Why Was Ted Baxter Hated By Everybody??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-11-2012, 01:56 PM

I just don't get it really??? I mean, yes he was arrogant and pompous but deep down he had heart. He just wanted to be liked and accepted. He really didn't seem mean spirited. A lot of times it seemed that the ones who were actually mean spirited, were people like Murray, Rhoda and Lou towards Ted. Am I way off base here?

ZeldaGilroy · 02-11-2012, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I just don't get it really??? I mean, yes he was arrogant and pompous but deep down he had heart. He just wanted to be liked and accepted. He really didn't seem mean spirited. A lot of times it seemed that the ones who were actually mean spirited, were people like Murray, Rhoda and Lou towards Ted. Am I way off base here?

That is an interesting viewpoint. I never saw them as hating him...more like they could see him for who he really was and wanted him to know it. I always felt like the things they said to him were all in fun.

I think we all know people who are arrogant and pompous and we wonder why they can't see the truth about themselves.

Retro4Life · 02-11-2012, 03:14 PM

Several reasons come to mind.

One, Ted was, as you say, arrogant and quite rude when it came to other people. The crazy thing was he had almost nothing to be arrogant ABOUT!

Ted's self love really had to be trying and frustrating for those who had to tolerate it on a daily basis.

Second, Ted no doubt made more money than most of the others, except maybe Lou. And it was all based on star power and looks, not ability.

Third, Mary and Murray really were the ones making Ted look good with their copy, and Ted was getting all the credit. That's the way it works in TV, I know but there had to be some resentment there.

But I don't think anyone really HATED him. Most of the co workers saw him every day and realized there was an insecure and vulnerable man inside all that bombast, and did not want him to suffer. They just got tired of him being so insufferable!

It was probably like a family member who everyone loves at heart but just tries everyone's patience so much that they have to let off steam sometimes and bring down to earth with snide reminders that they know who he REALLY is.

OH Nuts! · 02-11-2012, 05:38 PM

When you really think about it, Ted was insecure and a lot of his obnoxiousness stemmed from that. Most on the show, realized how weak a person he really was, and that made the irritating behaviors more tolerable. HATE him. I wouldn't characterize it that strongly - more like: - disliked, didn't care for &/or could really work your nerves so you tried to limit the frequency and length of time you spent around him.

PracTz · 02-11-2012, 06:01 PM

I don't think anyone on the show actually hated him. Even Murray seemed more annoyed than actually consumed by hatred for Ted.
However; it's interesting to note that Rhoda originally had a crush on him until she worked with Mary on the mayor's election coverage in the blizzard and got to see Ted up close. Then, like everyone else, just considered Ted to be someone good for laughs..

Brian Damage · 02-11-2012, 06:30 PM

All very interesting points, I just saw the episode "Ted Baxter Meets Walter Cronkite" and in that particular episode people were really annoyed or frustrated with Ted....even Cronkite himself.

The only one who said anything nice about Ted came from Georgette, which was really sweet.

Cloud9 Lorraine · 02-11-2012, 08:01 PM

I agree with the others here, I don't think his co-workers hated him. I think they found him grating at times. His ego coupled with his ignorance made him an easy mark to tease and be laughed at, not with. But I think they all realized he was a good-hearted person and they liked and accepted him for who and how he was.

Kristen · 02-11-2012, 10:40 PM

I agree w/ just about everybody here. "Hate" is a very strong word. I think Ted is like that relative we all have who we wouldn't have picked, but are now stuck with! LOL! And come on, working w/ Ted day in and day out, knowing he's the reason WJM was always in last place, that's GOT to be frustrating! I think it would've been unrealistic to have Murray, especially, be willing to put up with Ted's inability to read simple copy.

- Kristen

scotsguy · 02-18-2012, 01:27 PM

Before he met Georgette,you got the impression Ted was a very lonely man.

He didn't treat Georgette too well at first but she needed to stand up for

herself too.

Ted and Sue Ann both thought they were Gods gift to broadcasting but it was Georgette who poined out when Ted and Sue Ann were doing a show togethor,without listening to Rhoda and Mary's advice that "they were gonna bomb".

