The Emmy Award winning Apple TV+ series, “Ted Lasso,” is able to realistically tackle the serious elements of life while also providing comfort through its humor and optimism, balancing the story of an American coach, coaching soccer (football) in London.
The titular character, Ted Lasso, struggles with anxiety throughout the first and second season for many different reasons.
He decides to hide it from everyone, including his close friends and co-workers.
After suffering from a panic attack, you later learn because of a divorce, Lasso decides to push his emotions down and ignore them.
According to former Maryland, Bel Air High School girls soccer coach and Souderton alumni, Josh Clemmer, “I think the writers in the show have incorporated a realistic perspective on anxiety.”
Clemmer believes it is important to shine a light on characters like Lasso to show that even the happiest of people can be positive, smiling and joking, but still struggling with mental health issues.
“It was important for the writers to not make him not a perfect, lovable, care bear of a person but someone who also deals with struggles we all know are real,” Clemmer said.
The series uses humor as a way to counteract the seriousness of mental health issues.
According to reality tv producer Justin Aldefer, “The humor is funny and creative. So many different things happen and the way they unravel it is smart; but to me it’s just pure comedy,” Alderfer said. “So many different things happening in so many different ways, but the way everything unfolds is very smart, it’s a smart show.”
Sophomore Lily Hassett agrees. “Ted Lasso is like ‘Bean Boozled,’ because on the outside [Lasso] is amazing and sweet, but on the inside he is suffering from severe anxiety and mental health issues,” Hassett said.
Hassett believes that Lasso is positive and uplifting to every other character in the series.
“He always tries to respect everyone, like when Dr. Sharon Fieldstone [the team’s therapist] asked him to stop calling her ‘doc,’ he actually tried even though it felt like instinct to him. He simply cares for everyone,” Hasset said.
After implications in the premier episode of season two, Fieldstone was brought on as the team’s therapist.
Throughout season two she helps Lasso open up about his trauma and past experiences. “[Fieldstone] is a necessary character in this show because she is the reason we see more sides to Ted,” Hassett said.
Lasso’s optimism plays a key role throughout the series, touching on both the serious and humorous moments.
According to Clemmer, “[Lasso] has an internal optimism that helps him move forward regardless of those struggles.”
Alderfer said that in the end, he doesn’t win everyone over because of his humor and optimism, but because he is a genuinely nice person.
Lasso is always there to comfort a friend, lend a hand or cheer someone up.
Even through a television screen Lasso can put a smile on almost anyone’s face.
“After a long day of work I am tired, but ‘Ted Lasso’ is just something to look forward to,” Alderfer said. “This show is like a warm hug you didn’t know you needed.”