The best thing we can do is still find joy and laughter during these uncertain times; this is why this week’s The Binge-Watch Chronicles is Ted Lasso.
My lovely friend Alessandra from Palomita de Maíz kindly recommended a new show for me to watch. Her sincere eagerness for Ted Lasso intrigued me. Now Ted Lasso is my new favorite show (exclusively on Apple TV+).
After viewing the first episode, it’s evident that Ted Lasso’s the life coach we all deserve in our corner. Specifically, now more than ever. In other words, we think of this new sitcom as a much-needed weighted blanket the world deserves, which is why we’re making it this week’s Binge-Watch Chronicles pick.
Before the show’s premiere, we didn’t know much about the NBC promo character Ted Lasso. Aside from NBC acquiring the English Premier League (if you watch the two advert links above, Ted Lasso’s framework gets created).
This chaotic circumstance of coaching two different sports make for quite a challenge, even for eternal optimist Ted Lasso. The effervescent coach— brought to life by Bill Lawrence (Scrubs, Cougar Town) and SNL alumni Jason Sudeikis centers on the cultural divide between American football and British football. Think Major League vibes, but it’s on the world’s beautiful game. A very underrated sport featured stateside.
Newly divorced Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) is the new owner of the AFC Richmond football club. Yet, she’s not feeling on top of the world, especially since her philandering and calculating billionaire husband walks away unscathed. Alternatively, the British tabloids prey on her emotional vulnerability. Rebecca plans to exact revenge and hit her ex where it hurts, his beloved football club. Hence why Rebecca knowingly chooses to hire American football coach Ted Lasso.
Except Rebecca doesn’t know much about Ted Lasso. Nor his ability to never give up; he’s the Kansas City Rick Astley. Thus, the Lasso essence is to believe; this ethos carried itself over as the Wichita State college football team’s successful coach. A team is more commonly known for their fun yet very goofy post-win locker room dances going viral online, Rebecca banks on Ted’s soccer inexperience and hires Ted as a joke. When viewers first meet Ted Lasso. It’s not hard to see Rebecca’s reasoning.
Ted Lasso reminds me of those embarrassing but adorably cheesy dads who love puns and “ironic” dancing to songs like A-ha’s Take On Me. Sunshine radiates within Ted Lasso’s aura; he’s just a wholesome guy, a modern-day Mister Rogers, if you will. America can sincerely benefit from men like Ted Lasso right now.
Unsure of what to expect, I assumingly thought it was about some corny midwestern da Bears type of Coach. Well, I wasn’t off except for my judgment on the Coach himself. Exactly why Apple’s newest sitcom works, over, say another recent American expat is Ted’s willingness to adapt.
Usually, with sports films, there’s an underbelly of misogyny and homophobia that weaves itself into the “charm.” Most men even brush this off as part of men’s cursory and candor; Coach Lasso and Coach Beard acknowledge these problematic ways to help players evolve emotionally. After all, no one is above emotional growth, myself included.
So rather than these characters act highbrow about how footballers are either neanderthals or himbos, viewers can see personal growth from each character. Not only from the lead or supporting cast; Nate the Great, I’m looking at you.
After binge-watching all ten episodes in one day, I couldn’t get over how fantastic Ted Lasso is; now I understand Alessandra’s enthusiasm entirely.
Post-2020 never imagined that I’d willingly celebrate an unqualified white man holding a position in power. However, Ted Lasso is indeed an exception; even as he struggles with the cultural and sports divide, he lassoes his way onto hearts everywhere. With equal parts sports clichés and inspiration, Ted Lasso’s a treasure. All the while having a perfect mustache (eat your heart out, Ditka).
In contrast, not everything about Ted Lasso is peanut butter and shortbread. Everyone grapples with mental health in their ways, and viewers see glimpses of Coach Ted’s inner battle that we hope to see more of in season two.
Of course, it’s not all about the men; Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) and Keely Jones (Juno Temple) are excellent and deserve recognition (Ted Lasso is fantastic with character gradation). These protagonists’ nuances and supporting cast (both American and British) work wonderfully, similar to Parks and Rec.
Despite Lasso’s initial corny characterization and zany expressions, the sitcom gives another look into the American stereotype most Brits know (and vice versa). Ultimately, Ted Lasso is like a lovely warm cuppa; and that’s where Lasso and I respectfully disagree.
Final verdict: The Lasso effect is life, stream it (now available via Apple Tv+).
