Summary

• The Ted prequel show adds interesting context to the scenarios and characters from the original movies.
• Magic exists in the world of Ted, as shown by the existence of other inanimate objects brought to life.
• John's past and relationships are explored in the show, including his cousin Blaire and his first girlfriend Bethany.

The Ted prequel TV show created by Seth MacFarlane adds to the lore of his movies in several ways. While the Ted franchise isn't especially prolific for its worldbuilding, the new show adds some interesting context to the scenarios and characters from the original movies with Mark Wahlberg. Watching the Ted show isn't necessary to understand the movies, but each can enhance the experience of the other.

The first Ted movie was released in 2012, with Ted 2 following in 2015. Both movies starred Mark Wahlberg as John Bennett and Seth MacFarlane as the voice and motion capture artist for the famous bear. Ted 3 isn't happening, so Wahlberg has been recast for the recent show due to understandable prequel-based reasons. Instead, the younger John is played by Mark Burkholder. The nature of Ted's character has allowed MacFarlane to reprise his role as the titular foul-mouthed cuddly toy as part of the Ted prequel show cast.

9 Ted Isn't The Only Inanimate Object Brought To Life By Magic

Dennis the truck also benefited from Ted's movie magic

It can be easy to forget due to the comedic window dressing, but magic canonically exists within the world of Ted. The entire franchise is built upon the fact that John wishes Ted to life at a young age. Given the number of people in the world, it seems unlikely that no one else has achieved the same feat before or after. The Ted show finally reveals that the act can be repeated, as John's father, Matty, also makes a similar wish and brings his childhood toy truck to life in Ted season 1, episode 6, "Loud Night."

The truck, known as Dennis, was given sentience due to the head of the Bennett household after wishing on a shooting star just as his son had done years before. While Matty may not have intended to bring Dennis to life with his wish, it was still the result. Dennis is particularly abrasive and confrontational throughout the episode, inheriting and exaggerating some of Matty's worst traits. The enchanted toy vehicle leaves the Ted show at the end of the episode to find himself, but his presence makes it possible that other magical toys could show up in the future.

8 John Lived With His Cousin Growing Up

John's past in the Ted movies isn't explored all that much

Ted and Ted 2 mainly focus on the present, so figures from John's past don't tend to garner much attention. The show introduces characters that never appeared in the original movies. One of these is Giorgia Whigham's Blaire Bennett, John's cousin. Blaire wasn't in the Ted movies, but she lives with John and his family in the show due to issues at home, and she slots right into the "big sister" role. Blaire tries to advise John during his formative years and the two form a strong bond, even with Ted instigating his usual chaos.

Blaire is cast out of the house by Matty early in the show when he discovers she has been selling weed. However, Ted and John formulate a touching plan to convince Matty to allow her to come back. Many of the show's moments that involve a touching or emotional moment tend to happen when Blaire is present, showing how important she is to John's growth as a person.

7 John And Ted Wrote The Thunder Buddies Song When John Was 17

Mark Wahlberg's John sang the song with Ted in the first movie

One of the more memorable moments in 2012's Ted is the song performed by John and Ted during a thunderstorm. Despite all their bravado, the duo harbor a fear of thunder and have written a suitable composition to help them process and voice their disdain for the phenomenon. The Ted prequel show ending shows the moment the two friends are inspired to pen the famous song from the movie. Ted season 1, episode 7, "He's Gotta Have It," ends with the pair running for a guitar to assist them in the songwriting process. John is 17 throughout Ted season 1.

6 Ted Went To School With John

Ted is made to attend school by Matty when Ted destroys the TV

John and Ted are inseparable in the movies, and the TV shows this is a very long-standing dynamic. Although the show starts with Ted essentially getting the house to himself every day and not doing much that would be considered productive, he's an enrolled high school student by the end of Ted season 1. Ted resists the idea at first but eventually settles into full-time education. The final scene has Ted mentioning college applications, implying he may secretly enjoy his newfound situation.

5 John And Ted Started Smoking Weed By Accident

The main duo in Ted originally had other plans in mind for the illicit substance

In Wahlberg's Ted movies, the main two are already big fans of marijuana. At the start of the show, John and Ted are a little more innocent. When Ted decides he wants to get kicked out of high school and return to his old routine, his plan is to get caught in possession of drugs, taking advantage of the establishment's zero-tolerance policy on narcotics. While the acquisition of said drugs goes to plan, their intrigue gets the better of them and Ted smokes most of the weed with John instead.

The twist in the tale is that it turns out to be Blaire who sells the weed to Ted, and she swears the bear to secrecy and tells him not to let John come into contact with the substance. In true Ted fashion, he breaks both promises. When Blaire discovers that John smokes weed now thanks to her, she feels very guilty. However, it doesn't stop the trio from partaking as a group. John and Ted's new vice results in some of the funniest quotes from the Ted prequel show.

4 John Was A Loner During His High School Years

Ted is John's only real friend

Due to John's childhood companion coming to life, he seemingly never felt much need to make other friends. In the Ted TV show, it's shown when Ted starts to attend the same school that John is picked on and lacks companionship at his high school. Ted's presence helps to assuage the onslaught of abuse and loneliness John experiences on a daily basis. The co-dependence between John and Ted remains present throughout all 3 Ted movies and shows, as neither party tends to socialize much without the other.

3 The Ted TV Show Teaches The Audience About John's Parents

The Bennetts are led by a mismatched couple