If you’ve been craving the feel-good spirit and essence of *Ted Lasso*, Apple TV+ may have just provided your next dose. *Stick*, a fresh sports comedy featuring Owen Wilson as a washed-up ex-golfer, premiered on the platform today — and it’s already hitting the mark with critics.
The narrative centers on Pryce Cahill, portrayed by Wilson, who is introduced as an employee at a suburban sporting goods store. He’s a has-been, divorced and aimless, until Pryce receives a renewed sense of purpose when he encounters Santi, a 17-year-old golf prodigy played by Peter Dager. What begins as a mentorship swiftly evolves into a significant partnership, with Pryce assuming the role of a coach to teach the young talent both in golf and life.
This resulting comedy has launched with an impressive 83% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing, embodying a blend of the familiar and the novel: It’s a tale about second chances, discovered family, and the optimism at the core of every comeback story. A golf comedy filled with emotional rebounds, if you will.
Throughout its initial episodes, the series adeptly combines sharp writing with just the right amount of emotional depth to maintain its authenticity. Wilson infuses a relaxed vulnerability into the character of Pryce, while Dager showcases a standout performance as a young athlete dealing with pressure, fame, and the burdens that accompany talent. With sunlit golf courses, a sharp ensemble cast, and a script that respects its audience, *Stick* makes a compelling argument for being Apple’s next comedy sensation.
*The Hollywood Reporter* perhaps put it best, observing about the characters in *Stick*: “It’s hardly groundbreaking to point out that likable characters tend to lead to likable shows, and nothing *Stick* presents on that front is reinventing the wheel. But why would it? As it is, this could already be the most enjoyable journey you’ll embark on all summer.”
