The latest episode of "Ted Lasso" Season 4, titled "Richmond’s Got Talent," has unexpectedly placed Susan Boyle, the breakout star of "Britain's Got Talent," at the center of its narrative. The episode, which features open tryouts to find new talent for the AFC Richmond team, weaves in multiple references to Boyle and her legendary audition.
A Running Gag Develops
The references begin in Season 4, Episode 2, as characters Ted (Jason Sudeikis), Alice (Tanya Reynolds), and Beard (Brendan Hunt) discuss strategies for filling vacant spots on the team. When Alice suggests holding open tryouts, Beard jokingly proposes they might discover a "janitor who’s a mathematical genius," a nod to "Good Will Hunting." Ted counters with a "coal miner’s son who’s a ballet prodigy," referencing "Billy Elliot." Alice then adds, "Or a Susan Boyle," a reference that Beard immediately recognizes, much to Ted's confusion.
Ted’s bewilderment leads him to ask, "What’s a Susan Boyle? Is that what British folks call skin tags?" This prompts Alice to retort, "I have to look up your references; you have to look up mine." The running gag continues as Rebecca's Dutch boyfriend, Matthijs (Matteo van der Grijn), mentions Boyle when Ted expresses hope of finding undiscovered talent. Later, when Matthijs wakes Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) abruptly, she shouts, "SUSAN BOYLE!" in surprise.
The Audition and End Credits
The significance of Boyle's talent is highlighted when Beard finds Ted emotionally engrossed in watching her audition on his phone. Ted confides, "I’m just finally watching this Susan Boyle audition. She’s the most talented woman on Earth." This moment underscores Boyle's impact and the depth of her viral fame.
The episode's title, "Richmond’s Got Talent," directly parallels Boyle's "Britain's Got Talent" debut. The episode culminates with Boyle's rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Misérables" playing over the end credits, the same song she performed during her "Britain's Got Talent" audition.
Susan Boyle's Rise to Fame
Susan Boyle is a Scottish singer who gained global recognition as the runner-up in the third season of "Britain's Got Talent" in 2009. Her initial audition, where she sang "I Dreamed a Dream," stunned the judges and audience, catapulting her to overnight stardom. Her subsequent music career has seen significant success, with her debut album also titled "I Dreamed a Dream." Boyle returned to the "Britain's Got Talent" franchise for "Britain's Got Talent: The Champions" in 2019, reaching the finals.
As of the episode's airing, Boyle remains an active musician. Fans can follow her on Instagram at @susanboylemusic and find her music, including hits like "I Dreamed a Dream" and "The Winner Takes It All," on Spotify, where she boasts over 346,000 monthly listeners. The "Ted Lasso" storyline ensures her talent and cultural impact continue to resonate.