Jason Sudeikis addresses criticisms of Ted Lasso season 3. After seasons 1 and 2 of the Apple TV+ were acclaimed, Ted Lasso season 3 elicited more of a more mixed response. Common criticisms included issues taken with the increased episode lengths, how Keeley Jones’ (Juno Temple) arc was handled, the arguably rushed redemption of Nathan Shelley (Nick Mohammed), and the core cast becoming too scattered in the narrative. There were also criticisms voiced about how certain characters’ stories concluded in Ted Lasso season 3’s ending.
In the new book Believe: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show That Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts by Jeremy Egner (via TVLine), Sudeikis candidly voiced his distaste for the season 3 criticisms. He emphasized that this backlash is rooted in viewers choosing to be judgmental instead of being curious, which is the opposite of a mantra that Ted has in the series. Sudeikis also explains how the critics overlook the themes of the ending. Check out his comments below:
Much like live theater, the show, especially Season 3, was asking the audience to be an active participant. Some people want to do that, some people don’t.
Some people want to judge—they don’t want to be curious.I’ll never understand people who will go on talking about something so brazenly that they, in my opinion, clearly don’t understand. And God bless ’em for it; it’s not their fault. They don’t have imaginations, and they’re not open to the experience of what it’s like to have one.
Everybody’s in better shape than when they started. Like a good Boy or Girl Scout at a campsite, we left it better than we found it. And if you don’t see that in that show, then I don’t know what show you’re watching.
What This Means For Ted Lasso
The Criticisms Are Not Shaping Ted Lasso’s Past Or Future
For Sudeikis, the Ted Lasso season 3 criticisms do not impact his relationship with the show or its legacy. He views the backlash as a blatant misunderstanding of the Apple TV+ series and the lessons it teaches, including a rejection of one of Ted’s most important teachings. Sudeikis has made it clear in the past that he intended for the series to be three seasons and that he and his creative collaborators completed the story that they set out to tell, and his latest comments highlight that the criticisms have not changed his stance on this.
Ted Lasso Season | Tomatometer Score | Popcornmeter Score |
|---|---|---|
Season 1 | 92% | 95% |
Season 2 | 98% | 86% |
Season 3 | 82% | 77% |
At the same time, the ongoing discussions and widespread enthusiasm about Ted Lasso season 4 happening indicate that the majority of the audience remains more curious than judgmental about the series continuing. Beyond a direct continuation, the series finale also provided setup for potential spinoffs, including one following Keeley and Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) starting an AFC Richmond women’s team. Sudeikis is satisfied with the story he told, but an expansion of the series is still possible, especially with Apple TV+’s interest in seeing the success continue.
He Deserves To Be Defensive About The Show
Even though Ted Lasso season 3 is not as strong as seasons 1 and 2, it still provided a mostly satisfying ending. Sudeikis has every right to be proud of what he and his team accomplished and to be defensive of it. Ted Lasso‘s cast of characters made a lasting impression, and as Sudeikis explained, they all ended the series in a better place than where they started. There are certain elements of Ted Lasso‘s final season that could have been handled better, but the character development and themes ended in a mostly rewarding way.
Source: Believe: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show That Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts (via TVLine)
Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is an American football coach who moves to England when he’s hired to manage a struggling soccer team despite having no experience. With cynical players and a doubtful town, Ted will have to convince them that he’s fit for the job. Ted Lasso has become one of Apple TV Plus’ most successful shows, earning over 10 Primetime Emmys.
- Release Date
- August 14, 2020
- Seasons
- 3
- Showrunner
- Bill Lawrence