Ted Lasso teaches television life lessons
Popology Lessons by Kris Fisher
I take a lot of life lessons from television and movies. It’s probably not great but I am a Gen X kid. We were largely left to ourselves to figure things out. For me, that meant TV, and lots of it. I always just heard it would rot my brain. I’m sure there’s some truth to that. It certainly would explain some things. But I think it taught me a lot as well.
The Cosby Show taught me to never let your sister try to make you an imitation Gordon Gartrell. The Wonder Years taught me that Winnie Cooper was my dream girl. She still is. Growing Pains taught me not to break mom’s lamp while the parents are out because my little brother might glue himself to the coffee table. If you know, you know.
I guess old habits die hard. I still find little life lessons in movies and television. I don’t necessarily look for them. They just kind of happen. Sometimes they’re obvious, like knowing what happens if you talk to the feds about organized crime in New Jersey and sometimes, it’s not so obvious, like realizing they weren’t actually talking about caffeine in Saved By the Bell.
That said, there’s another not-so-new show that’s chock full of life lessons – lessons they don’t try to mask at all. Recently it was announced that Ted Lasso is returning for a fourth season. I’m only halfway through the second season but I absolutely love this show. Ted is a fictional coach, played by the hilarious Jason Sudekis, who is full of little nuggets of wisdom. Some of my favorites are:
“Don’t sell yourself short. If anything, sell yourself tall and get it altered later.”
“Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, ain’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”
“I’ve never been embarrassed about growing up with streaks in my drawers. You know, it’s all part of growing up.”
Preach, brother Lasso, preach.
With the impending return of Coach Lasso, I figured I’d cover some of the lessons that Ted and company have taught me. Spoilers ahead.
Be empathetic
The evolving relationship between the star striker Jamie Tart and the aging Roy Kent taught me that you never know what struggle someone is going through. The rivalry expresses itself in many ways until Roy sees the wildly toxic relationship that Jamie has with his father. Realizing the kid’s struggle and how it fuels some of his antics not only brings these characters together, it helps them understand each other better. Most of us have something going on that we don’t talk about. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that, but a kind word always helps- struggle or not.
Don’t settle
Roy Kent is probably my favorite character. Sure, his gruff and grumbly demeanor gets a little tired at times, but it’s also his charm. It makes it surprising when he expresses a philosophical thought outside the game of soccer… uhh, I mean, football.
That’s why, when he told football club owner Rebecca Welton, while she was dating, that love needs to feel like being struck by lightning and there is never a reason to settle for fine because she deserved better, it hit just that much harder. Don’t settle. That’s a real life lesson.
Forgive
Rebecca Walton and Ted Lasso teach us forgiveness. At the end of the first season, Rebecca confesses to Ted Lasso that she only hired him so that the team would fail, and she also sabotaged the team to ensure that would happen. Ted’s reaction? Instant forgiveness.
Boy, do I struggle with forgiveness. I can hold a grudge with the best of them. Most of the time, a grudge hurts the person holding it more than the person the grudge is against. I’d be willing to bet that most of the people I’m holding a grudge against don’t even know that the grudge exists.
I know that this one was buttoned up quickly because that’s how things work in the tidy world of television writing. But there is definitely something to be said for Rebecca owning up to her mess and Ted seeing that the moment of bad judgement doesn’t define her.
Maybe I need to watch that episode again.
Lift those around you
If there is an overarching theme that defines Ted Lasso, it is positivity and kindness. It is a master class in lifting people up, sometimes when people are at their lowest, while never judging them or patronizing them. Sure, it can be cheesy at times – really cheesy. But I’m here for it. It’s a fun and funny show that leaves me feeling better about life. It makes my cold, black Gen X heart happy, hopeful, and ready to learn.
Thanks, Ted.