The original post: /r/television by /u/ConsumerofToons on 2026-03-10 20:14:38+00:00.
I’ve been watching the Ted prequel series and have observed a notable sense of consistency, self-awareness, well conveyed pathos and engagement with relevant topics, all handled quite skillfully. Additionally, the humor tends to be more character-driven. Personally, I’m not a fan of most of post-cancellation Family Guy, as I felt its humor was often random for the sake of randomness, heavily shock-based, and frequently came across as mean-spirited and preachy. Over time, much of it, particularly from Seasons 6 to 9, when Seth MacFarlane was still heavily involved, has aged poorly.
While the original Ted film was quite good, it still relied on numerous pop culture references that make it feel somewhat dated. Though it’s still an enjoyable movie, it also falls into some of the same pitfalls. Conversely, A Million Ways to Die in the West and Ted 2 seem to suffer from similar issues as later Family Guy and Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy. I’ve watched some of The Orville and the Ted prequel series, and I’ve noticed a subtle shift in direction. Most of the humor now serves the characters more effectively, and the show handles serious issues with greater nuance. Seth MacFarlane has mentioned that he believes media should promote positivity, and I wonder if he’s realized that relying on shock value alone has its limitations. While still edgy, his humor no longer seems to go out of its way to shock just for shock’s sake.
It’s somewhat amusing because early Family Guy was capable of delivering heartfelt moments, largely due to David Zuckerman’s influence, whereas MacFarlane wanted a more gag based show. Am I the only one who perceives a sense of maturity developing in his writing?