CUPERTINO, Calif. – Apple TV+ aims to strike gold again with its latest comedy series, Stick, premiering tonight, as it seeks to replicate the success of the beloved Ted Lasso.
Immediate Impact
Apple TV+’s newest offering, Stick, debuts at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT with its first three episodes available for streaming. The series, starring Owen Wilson in a role reminiscent of Ted Lasso, is Apple’s latest attempt to capture the charm and success of its earlier hit.
Key Details Emerge
In Stick, Wilson plays Pryce Cahill, a former pro golfer turned coach, who invests his future in a young golf prodigy. The show mirrors Ted Lasso in its warmhearted approach and focus on personal growth amidst challenges.
Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago. After the collapse of his marriage and getting fired from his job at an Indiana sporting goods store, Pryce hedges his bets, and future, entirely on a troubled 17-year-old golf phenom named Santi (Peter Dager).
Industry Response
Early reviews suggest Stick shares many qualities with Ted Lasso, including its ability to charm audiences despite some predictable plot elements.
Rolling Stone: “If Stick is derivative — not just of Ted Lasso, but of underdog sports movies and shows in general — it’s also not without its charms, starting with its leading man.”
TV Insider: “While many of the more predictable twists and inevitable road bumps merit an eye roll or two, there’s no way you won’t root for this ad hoc family.”
Exclaim!: “Fans of [Owen Wilson’s] fast-talking style will be rewarded with laughs, but it’s the vulnerability of the character that draws us in and keep us invested.”
Background Context
Apple TV+ has been searching for a successor to Ted Lasso, which became a cultural phenomenon during the pandemic. Severance has since taken the crown as Apple’s most popular series, but the company hopes Stick will resonate with audiences seeking feel-good content.
Expert Analysis
While Stick draws many parallels to Ted Lasso, experts suggest the show faces an uphill battle in matching the latter’s impact. The original series benefited from its timely release during a period when audiences craved uplifting narratives.
“Stick might be the ‘new’ Ted Lasso for Apple TV+, but it will take a lot for it to truly become the ‘next’ Lasso,” noted a television critic.
What Comes Next
As Stick rolls out weekly episodes following its premiere, viewers will have the opportunity to see if the series can carve out its own niche in the streaming landscape. Apple TV+ continues to expand its content library, offering subscriptions for $9.99 per month, which includes access to other hits like The Morning Show and Shrinking.
The success of Stick could influence future programming decisions at Apple TV+, as the platform looks to solidify its position in the competitive streaming market.
