Ted Lasso, the crown jewel of Apple TV+’s programming slate, wrapped up its 3rd season last week, but the question, of course, remains: was that the final whistle for Ted Lasso the television series, or just the swan song for Ted Lasso the coach? Co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis has been somewhat noncommittal, swearing that this is the end of the story he wanted to tell – the return to Kansas from the land of Oz – but at the same time keeping the locker room door open for a Ted Lasso-less Ted Lasso (Ted Lesso?). The most likely continuation of the series is probably something like AFC Richmond, picking up with the football club and the cast of characters we’ve come to know and (in some cases) love; essentially the same show just with a new coach (gaffer) and way fewer dad jokes. Think The Conners without Roseanne, or The Hogan Family without Valerie Harper (but with Sandy Duncan, which was arguably a net gain). However, we thought it would be fun to brainstorm what some other iterations of a Ted Lasso spin-off might look like.
OLA’S
After suffering a career ending knee injury in a World Cup qualifier, Sam Obisanya trades in his shin guards for an apron, devoting himself full-time to his Nigerian restaurant, Ola’s. His constant presence and unyielding enthusiasm are an unwelcome nuisance to head-chef Simi, as are his frequent menu suggestions (A When Harry Met Sally themed-menu, all you can eat Puff Puffs, bottomless bowls of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish on every table). But it’s not all smiles: upon hearing of Sam’s career change, his nemesis Edwin Akufo (Sam Richardson) buys the Nando’s next door, turning it into a competing Nigerian restaurant named “Original Famous Ola’s” and kicking off the Seven Years’ Prank War. Curiously, none of Sam’s former teammates ever bother to stop by for a bite. English food writer Nigella Lawson guests in the premiere (and does not care for the food).
YOUNG ROY
Former Chelsea FC star and current(?) AFC Richmond coach Roy Kent can only reveal so much about his backstory through press conferences and heart-to-hearts with his niece, so this wacky sitcom takes us back to the 90s, when Roy Kent was a just a young footballer being scouted by Sunderland FC. Full of bad haircuts, ill-fitting clothes, intrusive needle drops and dated references, Young Roy, shows how a boy became an icon. Brett Goldstein provides the voiceover narration and Jonathan Pryce supports as Granddad Kent.
TED LASSO: OFF THE DEEP END
Instead of staying in London with the gang at AFC Richmond, this series follows our hero Coach Theodore “Ted” Lasso on the next stop of his journey through the center of divorce, as he takes the reins of Mexico’s national men’s water polo team (thanks to a glowing recommendation from his former ace, Dani Rojas). With the Paris 2024 Olympics right around the corner, Ted must not only learn another new sport, but a whole new language (a love of quesa-dillas can only get one so far). Forget a fish out of water comedy, this is a fish IN water comedy.
CHEERS, RICHMOND
The rare double spin-off, this sitcom centers on the staff and patrons of Richmond’s favorite pub, The Crown & Anchor, who need to make room at the end of the bar for a new regular, Boston’s Norm Peterson (Sudeikis’ real-life uncle George Wendt reprising his Emmy-nominated role). After being forced to retire from a job he never talks about, Norm must fulfill an empty promise to his wife Vera to spend their twilight years in London. Initially averse to his new surroundings, Norm quickly grows to appreciate Jolly Old England, specifically its Imperial pint glasses. Finding his new Sam Malone in Mae (can’t spell Malone without m-a-e!) and the next generation of Cliff Clavin and Frasier Crane in Baz and the boys, Norm is 3000 miles (5000 kilometers) from Beacon Street but still right at home. Ted Danson cameos via FaceTime in the pilot. Forget a fish out of water comedy, this is a fish in beer comedy. Available exclusively on Peacock.
THE TRENT CRIMM MYSTERIES
Following the success of his best-seller The Richmond Way, Trent Crimm decides to delve into fiction and author a series of mystery novels, creating his alter-ego detective Trent Grimm. However, fiction begins to blend with fact when a series of strange, almost supernatural, crimes start happening around Richmond and Trent must use his journalistic skills to investigate. What he soon uncovers is more unbelievable than any season with the Greyhounds. With his trademark locks and trusty notebook, Trent is proof that, indeed, sometimes the pen is mightier than the sword (because his former editor at The Independent gifted him a penknife as a going away present). S Club 7’s Rachel Stevens joins as the Watson to Trent’s Sherlock. Has been given a full series commitment from BBC None.
SUITE DREAMS
A Ted Lasso spin-off about the Liverpool luxury hotel from the Season One episode “Make Rebecca Great Again”? Sure! Filmed in the mockumentary style of The Office (the UK version, not the American adaptation, a distinction about which the producers are very adamant), the series opens with front desk clerk Paul John Pope (Paul Foxcroft) excited to unveil the hotel’s new – and subsequently never used – fax machine. The business center may be open 24 hours a day, but it’s non-stop fun and games everywhere else (save for the ghost of John Lennon, said to haunt the hotel’s upper floors). Keeley Jones once again appears on the in-room channel to impart local tips and, oddly enough, very specific personal advice. Sponsored by Marriott.
