1/ Ted Lasso is amazing.
I re-watched the pilot episode w/ my Hollywood screenwriter friend.
He explained to me frame-by-frame how quickly the writers make us love Lasso...
...incredibly, it only takes 157 seconds.
Thread 👇👇👇
I re-watched the pilot episode w/ my Hollywood screenwriter friend.
He explained to me frame-by-frame how quickly the writers make us love Lasso...
...incredibly, it only takes 157 seconds.
Thread 👇👇👇
2/ From the get go, the Ted Lasso writing team effectively deploys the classic storytelling technique "show, don't tell".
Instead of Lasso (or other characters) talking about how great of a guy he is, we come to the conclusion based on observing his actions.
Instead of Lasso (or other characters) talking about how great of a guy he is, we come to the conclusion based on observing his actions.
3/ We first see Lasso at the 3:51 mark of the pilot.
And when we do, it's a still photo of him on ESPN's Sportcenter show.
Importantly, it's a HUGE smiling photo that instantly pulls you in...and you spend 28 seconds with the smiling image as Scott Van Pelt speaks.
And when we do, it's a still photo of him on ESPN's Sportcenter show.
Importantly, it's a HUGE smiling photo that instantly pulls you in...and you spend 28 seconds with the smiling image as Scott Van Pelt speaks.
4/ The first action we see Lasso do is a 16-second dance clip with the college football team he coaches.
He's clearly a fun dude and -- crucially -- his players LOVE him.
It's only been 44 seconds, we haven't heard Lasso speak...but we're all thinking "this guy is amazing."
He's clearly a fun dude and -- crucially -- his players LOVE him.
It's only been 44 seconds, we haven't heard Lasso speak...but we're all thinking "this guy is amazing."
5/ Next, we meet real-life Lasso on an airplane.
The 1st test of his character is someone interrupting him while he reads.
The POV is of his book being obstructed.
Think about how pissed you'd be.
Lasso happily engages the guy and gives him a selfie.
Test passed. ✅
The 1st test of his character is someone interrupting him while he reads.
The POV is of his book being obstructed.
Think about how pissed you'd be.
Lasso happily engages the guy and gives him a selfie.
Test passed. ✅
6/ The selfie guy quickly puts Lasso to his 2nd test by telling Lasso he's nuts for taking the soccer coaching job.
Lasso takes the trolling in stride.
Second test passed. ✅
After 90 seconds of screen time, we LOVE this guy.
Lasso takes the trolling in stride.
Second test passed. ✅
After 90 seconds of screen time, we LOVE this guy.
7/ The next interaction Lasso has is with his assistant coach.
It's a friendly, inside-jokey conversation which is capped off by an exploding fist-pound.
Lasso is officially the chillest dude ever.
It's a friendly, inside-jokey conversation which is capped off by an exploding fist-pound.
Lasso is officially the chillest dude ever.
8/ Finally, we wrap up our first 157 seconds with Lasso by finding out he's a family man.
He looks at a photo of his wife and kid...and smiles.
What a guy!
That entire Lasso intro (from Lasso on ESPN to the photo) takes place from 3:51 - 6:28 of the episode.
That's it!
He looks at a photo of his wife and kid...and smiles.
What a guy!
That entire Lasso intro (from Lasso on ESPN to the photo) takes place from 3:51 - 6:28 of the episode.
That's it!
9/ **Cut to the credits**
With so much content, a TV pilot has to nail it (quickly) to keep viewers watching.
Ted Lasso's writers makes us love its main character in only 157 seconds.
And, whenever a "test" comes up through the rest of the season, Lasso's actions "pass" it.
With so much content, a TV pilot has to nail it (quickly) to keep viewers watching.
Ted Lasso's writers makes us love its main character in only 157 seconds.
And, whenever a "test" comes up through the rest of the season, Lasso's actions "pass" it.
10/ If you enjoyed this, def FOLLOW for insights on other things and people we love...
...like Sarah Cooper, who tweeted my article about her a couple months ago:
...like Sarah Cooper, who tweeted my article about her a couple months ago:
https://twitter.com/sarahcpr/status/1273644967647420416?s=20
11/ There's actually more from the pilot.
If this gets enough love, I'll add them to the thread.
If this gets enough love, I'll add them to the thread.
12/ Holy crap, real-life Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) just faved the comments on this thread.
13/ When Lasso lands in the UK, a chaffeur asks if he can carry his bags.
Lasso says he can carry the bags himself.
Again, good dude.
Lasso says he can carry the bags himself.
Again, good dude.
14/ Lasso doesn't like tea.
The team 's owner tells him she doesn't have anything else, so Lasso drinks the tea (which he really doesn't like).
Agreeable guy.
The team 's owner tells him she doesn't have anything else, so Lasso drinks the tea (which he really doesn't like).
Agreeable guy.
15/ Wow.
Had no idea.
The original Ted Lasso pitch (to NBC) was a much more rough-edged character.
Major props to Jason for being able to have such acting range:
Had no idea.
The original Ted Lasso pitch (to NBC) was a much more rough-edged character.
Major props to Jason for being able to have such acting range:
16/ Not sure if this is directly related, but Tim Cook has been very involved in AppleTV programming.
He didn’t want the shows to be “so mean”.
If the kinder Ted Lasso is Cook’s editorial call, wow.
(I’d say “pay this man” but don’t think that’s necessary)
He didn’t want the shows to be “so mean”.
If the kinder Ted Lasso is Cook’s editorial call, wow.
(I’d say “pay this man” but don’t think that’s necessary)
17/ Here's a last Ted Lasso "action".
It's not from the pilot episode, but think for most fans its the most salient example.
It's not from the pilot episode, but think for most fans its the most salient example.
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