FILM FRENZY

HO HO NO: Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis, center) and Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) offer seasonal cheer while Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) offers a year-round jeer in Ted Lasso (Photos: Warner Bros.)

By Matt Brunson

(This seasonal feature highlights some of the best box sets released in 2025, ones to consider for gift-giving or, better yet, gift-keeping.)

TED LASSO (2020-2023)

Format: 4K Ultra HD

Studio / Distributor: Warner Bros.

The Scope: Three seasons, 34 episodes.

The Scoop: Full disclosure: Ted Lasso initially looked like a hard pass to me. When the Apple TV+ series premiered, the hype was deafening, and it sustained an astonishing level of love (from both critics and audiences) over the majority of its three seasons. The premise sounded doable, but even in these times of sustained American anger and angst at everything everywhere all at once, the prospect of watching some good ole boy perpetually dispensing folksy wisdom and good cheer sounded a bit twee. Color me wrong: Once I caught up with the series (after it had completed its three-season run), I found it to be an absolute delight, and it’s the perfect pick-me-up for the here and now.

Jason Sudeikis plays the title character, a small-time Kansas college football coach who’s hired to take over the reins of an English Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond. Ted arrives in England with his assistant, Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), by his side, only to immediately be labeled a “wanker” by an infuriated public. His hiring makes no sense, but team owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) has her reasons. Against all odds, it’s up to Ted to turn this mediocre outfit into a championship unit, but first he has to win over players like prickly team captain Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) and team narcissist Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster). He receives assistance from cheerful player Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh), self-critical equipment manager Nathan Shelley (Nick Mohammed), anxious director of communications Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift), and Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), a model who is “sort of famous for being almost famous.”

Rich characters (Roy and Keeley are personal faves), sharp and ofttimes hilarious dialogue, compelling situations — what’s not to love? Nominated for 61 Emmy Awards over its three seasons (including at least one nod for each of the nine aforementioned principal players), this earned 11, including two for Outstanding Comedy Series (it was beaten in Season Three by The Bear), two for Sudeikis (Lead Actor) and Goldstein (Supporting Actor), and one for Waddingham (Supporting Actress).

For those who might have missed the news, there will be a Season Four, with practically all of the principal cast returning. The new storyline will find Ted coaching an AFC Richmond women’s team.

Extras: There are no extras.

Retail Price: $99.99. It’s available at www.moviezyng.com for this price; other sites might have it for a couple bucks less, but all are in this range.