Ted Lasso is one of those television series you hear about and possibly think, “It can’t be as good as everyone says it is, right?” Even if one wanted to watch a show like this, they have to have access to it, because, as we all know, streaming has become the new cable TV, where costs just keep ramping up and there are many options.
Do I have Apple TV? No. Are there shows I want to watch, like Ted Lasso and Shrinking? Absolutely! Fortunately, a dear friend and neighbor has opened up her home to our family and we watch shows together. We’ve been watching seasons of The Amazing Race and the first season of America’s Culinary Cup. So, when the opportunity arose to head over and watch the kiddos while the moms enjoyed a day out, she said, “Travis, you can watch Ted Lasso!”
Let’s just say that during their outing, I blasted through the entire first season. Ten episodes and every single one was incredibly delightful. So, when people talked about Ted Lasso for the past couple of years, understanding the purity of the show became crystal clear. Much like watching the first season of Dark Winds recently and feeling like it’s one of the best shows I’ve seen, that same sentiment washed over me as I watched the new football coach and all of his lovable idiosyncrasies.
Why Is Ted Lasso an Important Watch for Younger Adults
Clearly, this isn’t a show for children, but I could see some parents letting older teenagers watch, because its mature audience-rating seems primarily due to the amount of vulgarity. The TV-MA show doesn’t shy away from harsh realities either. Rebecca Welton (played by Hannah Waddingham) is now the sole owner of the AFC Richmond team and recently divorced. Her ex-husband is a real piece of you-know-what. He’s a womanizer who doesn’t hold back comments aimed to disarm and hurt those he perceives less than him – and that’s everyone. She must also learn about his adulterating ways through newspapers and social media. How difficult it must be to realize a life lived was not what it seemed.
Rebecca is also completely vulnerable and human as her first instincts are to ruin the one thing her ex loved the most, which just happens to be the team she now owns. There’s also a lot of healthy communication throughout the show. No, her attempts to secretly crush the AFC Richmond team is not healthy; however, there are many conversations from a variety of characters, albeit hilariously vulgar, where honesty takes the forefront, leading to bonds being built even when it seems impossible at first.
Let’s not forget about the main character, Ted (played by Jason Sudeikis), who is hired for the wrong reasons. He’s a former collegiate American football head coach whose team won the championship the previous year. Viewers get to watch him learn a new sport, while having an entire city of fans and journalists degrading him at every opportunity. It feels like an impossible task, but Ted’s ability to use his own experiences and exceptional kindness helps bridge those knowledge gaps and create an atmosphere where trust is formed. That’s how you build relationships – and what better message could be sent for its audience.
Why Is Ted Lasso Important for Me?
Yes, I’ve only watched the first season of Ted Lasso, but the impact from each episode made me realize how much I’ve needed these characters in my life, particularly Ted. In a world where there is so much doubt, cruelty, and flagrant abuse of power (and we see that from Rebecca and her ex), it doesn’t change how Ted responds to the ins and outs of that relationship, regardless of what he knows is happening behind the scenes. It is incredibly satisfying to see someone respond positively and realize that treating others with kindness shouldn’t be that difficult.
It’s also valuable to see Ted struggle. His life is far from perfect and his relationships are not either, except with Coach Beard perhaps – they are a wonderful team. Understanding that the chipper and wise Ted is sometimes masking pain we only get to see when he’s home alone is a great example of how one never knows what’s going on in another person’s life. Ted Lasso is a character to aspire to be. His kindness isn’t a front covering up awfulness behind closed doors. It’s his mantra, much like my recent encounter with lovely people in Sitges who are accepting and happy, it makes me want to have that same joyous positivity within.
The show presented many laugh-out-loud moments, and it’s such a good feeling. There are also some heartbreaking moments, but equally important. Ted Lasso delivers a truly iconic experience where the first season delivers a rollercoaster ride of emotions, even including a mean chant that eventually turns into a celebration. You have to see it to believe it, and when you do, you realize just how much Ted has learned while becoming beloved by so many people – including those who initially hated him.
If you’re someone who is filled with self-doubt, Ted is the character to highlight how to respond to yourself and others.
Ted Lasso: Season 1 Scoresheet
10 out of 10. The show doesn’t miss. I want to rewatch it right now; it is that good. Ted is the type of character who makes you believe the world can be a better place, that there are good people who truly try to do good things for other people. We need more Teds in our lives. We need more Rebecca’s, too, who understand they’ve done something reprehensible, but actually feel remorse and try to repair that damage. The show highlights several characters with remarkably poignant scenes, building healthy relationships and support systems along the way.
If I were to never watch another episode of Ted Lasso, the positive messaging from season 1 would still last a lifetime. That’s the power of finding a fictional character where they can help a person in the real world not feel alone or lost within their own thoughts. There’s power to being unabashedly one’s self, letting kindness steer our mindset, like a bull in a china shop, where the plates are our hearts and the bull is Ted’s charming metaphors quipped with his overly friendly tone. Okay, so perhaps that was not the best metaphorical comparison, but it felt right and I went with it.
There are many things to take in while watching Ted and that’s the path of kindness does not have to be anything short of simply wanting to be just that. Kind. Courteous. Respectful. And doing his best to make everyone’s day better by treating them with compassion and positivity. If that doesn’t scream out like a TV show worthy of something our friends and family should enjoy, then I don’t know what else would. Oh, and scream out like fans celebrating their favorite Richmond team scoring a goal, not calling its head coach a wanker.
Ted Lasso: Season 1
Release: 2020
Rating: TV-MA
Length: 30 minutes per episode (approximately)
Are you a fan of Ted Lasso? Who is your favorite character? Are there other shows that share this level of positivity, and, if so, what are they? Share your thoughts with me over on social media.
Until next time, folks, happy parenting and happy geeking.
