Lately, I have been debating with some of my friends whether movies (and in this case, television) should entertain us or whether they can also teach us something. It turns out that the latest series I have seen has answered that very question in spades. Jason Sudeikis’ magnificent work of art: Ted Lasso. The series, nominated for more than 60 Emmy Awards, is the perfect example of how a series can make us laugh out loud but at the same time can become a mirror of our own lives, with simple lessons slipped in between jokes, soccer training sessions and everyday conversations.
The main character, Ted Lasso, played by Sudeikis himself, is the centerpiece of this drama-filled puzzle; during an identity crisis caused by marital problems, a college football coach in the state of Kansas decides to accept the challenge of coaching a professional soccer team in the English league. With no idea about the sport, he will try to apply his philosophy of life to any situation, no matter how difficult.
I am not exaggerating when I say that each episode is like a life manual disguised as a comedy. Ted, with his accent and naive phrases, seems like a coach lost in the world of English soccer but in reality, he is a leader who teaches without meaning to. His greatest virtue is not tactics or technique but the ability to listen, trust others and to believe that people can improve. In a world where we tend to chase quick success, Ted reminds us that the most basic values (empathy, trust, humility) are what make the difference, both on and off the field.
The truth is that our beloved Richmond FC coach is not the only one who teaches throughout this odyssey; both the humble club workers and some of the vainest players on the team evolve as they learn from their own mistakes. With this in mind, that is what makes Ted Lasso great. He does not lecture or try to give us a moral speech. He tells everyday stories and invites audiences to draw their own conclusions. The fear of failure, social pressure, the importance of forgiveness or the value of friendship: everything appears naturally, without forcing it. That is where the series teaches to BELIEVE more than many self-help manuals.
Finally, anyone who wants to be entertained or learn can enjoy the Apple TV series. In the end it is more than a comedy about soccer, Ted Lasso is a lesson on how to face life. Humans cannot always control the outcome of the game but they can control their attitude and in that, Ted never loses.
