Review: ‘Ted Lasso’ and the philosophy of being a goldfish

The Emmy award-winning Apple TV+ show promotes positivity while also bringing awareness to mental health in its first two seasons. SAM ANDRUS, Photo Editor

Unlike people who rely on the wise words of Plato, Socrates or Descartes to determine the meaning of life, I base my existence on an aquatic pet store creature — the goldfish. 

Sure, it may only cost less than 50 cents at your local PetSmart to own one of these bad boys, but the decision will teach you a valuable life lesson: to live your life like a goldfish. I gained this mantra from the one and only Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis), who said “You know who the happiest animal in the world is? A goldfish. Why? It’s got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish.”

This beautiful life motto and many other inspirational quotes come from the Apple TV+ show “Ted Lasso,” which has not only won the hearts of millions but also snatched seven Emmys including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. 

But one may wonder, how did it gain so much adoration and praise? On the outside, it just looks like an everyday, run-of-the-mill single-camera comedy series with a semi-famous lead actor who used to be on “Saturday Night Live.” But, it’s so much more. 

The show focuses on its main character Lasso, a college football coach from Kansas, who is hired to lead a professional soccer team in England — even though he has absolutely no experience coaching the sport. What started off as a setup to have the team fall to their doom led to a workplace family all revolving around Lasso with his Southern charm and teddy-bear-like warmth. 

That warm and fuzzy feeling is exactly what audiences needed. The first season of this show was released back in August of last year when the pandemic was at an all-time high and hope for normalcy was at an all-time low. Most students were stuck behind a computer for 18 hours a day and the only fresh content premiering were subpar animated movies like “Scoob” and “Hotel Transylvania 4.” 

While the script is filled with quirky humor, British innuendos and the occasional f-bomb every now and then, what makes Ted Lasso sparkle are the splices of advice and inspiration in the most perfect way — not too preachy and not too sarcastic. My personal favorites include: “Your body is like day-old rice. If it ain’t warmed up properly, something real bad could happen” and “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

I started watching this show this past summer, and even though I was late to the game, it still made an impact on me. I had been dealing with an intense form of anxiety. Out of nowhere, I felt an extreme amount of pressure in my chest, clammy hands and even an accelerated heart rate. I naively thought it was the beginning of a calamitous health issue. But, after going to the doctor and seeking help via therapy, it was all anxiety. I was shocked. I was someone who always stayed positive, maintained a healthy work-life balance and even dabbled into meditation practices every once in a while to stay centered. How could I be experiencing an anxiety attack?

When I was in the middle of coping with my anxiety, my family suggested starting a new show to watch instead of repeating “Friends” for perhaps the 300th time. So, after hearing numerous recommendations from work colleagues at my summer job, we plunged into “Ted Lasso.” And by plunged, I mean we watched the first season in less than 24 hours. 

Lasso’s inspiration and consistent outlook on positivity gave me glimpses into how I can stay afloat, cope with my anxiety and go back to living my life. Watching this show now gives me comfort; I can almost say Lasso was my coach encouraging me toward success as well as my therapist (in some sense) helping me strive for happiness. 

Audiences were also given a glimpse of Lasso’s own mental health struggles, specifically with anxiety and trusting therapists in the second season — which concreted the idea in my perfectionist brain that it’s okay to not be okay. 

Nearing the end of its second season, the show has been renewed for a third and possibly final season, according to Sudeikis. I could sit here and beg for more episodes of “Ted Lasso” for eternity, and that is a very accurate description of how I feel. But, even if it ends, I will still faithfully watch it to give me a sense of peace and stability. Whether it’s watching the “Carol of the Bells” episode each Christmas or watching the “Rainbow” episode on Valentine’s Day, there will always be an occasion to watch this show.

So, will I try to be like a goldfish for the rest of my life? I will try, but I don’t know if a 10-second memory will help me achieve a college diploma. Nevertheless, I will faithfully stand by anything Mr. Ted Lasso says, and you should too.