I need to know more about Ted's alter ego.
When Ted Lasso was initially greenlit at Apple TV+, it seemed like a bizarre concept for a comedy series. The show was based on a very short-lived run of sports commercials from around 2013 promoting NBCSN airing Premier League (soccer) games in the U.S. Considering shows based on more popular commercials, like the GEICO Cavemen, had failed, how could this succeed? But not only did the underdog series come out a champ, but Ted Lasso Season 2 is coming to Apple TV+ this July.
Like those original adverts on NBC, Ted Lasso stars comedian Jason Sudeikis as the titular football coach — an American football coach, to be clear, until he gets hired by Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham), owner of AFC Richmond, an association football (soccer) team. Despite the mix-up, Lasso figures if he can coach one sport, he can coach the other no problem.
But this fish out of water comedy of two sports divided by a common language has a secret weapon: Lasso himself. The man is sunshine incarnate. He's not just Midwestern, folksy charm on the outside; he's the heart of gold in the American dream. Like a sport version of Mr. Rogers, Lasso turns the failing team around (and gained a ton of fans in the process), making his career, the team, and the show all a success story no one saw coming. But in the new season, something else no one saw coming is on the way: Led Tasso.
So here's the thing. Despite how great Lasso is at inspiring his players, the team doesn't win or anything. The Season 1 finale showed them lose to Manchester City. To add insult to injury, the winning goal was scored by Jamie. Ted planned to resign, having failed the team. But Rebecca wouldn't let him. After seeing how hard he worked and realizing what a good person he is, she declared his resignation was not accepted.
Still, it won't be an easy road back in Season 2. AFC Richmond is at the bottom and needs to start by winning promotion to the Premier League before focusing on being the champs. But if there's any team fans can believe in, it's this one. And Ted is going to do it his way, if the trailer is any indication, even if that brings out his evil side.
And his evil side might have more to say that people think. In a recent interview with Collider, Waddingham likened Lasso Season 2 to The Empire Strikes Back. Just as long as AFC Richmond doesn’t lose to Cloud City, hopefully all will be fine.
Ted Lasso Season 2 will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, July 23, 2021, with three episodes, before moving to a once-a-week schedule thereafter.
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