Disney executives push back on Chad Powers-Ted Lasso comparisons as Hulu’s new sports comedy moves toward fall
Chad Powers, the upcoming Hulu comedy headlined by Glen Powell, is drawing early buzz for the fall 2025 TV season. Powell stars as Russ Holliday, a former college football star whose career imploded in a viral moment. Eight years later, Holliday goes undercover—complete with prosthetics, a fake accent, and a new name—in another bid to reclaim his place on the field.
While the show has clear sports-comedy, fish-out-of-water elements that fans associate with Ted Lasso, a Disney Television Group executive cautions against drawing direct parallels. Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, told The Hollywood Reporter that such comparisons are narrow and do a disservice to both programs. He noted that Chad Powers stands on its own, even as it showcases an ensemble cast led by Powell, with Steve Zahn among the co-stars who will get substantial screen time.
The Ted Lasso comparison has roots in the broader appeal of underdog sports comedies. Lasso began as a string of NBC commercials promoting Premier League coverage, while Chad Powers’ premise is linked in part to public moments like the 2022 viral Eli Manning video of him going undercover at Penn State’s football tryouts. Despite these points of overlap, Erwich emphasized that viewers should judge Chad Powers on its own merits rather than as a clone of another hit.
Powell hasn’t had a major TV role since his time on Scream Queens ended in 2016, making Chad Powers a notable return to television. The show is described as an ensemble-friendly comedy that will explore not just Holliday’s undercover quest but also the stories of other characters who populate his world.
What to expect
– A heartfelt, funny sports comedy that leans into underdog themes without simply aiming to replicate Ted Lasso’s tone.
– An ensemble cast led by Glen Powell, known for his work in film and more recent TV projects.
– A blend of athletic mishaps, character-driven humor, and the possibility of emotional moments that stand apart from other sports comedies.
– A move that signals Hulu and Disney’s intention to differentiate Chad Powers from similar shows while exploiting the popularity of feel-good, sports-centered storytelling.
Why this matters
– The studio is signaling a clear desire to cultivate a distinct voice for Chad Powers, even as it sits in a familiar genre. By foregrounding the unique origin of its premise and promising strong ensemble storytelling, Disney aims to attract fans of sports comedies while avoiding overreliance on comparisons to Ted Lasso.
– Powell’s return to a major TV role could generate strong interest among audiences who followed his prior projects, potentially giving Hulu a fresh, buzzworthy property for the fall lineup.
If you’re curious about Chad Powers, keep an eye out for its Hulu debut as the fall season approaches. The show promises a blend of humor, heart, and undercover high-stakes attempts at redemption, with a cast that aims to deliver its own flavor of camaraderie and rivalry.
Summary: Chad Powers is Hulu’s new sports comedy starring Glen Powell, centering on a former college football star who goes undercover to reclaim his career. Disney executives push back on Ted Lasso comparisons, stressing that Chad Powers is its own distinct series with an ensemble cast. The show aims to deliver humor, heart, and a fresh take on the underdog sports tale as it launches in the fall. Positive note: it marks Powell’s return to television and offers a new, hopeful spin on the redemptive sports story.