The newsroom didn't hate Ted they found him very annoying but did love him.

mystery_daisy · 02-18-2012, 03:16 PM

I agree with what others have said here, still I get what you mean Brian.
He was funny and kind of adorable IMO but then to someone who first meets him they may get the wrong idea.

02-11-2012, 01:56 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Why Was Ted Baxter Hated By Everybody??? I just don't get it really??? I mean, yes he was arrogant and pompous but deep down he had heart. He just wanted to be liked and accepted. He really didn't seem mean spirited. A lot of times it seemed that the ones who were actually mean spirited, were people like Murray, Rhoda and Lou towards Ted. Am I way off base here?
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-11-2012, 03:14 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Several reasons come to mind. One, Ted was, as you say, arrogant and quite rude when it came to other people. The crazy thing was he had almost nothing to be arrogant ABOUT! Ted's self love really had to be trying and frustrating for those who had to tolerate it on a daily basis. Second, Ted no doubt made more money than most of the others, except maybe Lou. And it was all based on star power and looks, not ability. Third, Mary and Murray really were the ones making Ted look good with their copy, and Ted was getting all the credit. That's the way it works in TV, I know but there had to be some resentment there. But I don't think anyone really HATED him. Most of the co workers saw him every day and realized there was an insecure and vulnerable man inside all that bombast, and did not want him to suffer. They just got tired of him being so insufferable! It was probably like a family member who everyone loves at heart but just tries everyone's patience so much that they have to let off steam sometimes and bring down to earth with snide reminders that they know who he REALLY is.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

02-11-2012, 10:40 PM	#8
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	I agree w/ just about everybody here. "Hate" is a very strong word. I think Ted is like that relative we all have who we wouldn't have picked, but are now stuck with! LOL! And come on, working w/ Ted day in and day out, knowing he's the reason WJM was always in last place, that's GOT to be frustrating! I think it would've been unrealistic to have Murray, especially, be willing to put up with Ted's inability to read simple copy. - Kristen
	__________________ Twitter \| Facebook \| Swagbucks \| Fanfiction Avatar Credit: Leigh Ann

02-18-2012, 01:27 PM	#9
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	Before he met Georgette,you got the impression Ted was a very lonely man. He didn't treat Georgette too well at first but she needed to stand up for herself too. Ted and Sue Ann both thought they were Gods gift to broadcasting but it was Georgette who poined out when Ted and Sue Ann were doing a show togethor,without listening to Rhoda and Mary's advice that "they were gonna bomb". The newsroom didn't hate Ted they found him very annoying but did love him.
	Last edited by scotsguy; 02-19-2012 at 07:33 AM.

02-11-2012, 05:38 PM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	When you really think about it, Ted was insecure and a lot of his obnoxiousness stemmed from that. Most on the show, realized how weak a person he really was, and that made the irritating behaviors more tolerable. HATE him. I wouldn't characterize it that strongly - more like: - disliked, didn't care for &/or could really work your nerves so you tried to limit the frequency and length of time you spent around him.

02-11-2012, 06:01 PM	#5
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	I don't think anyone on the show actually hated him. Even Murray seemed more annoyed than actually consumed by hatred for Ted. However; it's interesting to note that Rhoda originally had a crush on him until she worked with Mary on the mayor's election coverage in the blizzard and got to see Ted up close. Then, like everyone else, just considered Ted to be someone good for laughs..

02-11-2012, 06:30 PM	#6
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	All very interesting points, I just saw the episode "Ted Baxter Meets Walter Cronkite" and in that particular episode people were really annoyed or frustrated with Ted....even Cronkite himself. The only one who said anything nice about Ted came from Georgette, which was really sweet.

02-11-2012, 08:01 PM	#7
Cloud9 Lorraine Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 10, 2007 Location: NY Posts: 342	I agree with the others here, I don't think his co-workers hated him. I think they found him grating at times. His ego coupled with his ignorance made him an easy mark to tease and be laughed at, not with. But I think they all realized he was a good-hearted person and they liked and accepted him for who and how he was.

02-18-2012, 03:16 PM	#10
mystery_daisy True Crime Buff Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2006 Location: Galveston Bay Posts: 3,118	I agree with what others have said here, still I get what you mean Brian. He was funny and kind of adorable IMO but then to someone who first meets him they may get the wrong idea.