Just A Review: Ted Lasso

It has been a long while since I wrote something on this website. Yes, 2020 has taken a toll on all of us. The Conditional Movement Control Order in Malaysia has crippled most of us in the sports sector. Just when we finally recovered from COVID19 back in late June / early July. Then football returned, professionally and recreationally. Everything seemed at an upturned. Unfortunately, a series of irresponsible decisions from the elected officials upstairs gave Malaysia an unessacary COVID19 wave. Along with a series of thoughtless and unmindful decisions that has affected a lot of livelihoods. Alright this is not the point of me writing today. Maybe, so just to voice out frustrations. That being said, this is about a comedy series that I just recently watched, Ted Lasso on Apple TV+, and it is the show I didn’t know that I need in 2020.

What is Ted Lasso? If you recalled back in 2013, right around when Arsenal signed Mesut Özil and Gareth Bale left for Madrid. Up in the United States the NBC started to airing English Premier League matches. And they used the oppurtunity to make some commercial fun out of it. Here comes Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso and Brendan Hunt as his assistant coach and best friend, Coach Beard (yes, that is the character’s name). Watch below.

Coach Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) has just arrived in England to coach Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, and he's realizing it's football... Just not as you know it.

Back then I remembered sharing this to my friends. And did hope that someday that they would make a comedy series out of it. Something like The Office, Scrubs, and Community. And when they announce that it’s going to be a series back in October 2019, I was keen. Then finding out that Bill Lawerence, the person behind one of my personal favourite series Scrubs was also in the project. I was sold.

However, 2020 happened. COVID, Political instability, couldn’t work, personal stuff, and so much more happened. I almost called it quits to be honest. To which, made me forget that Ted Lasso was coming.

Walking back home, while listening to a podcast, Fat Man Beyond with Kevin Smith and Marc Bernardin. Marc said that he like Ted Lasso, to my surprise because Marc is a tough critic to crack. Which is not a dig at the guy. He has vast experience as a genuine journalist with the Hollywood Reporter and credibly a honest human being who is in touch with his intellect and soul. He thought Ted Lasso was a show that we simply needed for 2020. Finally the time came to watch Ted Lasso. I binged watch the whole thing under two sittings. The show is 30 minutes long, with 10 Episodes, it goes by nicely.

The premise of the series which is not related to the commercials before: American college football coach Ted Lasso is recruited to coach an English Premier League team, AFC Richmond, despite having no experience in association football.

Characters and Plot: Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso is gives such a charmingly personality of optimism while not being naive to the situation around him. He is aware of what is going on, but continues to be that beacon of “People are good, processes are good” because that is who he is. While having his own difficult challenges that he has to face. As a coach, as a husband, as a father, as a friend, and as a human being.

The rest of the ensemble from Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton (The boss) to Brndan Hunt as Coach Beard (The best friend), Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent (The veteran player), Nick Mohammed as Nathan (Kit man), Juno Temple as Keeley (The girlfriend of a player in the team), and more. It is well casted. And breathes honest life to the story that goes around AFC Richmond. The character arcs that each of them goes, are highly symbolic. Along with the interaction with each other compliments the journey of everyone in that football club and community.

Despite being a 30 minute show with 10 Episodes for its first season. It is packed with quality. Manages to be surprising when you least expected it to be. You will cry, you will feel warm, you will laugh, you will stress, and you will optimistic.

Despite having 10 episodes, each being 30 minutes long, and a total of roughly 300 minutes. It has a lot of memorable moments that will stay with you.

How to watch? It is on Apple TV+, which you can go for a 7 day free trial to just binge watch it. Up to you if you want to go all in on Apple TV+.

In Summary: When a series gives your humour and hope. Especially during this rough year of 2020. It is a good tonic to start believing again on how good people & processes can be. “Be Curious, Not Judgemental,” said Walt Whitman. So be curious and watch Ted Lasso.

Additionally: Five days after its premiere, it is renewed for a second season.