Seth MacFarlane, the creative mind behind the Ted movie franchise and the long-running animated sitcom Family Guy, has often been asked about a noticeable similarity: why do Ted, the foul-mouthed teddy bear, and Peter Griffin, the lovable yet clumsy patriarch, sound so much alike? As the voice actor for both iconic characters, MacFarlane himself has addressed this question, offering a simple yet insightful explanation rooted in his own background and vocal inspirations. Both Ted and Peter are known for their politically incorrect humor and endearing personalities, delivered with voices that, to many, are strikingly similar. But is it just a coincidence, or is there a deliberate reason behind this vocal overlap? Let’s delve into the details of MacFarlane’s vocal choices and uncover the connection between Ted’s Bostonian drawl and Peter Griffin’s Rhode Island accent.
The Geographical Roots of Ted and Peter Griffin’s Voices
The key to understanding the voice similarity between Ted and Peter Griffin lies in geography and Seth MacFarlane’s personal history. When questioned about the accents of these characters, MacFarlane revealed that the similarity is intentional and stems from his own family’s origins. According to an interview with the Los Angeles Times, MacFarlane stated, “All my relatives are from the Massachusetts area. As I was coming up with the voice for Ted, I kept trying to veer away. I finally said, ‘He’s a Boston guy, and this is me doing a Boston accent’ which is not that far removed from me doing a Rhode Island accent for Peter.” Growing up in Connecticut, MacFarlane was surrounded by these regional accents, and they naturally influenced his voice work. He essentially uses variations of the New England accent for both characters, with Ted embodying a Boston accent and Peter channeling a Rhode Island accent. MacFarlane even jokingly admits that sometimes Ted’s voice can even drift towards resembling Brian Griffin, another Family Guy character he voices.
The nuances between Boston and Rhode Island accents, while subtle to some, are distinct to those familiar with the regions. Both accents are known for “r-dropping,” the omission of the ‘r’ sound in words. However, Bostonians often replace the dropped ‘r’ with an “h” sound, whereas Rhode Islanders tend to use a “w” sound. Despite these regional differences, the overall similarities are undeniable, and MacFarlane’s performance captures the essence of these New England dialects in both Ted and Peter Griffin.
Seth MacFarlane Acknowledges the Voice Resemblance
Seth MacFarlane is not only aware of the voice similarities between Ted and Peter Griffin, but he has also embraced it with humor. In a clever meta-joke within the Ted universe, Ted himself quips, “I do not sound that much like Peter Griffin.” This self-aware humor acknowledges the audience’s likely recognition of the vocal similarity and turns it into an inside joke. MacFarlane’s ability to voice a diverse range of characters in Family Guy, each with a unique vocal identity – from Peter’s Rhode Island accent to Quagmire’s high-pitched tone, Brian’s normal speaking voice, and Stewie’s Rex Harrison impression – highlights his vocal talent.
Creating a completely distinct voice for Ted was always going to be a challenge, especially given MacFarlane’s established vocal repertoire. Instead of trying to completely mask his natural vocal tendencies, he leaned into his understanding of New England accents, resulting in the voice we know and love for Ted. Furthermore, the Ted franchise playfully nods to its Family Guy connection. Ted 2 features a cameo with live-action versions of Peter Griffin and The Chicken engaging in their iconic brawl, further blurring the lines between the two comedic universes. As fans anticipate the Ted prequel series, the possibility of more Family Guy Easter eggs and references remains high, solidifying the fun, interconnected nature of MacFarlane’s creations.
Source: Los Angeles Times
