A revival pitch for the cult classic comedy about the absurdities of corporate life at Veridian Dynamics. Created by Victor Fresco, this satirical workplace comedy returns with a fresh take for the streaming era.
The Original - A Cult Classic Cut Short
Sharp Satirical Comedy
Better Off Ted (2009-2010) followed Ted Crisp through the absurdities of corporate life at Veridian Dynamics.
Network Mishandling
ABC doomed it with erratic scheduling—airing episodes out of order and shifting time slots.
Loyal Fanbase
Despite only 26 episodes, the show built a devoted following that remains active 15 years later.
The Revival - Where Are They Now? (story wise)
Veronica Palmer (CEO): Now running the company, with a child (Ada) from Lem's donated supply. Ruthless, but faintly humanized by motherhood.
Linda Zwordling (Head of Product Development): In Veronica’s old job, co-parenting Jamie (her son) with Ted. Sarcastic, chaotic, and reluctantly competent.
Ted Crisp (Manager): Still in the same job (hey, he loves his job!) Still the moral center, raising Jamie and navigating an on-again, off-again vibe with Linda. Slightly grayer, but charming as ever.
Phil Myman & Lem Hewitt(R&D): Unchanged geniuses—Lem’s a dad, Phil’s a lab-rat whisperer.
Rose Crisp (Product Test Manager): Ted’s daughter, takes Linda's old role. She's now a snarky 20-something exposing Veridian’s nonsense.
Jamie Crisp-Zwordling: Ted and Linda’s 10-year-old son, a mini-Ted causing pint-sized chaos.
Ada Hewitt-Palmer: Veronica and Lem’s 8-year-old, raised with the help of Lem’s mom, Stella—a mix of icy ambition and awkward brilliance.
Stella Clifton: Lem’s mensa mom, the real MVP of Ada's upbringing. Reluctant grandmother.
Sample Episode Ideas
I Spy with my Little Eye
Veronica's "Bring Your Kid to Work" day goes haywire when Jamie and Ada hack the network and accidentally triggers a Homeland Security SWAT - all while Veridian security system makes life within the office challenging.
The Toaster Lovin'
Phil and Lem's AI toaster oven has become sentient and is making demands. "More Pocket Pizzas!" While Ted sees an opportunity to get back with Linda via a dating app using a fake account.
Grandma Knows Best
Stella and Veronica go head to head over proper parenting of Vivian while Lem tries to be Switzerland. and Ada seems to have developed a crush on Jamie.
New Veridian Dynamics Opportunities
Updated Products
AI surveillance plants, edible office chairs, and carbon footprint dating apps. Fake commercials return with dystopian twist.
Edgier Themes
Corporate greed, family dysfunction, and tech gone wild. Streaming allows for bolder comedy.
Bingeable Format
10-13 episodes per season, 25-30 minutes each. Tight arcs with room for character growth.
Why Streaming Fixes Everything
No Scheduling Woes
Streaming eliminates bad time slots. Fans can binge at their own pace on a consistent platform.
Edgier Humor
Lighter content standards mean darker corporate satire and spicier interpersonal drama. No FCC restrictions.
Global Reach
Platforms like Apple, Hulu or Netflix can tap into international audiences, transforming cult following into mainstream hit.
If for some reason Portia de Rossi doesn't want to come back to the US to shoot the show, Veronica's absence on set could be explained that she (now a Billionaire as well as being CEO) decided to command the company's first mission to Mars. This story arc could be inserted in each episode with her doing Zoom like calls to check in on how things are going down on Earth. This would give more of a reason for Stella to become the guardian as the last thing Veronica would want is for her sister to have her kid to raise. The Mars Mission would land in the final episode (or do the circuits go dead, something's wrong?)
If Khandi Alexander doesn't want to reprise her roll as Lem's mom, then maybe we meet Veronica's mom. It could be a great roll for Wendie Malick.