I don't know how I made it this long without writing about Ted Lasso, but here we are. I remember(ish) when Ted Lasso first came out. I didn't think anything of it. I've nothing against sports shows, they're just lower on my list to watch than other things. My folks watched it though and kept telling me, like, seriously every time we talked, that I needed to watch it. So finally my husband and I sat down one evening and gave it a go. I was instantly in love. As spoiler free as possible, let me tell you why.
Ted Lasso is a comedy-drama staring Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso. He is an American college football coach who has been hired by Rebecca Welton (played by Hannah Waddingham). He is to become the new head coach for an English Premier League football team, The AFC Richmond Greyhounds. Along with him comes his trusted assistant Coach Beard (played by Brendan Hunt).
Ted has absolutely no experience coaching soccer whatsoever or coaching at a professional level. What Ted lacks in experience he makes up for with a sparkling approach to life, a mountain full of integrity, and pockets full of positivity.
This show has its troubles, but they are every day problems. There is no "villain" per se, there are people who are no more or less immune to the highs and lows than the rest of us. And while the theme is based around a premier league team, there isn't a whole lot of actual game play in the show. The focus is on the people, their relationships and the situations they find themselves in.
One of the things I love most about this show is it's realistic look at mental health and how no one is immune from lapses in judgment. In addition to that the show teaches the importance of owning up to one's mistakes, apologizing, and forgiving. I don't know if all of the lessons and beautiful messages I see in the show are intended, but whether they are not, they're there none the less. And I can't get enough of it!
In addition to the amazing opening line up of Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, and Rebecca Waddingham, we meet Brett Goldstein who started as a writer on the show, then found one character really spoke to him so he auditioned for and got the part! There is also Juno Temple who brings more sparkle and honesty to the screen and Cristo Fernández who's smile is so big and bright you can't help but smile every time he pops on screen. I could ramble on and on about this AMAZING cast and their inspiring and touching performances, but, as usual, I'm trying NOT to ramble!
So basically, what I'm saying is, get your life together, hop on Apple TV, and watch the first two seasons of this feel good show before season three comes out, sometime is August 2022 (hopefully!).
PS. "Believe" will make a lot more sense to you once you watch the show!
What do you think of Ted Lasso? Do you have a favorite feel good show? What is it and what makes it so good?
