Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
As a TV fan, I have two simple questions about any new show: “How long is it?” and “Is it any good?” The first three episodes of Apple TV+’s new comedy Ted Lasso premiere Friday, August 14. Created by Bill Lawrence and Jason Sudeikis, the series stars the former Saturday Night Live standout as the titular Ted Lasso, an American football coach who’s hired to manage a professional soccer team in England. Despite his overly optimistic disposition and having enough can-do spirit to fill Big Ben, Lasso has no prior experience when it comes to coaching soccer.
The first season of Apple TV+’s new fish out of water comedy consists of ten 30-minute episodes, with the final seven installments of the series airing weekly after the three-episode premiere. To refer to Ted Lasso as merely a “good” TV show would be inaccurate because this uplifting, hilarious sweetheart of a series is easily the most heartwarming comedy of 2020.
Based on the NBC Sports character of the same name, Ted Lasso is portrayed with inexhaustible charisma by Jason Sudeikis. Considering the actor’s previous success, the series isn’t a “breakout performance,” but it is a character tailor-made for Sudeikis’ theatrical strengths. Ted Lasso would’ve been dead in the water if the main character’s endless positivity and relentless optimism were perceived as cloying instead of endearing, but it’s simply impossible to hate Ted Lasso, both the character and the series. The show will win you over with its refreshing sincerity and unwavering commitment to full-throttle kindness, both of which are in short supply these days.
Co-creator Bill Lawrence is no stranger to assembling a talented ensemble — Scrubs is one of the most underappreciated sitcoms in recent history — and Ted Lasso is no different. Comedy thrives on conflict and Lasso’s extreme benevolence is initially met with overt cynicism. Hannah Waddingham portrays Lasso’s new boss Rebecca, the newly-divorced club owner with vengeance on her mind, and Phil Dunster and Brett Goldstein play two soccer players at different points in their careers who are skeptical of Lasso’s coaching style and lack of soccer knowledge. Juno Temple, Nick Mohammed, and Brendan Hunt also shine in supporting roles.
I understand the deluge of new streaming services can be overwhelming, but Ted Lasso is worth going out of your way to stream. It’s well acted, possesses a fun, unassuming wit, boasts a killer soundtrack, and delivers an extremely well crafted story that’ll make you smile. I knew nothing about it before pressing play on Episode 1, and after a weekend binge session, it became one of my favorite shows of 2020.
Ted Lasso is the rare series that’ll make you laugh and inspire you to write a handwritten letter to your grandmother. It’s a smart, genuine comedy that promotes the idea that kindness is indeed contagious. If you’re in the mood for a feel-good series, you won’t regret inviting Ted Lasso into your home.
The first three episodes of Ted Lasso premiere Friday, August 14 on Apple TV+.
