Absence apparently makes the heart grow fonder asSeth MacFarlane’s rude, crude teddy bearTedmade his grand return to a viewership record onPeacock. The new prequel series, starringMax Burkholderas a young John Bennett with MacFarlanereprising his role as Ted, became the most-watched original title in the history of NBC’s streaming platform over its first three days following the release of all seven episodes on Thursday. No specific numbers were given, but the series was one draw during Peacock’s biggest single day in terms of engagement on Saturday.
Likely,Tedbenefited heavily from hitting the platform just in time for the NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend. In the run-up to the first-ever Peacock-exclusive playoff game between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs, sports business expertJoe Pomplianoreported that the streamershot to the top spot of the app storewhile seeing over double the search volume on Google than at any other point in the platform’s existence. The game itselfbecame the most-streamed event in U.S. history with 23 million viewers across the app, NFL+, and local NBC stations. The inflated audience almost certainly brought more attention to Ted and John’s antics over the weekend.
That’s not to discreditTed, however. MacFarlane’s comedy series revisited the beloved bear over eight and a half years after his last film,Ted 2, hit theaters, finally exploring John’s teenage years with his stuffed buddy by his side.Set in 1993, it picks up after Ted’s 15 minutes of fame has run out, sending him back home to live with his best friend John and his family. He’s far from a good influence on the 16-year-old, encouraging drug use and sex, but John’s parents hope thatsending him to school will help him straighten out. Although this bear isjust as crass as in MacFarlane’s 2012 movie, his friendship with John is unyielding even when the going gets tough for the pair.
Will ‘Ted’ Get a Second Season?
Peacock orderedTedas an “event series,” meaning the likelihood of future seasons was always going to be low from the get-go. With record-breaking success on the platform, however, it’s possible MacFarlane and company will re-think that setup. Speaking toTheWrap, theFamily Guymastermind saidfuture Ted projects depended on “audience appetite,“which certainly seems to be there by Peacock’s viewership. Co-showrunnersPaul CorriganandBrad Walshwere already eager to explore what a future season or film could look like, with Walsh adding, “We’re certainly open to it. I think there’s a ton more stories to explore. I mean, we have this teenage, going into early 20s young man that is going through all these experiences and also has his family around him. We’ve told, what, seven stories so far? There’s plenty of room to explore and we’d love to explore it.”
If a Season 2 does happen, MacFarlanealso told Collider’sSteve Weintraubthat he would leave open the possibility forMark Wahlbergto return, even in a limited capacity. “Anything is possible,” he added. “The challenge with Wahlberg is he’s very busy. He’s always working on a movie, or two or three, and to get him for a television series, even for something likeTed, the time commitment is oftentimes more than his schedule will permit.” Season 1 sawMacFarlane and Burkholder share the screenwithAlanna Ubach,Scott Grimes, andGiorgia Whigham.
Tedisnow streaming in its entirety on Peacock. Readour review herefor our impressions of MacFarlane’s latest comedy series. Check out the trailer below.
In 1993, the sentient teddy bear Ted lives with the family of his owner John Bennett, who wished him to life.
Watch on Peacock
