Just signed up for Apple TV+? Watch ‘Ted Lasso’ first
Just signed up for Apple TV+? Watch ‘Ted Lasso’ first
Apple TV+ has plenty of comedies, but none hit like Ted’s mix of warmth, heart, and optimism.
Just signed up for Apple TV+ and wondering where the best place to start is for something light and funny? I have the answer. The platform has quietly become a comedy goldmine, but the one show that still stands above the rest is “Ted Lasso.” I’ve seen every episode (multiple times), and if you’re looking for something that’s funny, heartfelt, and totally worth your time, this is it. On paper, it’s a sports comedy. In practice, it’s one of the warmest, most optimistic shows streaming anywhere. For me, it’s the best intro to what Apple TV+ does best with its comedies: feel-good stories with real emotional weight, strong characters, and a whole lot of heart.
Top comedy TV show to stream first when you sign up for Apple TV+
Why ‘Ted Lasso’ is the must-watch comedy on Apple TV+
My wife and I have seen every episode of “Ted Lasso,” and it’s the best feel-good comedy of the last decade. The setup is absurd: an American college football coach gets hired to manage a struggling British soccer team, despite having zero knowledge of the sport. Jason Sudeikis plays Ted with such warmth and sincerity, you’re instantly rooting for him, even when he’s hilariously out of his depth. Whether he’s handing out homemade biscuits or misusing soccer lingo, you can feel the sincerity behind every joke.
For me, what really makes this show special is how it blends humor with heart in a way that never feels cheesy. Sure, it’s funny, but there’s also a quiet vulnerability that runs through every episode. Ted isn’t just a cheerful coach. He’s dealing with his own trauma and trying to lead with empathy in a world that doesn’t always reward it. That mix of optimism and personal struggle creates something that feels truly human. The show leans into its characters’ emotional lives in a way that makes every laugh and every heartfelt moment feel really earned.
It didn’t take long for “Ted Lasso” to become a full-blown phenomenon. When it dropped in 2020, it gave Apple TV+ a huge boost, and the show even broke records with its Emmy nominations. It’s the kind of series that people kept coming back to, not just because it’s funny, but because, with the world as it currently stands, this show makes you feel better. And it holds up across all three seasons. Even when the show takes on heavier topics like mental health, it never loses that uplifting energy that made it so awesome in the first place.
Another reason to start here? The rewatch value is through the roof. “Ted Lasso” has this timeless quality that makes it easy to come back to whenever you need a pick-me-up. It’s still Apple TV+’s most-watched comedy for a reason. And now, with Season 4 officially in the works, there’s even more to look forward to. The new season will follow Ted as he takes on a second-division women’s football team, and it sounds like we’re in for more fish-out-of-water chaos, plenty of heart, and maybe a few new biscuits. If you want a show that captures everything great about Apple TV+, this is where to start.
Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso, an American football coach, moves to England when he’s hired to manage a soccer team—despite having no experience. With cynical players and a doubtful town, will he get them to see the Ted Lasso Way?
What is ‘Ted Lasso’ about?
“Ted Lasso” kicks off with a pretty wild premise: a small-time American football coach gets hired to manage an English Premier League team. He doesn’t know the rules, doesn’t know the players, and (unbeknownst to him) he’s actually been set up to fail by the team’s owner. But Ted doesn’t do failure. He shows up with shortbread cookies, dad jokes, and a relentless belief in people, and before long, that energy starts to shift the entire club.
What starts out as a feel-good sports comedy quickly reveals a lot more depth. The show explores themes like divorce, anxiety, and loss, but always with heart and humor. Ted’s panic attacks are a major part of the story, and other characters go on their own journeys with therapy, grief, and personal growth. But it never feels heavy for the sake of being heavy. Even when it dives into tough territory, it always circles back to hope. That’s what makes it such a powerful watch… it leaves you better than it found you.
Other must-stream comedy shows on Apple TV+
If you’re looking for more standout comedies on Apple TV+, there are three shows you’ve got to check out. “The Studio” takes aim at Hollywood chaos with Seth Rogen as a clueless studio head trying to survive a minefield of egos, disasters, and corporate nonsense. Then there’s “Stick,” where Owen Wilson plays a washed-up golfer coaching a teen prodigy. It’s equal parts sports story and emotional reset, with the kind of underdog energy that’ll feel familiar if you loved Ted. And “Shrinking” is all about grief, honesty, and breaking the rules. Jason Segel and Harrison Ford are hilarious and surprisingly moving in a therapy dramedy that balances jokes with real emotional depth. Each one brings a different vibe, but they all have that same mix of humor and heart that makes “Ted Lasso” so special.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.