"Pilot" is the series premiere of the American sitcom Better Off Ted aired on ABC. It premiered on March 18, 2009, with mostly positive reviews, and over five and a half million viewers. In the premiere, Ted struggles with the ethics of freezing one of his scientists on his company's orders. Meanwhile, Linda is stealing creamer from the office in order to satisfy her need to rebel against the company. Iranian comedian Maz Jobrani plays Dr. Bhamba, originally a one-time character. Bhamba became a recurring character, next appearing in "Goodbye Mr. Chips". Cast Jay Harrington as Theodore Margaret "Ted" Crisp Portia de Rossi as Veronica Palmer Andrea Anders as Linda Katherine Zwordling Jonathan Slavin as Dr. Philip "Phil" Myman Malcolm Barrett as Dr. Lem Hewitt Isabella Acres as Rose Crisp Synopsis Ted Crisp works for the powerful company, Veridian Dynamics. He works on everything from mice that can withstand high temperatures to a weapon made from pumpkins. After successfully making pumpkins lethal, and creating an office chair that is so uncomfortable it makes people work harder, Veronica wants Ted to work on a new project, freezing Phil, one of Ted's scientists, cryogenically, just to see if it's possible. Phil at first not wanting to do it, talks it over with his wife, who is surprisingly enthusiastic about the idea. Meanwhile, at work Ted discovers that Linda is stealing creamer from the office as a way to "get back" at the company. Later at home, Ted's daughter, Rose talks to Ted who is having problems with the ethics of freezing one of his own employees. Rose convinces Ted that it shouldn't be done, however the next day at work, despite Ted's pleas, Phil goes through with it and freezes himself. While watching Phil freeze, Ted and Linda have a moment where they hold hands, however both try to hide it. After three days, the company decides to break its promise that Phil can stay in the lab, and decides to move him. The two janitors drop the tube when one of them answers his cell phone, and Phil thaws, with no memory of what happened to him. Everyone is ordered not to tell Phil what happened to him and Phil is put back into regular work, with one problem. At random moments throughout the day he will stop, and start screeching without realizing it. Reception Viewership The pilot episode was watched