I will be the black woman who tells you to watch Ted Lasso
TV reviews, TV opinions and also sometimes other opinions
**This talks about the first season of Ted Lasso on AppleTV, but it’s essentially spoiler free. I don’t reveal anything that spoils the overall plot, but I do talk about specific characters/moments.
If you like watching TV shows without that info, maybe skip this part.**
Wow. Hey, everyone! It’s been a long time since I sent out a newsletter, right? I’ll get to all that at the bottom of things. First, let me address what awoke me from my slumber: Ted Lasso. If you follow me on Twitter, you know I finally got my AppleTV subscription to work so I got to watch The Morning Show (I’ve said what I needed to say about that) and Ted Lasso. When I first heard about the show, I had absolutely no interest in watching it. I like Friday Night Lights. I liked Cheer. Still, a “awkward/weird" coach/fish-out-of-water story just seemed over done. Also, I watched Hoops (Netflix) during quarantine. I think I’m the only person who watched all of it, but like, yeah, that was a really bad show! I figured Ted Lasso would be more of the same: a show about a weirdo, divorcee sad coach who’s inspired by a team while inspiring a team.
I was wrong. I was so wrong, I now have to make another post asking you to watch a TV show that prominently features a white man as the lead. I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t want it to be this way either, but Ted Lasso is really really good TV. I’m starting a TV podcast because I love television. Yes, TV is entertaining, but the best TV builds folklore. It tells something beyond a story and encourages us to be insightful and inspired. That’s right: even when I’m watching something like 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way, this is true (I am inspired to learn more insights about marrying abroad, especially now). Ted Lasso is everything I love about TV, packaged in a comedy in a way I’ve never seen before. As moving as West Wing or Friday Night Lights, as oddly funny as 30 Rock or Curb Your Enthusiasm, Ted Lasso does a triple axel right across the tightrope of genre and narrative (I know that’s a mixed reference, but it would be incredibly difficult to do a triple axel on a tightrope—the only sports references I know have to do with Tonya Harding).
Do you know how my career in advertising started?
During my sophomore year in college, I had to get my wisdom teeth taken out. While in recovery and on so much vicodin, I watched every season of Mad Men then available and thought, “Hm, I could do that (and it looks like a very easy way to make money)” Of course, I knew Mad Men was nothing like modern advertising, but there was something about the show that made me go, “hm, a possibility,” and that is a sign of some great TV. A real life personal call to action. When I finished Ted Lasso, the world was not just full of possibility, but pure goodness. It makes you want to tell your own stories and consider that maybe, in this horrible world full of horrible people, some good people can come together to encourage some good things. Every character arc, every joke, every pun is so artfully crafted you still enjoy it when it’s obvious.
Even when I saw the bad coming, I knew it had to come. I knew I could goldfish as hard as Ted Lasso fucking needed me to accept the finale (this will make sense to you after you watch the show). That’s the thing about folklore or good stories: even when you know how it ends, you still want to hear the story. Maybe you’ve seen a million feel good sports shows or movies, but Ted Lasso is still a story worth visiting. I can also say, the cast is fairly diverse and you will find someone to root for, so don’t let the goofy white guy thing turn you away. I could go into my favorite characters, moments and arcs (Nate, The Locker Room Speech), but I’m saving that for my podcast.
Maybe Ted Lasso is pure “insider baseball” TV. It is on AppleTV, so I assume they want it to be hard to watch (please free this show, it would be any other network’s biggest hit). Still, if you want to understand how TV can best tell a story, the dialogue, character arcs and scripting of Ted Lasso are works to study. This is impressive TV. So impressive, it forced me send out my first newsletter in weeks. Anyway, if Jason Sudeikis promises to be Ted Lasso for the rest of his life, I’ll negotiate a deal for him during the race war.
What else have I been tweeting about?
Other than begging @TedLasso to adopt me?
The Boys (Amazon Prime) - This show came back since I last emailed. God, I love this show. This season is dark as hell and every moment gives me pure anxiety. The weekly format is something we deserve.
90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way (TLC) - comes back on Oct. 11th and so do my recaps for Vulture. Happily Ever After ends tonight with Part 3 of the Tell All. This was a pretty amazing season, I have no complaints.
Corporate (Comedy Central) - Also watched and finished the last season of this while I was gone. I thought it ended on an amazing note.
Bob’s Burgers - Came back last week! It’s so good and I’m so happy it’s back. Fall TV soon washes over us.
Lovecraft Country (HBO) - Every week, people DM me and ask what I think of this show and what’s going on. I am sorry to let you down, because I have no idea! I saw screeners for this show and decided I had no interest in trying to review it because I just wanted to enjoy it. I have absolutely no idea where it’s going, but after the finale, I’ll be talking about it on TV, I Say with Ashley Ray. So don’t worry, we’ll digest…all of that.
P-Valley (Starz) - Absolutely brilliant. You know this will be a podcast episode.
The Vow (HBO) - I was put on this Earth to bully Keith Raniere. If you put me in a room with Keith Raniere for 10 minutes, I would walk out with his lunch money. If Keith Raniere hired me as his domme, he would fire me for being too mean. Keith Raniere is what happens when men who play volleyball don’t face enough rejection in life. Anyway, this documentary is fine if you don’t know anything about the case. Otherwise, it kind of just goes over everything you already heard in podcasts or saw on other shows.
