ted – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

ted

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2024

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Seth MacFarlane's R-rated teddy bear gets a TV series—still crude, still profane, still absolutely not for kids despite the plush exterior.

74%

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ted

show

TV-MA, 2024

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Seth MacFarlane's R-rated teddy bear gets a TV series—still crude, still profane, still absolutely not for kids despite the plush exterior.

74%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be crystal clear: Ted the talking teddy bear is not for kids. This is Seth MacFarlane doing what he does—crude jokes, sexual references, profanity, drug humor—all delivered by a cute stuffed animal, which makes it particularly deceptive.

The show has found its audience (that 90% RT audience score is real), and for older teens and adults who enjoy this style of comedy, it's well-executed. The 1990s Boston setting adds charm, and there are genuine friendship themes buried under the vulgarity.

But here's the problem: younger kids will see a teddy bear and want to watch. Don't let them. This is adult comedy wearing a costume that will attract exactly the wrong audience. Common Sense Media says 15+, and honestly, 16-17+ is more realistic for most families.

If you're an adult who loved the movies, you'll probably enjoy this. If you're a parent looking for family viewing, keep scrolling.

Age Fit

This is for older teens (16+) and adults who appreciate MacFarlane's brand of irreverent, profane comedy. Despite featuring a teddy bear, this is absolutely not for children or even young teens. Parents of 15-year-olds should preview before deciding.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is the Peacock series based on Seth MacFarlane's R-rated film franchise, transplanted to 1993 with Ted living with 16-year-old John. While the premise suggests coming-of-age buddy dynamics, the show carries MacFarlane's signature crude humor, sexual jokes, drug references, and profanity. The web search confirms it's aimed at older teens (15+) and Common Sense Media has flagged it for mature content. Ted 'may not be the best influence' is putting it mildly—this is a talking teddy bear who swears, makes inappropriate jokes, and engages in adult behavior. Not emotionally healthy modeling for younger viewers.

Imaginative

The core concept—a foul-mouthed teddy bear navigating 1990s suburban Boston with his teenage best friend—has inherent creative appeal and nostalgia value. The '90s setting offers period-specific humor and cultural references. However, this is a TV adaptation of an existing film franchise, so it's derivative rather than groundbreaking. The comedy leans heavily on shock value and pop-culture riffs rather than inviting genuine creative thinking or exploration. It's clever in execution but not particularly inspiring.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this 15+, which signals significant content concerns. The show features profanity, sexual humor, drug and alcohol references, and crude jokes—all wrapped in the deceptive package of a cute teddy bear character. This creates a specific safety risk: younger kids might be drawn to the stuffed-animal protagonist but encounter wildly age-inappropriate content. The 74% critic/90% audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.9 IMDb rating suggest quality execution, but that doesn't make it safe for kids. This is firmly adult-oriented comedy masquerading in a plush suit.

Enriching

There's some value in the show's exploration of friendship, loyalty, and working-class Boston family dynamics in the '90s. The premise of Ted going 'out on a limb' for John and his family suggests themes of devotion and sacrifice. However, these potentially meaningful elements are delivered through a lens of crude humor and shock comedy. For the target audience (older teens and adults), there's entertainment value and nostalgia, but limited genuine growth opportunities. It's more about laughs than lessons, and the humor often undermines rather than supports any deeper messaging.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Strong audience approval (90% RT, 7.9 IMDb) suggests genuinely funny writing for the right age group
1990s Boston setting offers nostalgia and period-specific humor for older viewers
Explores genuine friendship and loyalty themes beneath the crude exterior
MacFarlane's signature comedy style executed well for fans of the original films

⚠

What to Watch For

Profanity, sexual humor, and drug references throughout—this is adult comedy in teddy bear clothing
The cute stuffed animal protagonist will attract younger kids who should absolutely not be watching
Crude jokes and shock humor dominate over any meaningful life lessons
Common Sense Media's 15+ rating is the floor, not a suggestion—many parents will want to wait longer

Conversation Starters

"What makes Ted a good friend to John, even when he's being inappropriate or making bad choices?"
"How does the show use humor to talk about serious topics like family struggles or fitting in?"
"Why do you think the creators chose the 1990s as the setting? What's different about that era?"
"Can you separate the funny parts from the parts that are just crude for shock value?"

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