‘Ted Lasso’ Returning For Season 4 on Apple TV+

At long last, we cinema enthusiasts have witnessed our collective faith come to fruition! Yep, that’s right – Ted Lasso is making a grand comeback with another enticing season on the small screens of Apple TV+.

2023 saw the spring airing of the beloved and acclaimed sitcom’s final episodes, although it wasn’t explicitly confirmed, the narrative developments hinted at a potential conclusion or a significant transformation for the series. In the finale of Season 3, the endearing American football coach-turned-British soccer manager Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) made his way back home to spend time with his son, leaving AFC Richmond in the capable hands of Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), the grumpy assistant coach who took over the squad during his absence.

Until today, it was unknown if there would be another season of “Ted Lasso”. However, Apple has just released a press statement confirming that the show will indeed return for a fourth season. This new installment will bring back the team responsible for creating the groundbreaking, multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy series, with Jason Sudeikis set to reprise his acclaimed role as coach Ted Lasso.

Sudeikis collaborated on creating the show alongside Bill Lawrence and Brendan Hunt, who is also a part of the cast as Lasso’s assistant, Coach Beard.

In a statement Sudeikis said…

In the fourth season, the people of AFC Richmond find themselves embracing a new approach: ‘Leap first, then look.’ They come to realize that no matter their landing spot, it’s always the place they were destined to end up.

In the first two runs of the show “Ted Lasso,” it bagged the Emmy Award for the top comedy series. However, in a twist, Season 3 missed out to Season 1 of “The Bear.” Following Season 3, there were whispers that “Ted Lasso” might persist without Sudeikis, taking on some sort of an AFC Richmond-centered format.

Instead, we’ll be treated to a complete Season 4 of the sitcom, where it’s yet unknown how Ted will return to England. It’s also uncertain if all the other characters from the show will join him. The series has spawned notable stars such as Brett Goldstein and Hannah Waddingham, who portrays AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton.

10 Canceled TV Shows That Were Supposed to Be Huge

The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993-1994)

If you’re not a dedicated fan of Bruce Campbell or weren’t captivated by steampunk westerns in the ’90s, chances are you’ve never encountered “The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.” This fact would have come as a disappointment to Fox executives who had high hopes for this series, created by the writers of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” Jeffrey Boam and Carlton Cuse (who later became famous for “Lost”). Despite the promising start, the show was short-lived, lasting only one season due to poor ratings. Starring Bruce Campbell as a Harvard-educated lawyer turned bounty hunter in an exaggerated steampunk version of the late 19th-century Wild West, “Brisco County” might not have been a hit, but its energetic theme song was—it was used by NBC for their Olympic coverage between 1996 and 2016.

Undeclared (2001-2002)

Often, when people discuss overlooked TV shows by Judd Apatow, his timeless classic “Freaks and Geeks” is often mentioned first. Following its cancellation, many anticipated that Apatow’s subsequent show, “Undeclared”, would be more successful. Similar to “Freaks and Geeks”, “Undeclared” focuses on a group of teenagers grappling with school and their uncertain futures. Unlike its predecessor, it was set in the contemporary era and centered around college freshmen rather than high school students. The episodes from the first season of “Undeclared” were initially aired out of sequence, which caused frustration for Apatow and confusion among viewers, particularly those familiar with “Freaks and Geeks”‘ ironic similar predicament. Ultimately, the show was canceled due to low ratings. It wasn’t until later DVD releases and a run on IFC 10 years later that the episodes were presented in their correct chronological order.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006-2007)

In a surprising turn of events, it might not have been ideal for Aaron Sorkin to oversee a series about managing a late-night comedy program. While his undeniable talent in television production is unquestionable, the show Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip represents an unusual misstep for him. This high-concept drama series was loosely based on the behind-the-scenes happenings of NBC’s long-running comedy program, Saturday Night Live. Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford played the leading roles as the head writer and producer, respectively, of the fictional show-within-a-show named Studio 60, navigating interpersonal conflicts among cast members, studio officials, and storylines related to current events. The issue with Studio 60 is straightforward: Creating a comedy series doesn’t offer the same level of drama as Sorkin usually presents. Compared to 30 Rock, another show NBC picked up in the same year that also revolves around the people behind a sketch show, Studio 60 was less humorous, more serious, and ultimately failed to capture the essence of the television industry accurately. Consequently, 30 Rock ran for seven seasons, while Studio 60 was terminated after only one.

Flashforward (2009-2010)

In the 2000s, shows similar to “Lost” and “Heroes” were popular, with “Flashforward” being one of its notable counterparts. Unfortunately for “Flashforward,” its plot that jumps through time by depicting a group’s visions of their future, never quite lived up to the long-running multi-season arcs it required due to its cancellation. Originating from Robert J. Sawyer’s 1999 novel, the series premiered with an event where everyone on Earth experiences a glimpse into their lives six months ahead before returning to the present. The first and only season of “Flashforward” ended with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that revealed a flash forward more than two decades into the future; however, since it failed to match the viewership of “Lost,” its conclusion remains unknown.

