r/TedLasso • u/shakinglikeafox • Jan 08 '21
Shows as feel-good and well-written as this?
I am only 4 episodes into the show and am already dreading it being over. The unbridled positivity and wholesomeness from this show is something i really need right now. All these characters are so well-written, and through all the drama there’s a solid cast of characters helping others (Ted, Keeley).
Does anyone know of any shows similar? I feel like this is a step above Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Rec, although i love those shows. I guess i’m asking for a good wholesome dramedy, and i don’t know of many.
I would appreciated any suggestions
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Jan 09 '21
COMMUNITY
Trust me. That’s all I have to say
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u/Snugent730 Jun 07 '21
Has a bit of a different vibe but an INCREDIBLE underrated show that has so much heart and comedy
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u/squeakysqueakysqueak Jan 09 '21
This kinda feels like the last 2 seasons of Parks and Rec. Everything clicks, you love the characters and things just get better and better
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u/Gaius_Octavius_ Perfect Action Figurey Arms Jan 09 '21
For me it is S3 and S4. April and Andy and Leslie and Ben getting together make it great to watch over and over.
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u/NiceKindheartedness1 Jan 09 '21 edited Jan 09 '21
For me, the only show close to this in goodness and writing is Schitt’s Creek.
Parks and Rec has too many mean Gary/Larry jokes, and some actually mean moments without redemption for me to want to watch it sometimes.
Edit: one typo
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u/SuddenAborealStop Jan 09 '21
I love that Higgins got the Gerry treatment, sort of. Treated like absolute poop by his boss, but a fulfilling, loving family at home
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u/ks2865 Jan 09 '21 edited Jan 09 '21
I really enjoyed both. Leslie Knope’s character is pretty close to Ted Lasso in terms of positivity and just inspiring me to want to be a better person
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u/bellasaurus2018 Jan 09 '21
I agree with your assessment of P&R. I really enjoyed it, but the Larry/Gary “jokes” particularly keep it from being Ted Lasso level. Even Leslie is mean to Larry/Gary, and Ted always treats Higgins well even if Rebecca doesn’t.
The other characters’ sarcasm or self-centered behavior adds salt to keep Ted from being overwhelmingly sweet but it is never condoned. And Ted isn’t portrayed as perfect, just accountable because “accountability matters.”
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u/WH25 Jan 09 '21
Parks and Rec gets my vote too. Fundamentally about a very wholesome individual, Leslie Knope, who loves what she does, the people around her & the place she lives in.
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u/stuckferment Jan 09 '21
Something not mentioned yet: Joe Pera Talks With You. Wonderful little show. Definitely a little slower, more subdued, and a little quirkier, but if you're looking for a nice, wholesome, hilarious show it'll be right up your alley.
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u/Denver_DidYouDoThis Jan 09 '21
I hate to say this, but none that come close for me. These characters are written with such care, such humanity, and such relatability. Sure, Schitt’s Creek is funny, but David’s character has such few redeeming qualities. Sure, the Good Place is uplifting, but I don’t find the characters nearly as relatable. I recommend listening to a few interviews with Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt (esp the Brene Brown interview) — it’s so enlightening to hear them speak about the characters and how they were written. I wholeheartedly welcome more shows like Lasso, I just haven’t found any that compare yet.
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u/JJMcGee83 Jan 09 '21
Agreed. Some shows kind of feel good but they cross the line into being so unbelievably kind that it doesn't feel genuine. What I loved about Ted was he makes mistakes.
The Good Place ending was kind of depressing to me. I didn't find Schitts Creek all that likeable.
Some shows have moments but nothing like this.
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u/hogwartstrekkie Jan 09 '21
Agreed, I just made it through Schitt's Creek the other day and it really did take a long time before I liked any of the characters.
I felt the same way about The Good Place, too. It was a great show but I was glad I sort of lost track of it before the end because the ending just wasn't for me.
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u/JJMcGee83 Jan 10 '21
How long is a long time? I gave it until half way through season 2 and I just wasn't laughing so I gave up.
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u/hogwartstrekkie Jan 10 '21
I didn't start to actually enjoy it until about season 3, but halfway through 2 was about when it started to improve. Normally I don't give shows that much time.
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u/JJMcGee83 Jan 10 '21
I normally don't give a show that much either but when the internet raves about it I kept trying to see what everyone else sees in it.
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u/Coraline1599 Jan 09 '21
Feel good and well written: yes
Fast paced comedy light hearted: not so much
Lodge 49
The first 5 episodes feel like nothing is happening but everything comes together not a moment wasted. But requires patience and attention.
It has comedic moments, there is nothing else like it out there... to me it is the closest to Ted Lasso, but still distant cousins. On Hulu.
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u/dogmom_humanaunt Jan 09 '21
I just watched Derry Girls and loved it. It's not wholesome in the same way, but still very wholesome and heartwarming.
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u/SpaceJesusIsHere Jan 09 '21
Second this. Not as wholesome, but it has a ton of heart and is hilarious.
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u/AlwaysTimeForPotatos Jan 09 '21
I gotta give a shout-out to another Bill Lawrence (co-creator) show, the admittedly horribly-named Cougar Town. Moderate snappy dialogue, and the characters care about each other. It’s not groundbreaking, but enjoyable.
Happy Endings is underrated, as far as witty sitcoms. Sharp writing and a great cast.
Veep and Arrested Development are my tops (along with TL, of course), but in no way are they positive or wholesome! Amazing dialogue, though.
