Actor Jason Sudeikis revealed how the kindness and optimism of his comic creation Ted Lasso was inspired by Donald Trump.
It happened in 2015 when Sudeikis wondered where he should go with his career and whether he should revive the American transplant he had portrayed in short skits two years earlier.
The first incarnation was more “warlike” Sudeikis told the guard over the weekend. But times have changed.
“It was the culture we lived in,” the actor added. “I’m not very active online and it actually affected me.” Then Donald Trump comes down the escalator.
“I was like, ‘Okay, that’s silly,’ and then what he unleashed in people … I hated that people wouldn’t listen to each other.”
The series finale of “Ted Lasso” begins on Wednesday, May 31st.
Actor Jason Sudeikis revealed over the weekend how his comic creation Ted Lasso was given his signature kindness
Trump announced his 2016 campaign after riding down the golden elevator in Trump Tower in 2015. Sudeikis said that’s when he realized he wanted to make Lasso friendlier
Sudeikis continued, “Things got very binary and I don’t think the world works that way.” And as new parents — we had our son Otis in 2014 — I thought, “Boy, I don’t want to add anything to that.”
“Yeah, I just didn’t want to portray it.”
All cynicism has been removed from the Apple+ character. And the result was a warm-hearted, naïve coach recruited from college football to manage the Richmond AFC English football team.
US audiences and captivated UK viewers
The series is nearing the end of its third season, which Sudeikis says will be the final season, although he doesn’t rule out spin-offs.
He said he hopes it will leave a lasting legacy.
“Richmond is metaphorically like a form of utopia,” he said. “And yet the fact must be taken into account that not everything else outside of this utopia is utopian.” And how would you deal with these conflicts?
“Since 2015 when we first thought, ‘What is this thing?’” I just knew inside that this guy was real. He’s complicated. He’s not perfect. He goes through things. But he is. He’s actually nice.’
Lasso’s battle with his mental health even led to the cast members being invited to the White House. Other members of the cast said they freaked out, but Sudeikis took it easy.
Sudeikis in the briefing room in March when the cast visited the White House
“I’ve been in a fake Oval Office a few times,” Sudeikis said, “so a little part of me is flabbergasted by it and just holds it all together.”
“And I met the President when he was Vice President and he’s a very warm guy.” It’s like meeting a good friend’s father or a young friend’s grandfather.
“It just makes you feel like home, and that home happened to be the White House that afternoon.”
