As a golf fanatic, I was skeptical about 'Stick' — but the new Apple TV Plus show won me over
Apple TV Plus has entered the golf world. It didn't follow in Netflix's footsteps with a documentary like "Full Swing," though. Instead, it carved a similar path to its breakout soccer hit "Ted Lasso" with the Owen Wilson-led "Stick."
I've had a chance to watch the entire first season of "Stick." As someone who's addicted to golf, I had to pull myself away from the course for a weekend to watch the 10-episode half-hour sports comedy — which is easier said than done when you live in New England and only get so many decent weather weekends to play.
Overall, I like "Stick." It's not without some flaws, and the actual golf play could be a bigger part of the show, but it's still enjoyable enough that I hope Apple TV Plus brings it back for "Stick" season 2.
At the end of the day, "Stick" is a lighthearted comedy with some dramatic elements sprinkled in. If you're going into the show thinking it's going to be all about on-course golf action, you'll be disappointed.
The golf is the backdrop for the character interplay involving Pryce "Stick" Cahill (Owen Wilson), Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager), Zero (Lilli Kay), Mitts (Marc Maron) and Santi's mother Elena (Mariana Trevino). Who will fall in love? Will Cahill be able to serve as a coach and father figure for the troubled Santi? Will the golf world accept the ultra-woke Zero?
These are the big questions "Stick" puts forth, and they're all answered satisfyingly by the end of the season. It's a little too clean and happy in the end, but since it's a feel-good show, it fits.
I found myself hooked on the show throughout, and while I enjoyed watching Setti rise through the golf ranks with his incredible driving power and volatile short game, it was the attachment to the characters that kept me coming back. Pryce's issues with his ex-wife, Santi's dad's problems, budding romances and the perils of life on the road sucked me in and didn't let go until the credits rolled on the final episode.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
The biggest thing I enjoy about the golf in "Stick" is that it doesn't try to artificially make it more exciting (like "Happy Gilmore" does). No one drives the ball 400 yards. Santi doesn't go from never putting a ball in his life to suddenly being a virtuoso.
"Stick" taps real-life golf commentators Trevor Immelman and Jim Nantz to increase the authenticity of the golf.
Santi grew up golfing and took a few years off due to some family turmoil with his father (who left him and his mother). His proficiency in golf makes sense in the context of the life the teen has been through; he grew up as a prodigy.
As the show progresses, the actual golf play becomes more and more ingrained in the show. You see a lot of Santi hitting shots and dealing with his mental issues on the course, and it's done well. It feels exciting for someone who knows golf and, more importantly, it feels plausible.
Overall, "Stick" gets a lot right from a golfer's perspective. Nothing about the golf play feels unrealistic, but it's broken down to encapsulate the most exciting parts of the game.
And, putting the golf aside for a moment, the characters grabbed me. I cared about Santi's quest to become a golfer. I cared about Pryce trying to rebuild his life. Zero annoyed me for a large part of the show, but it seemed like they were meant to (at least at the beginning). While the character is ultra-woke, the way the older characters poke the bear with their lack of knowledge on woke culture is entertaining without being offensive.
I hope "Stick" comes back for another season. Sure, I don't see it being the breakout hit that "Ted Lasso" is, but I still think it has a place in the Apple TV Plus catalog for at least one more season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘Outer Banks' rolls on final season, Academy Museum details ‘Jaws' exhibit, and more of today's top stories
Gold Derby's for June 20, 2025. Filming on the fifth and final season of the Netflix teen treasure hunt drama has officially begun in Charleston, S.C. Series regulars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Drew Starkey, Carlacia Grant, Austin North, and Fiona Palomo are all returning, while Tony Crane and Cullen Moss have been upped to regulars. Season 5 of Outer Banks is expected to hit Netflix sometime next year. More from GoldDerby Will '28 Years Later' take a bite out of 'Elio'? Will 'Dragon' continue to soar? Here's our box-office prediction 'Jaws' turns 50: Steven Spielberg's caught-on-camera Oscar snub still smarts - and shows need for Best Director reform All the 'Abbott Elementary' Season 4 Emmy predictions, including those 'Sunny' guest stars The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has revealed some exciting details about its upcoming Jaws exhibit to commemorate the film's 50th anniversary. Spanning six galleries, the collection will feature a number of artifacts from the actual shoot, including zoom lens used for the iconic shot of Chief Brody on the beach, as well as several recreations of memorable locations, such as the dunes from the opening sequence. Jaws: The Exhibition will open on Sept. 14 and run through July 26, 2026. The Television Publicity Executive Committee revealed its list of honorees for 2025, which included The Pitt for Campaign of the Year, Lioness for Returning Drama Series, and Only Murders in the Building for Returning Comedy Series. The shows were awarded alongside CBS publicist Chris Ender, who received the Ben Halpern Lifetime Achievement Award. Elba, a one-time recipient of an art grant from the King's Trust, is teaming with Charles III on a documentary about the program the royal founded in 1976 to help with vulnerable youth. Netflix will release the film in Fall 2026. Best of GoldDerby Everything to know about 'The Pitt' Season 2 Adam Brody, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, and the best of our Emmy Comedy Actor interviews Kristen Bell, Tina Fey, Bridget Everett, and the best of our Emmy Comedy Actress interviews Click here to read the full article.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
