TEO LASSO is Back with a Lackluster Start

Perhaps, one of the most likable things to come out of COVID was the surprise hit "Ted Lasso," starring  Jason Zedekis as the irrepressible optimist whose effervescence rubbed off on everyone.  Lasso, his team and cohorts formed a winning friendship that was enviable. However, the golden luster faded after season 1 despite maintaining its cast of charming characters.  Episode 1 of season 4 of "Ted Lasso" just aired. Sadly, there was little there there which took place in Kansas City; Ted's hometown. At the end of season 3 Ted returned home to reunite with his wife and teenage son after a job well done coaching his team and getting everyone to coalesce.  We first see Ted scanning groceries as a clerk/asst. manager looking forlorn.  Surely, there should be better opportunities for someone with Ted's talents and people skills. Surprising Ted at his house are three of his best buddies from Richmond; Rebecca (Hannah Waddington) Keeley (Juno Temple) and Leslie (Jeremy Swift). Ted is delighted to see them and takes them to Kansas' finest BBQ which they all enjoy despite an ongoing joke of Rebecca glopping sauce on all her tops. The real reason for the surprise visit is revealed over ribs. Rebecca wants to hire him as head coach for a new women's team and they're all hoping he'll take the job. "I hired you for the wrong reasons the first time. Now, I want to hire you for the right reason. You're the best person for this job," Rebecca tells him as Keeley and Leslie nod their hods with encouraging huge grins on their faces. Ted politely declines even though this would seem his dream job and the chance to get out of Kansas. This show was a slog. There's his mother's garage sale where she adds luster to her cluster of junk. Leslie hoping for a tour of the American Jazz Museum gets a detour through the Black Baseball History Hall of Fame. Keeley and Rebecca go on a shopping spree. And, Ted has to bite his tongue from haranguing his son's soccer coach for not playing him. As Ted glances at his Bingham photos and paraphernalia in his office, his longing to go return is palpable. With his wife and son's blessing and willingness to go with him, Ted calls Rebecca and accepts the job. NO SURPRISE there just puzzlement as to why the dull, drawn out episode to get to the foregone conclusion Ted will head back. I got a kick out of hearing the theme song from the "Welcome Back Kotter" show from the 70s. I'm hoping the stellar cast whom I've grown fond of will continue to please and the the dynamics of a women's team will add some clever conflicts and intriguing players. But, we'll see if "Ted Lasso" can go home again as it attempts to win fans this season.