Backstage With… Jason Sudeikis and the stars of Ted Lasso
When Ted Lasso first arrived on our screens in the summer of 2020, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
TV audiences who had been through tough experiences in their own lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic – and had also been starved of real football matches while teams were locked down – couldn’t resist the story of the relentlessly optimistic American football coach brought to the UK to train the fictional AFC Richmond.
After charming viewers, the success of the series continued during awards season earlier this year, with Jason Sudeikis, who plays the lead role and co-created the show, going viral for picking up his Golden Globe while wearing a tie-dye hoodie.
Brendan Hunt, Sudeikis and Nick Mohammed star in the series, about an American football coach who comes to the UK to train a London football team
More recently, the series earned 20 Emmy nominations – including a whopping six for supporting cast members – and a second series has just launched.
Sudeikis told Sky News’ Backstage Podcast it was almost straight away that he realised they were on to a winner.
“The show premiered on a Friday and then on Monday we got a call from Apple saying, hey, we want to do a second season,” he says. “In this day and age of no longer having Nielsen ratings or box office earnings showing up on a Monday morning, that was a little bit of a tell.”
But it was the impact the programme had on social media that really brought home to Sudeikis how much it meant to fans, particularly after a speech in episode six given by Ted, which re-purposes a real press conference moment by NBA star Allen Iverson in which he talks about missing practice.
“When that started to permeate, like sort of started to spread around the internet [and] social media culture, that was something that really resonated then,” he says. “Then we started getting messages back and people saying things to us.
“Our more active writers and producers and cast members that are more inclined to using social media, when they started getting certain messages about how much people were enjoying the show and feeling thankful for the show, that was really moving and telling.”
Hannah Waddingham plays Rebecca, AFC Richmond’s owner
Production for the second series began in London in January, marking the first time the cast and crew could mark the success of the show together. However, the strict COVID regulations that productions had to adhere to meant those celebrations were sadly muted.
“We all had to wear masks and we weren’t allowed to hug, so it was sort of anticlimactic,” says Brendan Hunt, another of the show’s creators, who plays the enigmatic Coach Beard.
“It was like going to Christmas with the family but you’re all wearing hazmat suits – it’s hard to open presents!”
Hannah Waddingham, who plays the club’s fabulous owner Rebecca, agrees. “The COVID police, as I called them, were literally… you’d see someone and you’d want to go, ‘Oh my God, what about the show’s success?’ and they’d go ‘no, no, no, stay apart’.
“I desperately wanted to give Nick Mohammed a squeeze, playing Nate, or just rub his cheeks or something because he’s so brilliant in it, and you just couldn’t get anywhere near anyone. And it continued like that for the whole of season two.”
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For Sudeikis – who is often asked about where he ends and Ted Lasso begins – the reaction from fans to the show, and the character, has been welcome.
“It’s actually been really, really nice getting back here to the States, Brooklyn specifically, and walking around, going to see the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays and having, you know, fathers and sons, when I’m there with my son, stop and asking for photos.
“And, you know, I always said yes before, but I don’t feel pressured to do it now – I just feel like I like what they’re stopping for. And the messages that they exchange of appreciation and really caring about this show has been really cool.”
The second series of Ted Lasso is streaming on Apple TV Plus. Hear our review on this week’s episode of Backstage, the film and TV podcast from Sky News.
Entertainment
Phillip Schofield: Ex-This Morning star Dr Ranj Singh criticises ‘toxic culture’ at ITV show and claims he was ‘managed out’
Former This Morning star Dr Ranj Singh has spoken out in the wake of the Phillip Schofield controversy and hit out at the “toxic culture” at the ITV daytime show.
He claimed he was “managed out” after taking his concerns to Emma Gormley, the head of ITV Daytime.
“I was on the show for 10 years and I genuinely loved and valued working there,” he said in a post on Twitter.
“However, over time I grew increasingly worried about things were behind the scenes and how people including myself, were being treated.
“I didn’t know the truth about what was going on with Philip [sic], but I do know the issues with TM [This Morning] go far beyond him. It takes more than one person to create a culture.”
Dr Ranj said he “did what I thought was right” and made a complaint about This Morning editor Martin Frizell’s behaviour, adding “especially given that my job is to look after people’s wellbeing and I had been heavily involved in diversity, anti-bullying and mental health projects across the channel”.
“I then found myself being used less and less,” he said.
“I even took my concerns directly to the top of ITV: the culture at This Morning had become toxic, no longer aligned with ITV values, and I felt like because I whistle-blew I was managed out.
“But as history and experience have taught us, things like bullying and discrimination are very hard to prove, particularly in hindsight and when the ‘people in power’ control the narrative. As we’ve seen, no review or investigation is foolproof.
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‘No mistakes’ were made says ITV boss
“I haven’t worked on the show since… and I’m not the only one who has spoken up or experienced similar,” he added.
“That was two years ago and, frankly, it still hurts. The whole process was pretty heart-breaking and even affected my mental health. But I’m happy to say I’ve found my feet again, know my worth and have found my tribe.
He continued: “There are some good people in TV, but we need to be brave and stand up to those who aren’t. Even if it’s scary as hell, we have to do the right thing otherwise nothing will change. I sincerely hope something good comes from all this.”
He also added in the post’s caption that “there is so much more” he could say.
An ITV spokesperson earlier confirmed to Sky News they carried out an external review following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, and it “found no evidence to support the complaint of bullying”.
