“The gospel according to Ted Lasso”: Behind the scenes of the uplifting show that changed Hollywood – 60 Minutes
The gospel according to Ted Lasso: Behind the Scenes
Bizeconanalysis.com – Originally published on March 13, 2022, this feature has been updated with new insights. “The gospel according to Ted Lasso” tells the story of one of television’s most beloved comedy series. The show follows an American football coach from Kansas who moves to England to manage a professional soccer team despite knowing little about the sport. When it premiered during the early pandemic, audiences and critics embraced it immediately. Over three seasons, the series earned 61 Emmy nominations.
This achievement is especially notable given that the series began as a simple commercial advertisement. The journey of Ted Lasso reshaped Hollywood’s storytelling approach while elevating the careers of its main cast. Our team traveled to London in 2022 to speak with cast members including Jason Sudeikis, who created and portrays the beloved character.
A Philosophy of Kindness
Norah O’Donnell asked Sudeikis whether creating an optimistic, compassionate character was deliberate. He confirmed it was entirely intentional.
To play the character was intentional. To play someone that was kindhearted, that didn’t swear– be like Teflon towards people’s negativity or– or– or sarcasm, 100% intentional.
When O’Donnell noted that kindness can transform people, Sudeikis agreed. He described the show as arriving like a Trojan horse—sometimes absurd, occasionally irreverent, yet always carrying genuine wisdom. The series balanced humor with heartfelt moments, creating something that resonated deeply with viewers worldwide.
From Advertisement to Cultural Touchstone
The series succeeded not just during pandemic uncertainty but by defying conventional expectations. As AFC Richmond’s coach, Sudeikis sees Ted Lasso as representing his best qualities. Both share an insatiable curiosity, a trait Sudeikis connects to a wall inscription he once saw.
I saw this quote by Walt Whitman, it was painted on the wall there and it said, “Be curious, not judgmental.” I like that.
Interestingly, Walt Whitman never actually wrote those words, yet they have become a guiding philosophy for many. Sudeikis recalled his mother’s Chicago parish, Christ the King, where such themes might have been discussed—what he called “the gospel according to Ted Lasso.”
Building Something Unexpected
The show’s success becomes even more remarkable when considering its origins. More than a decade before becoming a cultural phenomenon, Ted Lasso existed as an arrogant commercial character. NBC sports wanted to promote the English Premier League in the United States and reached out to Sudeikis, who was finishing his time on “Saturday Night Live.”
So before you guys created “Ted Lasso,” you were actually best friends.
Sudeikis laughed when asked about his relationship with co-creators Joe Kelly and Brendan Hunt, who have known each other for over twenty years. The trio worked on commercials together before developing the character into a fully realized person. The series explored divorce, mental wellness, and brought a feminine sensibility to a traditionally masculine world.
If anybody claims that they thought this show or knew this show was gonna work, they’re fibbing a little bit. No one was sure.
Producer Bill Lawrence provided essential support, recognizing that Sudeikis understood his character projected optimism while needing emotional care himself.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did “The gospel according to Ted Lasso” first air? The original feature was published on March 13, 2022, on CBS News’ 60 Minutes program.
How many Emmy nominations did the series receive? Over three seasons, the show accumulated 61 Emmy nominations, a remarkable achievement for a comedy series.
What was Ted Lasso’s original purpose? The character began as a commercial advertisement created to promote the English Premier League in the United States.
Who co-created the series with Jason Sudeikis? Joe Kelly and Brendan Hunt co-created the series with Sudeikis, having known each other for over twenty years before working together.