Almost every aspect of law school is tough: building your summaries, studying for exams, job recruits, and having to balance all that with your extracurricular and volunteer activities. Plus, you have to deal with it all in a virtual environment where you’re stuck inside watching the seasons pass you by. That is precisely why it’s so important to watch a show with a main character that exudes optimism!
Enter, Ted Lasso— the story of a US American Football coach who heads to the UK to manage a struggling London football (soccer) team. The best part? He knows nothing about the sport he’s supposed to coach, like how the games can end in a draw. Jason Sudeikis of We’re the Millers and SNL fame does a wonderful job portraying this character, who despite all odds, makes you want to cheer for him. He carries the same type of optimism as Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation, the kind that’s infectious. Of course, Sudeikis is surrounded by a wonderful ensemble and writing that helps bring the story to life.
Perhaps part of the reason this story is so engaging is because the team he’s coaching, AFC Richmond, has a loyal fanbase but has been perennially mediocre. As a Leafs fan, certain aspects of that story resonate. Who doesn’t want someone to come save your team and help them live up to their potential? While parts of the story are cliché, it does have some surprises that leave you gasping.
Ultimately, it’s the optimistic and feel-good component that sticks with you. And isn’t that what we all need in law school and during a pandemic? A little bit of optimism, hope that it’ll all be okay and we’ll all be fine. So, if you’d rather get that dose of optimism injected from a sitcom, then Ted Lasso is definitely for you.