A Valentine's Day Gift

Make no mistake that I care not for the Roman feast known as Lupercalia that took place from February 13-15. Reportedly, Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on February 14 during this feast over the course of his reign that may have led to the martyrdom thanks to the Catholic Church. Chaucer and Shakespeare romanticized the day in their works, and handmade paper cards were the gift of choice during the Middle Ages - something on which Hallmark has since capitalized. Today, though, saw a beautiful gift delivered by Apple TV+ as the return of one of TV's most popular shows was officially announced.

If you haven't seen any episodes of Ted Lasso, now would be the best time to start watching the first two seasons of the iconic Apple-NBC collaboration about the quirky, off-beat soccer coach played by Jason Sudeikis. You can't just jump into this series without knowing about Ted Lasso for whom the series is named, Coach Beard, Nathan Shelly, Leslie Higgins, Jamie Tartt, Roy Kent, Dani Rojas, Rebecca Welton, Sam Obisanya, or Keeley Jones. These characters breathe so much life into the series that one has to start at the beginning to take it all in and experience the growth these characters show on the screen!

The third and final season of the series will officially start on March 15 as per Apple's announcement today, and it seems AFC Richmond is poised for all sorts of drama and comedy based on the teaser released today that should have fans believing in Ted once more.
For those asking, Sudeikis already confirmed at the 2021 Emmy Awards that Season Three will be told over the course of twelve episodes. All of the main characters will be returning for Season Three, and fan favorites Dr. Sarah Fieldstone and Trent Crimm, formerly of the publication "The Independent", would be returning with larger roles in the third season as well. In short, any and all loose ends sound like they'll be tied off quite nicely by the writing team of Bill Lawrence, Sudeikis, and Brendan Hunt.

Sudeikis, it seems, is quite content with the three seasons to which all have committed, but didn't close the door on possibly extending the life of Ted Lasso beyond the final episode of the third season.

"The story that's being told, that three-season arc is one that I see, know, and understood," the former SNL player explained to Entertainment Weekly in June 2021. "I'm glad that they are willing to pay for those three seasons. As far as what happens after that, who knows? I don't know."

It should be noted that there will be two major cast additions as For All Mankind actress Jodi Balfour will portray a character named "Jack" who is described as a "charming venture capitalist," and Girls' Becky Ann Baker will portray Ted's mom during this third season. It should also be noted that the Apple TV+ series secured the rights to be able to show and use the names and logos of real English Premier League teams this season, so expect to see and hear more references to real teams against whom AFC Richmond will take the pitch. Those additions to the sitcom will be front and center in Season Three.

Putting it all together means I am beyong excited for the return of Ted Lasso to my television screen, and whatever plans anyone had for me on March 15 can be cancelled right now. I have enjoyed this series since its debut, and the warmth, honesty, and fantastic storytelling contained within the episodes has made this "must-watch" TV for me. I don't geek out on television shows very often, but I'll re-arrange my schedule to squeeze in an episode of Ted Lasso.

As much as this is a hockey blog that should have a hockey story occupying this space, an announcement regarding a new season of Ted Lasso is something for which I'll gladly bump a hockey story. The new season starts on March 15, and I'll be anxiously awaiting that day for the next month. When people talk of the greatest television shows ever - Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Seinfeld, and all the others - Ted Lasso has certainly earned its place among those shows in this writer's opinion.

When it comes to Valentine's Day, I don't get excited for the observance. It's an over-commercialized day for selling candy, chocolate, and cards, and one should be showing their loved ones the same effort given today on every day. However, an announcement for a new season of Ted Lasso on this day is a Valentine's Day gift I will wholeheartedly support no matter what. Ted Lasso is, in my opinion, that good.

Until next time, "go out like Willie Nelson — on a high!"