Darcey and Stacey (TLC) - I hate to say this, but this show is pretty good. It’s the best non-franchise 90 Day spin-off (The Family Chantal was awful though). Still, both of them are delusional enough to make pretty odd TV.
AP Bio (Peacock) - Will someone give me access to the rest of the new season? I will not pay for it, but I liked the first episode which is available free.
Brave New World (Peacock) - I tried to watch, but I did not care.
Pen15 (Hulu) - I tweeted a million things about this show and singlehandedly brought awareness of it back to the timeline with a number of early-2000s based tweets. I loved the second season, obviously. It was a gift.
I tried to watch The Sopranos a few weeks ago and made it to episode six, which is the farthest I’ve ever made it.
SNL is back. I watched it. I liked the stunt double sketch. Also Seth Rogen was on Desus and Mero awhile back and it was delightful. Last Week Tonight has also been killing it.
The new seasons of Hoarders and Intervention ended and I miss them already. Dr. David Tolin is looking fine as ever.
Harley Quinn (HBO Max) - Watched both seasons and immediately fell in love with this show. I dream of writing an arc where a very-Masshole-esque version of Green Arrow comes to town and it’s revealed he and Ivy previously had a long-distance poly relationship.
Doom Patrol (HBO Max) - Ended while I was away. I am so sad it had to go out on such an unfinished note. The season was just picking up.
Umbrella Academy (Netflix) - Personally, I love that this show is mostly just frustrating narrative, attractive people and a lesbian.
Class Action Park on HBO Max was super good. A Wilderness of Error was good if you want to be absolutely convinced that guy did it. Love Fraud was super confusing, but the final interview with the guy was terrifying to watch (I recommend it).
I did a New Girl rewatch while I was gone. It holds up better than Community!
Ok, yes, it’s true. I watched all of Girlfriends in a little over a week. Yes, all 8 seasons of Girlfriends. It was one of my favorite shows to watch with my mom when it originally aired and it was a joy to rewatch. I also dream of writing on the reunion season this show absolutely deserves (I CAN’T BELIEVE IT JUST ENDS LIKE THAT.) There’s so much joy in the world the show built, I honestly miss being in it. Girlfriends deserves our respect. This is literally my bedroom (ignore the one that fell, we had an earthquake?).
Please just get personal with us
This is the part of the newsletter where I’ll answer your relationship advice questions and talk about random shit in my life.
Right then, so where have I been? Wow. Yeah, pretty busy. A few months ago, my mom got sick so I had to go to Dallas to take care of her (she’s good now, thanks to everyone who reached out!). That forced me to put a few projects on hold, but y’know what, who cares? The president has COVID. Chadwick Boseman died. RBG died. Every moment is a question mark, who cares if I take my time? It turns out it was a great idea! I have managers now and I did this photoshoot that I really need more of you to appreciate (shot by the brilliant Lee Jameson).
Not that I haven’t given you plenty to enjoy though: did you know my newsletter (this newsletter!!) was ranked by Marie Claire as “One of the 14 Best Newsletters to Subscribe to That Will Keep You Informed and Entertained?” Most of you haven’t even read all the editions I’ve sent out already! Go enjoy! Also, I co-edited an audiobook for Maria Bamford called You Are (A Comedy) Special that came out last month on Audible. It’s about writing your first comedy special and I’m so proud I got to work on it.
And while I was gone I was also still doing I May Destroy You episode reviews and visual appreciation threads for each episode! Pick up the November print edition of Cosmopolitan for a special I May Destroy You treat from me too. AND, I was still covering 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way and sharing new tips on how to properly explore the 90 Day Fiancé franchise. I interviewed Michaela Coel and Justin Simien. I wrote about being solo poly for The Guardian and they had to turn off comments!
I was also on so many podcasts you should go listen to: Views from the Vista, The Bechdel Cast, Dyking Out, Private Parts Unknown, and Scam Goddess!
I’m also still doing shows all the time, which you can always find out about on my Instagram. So, I hope you haven’t missed me too much during this time, but this vacation has been for good reason:
TV, I Say with Ashley Ray is launching Oct. 23rd!
You might’ve signed up for this newsletter to get more information about it! Here is that information!! It’s launching on Oct. 23rd. It’ll be available everywhere podcasts are available (Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, etc!!). It’s produced by the amazing Petty Crocker. It has a PHENOMENAL theme song by RaFia and brilliant artwork by Chastity Hyman.
If you wanna know as soon as the episode drops:
This is particularly useful if you’re like, “gosh, Ashley, I love you, but following your personal social media is a bit much” (it’s okay, even my nieces have me muted). TV, I Say is all TV opinions and podcast updates, none of the cum jokes and thirst traps.
That being said, I did take some pretty great thirst traps over the last few weeks and also Seth Rogen let me know hotboxing a room for a photoshoot is possible. Also, I started a new day job and I went through a big ol’ fun poly break-up, so y’know life happens too. Anyway, follow your dreams. Anything is possible. Ted Lasso would tell you to believe in yourself.