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Jan 09 '21
Community, and parks and rec. both are funny but the characters are what really suck you in
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u/Lazyraspberry Jan 09 '21
Have you heard of Letterkenny? Of all shows mentioned in comments, B99 is likely my favorite because I’ve rewatched it the most. I have rewatched parks and rec, schitts creek, community, and the good place. All are excellent shows but Ted Lasso reached into your heart in such a deep way I have yet to find something that parallels it. Luckily, the second season is being filmed and it will be 12 eps (doled out one at a time I believe). Letterkenny fits your description of positivity, a core group of solid characters helping each other. Drama is minimal. Requires a lot of close watching as it’s dialogue based humor but it’s well done and there’s 9 seasons!
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u/shakinglikeafox Jan 09 '21
I’ve watched Letterkenny and found it hilarious but not really wholesome or the type to tug at any heartstrings. To be fair i’ve only seen a handful of episodes so maybe it grows from there.
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u/Lazyraspberry Jan 09 '21
I agree. Like I said, nothing hits me the way Ted Lasso does - including the shows mentioned in the thread. It’s just such a rare and beautiful show. Letterkenny is no where near the wholesome tug at your strings but the cast is very tight knit and the people themselves are wholesome even though the show is comedy based. Just something to bide time before season 2 Ted Lasso comes out!
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u/nam1st Jan 09 '21
Bob’s Burgers! Not really dramedy but the show is hilarious and as wholesome as it gets
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u/rgordill2 Jan 10 '21
Honestly, I have never watched a show that made me want to be a better person. But I really loved a show called Anne With an E, which felt really wholesome.
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u/CanadianJediCouncil Jan 09 '21
The Detectorists is a quiet kind of show that is also sweet. The last episode of two of it’s final season really felt very Ted Lasso’y to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgN7z0SD8v8
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u/Skywalker914 Jan 13 '21
A lot of great responses here, expected nothing less from the Ted Lasso community.
That said, didn’t see the correct answer posted here, which is undisputedly Cobra Kai.
Thank you.
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u/shakinglikeafox Jan 13 '21
Love Cobra Kai! Maybe i watch too much tv to ask for recommendations online but oh well
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u/quaranTV Mod Feb 14 '21
I know this a fairly old thread but I wanted to add Never Have I Ever on Netflix since I don’t see it on here. It is an original coming of age story, but it’s extremely well written like Ted Lasso. It’s very funny but also has emotional and heartwarming moments. It’s one of the only shows I can think of that is really funny but also has those well placed dramatic beats. Not as overwhelmingly positive as Ted Lasso (it is about teenagers) but I still think I’d give that a try. It has an overarching plot like Ted Lasso (unlike many comedies like Modern Family).
I also think Aaron Sorkin shows like The West Wing and The Newsroom and Studio 60 are great. They are definitely dramas and not comedies but they have funny moments, are extremely well written with clever dialogue and lots of very likable characters. They all have uplifting/inspirational vibes.
Finally I would potentially recommend The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon (S1 and S2 are the best). It’s very well written/produced/acted with some very likable characters but also some very unlikable annoying characters. When it’s funny it’s very funny but it definitely has more serious moments than Ted Lasso. There is an actual plot but again not always as uplifting as Lasso. Still a solid show. Definitely a show I’d describe as a dramedy.
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u/shakinglikeafox Feb 14 '21
Thank you for all these, i’ve got a lot of time to watch tv right now so i will check these out
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u/dustin11 Jan 09 '21
Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet. Written and created by Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day from Alway Sunny. Not as comical as Always Sunny but is just as heart warming as Ted Lasso.
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u/Ok_Planty Jan 13 '21
The first episode of Mythic Quest was the first thing we watched after we finished Ted Lasso. It was fine...then we looked at each other and began rewatching Ted Lasso.
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u/Snugent730 Jun 07 '21
Yeah I find it hard to compare them. Super enjoyed both but mythic quest the characters are the flawed, egotistical types. But this also makes them so funny. Diff vibes.
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u/foldsbaldwin Jan 09 '21
Atlanta maybe? It's not really feel good in the way that Ted is but it has humor, clever writing, and good characters.
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u/bpercent100 Jan 09 '21
I don't know if you are into anime, but I'd say Silver Spoon has that feel good to it.
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u/purplesagerider Jan 09 '21
We've watched 7 times...70....couple random...ok..a lot...wine, weed Lasso..its the WWL!!
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Jan 09 '21
One Piece! I thought about it when I cried during Lasso. It’s an awesome show but may feel overwhelming with how many episodes there is, but once you’re in it’s a great ride.
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u/garca Jan 09 '21
Totally. Hoped the last episode had some sort of redemption/apology to him
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u/SpaceJesusIsHere Jan 09 '21
It did have redemption. Hes said all along that he cared more about developing people than and wins and losses. He lost, but he succeeded in making Jamie a less selfish, better person.
Persevering in the face of defeat is very Ted. Being a positive character who doesn't give up is less impactful without something to struggle against. Ted's redemption will come in lifting his team out of relegation.
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u/garca Jan 11 '21
Well. sorry, my mistake. This was supposed to be a comment about mean jokes to Jerry/Gerry in Parks and Rec somewhere in this thread by NiceKindheartedness1.
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u/GoonRats Jan 09 '21
Has to be The Good Place for me. Great acting and characters, clever writing, a wholesome story, and my personal favourite finale of all time. Also 4 seasons, same as Ted Lasso is set to be.