A NOTE FROM PHIL
Ted Bell
Based on my dentist in Atlanta, Ted Bell actually began life briefly as a dentist named Mark Barkencroft. He continued on to Miami with me as a rather secondary undeveloped character, becoming a sports reporter. In Miami, in fact, Mark Barkencroft was featured as part of a panel on a Sunday night television sports show, mostly talking about Dolphin football. It wasn’t until LA that Mark Barkencroft, dentist and sports reporter, became in a flash Ted Bell, Steakhouse owner. It was really just an instantaneous inspiration. That’s how it happens. Ted‘s entire story came into my mind when I got to LA, the name, the Steakhouse, Beverly Hills. His arrogant, outsized personality. Ted is a combination of influences. But he’s mostly an homage to the old school, Hollywood, red leather, steak flambé, TV-over-the-bar restaurant, replete with condescension, promiscuity, illegal gambling, pilfering valets and a cocktail lounge with movie stars and gangster.
- Heritage. Son of the founder of Ted’s of Beverly Hills
- Shining Personality Traits. A well dressed control freak with nice overbite.
- A bit of an elitist. Ted looks down his nose on Phil Hendrie fans, “radio weirdos who come in here gripping some coupon for half on the chowder.”
- Humble at heart. A penchant for name dropping, Ted is always quick to comment on the latest movie star celebrity visiting his establishment —and how he had to throw them out.
- A Gambling Man. he bets sports heavy through local bookmakers, the Dunphy brothers, who “slap” him around if he doesn’t pay on time or insist on taking over his lounge, The Prime Rib Room and sing their favorites before a captive audience.
- Family Ties. Ted is married to Marcy whom it seems he rarely sees and has a 12 year old son, Josh, who is somewhat frightened of his father’s sociopathic personality.
- HPV King. As the president of the Beverly Hills Automobile Association, he’s all about rich guys with “HPV’s” (high performance vehicles).
