Diego Peralta
Ted charmed the world by bringing back the beloved character created by Seth MacFarlane through a wonderfully funny television series that explored the early days of the friendship between the titular bear and John (Max Burkholder). But one of the characters who stole the show every time she was on the screen was Susan Bennett (Alanna Ubach), John’s mother.
Awards Radar had the opportunity of interviewing Alanna Ubach, who was more than happy to discuss the process of bringing the character to life on the screen. Over the years, sitcoms have introduced a wide variety of maternal characters who attempt to be the best parents they can. But Ubach’s portrayal of Susan remains memorable due to the artist’s unique performance. Here’s what Ubach had to say about her work on Ted:
Awards Radar: How important was it for Seth MacFarlane to be on set, delivering Ted’s lines to the cast in real time?
Alanna Ubach: It’s his brainchild! It’s such a gift to have him there the entire time. To have him directing every episode is just so helpful. You’re constantly reminded of the tone and the delivery of the dialogue.
AR: It was recently announced that you’re already hosting table reads for the second season of Ted. How has that experience been so far? Without giving anything away, of course!
AU: I can’t give anything away. But I can say that it’s been funnier than Season 1, if you can believe it!
AR: Where are you excited to take Susan next, in the upcoming episodes?
AU: Being as game and ready for anything that’s possible. You really do have to be ready for anything. The embarrassment chip must be taken out of your brain and put away in a little drawer while you’re filming a season. Because anything is possible with these characters and you just have to go with it. I love it!
AR: Portraying a sitcom mom is hard. Because it’s a type of role that has changed a lot over the years. How do you think Susan stands out in the genre?
AU: I did love the fact that the series takes place in the 90’s. I was a 90’s teenager. I know the decade pretty well and I sprinkled a ton of winks throughout the season related to the decade. I was so excited to be playing, technically, my own mom! Because my mom was a mom in the 90’s, with a teenager. That’s a lot of fun. We personalize it. It makes it so much more special and unique, in my opinion.
AR: Did you bring any particular story from your experience while growing up to Ted?
AU: Susan is this sort of conglomerate of mothers I knew while growing up. My friends’ mothers. Mona. Jesse Morales. Irma, next door. All of these moms, just sort of scrambled into this one little character. It just made it so much more exciting for me to play them all.
AR: What was it like for Ted to be single-camera comedy?
AU: Yes, it was a single camera. Multi-camera’s usually in front of an audience, on a soundstage. But Ted was filmed like The Office, instead of something such as That 70’s Show.
AR: Does not having an audience on set give you more creative freedom as a performer?
AU: It’s also different. It’s apples and oranges. But they’re both great! And super delicious!
AR: What were some of the strangest ideas you encountered while reading the scripts for Ted?
AU: The seduction scene! Where Susan is eating a banana for her husband, while trying to get him hot and bothered. It’s just not doing anything, for obvious reasons. But I thought: “Wow, how do I go through with this without being self-conscious? I’ll make it the worse seduction scene ever. It’s the only way we’ll be able to get away with this.” We had so much fun! Scott was such a pleasure to work with!
AR: How did Scott Grimes’ performance as Matty influence your portrayal of Susan?
AU: Just his goofy hairdo is enough to get me ready for anything! Everything is useful. From having Seth there the whole time. And Max and Georgia. They’re game for anything, and that’s why it’s so fun. It’s a party!
AR: Did the scripts include anything additional regarding Susan’s backstory? Or was that something you discussed directly with Seth MacFarlane?
AU: These characters are personal to him, and there was a backstory. This woman is just so sweet and pure. Who did she remind of? So I went to Catechism classes when I was a kid. I remember Sister Mary was this nun who loved the community. And she was so sweet regarding everything. So I pretty much based the character on her with elements of moms I grew up with.
AR: Do you get to improvise a lot in Ted?
AU: I wish! Only sometimes! It’s written like a musical. There’s very little room to improvise. But when there is, it’s perhaps adding some interesting adjectives or a single “the” to the dialogue that has been written.
AR: Would you ever consider writing a project?
AU: Oh, Gosh! Sure! Why not? I can come up with some ideas here and there!
This interview was edited for length and clarity purposes. Ted is now available for streaming on Peacock.
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