Pan Am (2011-2012)

Presented as a modern-day equivalent of “Mad Men” in the skies, “Pan Am” aimed to capitalize on the retro nostalgia sparked by its predecessor, establishing its storyline aboard a commercial aircraft at the dawn of the 1960s Jet Age. It was also Margot Robbie’s debut role before her breakout performance in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” The show followed four flight attendants and their pilots on board the Pan Am Clipper Majestic, offering a romanticized portrayal of mid-century air travel that, despite its charm, might have been too sanitized to match the audacity of similar TV shows. Airing on Disney-owned ABC, the show abstained from depicting smoking among its main characters due to concerns about promoting unhealthy behaviors on a family-friendly network, even though it was a common practice during that era. “Pan Am” might have thrived on a more edgy network or one of the emerging streaming services, and it even attempted to secure a spot on Amazon after ABC cancelled it; however, low viewership ratings and a lack of interest ultimately led to the show’s brief run of occasionally engaging jet-setting escapades. If viewers preferred “Mad Men,” they would simply watch “Mad Men.

Limitless (2015-2016)

It’s puzzling why someone believed a TV series spin-off of a moderately successful film that didn’t resonate much post-release would be successful, but they indeed produced an entire season for the television adaptation of the Bradley Cooper movie “Limitless”. The show centers around Brian Finch (Jake McDorman), a struggling musician who is given the miracle drug NZT-48 and its immunity shot by Eddie Morra, the character portrayed by Cooper in the film, who has since become a U.S. senator due to his experimental drug use. Finch harnesses the power of the drug to unleash his cognitive abilities and aid an FBI agent with her investigations by being the smartest person on Earth for 12 hours at a time. Regrettably, “Limitless” didn’t fare well, as it was based on a film with few devoted fans, which doomed the series from the outset.

Swamp Thing (2019)

As a passionate movie critic, I must express my disappointment with the untimely demise of “Swamp Thing.” This series, which debuted on DC Universe and later moved to HBO Max, was a refreshing departure from the flood of superhero comedy-dramas.

Playing the role of Dr. Abby Arcane, Crystal Reed investigates a mysterious illness in her small Deep South town. The titular Swamp Thing, a being made of vines and swamp mud with human origins, also inhabits this bayou. He protects its inhabitants and ruthlessly eliminates its enemies.

The show’s dedication to practical effects, gore, and the guidance of James Wan (known for his work on “Saw,” “Insidious,” and “The Conjuring”) promised a grisly, verdant horror spectacle. Regrettably, the series was abruptly terminated after the release of its first episode, before completing the entire season’s filming.

Rumors suggest that the cancellation was due to financial mismanagement; executives reportedly panicked upon discovering the show’s high production costs. It’s a pity that this promising horror gem never had the chance to fully unfurl its leaves and enthrall audiences with its unique blend of suspense, drama, and creature features.

Cowboy Bebop (2021)

The chasm between the high expectations generated by the live-action Cowboy Bebop remake and the overwhelmingly negative feedback it received from viewers was astonishingly wide. The concept for a live-action Bebop had been brewing since the anime series gained massive popularity in America, but it wasn’t until Netflix took over the project that it finally materialized, with John Cho, Daniella Pineda, and Mustafa Shakir portraying the legendary team of interstellar bounty hunters. Unfortunately, what should have been a guaranteed success turned into a debacle when it was evident on its premiere that Netflix missed the mark in recreating the original’s mood, themes, or the essence of its cool factor, opting for slapstick comedy rather than melancholic jazz fusion space opera. This shift left longtime fans disappointed and failed to attract a new audience. Netflix ultimately canceled the show after only three weeks, attributing the decision to a decline in viewership.

Willow (2022)

It was only a matter of time before someone tried to expand the franchise for “Willow,” a dark fantasy film from the 1980s that had a decent initial reception but never truly became a cult favorite. With Disney+ delving into its Lucasfilm library, this adaptation was bound to happen. The streaming service eventually produced a sequel series, picking up where the movie left off, with Warwick Davis reprising his role as Willow and a new cast for the rest of the characters. The show was well-received and premiered perfectly for the 2022 holiday season, but unfortunately, it was canceled only four months later during a wave of cancellations across various streaming services, including Disney+, as they cut costs by terminating projects and removing already released content from their platforms. At present, there is no legal means to view this show.

The Acolyte (2024)

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my thoughts about the recent episodes of Disney+’s “Star Wars” shows. Unlike the continuous storyline from the movies, the latest addition, “The Acolyte,” is set 100 years before “The Phantom Menace,” in the waning days of the Jedi’s High Republic era. This series follows a Jedi Master as he investigates a baffling crime involving former Padawan twins and the ominous forces of the Dark Side.

While it only ran for eight episodes, the show garnered mixed reactions from fans, with some praising its unique storyline, while others found it less engaging. Despite positive critical acclaim, the series has been subject to review-bombing by users on aggregation websites. This could be attributed to the perceived decline in quality of Disney+’s other “Star Wars” shows, as it seems that a “Star Wars” production these days is more likely to disappoint than impress. Regrettably, the viewership numbers for “The Acolyte” weren’t sufficient to justify creating additional episodes.

2025-03-14 17:26