It’s fair to say that the early signs for Ted Lasso weren’t particularly promising. For one thing, it was adapted from a commercial – specifically, a 2013 ad for NBC Sports. (Remember how TV shows based around the Geico Cavemen and FreeInternet.com’s Baby Bob turned out?). And its concept – an American football coach trying his hand at Premier League soccer without even a basic grasp of the English game – suggested the sitcom would be a clumsy mix of broad, boorish comedy and tired culture-clash tropes.
Instead, the Jason Sudeikis vehicle became the jewel in Apple TV+’s crown, a favorite at both the Golden Globes and the Emmy Awards. For many people in the early stages of the pandemic, it was a prime source of feel-good entertainment that pretty much restored their faith in humanity. Alongside Roy Kent’s constant grunts, Jamie Tartt’s himbo antics and the titular character’s eternal optimism, its soundtrack was an integral part of its success. And we’re not talking about the inspired needle drops, either.
Ted Lasso almost rivaled its home network’s Broadway homage Schmigadoon! for musical set pieces during its first 22 episodes, with several characters bursting into song at the drop of a hat or busting moves in the unlikeliest of places. It even found the time to replicate a highly choreographed routine to a turn-of-the-century boy band’s classic hit.
With the adventures of the fictional AFC Richmond continuing on a newly released third season, here’s a look at nine of the resolutely heart-warming show’s greatest music moments.
