Apple TV+ has new Ted Lasso in golf comedy ‘Stick’: first reviews here

Until recently, Apple’s biggest hit show, by far, was Ted Lasso. Now that title belongs to Severance. But a brand new comedy series—Stick—is the best Apple TV+ attempt yet to re-capture its Lasso magic. Here’s what reviews say.

Stick features Owen Wilson in Ted Lasso-type role

Stick is a new Apple TV+ show that premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Its first three episodes will be available initially, with weekly releases thereafter.

When Stick’s trailer first debuted, it was clear Apple’s marketing team wanted to connect the series with Ted Lasso. Both are warmhearted sports comedies featuring middle-aged white men in coach roles who face mental health challenges even while seeking to uplift everyone around them.

In Stick, Owen Wilson’s ‘Pryce Cahill’ is the Ted Lasso-equivalent.

Here’s Apple’s very familiar-sounding summary of the show:

Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago. After the collapse of his marriage and getting fired from his job at an Indiana sporting goods store, Pryce hedges his bets, and future, entirely on a troubled 17-year-old golf phenom named Santi (Peter Dager). “Stick” is a heartfelt, feel-good sports comedy about a found family and their relationships set within the world of golf as it has never been shown before.

Reviews for the golf comedy have started rolling in. They confirm that Stick and Lasso have a lot in common—including their ability to win viewers over despite some flaws.

Here are some excerpts:

• Rolling Stone: “If Stick is derivative — not just of Ted Lasso, but of underdog sports movies and shows in general — it’s also not without its charms, starting with its leading man.”
• TV Insider: “While many of the more predictable twists and inevitable road bumps merit an eye roll or two, there’s no way you won’t root for this ad hoc family.”
• Exclaim!: “Fans of [Owen Wilson’s] fast-talking style will be rewarded with laughs, but it’s the vulnerability of the character that draws us in and keep us invested.”

Stick’s ‘new’ Ted Lasso label won’t necessarily make it the ‘next’ Lasso

Despite all the parallels, it’s a tall task trying to fill Ted Lasso’s shoes. Jason Sudeikis’ hit benefited from being the exact kind of content we all needed in the throes of 2020.

Stick might be the “new” Ted Lasso for Apple TV+, but it will take a lot for it to truly become the “next” Lasso.

Regardless, I look forward to watching Stick and seeing how well the Lasso formula can be replicated in another show.

Apple TV+ is available for $9.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking.

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