The new season of Ted Lasso releases today, and my family can’t wait to indulge. I’m a late comer to the Ted Lasso craze. Although I’d heard talk about Ted Lasso in podcasts, I didn’t take much interest. The show runs on Apple TV, a streaming platform I don’t normally use. Besides, how compelling can a show about a guy named Ted be?
Very.
A friend who loves the show shared it with me, and we binged the entire first season in two nights. Then my oldest son, a former soccer player and forever soccer fan, watched it in about the same time. I couldn’t wait to share it with my husband and youngest son. You know a show is good when youngest son, who is at the age when everything is just “OK”, literally smiles for the entire 30 minutes of running time.
So, what’s all the hype about and do you need to be a soccer fan to enjoy?
Ted Lasso is a show with complex characters who have faults and learn from them. It’s so refreshing to watch a dramedy that challenges stereotypes and champions optimism, respect, and accountability. I wouldn’t call it a family show- the language is quite “fruity”- but it has great things to say.
You do not have to be a soccer fan to enjoy Ted Lasso. In fact, oldest son thinks there isn’t ENOUGH soccer in the show. He’s hoping this season will include more of the game as a vehicle for inspiring interest and understanding of the sport we Tomiaks love. We’ll see.
The Premise
Ted Lasso is a division two American football coach who brought his unknown Kansas college team from the bottom of the rankings to a national title in one season. He gets hired by a disgruntled football club owner in the UK who has recently divorced her husband and is trying to destroy the only thing he ever truly loved – his soccer club. She thinks choosing Ted, a coach with zero soccer experience, to lead the team she has recently acquired from her ex-husband will bring it to ruins. Little does she know the affect Ted will have on her team… or her.
What I love
The dialogue is quick and witty. The relationship between Ted and his assistant, Coach Beard, is fun and endearing. At a time when most rhetoric in our society seems focused on tearing people down, Ted Lasso is a character hell bent on building people up. Even arrogant, obnoxious super stars. Even bitter, spiteful divorcees.
One of my favorite characters is Keely Jones, a crass, at times superficial actress/model who I would probably never aspire to befriend- until I realized how insightful and strong she actually is.
What I don’t like
The language is rough, and I could do without some of the sexual innuendo. But, true to the show’s themes, you can’t judge Ted Lasso solely on appearance and/or fruity language.
Some of my favorite lines
- Sometimes you’re so busy thinking you are one in a million, you forget that you’re one of eleven.
- He’s like a raven haired golden retriever
- Be curious. Not judgmental.
- All right, fellas, you gotta remember, your body is like day-old rice. If it ain’t warmed up properly, something real bad could happen.
- When it comes to locker rooms, I like ’em just like my mother’s bathing suits. I only wanna see ’em in one piece.
How about you? Have you watched Ted Lasso and are you excited for the second season? What are some of your favorite parts of the show?
For those who are already fans of “The Lasso Way”, here’s a fun article ranking the characters by intelligence.
Thanks for getting positive with me!
We’ve been considering watching this – will definitely move it to the top of the list! Thanks Julia!
Thank you for this. I can’t wait to watch this show!
Great, Jane! I hope you like it.