LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Jason Sudeikis attends the Emmy special screening of Ted Lasso at The Mayfair Hotel on June 12, 2022 in London, England. Ted Lasso is available to stream on Apple TV+. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Apple)
Movies - TV
Ted Lasso Snuck One Last Cheers Easter Egg Into Season 3’s Finale
By DREW TINNIN
Spoiler Warning!
This story contains spoilers for
Season 3 of “Ted Lasso.”
There have been several clever references to American shows and movies throughout “Ted Lasso,” like Sam and Rebecca’s social media handles being a subtle nod to “You’ve Got Mail.”
The show has also had its share of references to the ’80s sitcom “Cheers” embedded throughout its entire run, making it no wonder that one more would show up at the series’ end.
“Cheers” follows retired relief pitcher Sam Malone and the regulars at his bar, as they talk about life on and off the field, much like Ted, Beard, and the others do at Mae’s pub.
In the series finale of “Cheers,” the final shot sees Malone straighten a framed picture of Geronimo before turning the lights off for the night.
This exact photo of Geronimo is seen at the end of “Ted Lasso” and straightened by Mae in a perfect nod to “Cheers” — and a fitting ending for the football dramedy.
While some criticize the final scene as a rip-off of the ’80s sitcom, “Ted Lasso” has more than enough connections to the series to justify the homage.
Co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis’ uncle is none other than George Wendt, who played the beer-drinking painter often found on the corner barstool, Norm, on “Cheers.”
As the show pays so much reverence to “Cheers,” any potential “Ted Lasso” spinoffs could be seen as yet another reference to the classic sitcom.