Television Ted Lasso (Apple TV Football Comedy)

Wonder Pigeon

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Is it actually funny though? So many American comedies these days value being 'nice' over being funny, is it worth a go?
 

Wicked_Badger

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Is it actually funny though? So many American comedies these days value being 'nice' over being funny, is it worth a go?
Definitely worth a go. It’s not crease-your-sides funny but definitely has its moments.

It’s just a really well done show. I think the ‘good feels’ vibe especially resonated during the shite times last year.

This & The Morning Show are really good contributions to TV from Apple.
 

Mockney

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Thought the S2 premier actual played up the ‘niceness > comedy’ a little too much tbh… there were at least 3 straight up monologues that weren’t funny in the slightest… that kinda thing would be much more effective sprinkled about a few episodes into a season, rather than just as it’s default underlying MO

Still a mostly enjoyable ep, but still…
 
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Is it actually funny though? So many American comedies these days value being 'nice' over being funny, is it worth a go?
My girlfriend's been rabidly against watching it for this very reason. She loves things like Peep Show, Always Sunny and The Thick Of It...and absolutely hates shows like The Good Place and Brooklyn 99 for the forced 'wholesome' aspect.

I'm with her on those two, but I actually like Ted Lasso, so I've been trying to get her to watch it. Unfortunately The Guardian did a feature a couple of days ago that she read - which included lines like:

Everyone Ted Lasso has personally rained sunshine down on adores him.

There has been a deliberate movement towards wholesome comedy in recent years. [Ted Lasso is] not quite a finger in the face – too confrontational! – but at least a sternly worded letter addressed to Seinfeld’s famous “No Hugging, No Learning" mantra. Yes hugging. Yes learning. And then: hugging again.

The series scored a Peabody Award “for offering the perfect counter to the enduring prevalence of toxic masculinity … in a moment when the nation needs inspiring models of kindness."
So yeah, I don't think she'll ever watch it with me now. It's definitely not as sickeningly twee as The Good Place (which I know had a rabid fanbase) - but it is a bit emblematic of the recent era of 'smile, don't laugh' comedies.
 

mu4c_20le

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Is it actually funny though? So many American comedies these days value being 'nice' over being funny, is it worth a go?
It's Jason Sudeikis. He can carry this show on his own. Add a solid supporting cast and that's why it's a winner. Brendan Hunt, Nick Mohammed, Jeremy Swift and Brett Goldstein all brilliant.
 

Andersons Dietician

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Seriously this show is brilliant. Roy Kent is amazing. Watch it, this is all I have to say. Football is life!!
 

anant

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The 2nd episode was absolute class.

I really hope they can somehow get a small cameo of Micah Richards on the show (Lineker has a cameo later this season ICYMI), and that would take the show to a whole new level
 

Solius

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Might upset some here but I think Roy Kent is an awful character. It’s so cringe. We get it, he’s like Roy Keane… it’s so hammed up even for a show like this.
 

Andersons Dietician

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The 2nd episode was absolute class.

I really hope they can somehow get a small cameo of Micah Richards on the show (Lineker has a cameo later this season ICYMI), and that would take the show to a whole new level
Micah Richards, Roy Keane and Roy Kent travel to Wembley please.
 

Beachryan

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If Roy Keane meets Roy Kent the universe would either end or transcend.
 

ha_rooney

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Really good episode this week.
 

slyadams

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Was wondering why I saw this getting bumped so often. Glad to see s02 is out, but a no go until Oct when the last episode drops. Cannot watch in 1 episode a week.
Me too, taking all my will power. I binged season 1 in a day last week to tide me over. I’m not sure I’ll ever not tear up at ep 5.
 

reelworld

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I just realize something. Sudeikis mentioned in an interview that this week episode was inspired by real life athletes activism, and the article mentioned Rashford. I remember that one of the politician who were against FSM was attacking the fact that Rashford grew up without his father, insinuating most black men was abandoned by irresponsible fathers.
This episode turns it on its head by portraying Sam, who is black, got a supporting and loving father even though he's not there physically, while Jamie Tartt, who is white, and got his father around but he was abusive and unsupportive.
I don't know if it's deliberate though, but I don't put it against the writers
 

simonhch

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Who cares if it’s a Christmas episode? It’s fiction and only 8-10 episodes. Not like it’s on every week.

Anyway, I thought it was actually one of the better episodes of the season, even if they badly need to now get back to the football next week. Keeley/Roy dynamic is definitely the best part of this second season.
 

mu4c_20le

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Yeah agree with the others, vibe felt off especially during a hot summer for most. It's an episode with a lot of heart though, but such a contrast to the previous one, which was hilarious from start to finish.
 

Jacko21

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I was reading about the filming for season 2 and it mentioned that Apple extended the series from 10 episodes to 12 quite late in the day, so the writers had room for two standalone episodes. Hence the Christmas one.

I actually quite liked it, but appreciate that a Christmas episode isn’t going to feel as poignant when people aren’t in that frame of mind themselves. Even the producer admitted that they hope people re-watch the episode at Christmas.
 

El B

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2nd series is weak sauce. Dropped it midway through the 2nd episode. Or 3rd. Its so uninteresting I can't even remember.
 

anant

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Yesterday's episode was so good. Think this show will go down as one of those shows that people will watch over and over again
 

mu4c_20le

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The dialogue is brilliant in this season. Nates got some of the best lines.
 

anant

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I like the show, but the writing can be weak at times. That was a straight rip out of Joga Bonito commercial with Henry and Cantona.

100% wrexham make appearance it the show.
I meant because the show is quite relaxing and just so positive, people will watch the show over again. Of course they go on some weird hyperboles and like yesterday where they did a Joga bonito, or in earlier instances like the set piece routine vs City and so on
 

Dante

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So who is everyone?

Roy Kent is obviously Keano. Dani Rojas is bits of Ronaldo and Evra. Jamie Tartt is a hybrid of Beckham and Ronaldo. Keeley Jones is Cheryl Cole. Rebecca is Karen Brady. Nathan is Solskjaer. Who else?
 

mu4c_20le

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Jamie Tartt looks and talks like Grealish, character is what I'd picture Foden to be like in an alternate universe.
Dani Rojas - Chicharito
Isaac - Ashley Williams
Roy Kent - Vinnie Jones
Colin - Andreas Pereira
 

Solius

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Jamie Tartt looks and talks like Grealish, character is what I'd picture Foden to be like in an alternate universe.
Dani Rojas - Chicharito
Isaac - Ashley Williams
Roy Kent - Vinnie Jones
Colin - Andreas Pereira
Yeah couldn't be anyone else, hmmm.
 

Massive Spanner

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I thought the first season struck the right balance between fun and sentimental/cheesy but this season has kinda taken the fun out of it and gotten too cheesy whilst also being really preachy. Ted is basically a walking preacher at this stage with his stories and sayings. They're also seemingly making each character a more extreme version of what they were, especially Roy. It's definitely not as good as it was, maybe the format doesn't feel as fresh now but something is missing.
 

ha_rooney

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My only criticism this season has been we’ve barely seen the football side of things. Last season there was a better balance & I’m hoping with Kent now in the coaching role, we get to see how the team actually does trying to get back in the PL.