“Insultingly lazy hackwork” and a “comedy dead zone” is how The New York Times describes Ted2. The stuffed bear with no editor, voiced by Seth MacFarlane, won hearts and box office in its first appearance on screen. (That’s how you get a sequel.) Mark Wahlberg pals around with Ted the bear again this weekend. The Times judges Mr. MacFarlane’s humor out of touch and off key — especially because of how he “tries and fails to turn race, and specifically black men into comedy fodder.”
Out of touch? The weekend box office will tell the story of which party that describes. It’s MacFarlane’s connection to his audience and the people versus The New York Times‘ idea of what’s good humor and what the people want. Who’s right? Monday’s numbers will tell the tale.
