To celebrate Teddy Day (February 12th) we discuss the Ted movie series and discuss how the franchise defied “woke” society.
Navigating Comedy in a “Woke” Society is a dying breed nowadays, you get comedians who bow down to social pressures and take to social media to apologise for jokes or re-write whole shows and then there are the legends like Matt Rife and Ricky Gervais who dive in head first with no thought given about the consequences.
In a rapidly changing cultural landscape, the intersection of comedy and societal awareness has become increasingly complex but there’s one foul-mouthed, anthropomorphic teddy bear that goes against the grain and defies the odds.
Delivering comedy in a “woke” society with little regard for the consequences, Ted is a shining beacon when it comes to trampling on sensitive topics, cultural references and audience reception keeping that good old-fashioned style of comedy alive and well.
The movie series, directed by Seth MacFarlane, revolves around the unlikely friendship between John Bennett, portrayed by Mark Wahlberg, and his sentient teddy bear, Ted, voiced by MacFarlane himself.
The first film, released in 2012, introduces audiences to the adult John and his mischievous teddy bear, whose antics often veer into crude and politically incorrect territory.
The sequel, “Ted 2,” released in 2015, further explores themes of identity, acceptance, and belonging, albeit through the lens of a talking stuffed animal.
From iconic moments such as the Thunder Buddy song and the checkout scene in the opening movie to the barn sequence and weed fields of the sequel, Ted proved there was an audience out there waiting to lap up every inch of this comedy movie.
With over half a billion made on the first movie and a respectable $215 million made on the sequel the Family Guy creator was once again a part of another smash hit.
I’d advise not clicking the video below if you’re easily offended!
Ted relies on irreverent humour and strives to push the boundaries at every opportunity but this humour in today’s society is polarizing with some audiences lapping it up and others deeming it offensive.
For those who get a little overly sensitive when it comes to a joke, Ted contextualizes the humour to try and connect audiences on a deeper level than the surface-level joke made. By tapping into shared cultural touchstones, the movies are able to resonate with viewers while also inviting them to reflect on the absurdities of modern life.
Ted 2’s entire storyline focuses on Ted proving his personhood in the eyes of the law despite being a Teddy Bear he has a soul, a mind and free speech. The second film highlights themes of equality, discrimination, and acceptance.
While the films approach these topics with a light-hearted touch, they also provoke thought and encourage audiences to consider larger societal implications.
What Ted should be applauded for is tackling taboo subjects and doing them in a way that brings people together in laughter. No one is being excluded or laughed at or singled out it’s just an intersection of comedy and social consciousness within our rather pathetic “woke” society who aren’t happy until we’re all unhappy like they are.
The films manage to entertain audiences while also prompting reflection on important issues.
While not without controversy, the Ted series exemplifies the evolving landscape of comedy in an increasingly diverse and socially aware world.
As creators continue to navigate this terrain, they must strike a delicate balance between pushing boundaries and respecting the diverse perspectives of their audience.
We salute you, Ted, long may you continue to be you in the face of adversity. Never change.
Thunder buddies for life.
