Believe bookcover

Believe

The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show That Kicked Its Way into Our Hearts
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Description

From The New York Times's Jeremy Egner, the definitive book on Ted Lasso.

When Ted Lasso first aired in 2020, nobody—including those who had worked on it—knew how a show inspired by an ad, centered around soccer, filled mostly with unknown actors, and led by a wondrously mustachioed “nice guy” would be received. Eleven Emmys and one Peabody Award later, it’s safe to say that the show’s status as a pop-culture phenomenon is secure.

In Believe, entertainment journalist and Ted Lasso fan Jeremy Egner traces the show’s creation and legacy through the words of the people at its center. Drawing on dozens of interviews from key cast, creators, and more, Believe takes readers from the first, silly NBC Premier League commercial to the pitch to Apple executives, then into the show’s writers’ room, through the brilliant international casting, and on to the unforgettable set and locations of the show itself.

Brimming with careful reporting and written to match the show’s heart and humor, Believe tells a story of teamwork, of hidden talent, of a group of friends looking around at the world’s increasingly nasty discourse and deciding that maybe simple decency still has the power to bring us together—a story about what happens when you dare to believe.

Product Details

PublisherDutton
Publish DateNovember 12, 2024
Pages368
LanguageEnglish
TypeBook iconHardback
EAN/UPC9780593476062
Dimensions9.3 X 6.3 X 1.2 inches | 1.3 pounds

About the Author

Jeremy Egner is a veteran pop-culture journalist in New York City. He is currently the television editor at The New York Times, where over the years he has written about era-defining series like The Sopranos, The Wire, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, and, of course, Ted Lasso. Born and raised in the Dallas area, he graduated from the University of Texas and began writing about music and culture at the Austin American-Statesman in Austin, Texas. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter. He’s no soccer expert but does understand the offside rule. It’s actually not that complicated.

Reviews

*A Vulture Best Comedy Book of 2024*

"Expertly reported and brimming with insights from cast members, writers, producers and executives, Mr. Egner’s exegesis scores from all over the pitch." Wall Street Journal

"Egner takes his material and makes it shine with accuracy and admiration." Los Angeles Times

"Believe is vital in that it digs deep into the creation and execution of Ted Lasso, devoting as much ink to the development of the theme song and side characters as it does to the creators’ motivations. This book is a journalistic text on how to deliberately create solid comedy television." Vulture

"An oral history of the show suffused with expert analysis of the show’s combination of comedy and emotion." —Ministry of Popculture

"An enlightening and entertaining guide." Associated Press

"Believe is an entertaining and insightful behind-the-scenes tour.... Like Ted Lasso, Believe brims with enthusiasm, sports-talk and fun."

"Amid rumors of a possible fourth season, Ted Lasso fans will delight in this affectionate and insightful oral history... A treat for fans of the show’s uplifting spirit." Arlington Magazine

"Ted Lasso won over everyone and journalist Jeremy Egner tells the story with this oral history of the show about an American football coach accidentally recruited to lead a soccer team in the UK... this peek into how it happens will please fans." Parade

"Part oral history, part cultural analysis... Believe brims with enthusiasm, sports-talk and fun... a winning read about a stellar show." —Bookpage (Starred Review)

"A loving oral history... Fans will find plenty to cheer for." —Publishers Weekly

"Solid arts reporting, and excellent fodder for Lasso fans." —Kirkus

"Ted Lasso fanatics, casual viewers, and everyone in between will be riveted by Jeremy Egner's definitive look into the show's history." —Andy Greene, New York Times bestselling author of The Office

"Believe is a brilliant insight into the creation of Ted Lasso, a show that resonated with its audience because of its heart and soul. Jeremy Egner captures that heart and soul perfectly. It is truly a fascinating and rewarding read that enables the reader to experience the unique essence of this show on another level." —Anthony Head (aka Rupert Mannion), actor, Ted Lasso

"Believe is a total gem; I got that warm and fuzzy feeling all over again. It captures the spirit and love that went into the making of Ted Lasso and is a beautifully detailed reflection on an incredible three seasons." —Adam Colborne (aka Baz Primrose), actor, Ted Lasso

"Working on Ted Lasso was the experience of a lifetime and a dream come true for me, and Jeremy Egner's new book is the perfect way to relive it all. My hope is for people to take Ted Lasso and Believe as an inspiration to be the change they want to see in the world." —David Elsendoorn (aka Jan Maas), actor, Ted Lasso

"There’s no putting down Egner’s romp through Ted Lasso, America’s favorite feel-good, anti- anti-hero series, comprised of punchy word bites as clever as the show." —Peter Biskind, New York Times bestselling author of Easy Riders, Raging Bulls; Pandora’s Box

"What a joy to relive Ted Lasso's boundless optimism through Jeremy Egner's Believe. Egner gets to the heart of what makes this show so special through first-hand accounts from behind the scenes and insights that prove this show's unique appeal in a pandemic age, fighting cynicism with can-do spirit, togetherness, and one special guy with one of the world's greatest mustaches." —Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, New York Times bestselling author of Seinfeldia

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