Underdog soccer series 'Ted Lasso' finds itself the big dog

The creators of the Apple TV+ comedy series “Ted Lasso” have gotten used to hearing lots of backhanded compliments

NEW YORK -- The creators of the Apple TV+ comedy series “Ted Lasso” have gotten used to hearing lots of backhanded compliments. People will tell them they didn't expect to enjoy the first season so much. Or that they were surprised the Jason Sudeikis-led show turned out so well. “Shocked” is a word they hear a lot. “We joke in the writers’ room how often we read the phrase, ‘This show has no right to be this good.’ We’re always like, ‘Really? I mean, we tried really hard,'" said Brett Goldstein, who is Emmy-nominated for playing tough guy Roy Kent and who co-produces and co-writes the show. On the eve of the show's second season, there's no excuse to be surprised anymore: “Ted Lasso” roared out of the Emmy nomination process on Tuesday with 20 nods, including for best comedy, best comedy writing and with seven acting nominations.