What’s Beard Reading? (3.01: “Smells Like Mean Spirit”)
Those who watch Ted Lasso know that books play an important role. Beyond the early episode where Ted selects a book as a gift for each player, to use as inspiration for personal and professional growth, the most prominent way books show up is through Coach Beard’s reading choices. Pretty much every episode, Beard is reading something new.
At the start of this third (and most likely final?) season, I thought it would be fun to document Beard’s books.
Here’s Season 3, episode 1 (“Smells Like Mean Spirit”): Joe McGinnis’s The Miracle Of Castel Di Sangro
As Amazon describes it this is a fitting tale to highlight the magic #tedlasso has always tried to capture, especially so this season as AFC Richmond aims to overcome the odds and take home top prize.
Another blurb calls the book “a modern football fairytale,” which is apropos of Ted Lasso as well.
This episode had a different tone from the last two seasons, more somber and angsty. But Beard’s reading choice (as well as Roy’s positive reflections on Hoosiers after watching it recently for the first time) reminds us that this is all necessary precursor to the finale’s big win.
McGinnis’s The Miracle Of Castel Di Sangro may feel a bit “on the nose,” but Ted Lasso has always unabashedly embraced the formula of the Cinderella story. (Ted’s jokes at the press conference in this first episode underscore the writers’ appreciation of story/comedic structure).
Even still Ted Lasso has resisted falling into a formulaic trap through smart humor, lovably unique characters, & a willingness to subvert expectations in the short term. But I also think the show’s attention to detail (as in Beard’s books) is a crucial element, not to be missed.
Other Installments of “What’s Beard Reading?” (Season 3):
Episode 2, “(I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea”
Episode 7, “The Strings That Bind Us”
Episode 8, “We’ll Never Have Paris”
Episode 9, “La Locker Room Aux Folles”
