Ted feels authentic and their brotherly bond seems even more natural than MacFarlane’s interactions with Wahlberg in the feature films. His younger self is a perfect representation of what he grows up to be: an immature, stoned adult (ala the first film). Where the first season gave us enormous character growth from the first episode to the last for Matty (Scot Grimes), Susan (Alanna Ubach) and Blaire (Giorgia Whigham), season 2 replicates that formula and delivers it to us once again.
A phone sex-line, a Mrs. Robinson moment, a D&D campaign, a drunk kiss and so much more happens this season. While not every joke hits the mark, the rapid pace they fly makes for a definitive hit along the way. In all honesty it’s hard to rival season one because that season, although flawed with its sudden finale, is perfect - this season has some kinks to work out even if the humor remains consistent. Ted is crude, rude, offensive, and it’s a fine showing of what truly lies at the heart of MacFarlane’s comedy. If Ted returns for a third season (which I hope it does) alongside the upcoming animated sequel series, I’d be open to even more sitcom inspired adventures with John, Susan, Matty, Blaire, and (of course) Ted. Let’s all wish upon a shooting star for Ted to return back to us at some point in the very near future.
Where to Watch:
