TV is better off because of 'Better Off Ted'

It's not an exaggeration to say that at least once a day I quote "Arrested Development" to someone ("There's always money in the banana stand!"), wish the show was still on the air or cross my fingers that the much talked about "Arrested Development" movie really does happen.

Even though the show went off the air in early 2006, it still looms large in my mind. Since the Bluth family left us, nothing really has taken their place on the comedy landscape.

I would do the dramatic "until now" but to compare the new ABC comedy "Better Off Ted" to "Arrested Development" wouldn't be fair to "Ted" since I don't want you to watch tonight's premiere (8 p.m. on ABC) with sky high expectations.

But what I can tell you is that besides the obvious connections (it is so great to have Portia de Rossi back on a comedy), "Better Off Ted" is in the same spirit of "Arrested Development." Jay Harrington (who we saw this season as Dr. Wyatt Lockhart on "Private Practice") is Ted, the head of research and development at Veridian Dynamics.

Ted has always been a company man but lately he has been getting more and more concerned about his company's practices. For example, in the pilot, they want to freeze Ted's co-worker Phil (Jonathan Slavin). None of this phases Ted's ruthless, no nonsense boss Veronica (de Rossi) who will do anything to make the company profitable.

The show is a smart satire and the extremely likeable Harrington (who had a permanent spot in my "deserves his own show" file) is pitch perfect as the voice of reason among his company's antics. This is good because Ted spends a lot of time talking to the camera. It's not my favorite device but it works okay here. Ted is made more human by his relationship with his daughter Rose (Isabella Acres) and his potential romance with co-worker Linda (Andrea Anders), who is getting back at the company one office supply at a time.

The pilot has tons of potential and I definitely laughed out loud more than once. When you think of all the not great comedies that have come our way in the last year I feel like it's been a long time since I've been able to say that. I'm pretty sure the last time I added a network comedy to my TiVo season pass was "Aliens in America" last season.

So I'm going to support "Better Off Ted" because I think it could turn out to be one of the funniest shows on TV and this kind of creativity needs to be supported. For now, three and a half stars. After you've watched the show, let me know what you think and talk about it below.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Christian Clemenson, Jerry on "Boston Legal", was Carter's transplant surgeon on "ER." I never quite connected until now that Clemenson was also Abel Koontz on "Veronica Mars."

Michael Rady was the brother who didn't want to have the surgery on "Grey's Anatomy." He's Casey's boyfriend Max on "Greek" and was the teacher Doug on "Swingtown." We saw him earlier this season as the man who found a cell phone at a construction site on "The Closer" and if all goes according to plan you'll see him on the remake of "Melrose Place" this fall. Erin Cahill was the younger sister who did get the surgery. She was Ted's sister Heather earlier this season on "How I Met Your Mother" and Amber on the short-lived FOX series "Free Ride."

Jeanine was the first reader to be thrilled to see Amber Benson, Tara on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," as the woman who had been attacked on "Private Practice." Amanda Detmer was the pregnant woman Addison put on bed rest. Detmer was Deena on "What About Brian." Josh Hopkins was Dr. Noah Barnes, the man who turned out to be her husband. Among his many roles, Hopkins was Roger on "Swingtown," Charlie Babcock on "Pepper Dennis," and Warren on "Brothers & Sisters."

Sandy recognized Brian Bloom as Jonas the leader of the cult on "Dollhouse." He was Allan on "Drive" but most of us remember him from playing Dusty on "As the World Turns." Rebecca Field was one of the members of the cult. She was Janet on "October Road."

Ron recognized Jaimie Alexander as Jenna York on "CSI: Miami." She was Jessi on "Kyle XY."

Sandy recognized Alexander Gould as Cole on "Supernatural." Gould is Shane on "Weeds" and also the voice of Nemo in "Finding Nemo."

Joe was excited about the "Everwood" reunion on "Castle" this week. Sarah Drew, Hannah on "Everwood" and Kitty Romano on "Mad Men," was the nanny who killed her friend. We've seen Drew this season as Megan's best friend on "Privileged" and the woman who gave her baby up for adoption on "Private Practice." Jayne Brook was the victim's employer. We've seen her this season as Pete's girlfriend Meg on "Private Practice" and Scotty's mom on "Brothers & Sisters." And, fun fact, she also played Hannah's mom on "Everwood."

