Could Glen Powell's latest sports comedy Chad Powers become the next Ted Lasso? Here's our take on the same

Eli Manning's wig and prosthetic wearing Chad Powers first went undercover in Penn State University football tryouts, which was filmed for an ESPN skit that blew up on the Internet. Three years later, Glenn Powell adopts Manning's namesake in Hulu's latest sports comedy series, which premiered its first two episodes on September 30, 2025.

In Chad Powers, fresh off the success of Top Gun: Maverick and Hit Man, Glenn Powell plays Russ Holiday, a narcissistic college football quarterback whose career ends after he humiliates himself on national television. After eight years, thanks to his Hollywood makeup artist father and a conveniently placed poster for Mrs Doubtfire, he disguises himself with a wig and prosthetics and stars as a walk-on player for a floundering school football team.

As with any recent sports comedy series, Glenn Powell's latest is bound to have comparisons with Apple TV's critically acclaimed and Emmy-winning sports comedy series Ted Lasso.

The two shows might be based around sports but feature starkly different protagonists and a completely different brand of humor. While it's up to you to decide whether this contrast works for Chad Powers or not, the show is no Ted Lasso.

More on this in our story.

**Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.**

Chad Powers has miles to run before he kicks in Ted Lasso’s league

Chad Powers might feature a similar premise and backstory to the hit Apple TV+ sports comedy series, but it will be a while before Ted Lasso fans warm their hearts to Glen Powell's character.

The first two episodes of Hulu's newest sports comedy series are out. Powers borrows a lot from Jason Sudeikis' show but it cannot fill the Ted Lasso hole in people's hearts yet. The show follows a similar sports trope of a fish out of water but the latest sitcom quickly pivots into absurd territory with Chad's disguise. It will be a while before Powell's comedy series becomes the next Ted Lasso, mainly because both protagonists are playing in different leagues.

The difference in premise

While Ted Lasso was an outsider, an American football coach who was tapped to train a soccer team, Chad Powers is the underdog jock waiting for his second chance. Powell's character is an eccentric and mean football player whose career ended after he disgraced himself on national television. It's quite interesting how the Hulu series places its bet on an arrogant protagonist and expects the audience to root for him.

Ted Lasso's earnest efforts and sincere charm are in sharp contrast to Powers' deceit and trickery, which is where their similarities start. While Jason Sudeikis brought his goofy dad energy to the screen, Glenn Powell's character is absurdly witty, sarcastic and makes jokes at his expense. Liking Powell's character (in comparison to the adorable Ted Lasso) will be a tad difficult for the audience, but who doesn't love a challenge?

Chad Powers thrives on absurd humour

Chad Powers pivots from the familiar Ted Lasso premise and stretches it to absurd territory, channeling Viola Hastings from She's the Man and Daniel Hillard from Mrs. Doubtfire along the way. If you liked the light-hearted and wholesome humour conjured by Ted through his various pep talks and interactions with other characters, the new series might be too outlandish and extravagant for you.

While Ted Lasso's focus on themes like emotional maturity, mental health and personal growth elevated its status from just a comedy series, the absence of such themes in Chad Powers reiterates its genre. The Hulu comedy series is instead a parody, an exaggerated and outrageous brand of comedy, which has its laugh-out-loud humour from depraved humour.

In the first two episodes, Chad Powers emerged as a caricature of a character, hiding behind a fake wig and prosthetics. The presence of his father might introduce an emotional centre to the show but it's too early to dismiss the series on that ground. Powell's comedy timing and natural charisma work in favour of the show, but it will need to move beyond its parody format at some point.

For Hulu's comedy series to attain the Ted Lasso status, it will need to have more humanity and hearty humour, a real character behind the fake disguise, which audiences can actually root for.

The first two episodes of Chad Powers are now streaming on Hulu.

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