Chad Powers: A Unique Twist on College Sports Comedy
Hulu’s upcoming series, Chad Powers, has piqued our curiosity, despite initial skepticism about its concept. The show, inspired by a viral Eli Manning clip, stars 36-year-old Glen Powell as a former college football star who disguises himself with odd prosthetics to rejoin a college team. Through a series of lies and misadventures, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and sportsmanship.
When Comparisons to Ted Lasso Arise
However, it comes with a warning: discussing similarities between Chad Powers and the acclaimed Ted Lasso often ruffles feathers among the creative team. This insight comes from a recent profile by The Hollywood Reporter, highlighting Powell’s charm and the show’s playful banter between producers Eli and Peyton Manning—though notably, discussions about Powell’s football grip take center stage.
Things become tense when writer Tony Maglio raises the subject of Ted Lasso. Neither Glen Powell nor the Mannings are keen to explore the parallels between the two series. This reaction was met with a pointed remark from Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich, who characterized such comparisons as “a narrow view and quite a disservice to both shows.”
Looking Ahead to the Premiere
This tension implies that the creative team anticipates a barrage of questions about Ted Lasso leading up to Chad Powers’ premiere on September 30. The situation is further complicated by ongoing discussions about the revival of Ted Lasso itself. As anticipation builds, audiences can look forward to Powell’s intriguing prosthetics, offering a visual distraction from comparisons with Jason Sudeikis’s character in Ted Lasso.
In the midst of it all, it’s worth noting Powell’s acting prowess. If he can convincingly assert that Eli Manning was a great improviser in the original ESPN+ clip, there’s hope he can navigate the challenging comparisons ahead as well.
