The fourth season premiere of the hit series “Ted Lasso” has received a polarized reception from critics. Writing for Forbes, Hannah Abraham expressed disappointment, noting that “Zero of Ted Lasso’s existing audience signed up to watch a middle aged man have a mid-life crisis in Kansas City, Missouri.” She further remarked that the episode lacked focus on football, stating, “Incredibly little of the episode’s forty-plus minutes was about football, and in a way it’s reflective of what Ted’s life has become, but come on.” TV Line’s Ryan Schwartz echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the 45-minute runtime felt like “unnecessary table-setting.”
Despite the critical hesitation, the episode functions as a heartfelt tribute from co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis to his hometown. For local viewers, the premiere is dense with regional landmarks and subtle nods to Kansas City culture. Early in the episode, Ted encounters a former Wichita State player working as a grocery store manager, who references a mule stolen from Central Missouri. The store itself, “Fowch’s Fine Foods,” serves as a callback to a previous episode featuring Ted’s schoolmate, Ronnie Fowch.
The production team meticulously integrated local geography into the narrative. Ted visits his son’s school, Daniel Manning Elementary—a nod to the former KU basketball star—and takes his English colleagues to the iconic Gates Bar-B-Q. The scene features Nedra Dixon, known for her work with the KC Rep and Lyric Opera KC, delivering the restaurant’s signature greeting. The show also leans into the long-standing confusion surrounding the city’s state borders, with characters frequently debating whether they are in Kansas or Missouri.
This geographic ambiguity becomes a recurring joke. When Keely remarks that everything in Kansas feels “cushy,” she is corrected by Ted’s mother, who clarifies they are in Missouri. When Rebecca asks how many cities exist within the city, Ted, his mother, and his ex-wife reply in unison: “Two.” This exchange mirrors a classic joke from the show’s original NBC promotional material. During a soccer match at Swope Soccer Village, a player substitution introduces a character named “Besler,” a clear reference to former Sporting KC star Matt Besler.
The episode continues to layer in local references, including a scene where Keely and Rebecca visit the Plaza to find a fictional store called “Dazzle Me Moi,” which includes a nod to Taylor Swift. The store owner is portrayed by Suzanne Cryer, known for her appearance in the “Yada Yada Yada” episode of “Seinfeld.” Meanwhile, Higgins attempts to visit the American Jazz Museum, only to find it booked for a private bar mitzvah rumored to host celebrities like Janelle Monáe, Ariana Grande, and Bruno Mars. Monáe’s inclusion is a nod to her roots in Kansas City, Kansas.
Higgins also spends significant time at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, where actor Milan Carter performs. The episode concludes with several more local touches, such as a patron at a yard sale wearing the popular upside-down Kansas City hat popularized by Taylor Webb, and a book about the Kansas men’s basketball team appearing in a scene with Ted. These details collectively transform the season opener into a comprehensive, if occasionally slow-paced, celebration of the city.
TV Line’s Ryan Schwartz wrote: “With a runtime of roughly 45 minutes, there are stretches where the premiere feels like unnecessary table-setting.” Others enjoyed the episode, and I suspect people in Kansas City will lov
That’s because the kickoff to Season 4 is a love letter from co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis to Kansas City.
It’s confusing, I know.” When Ted looks into his son’s messy bedroom, a Sporting KC “Paint The Wall” banner is visible.
Some of the reviews for episode one of the fourth season of “Ted Lasso” weren’t all that kind.
From the sights and sounds to the Easter eggs, the first episode packs in all kinds of Kansas City goodness.
Here are just some of the things I noted.
The player notes proudly: “You forgot about that mule I stole from Central Missouri.” We got that Easter egg early in the episode.
During the World Cup, visiting teams that had a base camp here struggled with knowing whether they were in Kansas or Missouri.
Ted corrects her: “Well actually, we’re in Missouri right now.
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