Awards are cool, sure. But have you ever received a shout-out in an episode of Ted Lasso?
If you think football is life, frequently crave biscuits, try to be a goldfish when times get tough, and believe in “Believe,” you’ll likely agree that being referenced in the wholesome sports comedy is one of the highest honors a person can receive.
Like Season 1 of Ted Lasso, Season 2, which started streaming on Apple TV+ July 23, is packed with witty jokes and pop culture references galore. Ted and his Richmond crew love to name drop celebrities, bands, authors, and other noteworthy figures. And because the show is so good, sometimes those celebrities just can’t help but gush over their shout-outs.
Here are a few familiar faces who’ve already responded to their mentions in Ted Lasso Season 2.
1. Lin-Manuel Miranda
This exchange between Coach Lasso and Coach Beard was stunning. But isn’t it even better knowing that at the end of the day even Miranda — an actor, singer, songwriter, rapper, producer, playwright, and so on — knows that football is life? You love to see it.
2. Reba McEntire
Thanks to Ted, Roy Kent used the alias “Reba McEntire” to pick up his Richmond tickets. Reba (aka Red Lasso) shared on Twitter that she couldn’t believe her ears when she heard her name in Season 2, Episode 5, and since then, Ted assured her that if she ever wants to attend a game she can pick her tickets up under the name “Roy Kent.” Adorable.
3. Pearl Jam
Not even the great Pearl Jam could resist getting into the Ted Lasso spirit. You have to admit: That’s inspiring.
4. Drew Barrymore
What’s better than watching Ted Lasso’s speech about believing in rom-communism? Watching rom-com icon Drew Barrymore watch Ted’s rom-communism speech and scream over her shout-out, of course.
5. Diane Sawyer
Seeing legendary broadcast news journalist Diane Sawyer tweet for the first time in over a year to shoot her shot with Ted Lasso? We ship.
6. Brené Brown
Brené Brown, like any true Ted Lasso fan would be, was perfectly cool and chill when she learned about her Season 2 shout-out. No big deal. Nothing to see here, right Coach Beard?
7. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
And of course, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney went to great lengths to respond to their Ted Lasso joke. To recap: Higgins told Rebecca he’d just received a call from AFC Wrexham’s new owners, “showbix magnates,” Reynolds and McElhenney.
“I can’t tell if them buying the club is a joke or not,” Higgins concluded.
For context, the actors and friends co-own the Welsh football club under the company “RR McReynolds,” and per a very official looking letter, they requested that Ted Lasso cease and desist from casting doubt on their ownership. In said letter they also referenced another popular Apple TV+ comedy (Mythic Quest, in which McElhenney stars) and threatened to take legal action if they didn’t receive two large boxes of Ted’s biscuits in a timely manner.
As you would imagine, Ted delivered.
Fans are introduced to a new batch of sharp jokes and pop culture references with each new episode of Ted Lasso. Some are glaringly obvious, while others are extremely subtle. But the special few that reach the eyes of the sources who inspired them are perhaps some of the greatest.
We’ll be sure to update the list with any future celebrity responses.
The first six episodes of Ted Lasso Season 2 are now streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes every Friday.
