REVIEW: ‘Stick' — Apple's golf-based comedy unlikely to rival ‘Ted Lasso' success
JEDDAH: You remember 'Ted Lasso,' right? The Jason Sudeikis-fronted feelgood football-based sporting comedy that was a huge hit for Apple? Apple sure does. Hence 'Stick.'
The Jason Sudeikis of 'Stick' is Owen Wilson — a solid choice, possessed of a similar goofy charisma and real comedy pedigree. The football of 'Stick' is golf. Which, while it's easier to convincingly replicate to a high standard on screen (the supposedly elite football action in 'Ted Lasso' was, unintentionally, just as hilarious as its best jokes) is also nowhere near as visually engaging as football. So 'Stick' already has a lot of work to do.
The plot: Wilson is former pro golfer Pryce 'Stick' Cahill, a serious talent who had a serious meltdown during a televised tournament, basically ruining his life. He now sells golf gear, gives lessons, and carries out side hustles with his former caddy Mitts (Marc Maron, doing what Marc Maron does — grumpy, cynical, with a glimpse of heart). And he's going through a protracted divorce with a woman he still clearly loves but who has moved on.
One day, Pryce spots a young teen, Santi (Peter Dager), smashing balls further than most pros manage. Pryce quickly identifies that Santi is a prodigy and convinces his single mom Elena (Mariana Trevino) to let him coach/manage/try and qualify Santi for the US amateur championships. This involves a road trip in Mitts' RV. It also involves Pryce handing over $100,000 that he really can't afford to Elena to prove to her he's serious. She knows Santi's good, but since his dad — and former coach — left them, he hasn't wanted to play golf at all. Santi is hugely talented, but prone to losing his head if things don't go perfectly for him.
And that's about it (in episodes up to the time of writing). We follow the mismatched crew on their road trip; Santi plays some golf and wows people; Pryce kind of becomes a substitute dad; Mitts and Elena bicker in a kind of flirty way. Nothing much happens, no huge laughs are had, Dager is a convincing mix of adolescent arrogance and angst, and Wilson is his usual quirky, charming self.
There's nothing to hate about 'Stick,' but there's nothing really to love about it either. It's nice. It's vaguely entertaining. I'm already forgetting it.
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