In recent times, Glen Powell has gained significant recognition as a film star. This designation is well-earned, as Powell has established himself as a reliable leading man since his breakthrough performance in *Top Gun: Maverick*. He proved that successful box office romantic comedies are still achievable with *Anyone But You*, exhibited his Texas charm in *Twisters*, and demonstrated a broad spectrum of characters in *Hit Man*.
Yet, Powell’s admirers are aware that he is capable of much more than merely portraying the charming lead. He excels in comedic roles, showcased in his earlier television appearance as Chad Radwell in *Scream Queens*. This character, a funny and lovable fraternity brother, emphasized Powell’s knack for wholly engaging in a comedic part, leveraging his looks and fraternity background to great effect.
Powell’s comedic skills are again on display in his latest television series *Chad Powers*, where he embodies another humorous character by the same name. This role illustrates that Powell is not just a movie star but also a comedic talent.
*Chad Powers* adopts a formula akin to *Ted Lasso*, broadening a comedic sports segment into an emotional narrative. While *Ted Lasso* stemmed from a commercial for NBC’s Premier League coverage, *Chad Powers* draws inspiration from an episode of Eli Manning’s docuseries *Eli’s Places*. In this episode, Manning, in disguise as Chad Powers, goes undercover at Penn State’s walk-on auditions. Co-created by Powell and Michael Waldron (*Loki*), *Chad Powers* delves into the story of a man at his lowest embracing the Chad Powers identity.
The show introduces Russ Holliday (Powell), a former quarterback prospect for the University of Oregon who made a fateful error in a championship game. Years later, Russ remains haunted by his notorious breakdown. Upon discovering tryouts for a new quarterback at the struggling University of South Georgia Catfish, he sees an opportunity for redemption. Thus, Chad Powers comes to life.
Powell’s portrayal in *Chad Powers* recalls his nuanced performance in *Hit Man*, where he navigates multiple identities. As Russ, Powell depicts a man weighed down by failure, while as Chad, he takes on a more exaggerated and humorous role. Chad’s voice, reminiscent of Channing Tatum’s “My name is Jeff” from *22 Jump Street*, serves as a consistent comedic element throughout the series.
The humor also includes Chad’s improvised backstory, filled with ludicrous anecdotes. Despite the potential for being discovered, Russ is drawn to the excitement of performing as someone else. Powell deftly balances this duality.
*Chad Powers* investigates themes of redemption and showcases Powell’s comedic talent. The series also emphasizes the transformative aspect of prosthetics, nodding to Powell’s experiences in films like *Hit Man*. The prosthetics evolve into a character on their own, propelling the storyline and adding a layer of absurdity to Russ’s plan.
The blend of football and film makeup in *Chad Powers* reflects Powell’s varied skills as an actor and sports enthusiast. Though the series has only six episodes, it features an appealing cast, including Steve Zahn as the Catfish coach, Perry Mattfeld as his driven daughter, and Frankie A. Rodriguez as Russ’s confidant.
While the brief format limits character exploration, it establishes a foundation for a delightful sports comedy anchored by Powell’s performance. The series accentuates Powell’s comedic capabilities, indicating he would be an ideal candidate for hosting *Saturday Night Live*. *Chad Powers* debuts on Hulu on Sept. 30, with new episodes released every Tuesday.