The revival of the popular Apple TV+ series "Ted Lasso" has been met with criticism, with one reviewer calling it a "lazy mistake" that mirrors Hollywood's tendency to rehash old ideas rather than generate new ones.
Christopher Stevens, a TV critic for the Daily Mail, argued that the show, now in its fourth series, has "run its course." He suggested that Apple's decision to bring the series back reflects a broader trend in the entertainment industry of relying on established successes instead of pursuing fresh creative concepts. "Rather than come up with new and creative ideas, they are content to rehash old ones, and clearly intend to keep doing so until we're all thoroughly bored," Stevens wrote.
The review focused on the show's premise, which follows an American football coach who transforms an English Premier League club by implementing an "American way" of playing and focusing on mental health. Stevens contended that this narrative demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of sport, particularly among Americans, whom he characterized as viewing sport primarily as entertainment rather than a serious pursuit.
He cited an example where the show suggests that Americans are inept at football, referring to the sport as "soccer" and equating it to playground slang. The review also pointed to a plotline involving club owner Rebecca traveling to the U.S. to recruit Ted Lasso back to London to coach the women's team, where she observes an American-style game with elaborate half-time shows and crowd distractions. This, according to the critic, highlights a perceived American inclination to make sports "garish and glittery" rather than focusing on the game itself.
"No we won't," Stevens concluded, referring to the idea that a British audience would embrace such a spectacle. "Yanks Go Home. Please."
Jason Sudeikis stars as the titular character Ted Lasso. Hannah Waddingham plays billionaire club owner Rebecca, who seeks to coax Ted out of retirement to return to London for the fourth series. Keeley, the head of PR, is also mentioned as visiting a Kansas stadium to observe women's football, leading to a revelation about the potential appeal of American-style sports entertainment.
