Max Burkholder, star of "Ted," reflects on his long association with Seth MacFarlane. The prequel series, set in 1993, explores Burkholder's role as a teenage John navigating high school with a foul-mouthed, animated teddy bear, voiced by MacFarlane. (Peacock)
Max Burkholder, known for his role in "Ted," shares a long-standing connection with the series creator, Seth MacFarlane, tracing back to his childhood. Having previously done voiceover work for MacFarlane's series like "Family Guy," "American Dad," and "The Cleveland Show," Burkholder's collaboration with MacFarlane spans two decades.
Recalling his entry into the world of "Ted," Burkholder revealed that his involvement began when, as a child hanging around the "Family Guy" offices, he stepped in to play the creepy little kid character during the table read for the first "Ted" movie. Fast forward to the present, Burkholder, now 25, takes on the role of 16-year-old John in the TV adaptation of "Ted," a prequel set in 1993 in Framingham, Massachusetts.
The show revolves around John's high school experiences, marked by the unusual presence of Ted, a foul-mouthed talking teddy bear brought to life by MacFarlane and animated via computer graphics. The cast includes Scott Grimes and Alanna Ubach as John's parents, Matty and Susan, and Giorgia Whigham as John's liberal cousin, Blaire.
One of the challenges Burkholder faced was perfecting John's Boston accent. Mindful of not upsetting Bostonians with a poorly executed accent, he worked diligently with a dialect coach to ensure authenticity. Despite the absence of tangible props while interacting with Ted, Burkholder praised the guidance of MacFarlane, who directed every episode, enabling the actors to find their timing and engage in improvisation.
Addressing the profanity-laden content of "Ted," Burkholder noted that while it may differ from his previous roles, cursing is a familiar aspect of his personal life. Drawing from his upbringing, he shared anecdotes of cursing from an early age, attributing his comfort with explicit language to his family environment.
Contrary to the typical character growth seen in many TV shows, Burkholder emphasized that viewers should not expect John to evolve significantly during the season. Acknowledging the sitcom's '90s vibe, he highlighted the show's inclination to avoid the traditional "Very Special Episode" where characters learn a moral lesson.
Beyond his role in "Ted," Burkholder has garnered attention for his academic background, revealing that he attended Harvard University for two-and-a-half years but ultimately did not graduate. Expressing a lack of attachment to the graduation ceremony, he explained that the college experience did not align with his personal journey.
Since its premiere on January 11, "Ted" has generated substantial social media buzz. Burkholder shared instances of positive feedback from notable figures, including MMA fighter Israel Adesanya and stand-up comedian Keegan Tindall, expressing his surprise and gratitude for the enthusiastic response to the show.
