Jason Sudeikis: 'Ted Lasso' Apple TV+ Character Inspired by Robin Williams, Mr. Miyagi and Obi-Wan Kenobi

[Nugget]

Robin Williams?! Obi Wan? For heaven's sake! Ted is the living, breathing incarnation of Ned Flanders!

I think this misses the real power of the Ted Lasso character.

Flanders in the Simpsons is painfully, myopically naive. He is optimistic because he flatly does not see or acknowledge what truly lies within the hearts of those around him. Much of the humor in the Flanders character arises from his Mr Magoo like blindness to the ploys and insults of the other characters around him. Ned Flanders is optimistic because he is blind to how others see and act in the world.

Lasso is optimistic because he is able to look past the shortcomings of those around him — even when it is difficult or costly to do so. His *belief* in others is so strong that it overpowers everything else. He clearly sees the games being played around him and understands them. He is completely aware of the nuance of the situations and yet still has faith in everyone’s ability to be their best self if given the right guidance or coaching.

There’s an awareness in Lasso and a shrewdness there which is wholly incompatible with Ned Flanders. I think it makes for a much more compelling and interesting story.

Spoiler

One of my favorite lines from the show is when Ted, speaking about Rupert, tells Rebecca “you think you’re the only one who sees him for who he really is, but you’re not.” That’s not something Flanders would ever be able to perceive or say.

Of course, Lasso is surprisingly left-handed, so there is that.

 

[Veinticinco]

Wow. Aren’t we all wonderfully different when it comes to taste in TV shows. I can’t stand this show. Jason Sudekis is fine, no problems there. It’s the incredibly bad acting from everyone else. Anyway, happy to hear others enjoy it. You weirdos.

Bad acting?! If you watched Hannah Waddingham in pretty much every scene (the epitome being when her ex tells her he’s having a baby), and come to that conclusion, well...let’s see now...you deserve to be dragged through the streets bound in rags, pelted with excrement, the bell ringi... ah you get the reference by now.

 

[Veinticinco]

There is some knowledge about some Scottish fellows that are different but they would still be called English in general.

Not if they wish to keep their own teeth.

 

[Nordichund]

I’ve been living in America for almost 14 years. I am yet to meet an American who knows England has its own flag, what it’s called, or that British and English are two different things.

Actually, a lot of native people in England don't know the difference between being English and British, many just naturally assume it's the same. Maybe Ted's next job should be with a Scottish team in Glasgow. He would certainly do a better job with Celtic.

 

[moabal]

I didn't find the show predictable at all. In fact, at first I thought this was Major League but with Soccer and the show went into directions I didn't expect.

All the love triangle stuff is predictable. Not saying that it is a bad quality. It is just a reality of any of these type of shows these days.

 

[Ar40]

I think this misses the real power of the Ted Lasso character.

Flanders in the Simpsons is painfully, myopically naive. He is optimistic because he flatly does not see or acknowledge what truly lies within the hearts of those around him. Much of the humor in the Flanders character arises from his Mr Magoo like blindness to the ploys and insults of the other characters around him. Ned Flanders is optimistic because he is blind to how others see and act in the world.

Lasso is optimistic because he is able to look past the shortcomings of those around him — even when it is difficult or costly to do so. His *belief* in others is so strong that it overpowers everything else. He clearly sees the games being played around him and understands them. He is completely aware of the nuance of the situations and yet still has faith in everyone’s ability to be their best self if given the right guidance or coaching.

There’s an awareness in Lasso and a shrewdness there which is wholly incompatible with Ned Flanders. I think it makes for a much more compelling and interesting story.

Spoiler

One of my favorite lines from the show is when Ted, speaking about Rupert, tells Rebecca “you think you’re the only one who sees him for who he really is, but you’re not.” That’s not something Flanders would ever be able to perceive or say.

Of course, Lasso is surprisingly left-handed, so there is that.

Brilliant analysis. Thank you for putting this into words. It's how I've felt about Ted, but couldn't put my finger on it to write it out so eloquently.

 

[Nugget]

Brilliant analysis. Thank you for putting this into words. It's how I've felt about Ted, but couldn't put my finger on it to write it out so eloquently.

Thanks for the kind words. This aspect of the show also makes me surprised to hear people complain about the quality of the acting. Sudekis is masterful in his role, particularly because he has to act for two audiences. He has to communicate to us, the viewers, that Ted Lasso is aware of all the layers of intrigue in the show while at the same time presenting the face of boundless optimism to the characters within the show. That’s tough to do and the subtleties of his performance really shine through on a rewatch when the viewer isn’t as distracted by the plot as it develops.

Watch his face when he has the attention and focus of other characters and when he doesn’t. Sudekis dances that line with agility.

Spoiler

I also predict that if Rupert is ultimately “defeated” in the show, it will be because Lasso finally wins him over. Anything less than that wouldn’t be in keeping with the ethos of the show. The “Ted Lasso” way to beat Rupert will be to lead a Rupert to become a better version of himself. I don’t think they’re setting up a typical antagonist.

 

[irevolt]

Like the show a lot, but reminds me more of Jim Nabors's "Gomer Pyle" than Robin Williams

 

[Ar40]

Like the show a lot, but reminds me more of Jim Nabors's "Gomer Pyle" than Robin Williams

No way. Not as eloquently as another user put it earlier in this thread, but I’ll give it a stab:

Lasso is a very shrewd person, he just puts on a show of ultra-niceness, etc., to connect with people.

 

[Nugget]

Lasso is a very shrewd person, he just puts on a show of ultra-niceness, etc., to connect with people.

I prefer to believe that it is genuine, and not just a show to ingratiate himself with others. We could all be more like Ted Lasso and the world would improve because of it.

 

[Ar40]

I prefer to believe that it is genuine, and not just a show just to ingratiate himself with others. We could all be more like Ted Lasso and the world would improve because of it.

Yeah, you put it better. I have a harder time articulating the distinction because it's such a subtle performance by Sudeikis. I didn't mean he isn't a nice guy, but he is just not as naive as he pretends to be. I meant gullible/naive when I wrote "ultra-nice." Weird how I mixed those two up in my head.

In other news, my love for Ted Lasso has led me to start watching Scrubs (Bill Lawrence) which for many years I had avoided because I hate medical shows. What a breath of fresh air. I can definitely see some of the Ted Lasso DNA in those first episodes I've watched. Very well meaning and good hearted characters. I love that kind of comedy. Basically the polar opposite of shows like Always Sunny (which I hate passionately, as I can't connect with mean spirited and sarcastic people/characters in shows).

 

[ftaok]

I am really looking forward to season 2. It is nice to see a show that isn’t cursing every 5 minutes, graphic violence or nudity throughout, to help it get views.

I see a lot of the Andy Griffith Show spirit in Ted Lasso.

There is a lot of swearing in the show, but when a Brit swears, it just hits a little different.

 

[Apple_Robert]

There is a lot of swearing in the show, but when a Brit swears, it just hits a little different.

I know there is swearing albeit it isn’t every 5 minutes, which is what really irks me.

 

[ftaok]

Heh. Today I Learned.

Aren't you supposed to phrase it "I was today years old ..."

 

[ftaok]

I know there is swearing albeit it isn’t every 5 minutes, which is what really irks me.

I was more saying that when British people swear, there's a bit more dignity in it. It's not really as offensive, especially the way Keely swears. It's endearing, almost.

 

[ErikGrim]

I think an under-appreciated or talked about quality of this show is how perfectly it fuses US and British humour in a way I have never seen pulled off this successfully. It's truly universal without losing any "edge".