Ted 2: Catching up with Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane

Let's just call it what it is. Seth MacFarlane is a genius. The talented creator of Family Guy, The Cleveland Show and American Dad  has pretty much changed the way we watch the animated TV series. The king of crass jokes, MacFarlane is a master at pushing the boundaries and getting away with pretty much anything. The 39 year old actor, writer and director is at the top of his game and there is no one out there who can hold a candle to his wit and charm. As if that’s not enough, Macfarlane is an accomplished singer and pianist.

Seth MacFarlane is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, where he studied animation. Recruited to Hollywood, he was an animator and writer for Hanna-Barbera for several television shows, including Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Dexter’s Laboratory, I Am Weasel and his own Family Guy-like prequel, Larry and Steve.  

As an actor, he has made guest appearances on shows,  Gilmore Girls, The War at Home and Flash Forward. In 2008, he created his own YouTube series, Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy and has won several awards for his work on Family Guy, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and an Annie Award. In 2009, he won the Webby Award for Film & Video Person of the Year. He occasionally speaks at universities and colleges throughout the United States, and is a supporter of gay rights.

As a singer MacFarlane has performed at several venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Royal Albert Hall in London. In 2011 MacFarlane released his debut album, Music Is Better than Words.

Most recently, MacFarlane served as Executive Producer of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, an update of the 1980s Carl Sagan–hosted Cosmos series hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. MacFarlane was instrumental in providing funding for the show, as well as securing studio support for it from other entertainment executives.

In 2012 MacFarlane brought his boundary-pushing brand of humor to the big screen for the first time as writer, director, motion capture and voice star of Ted. In the live action/CG-animated comedy, he tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a grown man who must deal with the cherished teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish...and refused to leave his side ever since. The movie went on to become the highest grossing original “R” rated comedy of all time.

It was inevitable that MacFarlane would have more Ted adventures up his sleeve and with that he brings us Ted 2 which hits theaters on June 26th. This time around we find Ted married to Tami- Lynn ( Jessica Barth). The newlywed couple want to have a baby, but in order to qualify to be a parent, Ted will have to prove he's a person in a court of law. Back on board is Mark Wahlberg as Ted’s best buddy John Bennet and new to the gang is Amanda Seyfried who plays the young lawyer who tries to help Ted win his case.

The movie is rude and crude, everything you’d expect and more. I spoke with Seth MacFarlane in London, England about Ted 2 and tried to find out what makes this genius’s mind work.

Ted 2 in theaters on June 26th.