Is it soccer or football? Regardless, Chapman loves 'Ted Lasso'

The Apple TV+ series, which just began its third and reportedly final season in March, continues to tell the story of an optimistic American who manages a soccer team in England and quickly captures the hearts of everyone, including the Chapman community. Photo collage by SIMRAH AHMAD, staff photographer

The first time Chapman University French professor Véronique Olivier watched the show "Ted Lasso," she hated it more than when an American says the word "soccer" instead of "football."

Even though she had previously spent several years living in England as a student and still continues to cheer on the Liverpool soccer team from across the pond, the show did not fulfill her expectations. The plotline of an overtly naive and overly optimistic American who comes to the United Kingdom to manage a soccer team? No way. 

But, it wasn't until she gave the show a second chance that she fell head over heels — or head over cleats — in love with it. 

"I've always been a huge fan of soccer and pubs," Olivier said. "That's why I started to watch 'Ted Lasso.' But I thought it wasn't for me because it was about just a good American guy. But there is so much more to Ted's personality. There is a reason why (people say) it's a good show."

Olivier and other members of the Chapman community have become avid watchers of the show, which has just commenced its third, and reportedly final, season at the beginning of March. The story focuses on happy-go-lucky Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis), an American football coach from Kansas, who is recruited to manage a premier league soccer team, AFC Richmond, in England. 

Although Lasso presents himself as a man whose world is peachy keen, the audience witnesses the developing chips in his cheerful armor. For the past two seasons, Lasso has endured panic attacks, divorce and the loss of friendships. Along with the development of many other characters on the show, Olivier said the show's duality of hardships and kindness keeps her watching every single week.  

"I love soccer, but I had to understand that it was not so much about soccer, but it was actually a show about people and what we go through in life and the pain and insecurities," Olivier said. "Soccer is a secondary character."

With many viewers finding comfort in Lasso's dad jokes and warm personality, there is a strength to be admired in every single character. Sophomore strategic and corporate communication major Maya Ginsburg told The Panther her favorite character is Keeley Jones (played by Juno Temple) due to her running her own public relations company this season and her energetic spirit. 

"My favorite character is Keeley because she's a girlboss," Ginsburg said. "She's really optimistic, and I like how light-hearted she is and how she is always just rooting for people."

Whether it's watching owner of AFC Richmond Rebecca Welton’s (played by Hannah Waddingham)face light up when Ted brings her biscuits every morning or hearing Roy Kent (played by Brett Goldstein) curse off anyone who rubs him the wrong way, Olivier said that the details and quirks surrounding each character allow them time to shine throughout each season.

"Every episode is so well-crafted that there's something interesting and one thing reaches out to something else," Olivier said. "Everybody has their own story and everybody has their own moment."

 With only the first three episodes of the third season available to watch, there are many theories as to where the story will travel. Junior communication studies major Katie McKinley said that her favorite part is the evolving relationship between Roy and Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), but she wishes Nathan (played by Nick Mohammed) departed from the show. Audiences changed their perception of Nathan after his surprisingly new arrogant persona last season as he takes on the role of head coach of AFC Richmond's rival team, West Ham. 

"I hope that Nathan leaves the show, I hate his plotline and how ungrateful he is to Ted," McKinley said. "I also want Roy and Keeley to get back together."

Although she dreams that Ted will eventually form a romantic relationship with Rebecca, Olivier said that she would be satisfied with an ending that does not resolve everything and parallels the reality of life. 

"I don't want it to be a show where he goes back to his wife and everything's going to be happy forever," Olivier said. "I would rather see three seasons where it's a bit more original than a fourth or fifth season that is very conventional. I think the American public is very used to endings that are not necessarily happy endings. It's not always a fairy tale."

Regardless of how the story ends, Sudeikis has said multiple times in interviews that "This is the end of this story that we wanted to tell, that we were hoping to tell, that we loved to tell. The fact that folks will want more and are curious beyond more than what they don't even know yet – that being Season 3 – it's flattering." 

With a reputation of 11 Emmy awards, two Golden Globe awards and a recent appearance at the White House to discuss mental health, I think it's safe to say the ending of the show will not be a disappointment. 

While she only has a couple more Wednesday nights to watch new "Ted Lasso" episodes, Ginsburg is grateful the show inspired her to spread compassion to the people she spends time with on a day-to-day basis — because Ted would make sure the people he sat next to in Doti Hall or Hashinger Science Center became his best friends too, right? 

"The show reflects a lot of teamwork, working with people and getting to know them so that you can work with them better," Ginsburg said. "If people are watching it and seeing those connections that people in a workplace or on the same team are making, it's a good way to incorporate those deep connections in your own life." 

New episodes of "Ted Lasso" are released every Wednesday on Apple TV+.