Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Right now the happiest place on earth might very well be Apple TV+. Tomorrow brings the return of the feel-good hit comedy series, Ted Lasso, a show lauded for its ability to bring kindness and levity to folks during the shitstorm that was 2020. But when Ted Lasso Season 2 premieres, it won’t be alone. Last week, Apple TV+’s latest comedy gem, Schmigadoon!, premiered. Together, Ted Lasso and Schmigadoon! make the perfect programming double act. Both are hilarious, full of heart, and exactly the escape we all need right now.
When Apple TV+ launched in late 2019, the service’s big offerings were expected to be buzzy, star-studded dramas like The Morning Show. Ironically, the shows that seem to create the most critical acclaim and fervent fandoms for Apple TV+ are its comedies. Shows like Dickinson, Central Park, and Mythic Quest have all captures the imaginations of viewers, but nothing comes close in terms of sheer popularity to Ted Lasso. The sports comedy premiered last summer and quickly picked up legions of adoring fans, from critics (like those of us at Decider) to everyday folks who hitherto hadn’t even thought of subscribing to Apple TV+.
Part of what made Ted Lasso Season 1 so charming was the fact that it was about underdogs. Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is an American college football coach who captures international attention when he stewards a low-ranking school to victory. (And also because of his viral victory dance.) When Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) wins “custody” of her loathsome ex’s beloved Premiere League football team in their divorce, she makes it her mission to ruin the club out of spite. She hires Coach Lasso to come to London and coach a sport he has no understanding of. Despite this, Ted manages to connect emotionally with each member of the team and many others circling the AFC Richmond clubhouse. Ted’s optimism and curiosity inspires everyone around him, including Rebecca, to be better, kinder, more forgiving versions of themselves.
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Apple TV+’s new musical comedy Schmigadoon! might feel far flung from Ted Lasso‘s sporty setting, but it’s actually about the same themes. Schmigadoon! opens on the love story of New York City doctors Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong). The two have been dating for a few years, but their relationship is in limbo. Melissa coaxes Josh to join her on a couples’ retreat in the wilderness, but during a fight they find themselves trapped in a small town called Schmigadoon. There everyone acts as if they live in a 1940s musical and the only way Josh and Melissa can leave is if they find “true love.” Musical numbers and hijinks ensue. But more importantly, Josh and Melissa are challenged by the townspeople to better themselves in key ways.
Ted Lasso and Schmigadoon! are both effervescently charming comedies full of strong joke writing and tender-hearted performances. More importantly, they are both optimistic about the human condition. While neither show shies away from the heartache of life, they both argue that we have the capacity to change, and change for the better.
Ted Lasso and Schmigadoon! are both must-watch comedies on Apple TV+, but together, they are a profoundly inspiring pair.
New episodes of Ted Lasso and Schmigadoon! will premiere on Fridays on Apple TV+.
