Here's why Apple TV's Ted Lasso is an essential watch for everyone in these times

 With an ever-increasing plethora of new content at our fingertips and new platforms releasing in what seems like a weekly basis, it's more likely than ever to come across a new show that makes you repeat the phrase as each episode unfolds: there's just too much TV for this. Now, because of this conundrum which was only leading me to a state best known as "Analysis Paralysis" in regards to choosing a new series to watch, I decided to consult a friend and that's how I came across Ted Lasso.

Jason Sudeikis (Horrible Bosses franchise fame) plays the titular role of Ted Lasso, a small-time American college football coach who first appeared in a viral NBC Sports advertisement for its Premier League coverage. Despite having no prior experience with the game, he has been selected to manage an English Premier League squad. Unlike the spectators and players who welcome him with the epithet "Wanker," he's upbeat and unfazed by his inexperience. The reason for his hiring is quickly exposed in a Producers-style twist involving the club's new chairperson, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham, infamously known as the Shame! Shame! nun from Game of Thrones), who has taken over from her philandering husband and is determined to wreck the club as quickly as possible merely to spite him. The fish-out-of-water setup, as cliched as it may be, is a timeless concept that can still be tremendously entertaining when reinforced by sharp writing and some self-awareness, case in point- Ted Lasso.

Instead of focusing on the sport, the show focuses on Ted Lasso and the relationships he builds with those around him. This is best expressed in a moment in which Ted states, when questioned about his employment, "I don't care if we win or lose matches." I'm here to assist these athletes in becoming their best selves.” A somewhat improbable viewpoint for a sports coach. Ted is an extremely happy person who goes about his business as if spreading joy is his mission in life, and he does it by initiating uninvited discussions, which doesn't sit well with others, especially his boss. Apart from the obvious digs at the disparities between the two sports and civilizations, it is the sparring between Ted's personality and those around him that gives the narrative weight. It's both fun and comforting to see Ted reach through to people and get over difficulties in his own unique way.

The cast of Ted Lasso contributes much to the show's authenticity. Jason Sudeikis maintains a thin line in a character that demands him to be usually courteous but occasionally vulnerable, maintaining firmly on the nice side while avoiding being obnoxious. The supporting ensemble, led by Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple, who play Rebecca and Keely, respectively – characters who appear in many scenes — do an excellent job in their roles.

What I really like about Ted Lasso (apart from the fact that it is based on my favourite sport as well as my favourite sporting league) is that it refuses to be lazy. Guy with a heart of gold shows up to teach a bunch of misfits how to work together, while he wins over the cold hearted men and woman who sit above him, as cliched as it sounds it fills one up with a dose of hopefulness during these hard and testing times of Covid-19.The storytelling pacing and everything else is really simple; this is the sort of television that most people enjoy, but this one refuses to rest on its laurels. It goes for clever jokes and intriguing set-ups that you might miss if you're not paying attention. Rather than focusing on a few people, it seems to be resolved to juggle a large number of them while attempting to make them all intriguing and fascinating.

Ted Lasso is what I would personally classify as "Comfort Food TV"-something which is needed most in these times of quarantine and anxiousness as a means of escapism. The 2020 launched series, which recently won the Golden Globe for the Best Television Series in Comedy, has already been renewed with its second season due to premiere on 23 July,2021.

In the end, to quote a journalist who interviews Ted: “It is hard not to root for him,” for Ted Lasso is best described that way.