Five Reasons You Should be Watching ABC's "Better Off Ted"

AfterElton.com reader giovannif recently lamented in the comments that he wanted to see ABC's very funny but rating's challenged Better Off Ted get some AE love. We have covered the show a couple of times, but I agree with giovannif that BOT definitely deserves higher ratings than it is getting and I'm more than happy to do my part to save the show.

So here are five reasons you should be watching Better Off Ted -- plus the latest episode!

1) Out actor Jonathan Slavin

Slavin plays Phil, one of the nutty scientists who work for Veridian Dynamics creating all sorts of bizarre products that tend to cause a lot of problems for everyone involved. Phil is straight and married, though we are yet to see his wife, and Phil's primary relationship is with his fellow scientist Lem (Malcolm Barrett). They've definitely got one of those "bromance" relationships going on that might not work as well as JD and Turk on Scrubs, but is still pretty great.

And not only is Slavin out, but he's also very outspoken. 

Jonathan Slavin as Phil and Malcom Garrett as as Lem

2) Out actor Portia de Rossi

BOT has not one, but two actors playing straight. Portia plays Veronica, the insane head of Ted's department. Not only does de Rossi get to play plenty of romantic scenes, but it turns out she is a very gifted comedian who does deadpan with the best of them. Did I mention Veronica's insane? I'd hate to work for her, but I love watching those who have to do just that.

Portia de Rossi

3) The show is very-gay friendly

Just as with Scrubs and Cougar Town, BOT knows how to put a gay gag at the center of a joke and not resort to homophobia for laughs. And the show isn't afraid to throw gay characters/situations into the mix as well. An episode last year featured two of Ted's co-workers — one male and one female — crushing madly on him as they competed for his attention. And the episode I've included below also features a nice little nod to two male janitors who are in love.

Speaking of Ted...

4)  Jay Harrington is utterly hot and adorable

As Ted, Jay Harrington pulls off the tricky feat of being a sensitive guy without coming off like a drip.

Jay Harrington

And did I mention he's hot?

5) It's consistently funny

Like any show, BOT can occasionally have a bad storyline (the one in the clip below about the robot Lem and Phil are mourning did not work at all), but on the whole this is one sitcom that pretty reliably delivers the funny and usually in witty unexpected way. Watching Veronica try to use Ted's daughter Rose to get info on potential lay-offs was hilarious not just for the set-up, but for Veronica's attitude toward small children.

Check out last week's episode and tune in tonight to ABC at 8:30 PM for a Better Off Ted two-fer!