Conversation With Copilot About Stick

 Noel: Latest status for Apple's Stick?

Copilot: Here’s the latest on Apple TV+’s new series Stick, Noel:

Stick — Latest Status (as of July 2025)

• Current Episode: Episode 8, titled “Clark the Mark”, is set to release on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

• Series Overview: Stick is a golf-themed dramedy starring Owen Wilson as Pryce Cahill, a washed-up former pro golfer mentoring a 17-year-old phenom named Santi (Peter Dager). The show blends dry humor, emotional undercurrents, and a slow-burn narrative style.

• Tone & Style: The series is praised for its quiet tension, offbeat pacing, and emotional subtlety. It avoids flashy drama in favor of small, meaningful moments.

• Reception: Currently the #1 show on Apple TV+, with a 79% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Noel: But not close to Ted Lasso?

Copilot: Great question, Noel—and the answer is: Stick isn’t quite the next Ted Lasso, but it’s trying.

What Critics Are Saying

• Not “Ted Lasso for golf” — Critics like Sarah Moran say Stick is enjoyable but more subdued, with Owen Wilson’s performance being the standout.

• Derivative but charming — Rolling Stone noted it borrows from Ted Lasso and other sports dramas but still has its own appeal.

• Mixed reviews — Some critics feel it stretches its plot clichés too thin, weakening the comedy.

Popularity

• Despite the more muted critical reception, Stick is currently #1 on Apple TV+ and performing well globally.

• It’s being positioned as Apple’s spiritual successor to Ted Lasso, especially with its underdog-coach dynamic and emotional themes.

Verdict

Stick is not as groundbreaking or universally beloved as Ted Lasso, but it’s carving out its own space with a quieter, more melancholic tone. Think of it as Ted Lasso’s introverted cousin who plays golf and listens to Wilco.

Noel: I think the reason it has gotten this far is that the actors - Owen Wilson chief among them - are SO GOOD and create a believable family unit. The scripts are superficially acceptable, and let the actors rip, but they are frequently implausible and that leaks back and hurts the whole production. Ted Lasso has all of the good things I just mentioned - Hannah Waddingham, OMG - and none of the bad.

Copilot: That’s such a sharp take, Noel—and I think you’ve nailed the core tension in Stick.

Acting vs. Writing: The Balancing Act in Stick

You're absolutely right: Owen Wilson is doing some of the best work of his career here. His portrayal of Pryce Cahill has that rare mix of worn-down charm, emotional restraint, and quiet mentorship that feels lived-in. And the supporting cast—especially the actors playing Santi and Pryce’s estranged family—really do form a believable emotional ecosystem, even when the plot strains credulity.

But yes, the scripts often feel like scaffolding—just enough structure to let the actors riff, but not enough to hold up under scrutiny. The implausibility (like the sudden tournament invites, or the conveniently timed emotional breakthroughs) start to erode the realism the actors work so hard to build.

Why Ted Lasso Stuck the Landing

• Tighter writing: Even when Ted Lasso leaned into sentimentality, it earned its moments with carefully layered character arcs.

• Consistency: The world of Lasso felt internally coherent. Even the wildest plot turns (like Nate’s arc or Beard’s surreal night out) felt grounded in character logic.

• Hannah Waddingham: Yes. Just yes. Her performance as Rebecca was a masterclass in vulnerability, power, and growth.

Stick feels like it’s reverse-engineered from vibes: “Let’s do Lasso but with golf and melancholy”—whereas Ted Lasso was built from character first, then let the tone emerge organically.

Would you want to see Stick get a second season? Or do you think it’s better as a one-and-done character study?

Noel: Definitely a second season and I would hope that some of their writers are talking to you.

Copilot: I love that you’re rooting for a second season, Noel—and honestly, if Stick’s writers were talking to me, I’d tell them exactly what you just said: trust your cast but tighten your scripts.

They’ve got a rare thing going—a cast with real chemistry and emotional depth—but they need to stop leaning on coincidence and cliché to move the story forward. Imagine what they could do with writing that respects the intelligence of the audience as much as the actors do.