It comes as ITV confirmed that Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will present the show tomorrow after days of significant revelations about ex-presenter Phillip Schofield’s behaviour and the culture on set.
Last Saturday, Phillip Schofield announced he would be leaving This Morning after 20 years at the helm following reports his relationship with co-host Holly Willoughby had become strained.
Less than a week later, Schofield released a statement admitting an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a “much younger man” and announced he was stepping down from ITV completely.
He also admitted he lied about the affair to ITV bosses, his agents and the media, resulting in the channel saying the were “deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit” and the management company YMU Group dropping him.
ITV confirmed on Saturday they had investigated “rumours of a relationship” but the pair repeatedly denied the affair.
Ms Willoughby said the admission was “very hurtful” while other TV personalities including Eamonn Holmes and Andrea Catherwood hit out at ITV executives.
Entertainment
Phillip Schofield: ITV responds to reports This Morning could be axed – as boss denies mistakes in broadcaster’s investigation
An ITV boss has denied mistakes were made in the broadcaster’s investigation into rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and a younger male employee.
Kevin Lygo, director of television at ITV, was approached by Sky News following questions over what bosses knew about Schofield’s conduct.
ITV said it investigated “rumours of a relationship” in 2020 but both Schofield and the employee “repeatedly denied” the affair.
Speaking on Sunday, Lygo declined to comment further, telling Sky News: “Honestly, we’ve made a statement today, yesterday. I think it’s all clear.”
Asked if mistakes were made in the 2020 investigation, he replied: “No.”
ITV has said there are no plans to axe its flagship This Morning show following reports it could be taken off air in the wake of the Schofield controversy.
The veteran TV presenter, 61, quit the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency after admitting he lied about an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a young male colleague who worked on the programme.
Rumours of the relationship had first begun to circulate in 2020.
Denying reports in Sunday’s newspapers about the future of This Morning, an ITV spokesperson said: “As we said on the record yesterday, This Morning is not under review and there’s no plans for the show to be axed.
“This Morning will return as normal tomorrow.”
Read more:
Holly Willoughby accuses Schofield of lying to her
Schofield leaves This Morning after more than 20 years
Timeline of departure and rumours of rift with co-host Holly
Statements from presenter and his agents in full
TV presenter Phillip Schofield with his then co-host Holly Willoughby on This Morning
It comes after presenter Holly Willoughby spoke of her hurt after finding out that her former co-host had lied to her about his affair.
Writing on Instagram, she said: “When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
“It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.”
Analysis:
Admission should kill off career – but will star pals stand by him?
Schofield ‘deeply sorry’
In a statement on Friday, Schofield said he was “deeply sorry” for lying about the relationship.
It is understood the younger colleague, who is not a public figure, did not want the relationship to be made public.
The affair took place before Schofield came out as gay in 2020, and while he was still married to his wife, Stephanie Lowe.
In a damning statement, his former agents YMU Group said “honesty and integrity” were core values of their business and that their relationships are “based entirely on trust”.
Schofield, 61, left This Morning last week, amid reports his long-term friendship with Willoughby had come under strain.
Rumours of behind-the-scenes problems between the pair surfaced after his brother Tim Schofield was convicted of child sex offences.
Willoughby is expected to return to This Morning on 5 June.
Entertainment
Holly Willoughby says Phillip Schofield ‘directly’ lied to her over affair with younger colleague
Holly Willoughby has said Phillip Schofield lied to her about his affair with a much younger male colleague.
Speaking for the first time since Schofield admitted having an “unwise, but not illegal” affair, his former This Morning co-presenter wrote on Instagram: “It has taken time to process yesterday’s news.
“When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
“It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.”
On Friday, the veteran broadcaster quit ITV and admitted to having an affair with a colleague who worked on This Morning. Rumours of the relationship had first begun to circulate in 2020.
ITV said it had investigated – but both Schofield and the employee “repeatedly denied” the affair.
The broadcaster was forced to issue the statement after questions were raised over what network bosses knew about Schofield’s conduct.
Fellow former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes had said Schofield was “not the only guilty party” and claimed top management “knew what sort of man he was”.
Questions had also been raised about what his co-host, Ms Willoughby knew, something she has now hit back at with her statement.
Schofield, 61, left This Morning last week, amid reports his long-term friendship with Willoughby had come under strain.
The two have been open about their close friendship over the years, including sharing pictures on social media of them while on joint holidays with their families.
Holly made a statement via Instagram Stories. (Pic: Instagram)
What ITV said
In response to mounting pressure on the broadcaster, an ITV spokesperson said: “Further to our statement last night, ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated.
“Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip’s then agency YMU.
Analysis:
Admission should kill off his career – but will his star pals stand by him?
“In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour.
“Phillip’s statement yesterday reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship.”
Phillip Schofield in 2021
Schofield ‘deeply sorry’ for lying
In a statement on Friday, Schofield said he was “deeply sorry” for lying about the relationship.
It is understood the younger colleague, who is not a public figure, did not want the relationship to be made public.
The affair took place before Mr Schofield publicly came out as gay in 2020, and while he was still married to his wife Stephanie Lowe.
Read more:
Schofield leaves This Morning after more than 20 years
Timeline of departure and rumours of rift with co-host Holly
Statements from presenter and his agents in full
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Dermot O’Leary asked about Phillip Schofield
In a damning statement, his former agents YMU Group said “honesty and integrity” were core values of their business and that their relationships are “based entirely on trust”.
They have since parted ways with Schofield.
Willoughby is set to return to This Morning on 5 June.
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