Apple TV+ seeks to establish a successor to Ted Lasso with its sports comedy Stick, trading soccer for golf and Jason Sudeikis for Owen Wilson.

Even with these alterations, Stick frequently appears to be designed to mirror Ted Lasso closely. Both series center around a coach who excels at delivering life lessons but has much to learn himself. They also tackle mental health and grief, emphasizing the importance of community in overcoming difficulties. In this respect, Stick shares similarities with Shrinking.

Stick, crafted by Jason Keller, even presents its own interpretations of Ted Lasso’s memorable moments. A high-stakes golf wager between rivals reflects Ted’s darts contest against Rupert Mannion, while advice about moving on from a previous golf shot resonates with Ted’s “be a goldfish” mantra. Despite these overt similarities, Stick’s appeal is unmistakable, primarily thanks to Wilson’s standout performance.

What is Stick about?

Wilson plays Pryce “Stick” Cahill, a former professional golfer whose viral outburst at a pivotal tournament derailed his career. Now employed at an Indiana golf center, Pryce is nearing rock bottom. He is also squatting in the home he once shared with his ex-wife, Amber-Linn (Judy Greer), who is attempting to sell it. Despite his situation, Pryce remains cheerful and likable, traits that come in handy when he and his cantankerous caddy, Mitts (Marc Maron), occasionally hustle for extra money.

Though comparisons to Sudeikis’ Ted Lasso are unavoidable, Wilson carves out his own space in the “affectionate Apple TV+ coach” role. Pryce’s enthusiasm and past failures lead others to perceive him as a clumsy fool, and he is conscious of this (and often makes use of it). This clever aspect of Wilson’s portrayal enriches Pryce, positioning him as both a cunning schemer and a supportive guide to an aspiring golfer.

That golfer is Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager), a 17-year-old prodigy who has a complicated relationship with golf due to his absentee father. While gifted, he requires formal coaching, and Pryce is ready to allocate his limited resources to him. This risky endeavor could be precisely what Pryce needs to find his footing once more.

Like Ted Lasso, Stick boasts a delightful cast.

Pryce and Santi journey across the U.S. to participate in amateur tournaments, alongside Mitts and Santi’s mother, Elena (Mariana Treviño), as well as Zero (Lilli Kay), a wanderer who develops a strong connection — potentially more — with Santi.

This group forms an endearing ensemble: Treviño’s Elena is both affectionate and passionate in her support of Santi, while Maron’s gruff performance as Mitts provides a striking contrast. Dager and Kay make the burgeoning romance between Santi and Zero charming, grounding it in the struggles that shape their characters’ issues with trust.

At the story’s core is the evolving relationship between Pryce and Santi, which swiftly transcends golf. Santi’s father is absent, while Pryce experienced the loss of his son at a young age. As Stick delves into their surrogate father-son connection, Wilson and Dager’s emotional openness provides a robust foundation for the show’s exploration of grief. Stick also humorously examines the generational divide between Pryce and Santi, offering lighter moments amid deeper themes.

Regrettably, not all generational humor lands successfully, particularly a “Who’s on First?”-style joke regarding Zero’s pronouns. These jokes often hinge on clichéd Gen Z versus Gen X stereotypes. The show’s humor and conflict are most effective when characters poke fun at each other’s particular traits, such as Pryce’s gambling addiction or Elena’s indulgence of her dogs, instead of broad generational stereotypes.

Stick makes one significant casting misstep.

The show’s principal flaw lies in its underutilization of Judy Greer, who plays Pryce’s ex-wife. Amber-Linn is largely sidelined, primarily serving as a reminder of Pryce’s failures or offering praise when he succeeds. This is a disservice to Greer, whose comedic abilities shine in shows like Arrested Development and Archer, yet she frequently finds herself in wife or mother roles. In a series where the remainder of the ensemble gets to shine, why not allow Greer the same chance? There’s always hope for Season 2.

Despite Stick’s shortcomings concerning Greer, the series presents a heartwarming narrative about found family that even converted me, a golf skeptic, into caring about the sport. But just as Ted Lasso wasn’t solely about soccer, Stick isn’t focused only on golf. As Mitts tells Pryce, his mentorship of Santi is “not about golf. It’s about all the stuff you never dealt with.”

While this may not be uncharted territory for Stick (the influence of Ted Lasso is palpable), the show thoughtfully examines grief and mental health, using golf as a metaphor for how Pryce, Santi, and their friends navigate challenging times.

As recognizable as these themes are, they provide a