The Men of 'Ted' Throw Away the Talking Point(s)

Seth MacFarlane, Scott Grimes, and Max Burkholder talk about the return of the degenerate teddy bear, '90s politics, prop weed, and more.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:00pm

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In a wide-ranging interview, the stars of the hit TV series 'Ted' discuss the show's '90s-set political humor, their own high school experiences, and the challenges of working with a CGI teddy bear. The conversation covers everything from '90s pop culture references to the cost of a simple fist bump on the show.

Why it matters

The interview provides insight into the creative process behind 'Ted' and how the show's writers balance timely political commentary with enduring humor. It also offers a glimpse into the lives of the show's lead actors and how their own backgrounds inform their performances.

The details

The interview covers a variety of topics, including the show's '90s-era political references, the actors' experiences as child stars, the use of prop weed on set, and the technical challenges of working with a CGI teddy bear. The conversation also touches on the show's influences, such as the classic sitcom 'All in the Family', and the actors' own high school experiences.

  • The second season of 'Ted' premiered on Peacock on March 5, 2026.
  • The interview took place in early 2026, ahead of the season 2 premiere.

The players

Seth MacFarlane

The creator of 'Ted' and the voice of the title character, MacFarlane is a renowned writer, animator, and producer known for his work on shows like 'Family Guy' and 'The Orville'.

Scott Grimes

An actor who plays Matty, the intolerant but well-meaning father on 'Ted', Grimes is a veteran of the MacFarlane universe, having appeared in 'Family Guy', 'American Dad', and 'The Orville'.

Max Burkholder

The young actor who portrays the teenage version of the Wahlberg character, John, on 'Ted', Burkholder has grown up in the world of MacFarlane's animated comedies.

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What they’re saying

“There's a generational thing where, when we were kids, we were watching syndicated reruns. We couldn't help but watch The Dick Van Dyke Show or The Honeymooners or All in the Family or Happy Days. The Brady Bunch. And it's weird because I just assume, Oh, that's a rite of passage for every kid. But with streaming, that's all changed.”

— Seth MacFarlane, Creator, 'Ted'

“I grew up thinking I had seven uncles, but then I found out only like fifteen years ago that my parents don't have any brothers or sisters. I said to my mother, You don't have any sisters or brothers and neither's dad. Who's Uncle Eddie? And then my dad's like, Well, your mom actually dated Uncle Bill. I'm like, what the fuck are you talking about?”

— Scott Grimes, Actor, 'Ted'

“I don't think I talked about diarrhea nearly as much as he does. And I had an unusual high school experience. Probably spent about half the time working. But I certainly had my degenerate friends that I would smoke weed with every night after school. Of course it was L.A. and we were eighteen. It was legal.”

— Max Burkholder, Actor, 'Ted'

What’s next

The third season of 'Ted' is already in development, with the writers exploring ways to continue the show's successful blend of '90s-set humor and timely social commentary.

The takeaway

The 'Ted' cast and creators have found a winning formula in blending nostalgic '90s references with sharp, socially conscious comedy. As the show enters its third season, fans can expect more of the same irreverent humor and insightful commentary that has made 'Ted' a hit.