Lil recognized Christine Elise as a mom in the apartment building where a drug dealer was killed on "Saving Grace." To Lil and to me, Elise will always be Emily Valentine on "Beverly Hills 90210." She also was Harper, an intern, on "ER." Lil also caught Denise Dowse as the mother of the woman Leon Cooley killed while drunk driving. Dowse was Mrs. Teasley on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and we saw her earlier this season as a judge on "The Mentalist."

Mary and Joe recognized Mark Linn-Baker was Lincoln James on "Life on Mars." He is, of course, best known for playing Larry on "Perfect Strangers" and was Alan on "Twins." Kathie recognized Keri Lynn Pratt was one of the stewardesses who roomed with Annie. Pratt was Amber on "Brothers & Sisters," Missy on "Jack & Bobby," and Veronica on "The Help."

Diane and Dennis were the first to recognize Lesley Boone as Carlos' new Vice President Lucy on "Desperate Housewives." She was Carol's best friend Molly on "Ed."

Questions of the Day

"Bones" is having a pretty fantastic season. They've bounced back nicely from Zack is/isn't a murderer brouhaha (although I'm with all of you who think it's time to come up with a permanent notZack) and I especially appreciate Temperance's character development. I like that she wants to work on her interpersonal skills. No matter what time slot FOX puts the show in, it's a highly enjoyable hour. My questions are these -- do you think the show is more graphic than it has been in the past? Last week's oozing bones seemed like they belonged on "CSI." And how are you feeling about this notion that Bones and Booth will get to know each other in the biblical sense before the season is out? As much as I usually root for couples to get together, I think I like these two better as colleagues. How about you? Talk about it below.

Some Fun Links

The first four episodes of the new online series "Rockville CA" premiered yesterday on www.theWB.com. From executive producer Josh Schwartz ("Gossip Girl," "Chuck," "The O.C."), the series (each episode is four to six minutes long) features a performance by a band as well as an ongoing storyline. It's pretty fun stuff. You can also see interviews with the bands at www.rockvilleca.com.

You can get ready for the new CBS series "Harper's Island" by checking out www.HarpersGlobe.com.

If you missed any of George Clooney's return to "ER," check out these links. Also this one was my favorite.

Ask TV Gal

Was wondering with pilot season pretty much in full swing, if, along the grapevine you had heard anything about Laura Leighton showing up this season in something new? Been way too long without her on our screens! Thanks in advance, Anthony

Anthony, I'm a huge fan of Laura Leighton's too -- I say she's the character they should bring back to the "Melrose Place" remake. To answer your question I went to my number one source of all things that are happening in LA -- my friend Jeff who is a casting director extraordinaire and (as I like to tell him) knows everything. He told me that Laura Leighton will be starring in a movie for the Hallmark Channel called "The View From Here" opposite Angie Dickinson. The movie, about a woman who returns home to care for her sick mother only to have to deal with the reason she left home in the first place, will premiere in the fall of this year.

My husband usually only watches movies and PBS documentaries. He rarely gets into a TV show. The only two in recent years are "Firefly" and "Life On Mars," and we all know their untimely fates. So now he refuses to watch any more network TV. We don't have cable, so my question is, can you recommend a good series as original as these two that he might enjoy that is now out on DVDs so I can rent or buy it for his birthday? Amie

The shows that immediately come to my mind are "Lost," "Veronica Mars" and since he's a fan of Joss Whedon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." And if he's never seen "Twin Peaks," the first season is so worth watching. I also wanted to put it to the group. Do you guys have any suggestions for Amie?

I hear that "My Boys" will be back at the end of March. Is this true?  Thanks. Lauren

It's true!"My Boys" returns on March 31 at 10:30 on TBS. I'll be talking about the show much more as we get closer to the premiere.

That's all for today. I'm back on Friday to check back in on "Dollhouse" and this week's quotes of the week. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Friday.