Why I Hate Ted Lasso

I hate Ted Lasso so much that I just watched 10 episodes in one day. I hate the show because it made me wipe away tears (I’m man enough to admit) at least once per episode. Hate it because of how much I prejudged the show despite it being the most clever, funny, and warm-hearted shows that you will watch this year. Hate it because it’s so freaking good that it might inspire me to watch a soccer match or two. 

I hate Ted Lasso because it reminds me of how cynical I’ve become... and no longer want to be.

This show made me miss working together IN PERSON and in an ACTUAL office with my colleagues. Those bonds just cant be created via Zoom. It reinforced in me that the "hater's gonna hate" but even the haters can be won over with determined optimism. In business and in life. And more often than not, face to face.

If you haven't seen this show yet, what the hell are you waiting for? Ted Lasso is a wonderful reminder to us all that despite all the cynicism around us you can win by simply being authentic and caring. Jason Sudeikis is amazing here. He is Ted Lasso. Teds the guy that most elitist city snobs look down upon. He’s a football coach with a Southern twang and corny jokes. He says things like..” I’d hate to see you and Michelle Obama arm wrestle, but I wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off it either”. He’s folksy, and folksy ain’t all that hip nowadays. He doesn’t curse much, doesn’t chase skirts, doesn't do drugs, doesn't harass interns, or any of the things that we’ve grown so accustomed to in our flawed heroes. Teds your corny uncle that kills you with kindness and inspires everyone around him to be a better person. And all just by being so freaking nice and so damn positive that it’s impossible to avoid emulation. He’s the anti- Don Draper. Ted lasso makes us all look in the mirror and ask why we have become so mean? And lest we say “ It’s just a TV show” well I’m going to say “I respectfully disagree on that one” (as Ted Lasso would say). Batman’s not showing up to arrest the bad guys anymore, our political leaders are narcissistic buffoons, our media – severely flawed, but Ted Lasso, well he’s just good ole Ted who can inspire with just a smile and a wink.

"Its Hope that Kills You"

 Even the fans in the show play an intricate part. Unless you are a Tom Brady lover most of us have suffered for years rooting for a godawful team that you actually find more in making fun of than you do cheering for. As a Jets fan, I can relate to the poor Richmond fans whose team slogan is “It’s hope that Kills you”. Years of awful play, terrible decisions, poor leadership have made Jets fans give up hope. The Jets could use Ted Lasso right now. In fact, NYC could use a Ted Lasso. 

The show also does a fantastic job of earning the audience’s love for the characters. You care when the team equipment manager gets put down and stands up for himself. You feel sad when ted marriage breaks up, you laugh and cry with the Richmond fans as they watch a match at the local pub, and you can’t even help but like the arrogant star of the Richmond Team Jamie Tart when he gets traded to Manchester United. This show is just that good. 

Ted Lasso also reminds us why empathy is so important (and so rare) particularly in business. We meet people every day in our lives and everyone one of them is dealing with a unique struggle that we know nothing about. Why is it so hard to lead with empathy? We are all so guarded. So jaded. We need to care enough to ask how someone's day is going. Like Ted winning over his boss (A very talented Hannah Waddingham) with daily biscuits until she just can’t be cold and distant to him anymore. Like Ted Lasso, we need to care enough to ask. Not worry about the ridicule, not care about what others say and just kill all the haters with kindness. You will eventually win them over or die with a huge old smile on your face.

Ted Lasso reminds us that good things often happen to good people. That most people are genuinely good and feel bad when they do bad things. That there is such a thing as a genuine apology, and it is OK to forgive. Especially now, when knee-jerk reactions compel the masses to grab their pitchforks and cancel careers. Take a deep breath, have empathy. Think about why you have that much hatred built up.. let it go. Ted Lasso would. 

I hate Ted Lasso because I wish I was more like him. In fact, I think I’ll stop hating on the guy and try to emulate him instead.