HIG-BONES
The middle Higgins boys, Kris and Dana, are off to university, and while mum and dad have begged them to behave, they only have one thing on their mind: getting laid. A raucous, ribald, uproarious, sex-crazed comedy in the vein of Animal House and Meatballs, Kris and Dana dream of higher learning of a different kind. However, their naughty plans take a turn when eldest brother, Father Lindsay Higgins, accepts a post as vicar of the university chapel and decides to bunk up with his brothers. Now the Higgins boys must try and separate Church from their state (virginity). A co-production with the National Lampoon and the Roman Catholic Church.
WANKER!
Mr. Mann, AFC Richmond’s crankiest and most profane fan, returns home to his home in Richmond upon Thames to discover a letter from his wife announcing that she has left him for his best friend, fed up with his constant drinking and – more importantly – his addiction to football. When the British court awards the house to his wife Mr. Mann moves to a small flat in Whitechapel, carrying just a suitcase and his trademark Greyhounds scarf. Realizing he’s been the wanker all along, he joins the “Into-Touch Club,” a support group for divorced football hooligans. The series then chronicles the lives of Mr. Mann and his friends in the “Into-Touch Club.” This is also the plot of the 1988 NBC sitcom Dear John, itself was based on the British sitcom Dear John.
SHANNONS
That teenage girl who is Ted’s neighbor and once played soccer with Henry? Yeah, she’s getting a show too! And not just Shannon, but her three best friends, all also named Shannon! It’s like Heathers, but with Shannons (and British, and they all play on the Grade 12 football club, and plot-wise nothing like Heathers). In a nod to the original film, Lisanne Falk appears extremely briefly in a non-speaking role.
AVOCADBROS (Originally titled Toasted)
After departing Richmond without warning and relocating to southern California, football legend Zava realizes that running an avocado farm and taking care of his many self-named children is more than a one-man job (even for Zava), so he reluctantly enlists his younger brother, Zava 2, to help keep the business – and the family – afloat. It’s Perfect Strangers meets The Odd Couple meets Two and a Half Men meets Full House meets, yes, The Hogan Family. The avocado market may be more unpredictable than teenagers, but in their farmhouse one thing is for sure: Zava Rules.
KITMAN, WILL TRAVEL
While cycling home from training AFC Richmond kitman Will Kitman is diverted by a team of MI5 agents who recruit the former towel guy into her majesty’s secret service, revealing that they have been secretly training him years. A super-spy thriller with Will in the Bond role, Kitman globe hops from Shoreditch to Southwark, from Bromley to Croydon. Meanwhile, Rebecca Welton moves from the owner’s box to Chief of the Intelligence Service and Nate Mohammed’s Nate returns to serve as Kitman’s sidekick N, a bumbling technology and weapons “expert”. A cross-over with fellow Apple TV+ series Slow Horses is planned for the series finale (despite Gary Oldman’s fervent objections).
FIELDSTONE
Feeling unfulfilled after a decade of working with professional sporting clubs, psychologist Dr. Sharon Fieldstone accepts a job hosting a therapy podcast in her hometown of Cardiff. There’s just one problem: she must take in her aging mother, a prickly widow and former bobby who never quite appreciated Sharon’s pursuit of academia. Sharon must also contend with her fastidious younger sister Nell, also a sports psychologist, who quickly develops a crush on their mother’s caretaker Rod (Harry Potter’s Matthew Lewis). It’s a real upstairs-downstairs farce that, of course, is a total rip-off of Frasier (who, somewhat surprisingly, is not based on a British show).
ZOREAUX: UNMASKED & UNLEASHED
A travel program hosted by the Richmond goalkeeper once again named Zoreaux (formerly known as Zorro formerly known as Van Damme). With his teammate and best friend Moe Bumbercatch as running mate, the maniac from Montreal sets out to show us the hottest sex clubs across the world, from Berlin to Bangkok. Nothing is out of bounds here. TV-MA.
JADE
A 60-minute drama about the hostess at a Greek restaurant (no other plot details given).
HOT ONES: TED LASSO
Thanks to his flavorful dinner at Ollie’s father-in-law’s Indian restaurant (Season One’s “Trent Crimm: The Independent”) we know that Ted can handle spicy food – or at least will unwisely subject his body to unhealthy levels of heat – so why not have Coach Lasso host a spin-off of internet sensation Hot Ones? He may not ask the most provocative questions, andmay instead insist on dabbing his wings in KC BBQ sauce, but you know he’ll finish every last drumstick. As Ted says, it’s not about the wins and losses, it’s just about the wings.
Jumped The Snark 