Cultural Cuisinart

The decisions that go into whether a show lives or dies are often inscrutable. How does a fun, quirky cop drama like "The Unusuals" or a whimsical wonderful fantasy show like "Pushing Daisies" get canceled, while the same network then chooses to keep around shows like "Private Practice" or "Wife Swap" (or even worse, "According to Jim", which stayed on approximately eleventy-billion seasons)? It's a phenomenom that long time fans of good television, like myself, have resigned themselves to living with, unfortunately.

However, I'm super pleased that ABC's outstanding new sitcom "Better Off Ted" was miraculously saved from cancellation, and will debut in the ABC's mid season line up next year. Even better news - the network also decided that since they paid for a full 12 episodes to be produced, they might as well let us, you know... actually watch them all.

I've gushed about this show before. It's smart, well-written, and the acting is top notch. The lead character is Ted, who plays the straight man in the cast of mostly wacky characters. Jay Harrington does a good job and is quite winsome in the lead role.

However, it's the supporting characters who really steal the show. In particular, Portia di Rossi really shines as cold hearted, bottom-line oriented boss Veronica. Veronica gets some of the show's best zingers and plot lines. Viewers will also likely come to quickly love Phil and Lem, the two main scientists who serve under Ted in the R&D Department.

If you need to catch up, you can probably still watch the first 6 episodes of this show online (however, it's not required, as you should catch on fairly quickly). I recommend you watch, if nothing else, the "Racial Sensitivity" episode and the "Through Rose Colored HAZMAT Suits" episode.

Better Off Ted returns with new episodes beginning tonight at 9:30 pm ET/PT on ABC. Please, for the love of God, people, WATCH THIS SHOW. You won't be disappointed. Jace over at Televisionary has a sneak preview review of tonight's episode, if you really can't wait.