Football is Life! - Watching "Ted Lasso"

It’s New Year’s Eve! Ted Lasso the Show commits possibly the best pre-titles sequence in its history. Ted Lasso the character commits to something new after a heart-to-heart. Alice Chilton commits to party clothes, eventually. Coach Beard commits a party foul. Roy Kent and a special guest star commit to an explosive bit that panelist Chip’s Roy Kent Blind Spot (TM) totally didn’t see coming. Panelist Kathy commits a shady no-shade, and returning panelist Erika commits the worst pun in Football is Life history. <p>Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren with Kathy Campbell and Erika Ensign.</p>

Are you ready for some football? Football is Life is back and your friends Chip, Brian, and Kathy are excited to see some actual football in this show. The Greyhounds are up against Chelsea in the FA Cup, which is certainly exciting; but, there’s also a fair bit of quality time spent with the many relationships on the show. Tune in for some predictions from Chip and Kathy on where things might end up by the season’s end! <p>Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren with Kathy Campbell.</p>

Episode 4 opens with some familiar and most welcome voices as we soon realize the team needs a common goal, a common enemy, or perhaps both! It’s a wild, funny, and somewhat comforting episode, and your pals Chip, Kathy, & Brian are here to discuss it. Hopefully nobody gets injured or arrested. <p>Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren with Kathy Campbell.</p>

While our coaching staff appears to be settled in and working well together, the Greyhounds need to find a striker, even if it means going to the streets. Meanwhile, Ted really has to learn to knock. If that doesn’t make sense to you, not to worry. Kathy, Chip, and Brian talk it through, but do watch the episode first. <p>Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren with Kathy Campbell.</p>

We’re back at Nelson Road, where some things have changed and some are exactly the same. Some familiar faces, some new faces, and some faces not there anymore. We start to get a peek into the challenges Ted and the gang will be up against this year, but as Chip, Kathy, and Brian are happy to say, it feels like we’re in good hands. <p>Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren with Kathy Campbell.</p>

“Ted Lasso” is back, and we’re ready for a healthy dose of optimism and hope. Chip, Kathy, and Brian have assembled as the “Crystal Cats” to discuss the new season and what we’re looking forward to. This season opener comes with a few surprises, some familiar faces, and lots of barbecue sauce. I hope you’re as excited as we are. Oklahoma? <p>Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren with Kathy Campbell.</p>

There’s no place like home. We take in the final(?) episode of “Ted Lasso” and discuss the final destinations of all our main characters. <p>Jason Snell with Brian Warren and David J. Loehr.</p>

This week, Ted Lasso gives a lukewarm welcome to an unexpected visitor, Roy and Keeley bond over their concern for a friend, Nate shines in food service, and a lot of kebabs are eaten. Oh, there’s also some football as Richmond goes up against Jamie’s old club, Man City. <p>Chip Sudderth with Casey Liss and Aleen Simms.</p>

An hour-long episode of “Ted Lasso” generates an hour-long discussion, of course. We break down all the many storylines, including Sam fact-checking a pep talk, Dani Rojas taking all the friendly out of an international friendly, Nate dodging the paparazzi, Rebecca seeing a little girl and many little boys, Keely buying a souvenir, and Roy being a microscopic cog in his niece Phoebe’s catastrophic plan. <p>Jason Snell with Kelly Guimont and Jean MacDonald.</p>

“Ted Lasso” finally narrows its focus from sixty kajillion characters and storylines to about three. It’s Colin’s time to shine, Roy’s time to face himself, and the writers’ time to try to make your panel care about Nate. The panel is animatedly divided on the latter! <p>Chip Sudderth with Shannon Sudderth and Heather Berberet.</p>

Exciting times on Nelson Road. The Greyhounds are on a winning streak, and no one should be happier than Coach Lasso, right? Keeley sees Jack in a new light, Nate see his co-workers in an old light, Beard explains a Beatles song, Jamie needs to change his password, Michelle goes to Paris with Dr. Romance, and Ted learns to stop letting yesterday get in the way of today. Also, Oscar Wilde is dead. <p>David J. Loehr with Sarah Hendrica Bickerton and Casey Liss.</p>

Open up your awnings, tie a string on your ding-dong, and get ready for a lovebombing. We’re here to step in four buckets while discussing “The Strings that Bind Us,” in which Trent Crimm decodes The Lasso Way while Jamie Tartt learns an important lesson—but not number four, definitely not that. <p>Jason Snell with Kathy Campbell and Chip Sudderth.</p>

And so our scene moves to Amsterdam, where a desultory friendly against Ajax leads AFC Richmond and all our characters to moments of transition, revelation, or understanding. The phones are in the canal, the windmills are big, Australians understand Kansas City BBQ, and sometimes all you need to solve your problems are some jazz music and a pillow fight. <p>Dan Moren with Heather Berberet and Sam Adams.</p>

A lot of plot lines and some characters in unhappy places. Plus, an unexpected disappearance from the AFC Richmond locker room. Our panel breaks down a difficult episode of “Ted Lasso.” <p>Moisés Chiullán with Kathy Campbell and Tony Sindelar.</p>

It’s opposite day for our characters, as Ted and AFC Richmond take on Nate and the evil empire that is West Ham. Rebecca wants a win and Rupert keeps scoring. And it turns out that being the anti-Ted isn’t the best strategy. <p>Kelly Guimont with Casey Liss and David J. Loehr.</p>

Montage time! Zava is here to take AFC Richmond on a run. We learn more about the private lives of some of our players. Jamie ponders his role on the team. And Rebecca has a psychic encounter. We’re here to break it all down! Consider this podcast a montage… of voices. <p>Chip Sudderth with David J. Loehr and Kelly Guimont.</p>

It’s a homecoming for “Ted Lasso’s” Mr. Worf, Roy Kent, as he returns to Chelsea and is greeted unexpectedly. And wait, who’s going to sign international superstar Zava? It’s enough to make Coach Beard scream. <p>Moisés Chiullán with Casey Liss and Jean MacDonald.</p>

“Ted Lasso” is back, and so is our casual weekly review podcast with a rotating set of hosts and panelists. This week we try to get into the swing of things, but how quickly can we adapt to returning to Ted’s world? How do we feel about the various storylines seemingly on tap for this season? Is Rupert really Emperor Palpatine to Nate’s Darth Vader? Is the bus driver secretly the hero of the show? And when will the inevitable Lego AFC Richmond stadium set be announced? <p>Jason Snell with Shannon Sudderth and James Thomson.</p>

We wrap up our coverage of the second season of “Ted Lasso” by discussing the season as a whole, from the first penalty kick to the last. <p>Chip Sudderth with Sage Young, Heather Berberet, Keir Hansen and Jean MacDonald.</p>

It’s the big finale of season two. On the field, Richmond tries to return to the Premier League. Off the field, things are falling apart. Sam, Keeley, Nate, and Trent Crimm make big moves. Higgins plays with puppies. Roy visits the Diamond Dogs. Jamie shows growth. Dani seeks redemption. Jan Maas speaks the truth. And Ted cites the work of a triple wizard. Onward to season three—after we spend the length of a football match breaking this one down. (Thanks for being with us the last 22 weeks. And join us next week for a special season-wrap episode of Football is Life!) <p>Jason Snell with Casey Liss, Kathy Campbell, Jean MacDonald and James Thomson.</p>