Lost its mojo? No way. Ted Lasso is still the sweetest show on TV

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There’s been a lot of talk about Ted Lasso. Speculation that the just-concluded third season will be its last. Narrow assessments and lofty dismissals propose that, whatever its future, the soccer-club comedy had lost its mojo anyway; so no great loss. Regretful pronouncements judge that the long-awaited 2023 season didn’t exhibit the disarming magic that had made the series a global hit and an awards-show darling. Its sunny spirit, kind heart and sweet optimism arrived like the ideal tonic for dark and scary pandemic times.

Brett Goldstein, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt in Ted Lasso, which arrived like the ideal tonic for dark and scary pandemic times in 2020.Credit: Colin Hutton/Apple TV+

The London-based comedy sees co-creator, co-writer and co-producer Jason Sudeikis playing the title character, a preternaturally compassionate fish-out-of-water coach from America’s Midwest struggling with a foreign sporting code and a marriage breakdown when he’s employed to revive a struggling English soccer team.

At the time of writing, Apple TV+ hadn’t confirmed or denied the end of Ted and its coyness is perhaps understandable. There might be uncertainty from the creative team about if and how to proceed. There could be reluctance from a multinational corporation to bid a final farewell to one of its standout successes, even though the series was originally conceived with a three-season arc.

Of course, things can change. Supply can respond to demand. Acclaim, awards and viewer enthusiasm might motivate a desire to carry on and not kill the golden goose. Or a rethink could result in some shapeshifting: Ted goes on, but not as we know it. Describing the audience wanting more as “flattering”, Sudeikis recently remarked to Deadline, perhaps as a throwaway, that he could appear on Cameo, the website where fans can request personalised videos from their favourite actors.

Then there’s the spin-off route, where one of the characters is plucked from the pack and becomes the star of his or her own sequel. Certainly, there are enough candidates in this vibrant ensemble to inspire ideas about the possibilities: think of, say, Keeping Up With Keeley, Uncle Roy, or At Home With Higgins. However, the attempt to again catch lightning in a bottle is a demonstrably risky road: for every fabulous Frasier, there are a dozen unfortunate Joeys.

Juno Temple and Hannah Waddington in Ted Lasso.Credit: Colin Hutton/Apple TV+

While the future is uncertain, the question of quality is easier to address as Ted Lasso clearly became a victim of its own success. Initially ecstatically embraced, it was showered with love, praise and prizes. In a way, the only direction it could go from such heights was down to disappointment. But by way of response to the criticism that it’s not what it once was, that the third season has been bloated and static and that the show has lost its spark: oh, phooey.

True, it no longer has the advantage of being a novelty. Now, to some extent, we know what to expect, and the third season has been rich in familiar pleasures. Sweet-natured without being syrupy, it’s reinforced the production’s basic tenets, to do with the value of family and community, and the importance of tolerance, second chances and forgiveness.

But, in spite of viewers’ knowing the comedy’s DNA, it’s retained a capacity to surprise and delight. That’s neatly illustrated by the Amsterdam episode featuring an unplanned yet blissful night on a houseboat for Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), bicycle adventures for Roy (Brett Goldstein) and Jamie (Phil Dunster), a jazz-club visit for Leslie (Jeremy Swift) and Will (Charlie Hiscock), and some unexpected bonding for Colin (Billy Harris) and Trent (James Lance). All that as well as nifty references to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Almost Famous. Beautiful.

Through the seasons, with a light touch and thoughtful intelligence, the series has also tackled some tough stuff, examining anxiety, the aftermath of divorce and the damaging impact for men of concealing or repressing their emotions. This season also addresses issues of privacy and online hacking; coming out as gay; the toxicity of social media; and racism.

Colin (Billy Harris) and Trent (James Lance) unexpectedly bond in the Amsterdam episode of Ted Lasso’s third season.Credit: Colin Hutton/Apple TV+

One of the criticisms recently levelled at the show is that the title character is less interesting than those surrounding him. Even if that is the case – and it’s debatable – who cares? In some ways, that’s a sign of a great ensemble. As if testifying to the strength of its cast, at the 2021 Emmy Awards, four of the nominees in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category came from the show (Goldstein won). In 2022, Ted Lasso had three nominations in the Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actress categories.

Through the latest season, Keeley (Juno Temple) has again shone as a beacon of effervescence; Roy has continued to elevate grunting, scowling and swearing to the level of magnificence; Dani (Cristo Fernandez) and Sam (Toheeb Jimoh) have remained a joy. With Barbara (Katy Wix), the rain cloud of a CFO at Keeley’s PR firm, an Eeyore of a character became an understated treasure.

And the trajectory chosen for kit-man-turned “Wonder Kid” Nathan (Nick Mohammed), who betrayed Ted, rewarding his mentor’s support with treachery, has been true to the series’ principles and logic. Instead of punishing or humiliating him, relishing in his comeuppance, Nate gets what he thought he wanted, discovers how hollow his ambitions were, and tries to make amends for his bad behaviour.

Whatever happens from here, Ted Lasso has for three sparkling seasons championed kindness and compassion without getting mushy. It’s made us laugh and cry with clever comedy that’s blessed with wit and a gift for goofiness. It’s given us vibrant characters to care about and hope to see more of. What more could we ask of a series?

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