'Toxic Avenger' Reboot Trailer Shows Best Look at Peter Dinklage's Toxie
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The red band trailer for "The Toxic Avenger" reboot is here and it gives us our best look yet at Peter Dinklage as Toxie, the eponymous hero. It also delivers plenty of dark laughs and gore. You can watch the trailer below. Read More: Ryan Reynolds' 'Dragon's Lair' Netflix Movie Recruits 'Muppets' Director The official synopsis for "The Toxic Avenger" reads, "When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze, is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he's transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger." "Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant... justice is best served radioactive." Toxie in "The Toxic Avenger". Toxie in "The Toxic Avenger". Troma Entertainment Inc. While Dinklage provides the voice for Toxie, Luisa Guerreiro does the body work for the toxic superhero. Speaking about the new Toxie suit, filmmaker Macon Blair said, "The goal was to try to stay true to the vibe of Lloyd's original Jennifer Aspinall/Mitch Cohen creature, with some influence from the 'Toxic Crusaders' cartoon's look, while also trying to do something new and weird and lovable with Toxie's design. I love what Millenium FX did with it — part human, part mutant, all heart." Taylour Paige plays JJ Doherty in the film, an investigative journalist who is looking to expose the company Gooze works for and bring them to justice. Jacob Tremblay plays Winston's stepson, Wade. Kevin Bacon plays chemical industrialist Bob Garbinger while Elijah Wood plays his younger brother, Fritz. Macon Blair, who wrote and directed "The Toxic Avenger" reboot, previously collaborated with Wood on his feature directorial debut, 2017's "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore." The reboot has been in the works for over a decade, but thankfully for Troma fans, things have changed since development began. The plan was originally to turn the "Toxic Avenger" reboot into a PG-13 action comedy. Blair has instead stuck to the splatter spirit of the original. "The Toxic Avenger" hits theaters on August 29. The film is written and directed by Macon Blair. "The Toxic Avenger" stars Peter Dinklage, Luisa Guerreiro, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood and Jane Levy. More Movies: Blumhouse Buys Rights to 'Saw' Franchise Jeremy Allen White Transforms Into Bruce Springsteen in Biopic First Look
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Squid Game Season 3: director promises a 'crazy, insane, nuts' finale
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has said he wasn't sure he made the right choices while writing the finale of Squid Game. That's right: after billions of views, record-breaking audiences for Netflix and fuelling the Korean wave around the world, the show is finally coming to a close. 'I had to make a big decision at the end of the season, because it's a finale for the whole series,' he said during a virtual press conference for the show. 'That decision was so difficult to make. I was still thinking about whether it's good or not. But the audience and the viewers will see.' The cast and crew were speaking ahead of the launch of Squid Game Season 3, which launches on Netflix on June 27. A continuation of the second season – which saw main character Gi-hun (Lee Jung-Jae) rejoin the games in order to defeat them from the inside – it promises more iconic pink suits, more games and a looming showdown between Gi-Hun and the sinister Front Man. It may be the final instalment, but it's hard to imagine what an ending will look like for a show that delights in pulling the rug out from under its audience's feet. Fortunately, the cast have been dropping hints. During the press conference, they were asked to provide three words to illustrate the Squid Game finale. Hwang Dong-hyuk chose 'crazy, insane, nuts,' while Lee Jung-Jae chose 'Finale, forgiveness, harmony.' 'Director Hwang keeps saying it's a finale,' added Lee Byung-hun, who plays Front Man. 'But I when I first read it, I felt it could be a finale. At the same time it could be a new start.' The cast also talked about the emotional impact of saying goodbye – while at the same time, putting to bed rumours of another season after this one. 'From 2019 to 2025, it's been a long time,' Hwang said. 'It brought me a lot of memories, good memories. I never expected this level of success with Squid Game. I mean, how could I? 'Your show becomes a world phenomenon. It's crazy. But it's time to say goodbye, I thought. So, that's why I called it the finale. It's time to move on to my next project.' And it seems as though the cast agree. 'I believe that director Hwang came up with the most adequate, the most unpredictable, the most meaningful, and the most intriguing and entertaining ending possible,' Lee added. 'So, personally, I am very happy with the finale and you all are going to be able to see where it all ends soon, but I can guarantee you it's not going to be what you think.' Squid Game Season 3 airs on Netflix from June 27
