Mon Jun 30 01:40:00 UTC 2025: ## ‘Stick’ Struggles to Replicate ‘Ted Lasso’ Magic with Unlikable Character
**Apple TV+’s** new sports comedy, **”Stick,”** starring Owen Wilson, is drawing comparisons to the streamer’s hit show **”Ted Lasso,”** but it faces a challenge in replicating the charm and redemption arcs that made the latter so successful.
One of the key similarities between the shows is the presence of a naturally talented yet flawed athlete. In “Stick,” this role is filled by **Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager),** a young golf prodigy mirroring Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster) from “Ted Lasso” in his early days. Both characters possess immense skill but are plagued by arrogance and struggle with the mental aspects of their sport. They also share similar backstories rooted in emotionally demanding fathers.
However, “Stick” faces a major hurdle: Santi is proving far less likable than Jamie was in the first season of “Ted Lasso.” Viewers struggle to connect with Santi’s immature behavior, hindering the desire to see him grow and develop.
The situation is further complicated by the lack of a strong redemptive force akin to Keeley Jones in “Ted Lasso.” Zero (Lilli Kay), “Stick’s” equivalent, is a divisive character whose cynical and preachy nature fails to inspire Santi or provide viewers with a reason to root for his improvement.
While “Stick” has found its own audience, topping Apple TV+’s streaming charts, the show’s success hinges on its ability to make Santi a more compelling and relatable character. If “Stick” hopes to achieve a similar impact as “Ted Lasso,” it needs to turn him into a character the audience can root for.
First Piper 