Why Your Last Pandemic Binge Should be Ted Lasso

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

By Jack Rowing

The pandemic is coming to a close. The availability of a vaccine for every adult in the U.S. marks the beginning of a hopeful return to normalcy. The dreaded distance of five feet, eleven inches will lose its foreboding nature. 

I, for one, cannot wait for the beautiful return. An exceptionally large gathering of vaccinated friends would be a sight for sore eyes. However, the free time many have  had over the past years certainly had its merits. Some read more and called friends more than ever before. I myself made time for personal pet projects and spent time with my parents, as much as I could bear, that is. However, like many others, most of my time was spent on Zoom or watching copious amounts of television. From our collective awe at Joe Exotic, to watching thrilling moments such as Queen to E4, or finding gold in the middle of the Outer Banks, we all certainly got the most out of our streaming services. 

As we leave the end of our collective isolation and rejoin each other in large concerts, open bars, and family gatherings, everyone should take the last couple weeks and watch Ted Lasso. 

The Apple TV original tells the story of Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudekis), an American football coach recruited to try his luck in a European fútbol league. His midwestern style is met with disdainful looks from his team, its owners, and the town, before he slowly wins them over. The incredible comedic timing of an excellent cast was nominated for the SAG award of Best Ensemble. They make you laugh and cry on multiple occasions. 

The real reason you should watch Ted Lasso, though, is not for the laughs. The humor, while incredible, seems second fiddle to the genuine feeling of joy the viewer gets while watching. Coach Lasso seems like a perfect mix of Rodney Dangerfield and Coach Dale. His authenticity leaves the viewer with a feeling of joy deep within oneself. The show follows how he slowly breaks down the barriers between him and the other characters. Whether that is giving the team captain a copy of A Wrinkle in Time to help him come to terms with his role on and off the field, or warming the hearts of those around him with his homemade pastries. Every joke is by no means clean but is always done with a smile and never a smirk. Characters in the show are rewarded in life when they buy into his attitudes of love, trust, and a lot of cheesy lines. Genuine responses to snide comments leave reporters and players dumbfounded. He is often met with hatred and animosity, and one particularly inappropriate term in British slang. 

The thing is, though, he is right. His carefree attitude, hard work, and honest love leave the viewer with palpable joy. Ted Lasso invokes that feeling that all people got when they were children, as final baskets were made, or the hero is triumphant, where you are outwardly smiling while crying happily. The world could use some friendship and cordiality before getting used to showing the same emotions towards others again. So, my advice, before we embrace our freedom and enjoy our society to the fullest extent once more, is to take a little time, smile and watch Ted Lasso.