Lessons From Lasso

Mr. Hipwell

Mr. Hipwell dressed as Ted Lasso on the Friday before Halloween.

Anjeli Webb, Photojournalist

“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. Y’know why? It’s got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish.” – quote by Ted Lasso

Whether he’s spewing out compassionate advice, offering sympathy, or being receptive to feelings of people around him, Ted Lasso never fails to inspire and promote good will to global audiences. 

Jason Sudeikis plays the main man in the eponymous Apple TV original series Ted Lasso, which has been bringing joy and keeping humans down to Earth since Season 1 dropped on August 14, 2020. Since then, Ted Lasso has become the most nominated 1st year show in (television entertainment award event) Emmy history, with 20 nominations and seven wins.

Season 2 brought 12 more episodes of the former American football turned British soccer coach from Kansas to the delight of fans in 2021. Lasso was a Tier 2 college football coach when he was hired by singer/actress Hannah Waddingham’s girlboss character Rebecca Welton, after divorcing her husband, to coach Premier League soccer team, “AFC Richmond” in the United Kingdom. Bringing along his straightforward assistant Coach Beard (played by Brendan Hunt) and winner’s attitude, he leaves his wife with whom he’s separated, and son, much to the entertainment of viewers everywhere. Also leading this comedic drama are people-pleasing Director of Football Operations Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift), egoist player Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), his model/Marketing and PR Manager ex Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), and her current boyfriend, chronically annoyed player Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein).

Throughout this heartwarming series, the large gang of goofballs adapt to different challenging conditions and help each other grow as well. Yorba Linda High School can learn from how characters deal with these low times. Sophomore Sophia Soliman (10) says, “I really appreciate Jason Sudeikis finding humor in innocent moments. I also think it’s a really tasteful way of tackling the topics of mental health and toxic masculinity in sports.” She is referring to the various social impediments that test the will of AFC Richmond and affiliates. Including but not limited to Ted’s panic attacks and players’ relationship problems. The introduction of a sports psychologist adds the factor of confronting these issues and inspires audiences with the possibility of closure.  Mr. Hipwell also appreciates the candid quality of this show so much that he dressed up as the moustachioed mentor this Halloween. He explains, “[Lasso] is a flawed character but he is in therapy and stuff so I think that’s really noble.”