Yesterday, the Ted Lasso cast stopped by the White House to highlight mental health. Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Toheeb Jimoh were not only invited into the Oval Office for face time with President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, they were also invited into the White House press room, where Sudeikis made an impromptu speech about destigmatizing mental health and encouraging everyone to reach out and seek help when they’re struggling. Here’s that video:
Sudeikis says in part: “No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for, we all probably – I assume, we all know someone who has or had been that someone ourselves actually, that’s struggled, that’s felt isolated, that’s felt anxious, that has felt alone. It’s actually one of the many things, that believe it or not, that we all have in common as human beings.” As you can see, the actor James Lance – aka Trent Crimm, The Independent – stepped into the press pool to ask “Coach Lasso” something about Jason Sudeikis’s Kansas teams. It was fun and cool! Also, Hannah’s stylist is amazing. She’s such a statuesque Amazon. Let’s invade France!!
As for the new season (and last season) of Ted Lasso, the first episode was definitely kind of a downer. It was supposed to be. My favorite part came at the end, with the music cue of Beyonce’s “Ring the Alarm.” Bey must be a Ted Lasso fan to license her music for the show!
Additionally, the day before the cast came, the White House posted photos of a “Believe” poster hanging outside the Oval Office. Come on, this gave me chills!
Tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/XPNAfqnzEj
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 19, 2023
President Biden and the First Lady meet with the cast of Ted Lasso in the Oval Office on March 20, 2023. pic.twitter.com/5v2l48fw14
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 21, 2023
Photos courtesy of Cover Images.
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- White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre introduces actor Jason Sudeikis and other members of the cast the of the television series Ted Lasso at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2023. The cast were at the White House to meet with United States President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden about the importance of addressing mental health issues. Pictured from left, Toheeb Jimoh, Brett Goldstein, Jason Sudeikis, Karine Jean-Pierre, Hannah Waddingham, and Brendan Hunt. Featuring: Toheeb Jimoh, Brett Goldstein, Jason Sudeikis, Karine Jean-Pierre, Hannah Waddingham, and Brendan Hunt Where: Washington, District Of Columbia, United States When: 20 Mar 2023 Credit: Chris Kleponis/Pool/CNP/startraksphoto.com
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- Actor Jason Sudeikis, standing with other members of the cast the of the series Ted Lasso speaks to the media in the briefing room at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2023. The cast were at the White House to meet with United States President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden about the importance of addressing mental health issues. Featuring: Jason Sudeikis Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States When: 20 Mar 2023 Credit: Chris Kleponis/Pool/CNP/startraksphoto.com
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- Actor Jason Sudeikis, standing with other members of the cast the of the series Ted Lasso speaks to the media in the briefing room at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2023. The cast were at the White House to meet with United States President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden about the importance of addressing mental health issues. Pictured from left, Toheeb Jimoh, Brett Goldstein, Karine Jean-Pierre, Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, and Brendan Hunt. Featuring: Toheeb Jimoh, Brett Goldstein, Karine Jean-Pierre, Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States When: 20 Mar 2023 Credit: Chris Kleponis/Pool/CNP/startraksphoto.com
Maybe it’s innate British cynicism, but I loved the first season of Ted Lasso and found the second season really saccharine. And sadly, the first ep of the third season was the same as well. I just need some really sarcastic jokes and footballers behaving like overpaid adolescents as opposed to golden retrievers, is that too much to ask?
Ted Lasso is a binge watch show so I haven’t started season three yet.
Our mental health is so important and popular celebrities discussing it with humor and empathy with the support of the White House is uplifting to see right now.
Just started watching Ted Lasso and it is my ultimate serotonin fix (Schitts Creek is a very close second!). I’m only halfway into season 2 but, as a therapist, I’m really appreciating the realistic approach to therapy, anxiety, grief, etc. Also, Hannah Waddingham is so breathtaking it’s almost hard to look at her in the show. I can only imagine seeing her in person (and what a voice!!!!!)
Have you watched Shrinking yet? Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent) is a writer for both I think. I just started watching this weekend. It has some similarities as far as making me feel emotions, hah! It’s about a therapist struggling to cope with grief, and still trying to help his clients, in some unconventional ways. Which sounds sad, but it’s uplifting and funny too. Stars Jason Segel, HARRISON FORD! Michael Yurie. etc.
Shrinking is AMAZING. I said on another thread, it’s Lasso-esque in the best possible way, and the cast is wonderful. I’m really, really enjoying it. Great music, too.
+1 Honk for Shrinking!!!!!
The theme of mental health and healing through supportive relationships & community is so well done in both shows. I’ve become such a Goldstein fan as a result, what a fantastic & fearless writer!
Another beep beep for Shrinking – a must watch
I haven’t, but I’ve seen it pop up in recommendations – didn’t realize the connection, I’m putting it my queue now! Thanks for the rec 🙂
I echo the recommendation for Shrinking. It’s marvelous.
This brings such good feelings to my heart! I just love this show and love that Biden had them to the White House to do this.
The press conference is so great — I love everything about this.
Really personally appreciate this push for public awareness of and destigmatization of mental health illnesses/issues. Real friendships, the true empathy of others, a big heap of humor, all helpful, and so much better than silence. BELIEVE ✨ 💕
This video made my morning, what a lovely group of people. Love the Believe poster outside the Oval Office too!
I love that they did this, and having open conversations about the importance of mental health is so valuable. Something else I am thinking about – I’ve noted the conspicuous absence of Juno Temple (Keeley) in almost all the promotional events for Season 3 and have a theory. As a former anorexic, I strongly suspect Juno is struggling with an eating disorder and that’s why we haven’t seen her doing promotions with the rest of the cast.
I have no idea if that’s true, (and sincerely hope it’s not!) but if so, appreciate the cast emphasizing the importance of mental health and getting support/checking in with each other. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the reasons (among many) they’re vocal about this is to support her, and if ANY of them are personally struggling, they’re getting the help they need. Good on them for having the conversation in such a visible forum.