TV Review: Ted Lasso (Season One)

In a year of unprecedented struggles, hardships, and tragedies, moments of comic relief have been few and far between. Instead of being able to make normal jokes and observations about the world around us, many have resorted to dark humor and comic nihilism to cope with the current uncertainties of life. Luckily, Apple TV+ has blessed its subscribers with a momentary time-out from the chaos we found ourselves living in with the release of the first season of Ted Lasso. The series follows an American college football coach who is recruited to lead an English Premier League soccer team, but it is so much more than that. The first season is heartfelt, inspiring, and chock-full of hilarious one-liners and precarious circumstances.

I’ve always been a big fan of Jason Sudeikis. Whether it was his time at Saturday Night Live or his off-screen style, he has always seemed like a genuine and talented person. Up until this point since leaving SNL, Sudeikis has struggled to find a recurring role either acting or writing for a successful comedy series. His contributions to Ted Lasso, however, seem to have gone over extremely successfully so far, as the show has received significant critical acclaim since its release. I’m glad that the series has been picked up for another season.

The show avoids the pitfalls of typical sports comedy tropes. Every character, including players, coaches, and management, has a level of compelling complexity which adds the dimensional richness I desire in comedies. Without getting into spoilers, each character is on their own journey and evolves as the season progresses, but there is still so much room for growth in season two. The wit and cleverness of the writing is unparalleled, and triumphs over the boring, run-of-the-mill network comedies which have disappointed for years. This show just has the “it” factor, similar to how Schitt’s Creek always did, which makes me think it can be successful in the long-term.

Times are tough. We are all navigating these uncharted waters differently. I am confident, however, that finding something relatable to laugh at comes as a relief to all of us right now. Ted Lasso, as wholesome as it is, also produces genuinely funny moments. I highly suggest you check it out on Apple TV+.

SCORE: 9/10

Vice Presidential Debate Analysis

On Wednesday night, Vice President Mike Pence and Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris met on the debate stage in Salt Lake City, Utah. Though Vice Presidential debates historically don’t impact polls or the race in general, this year’s veeps are more significant than usual due to Joe Biden’s and Donald Trump’s age. This debate was much more substantive than the disastrous first presidential debate, where Donald Trump was likely contagious with the coronavirus. There were a few key moments which defined Wednesday’s debate, and there is now good reason to think Trump’s campaign is all but defeated.

Kamala Harris is known for her superior rhetorical skills and debate experience, and while she was less pointed than usual against Pence, those skills were on display Wednesday night. Harris confidently and completely answered the majority of moderator Susan Page’s questions, but refused to answer whether or not a Biden administration would pack the Supreme Court. While many conservative political pundits see this as a dodge, I view this as a strategic tactic to avoid the backlash which would come from either a yes or no. If Biden and Harris were to commit to packing the courts, the entire right and those on the left who oppose it would be upset. If they weren’t to make that commitment, those on the left in favor of packing the court would show dismay. My opinion on the matter is if Donald Trump and the Republican Senate nominate and approve Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court after barring Barack Obama from doing the same with Merrick Garland in 2016, they should absolutely pack the court with diverse, young, liberal justices. Actions have consequences.

Another key moment was Kamala Harris’s opening answer and subsequent condemnation of the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus. Without mincing words, Harris highlighted and scorned Mike Pence for inaction which has led to the deaths of over 218,000 Americans. Pence showed apathetic “sympathy” for those affected by the virus, but couldn’t outline a plan the coronavirus task force is following the lessen the damage the virus is still causing. On the other hand, Kamala Harris outlined exactly what she and Joe Biden would do to finally handle the pandemic which has halted the economy and needlessly hurt so many over the past months.

In keeping with Pence’s inability to clearly answer questions directly, he displayed a new tactic at Wednesday night’s debate. When Susan Page introduced questions related to a new topic, Pence continually regressed and tried to answer the last set of questions which were asked. After doing so, Harris would answer the same question, and Pence would claim he needed time to address the issue as if he hadn’t just given up that time deferring on the matter. This tactic came across as dodgy, and when paired with Pence’s condescending tone and strange physical appearance, totaled in a very bizarre showing for the vice president.

I only like to bring up personal appearance when it is relevant to the discourse. On Wednesday, Pence didn’t appear well. From his swollen lip to his bloodshot eye, concerns arose that Mike Pence was exhibiting early symptoms of COVID-19. After cancelling campaign events to return to Washington, it wouldn’t surprise me if Pence, too, has caught the virus. I would also be remiss not to mention the surprise star of the night’s debate, which was the fly that sat on Mike Pence’s head for over two minutes. I’m not going to read too much into this hilarious coincidence, but we all know what flies migrate toward: steaming piles of incompetence.

Although post-debate polls reflect that the electorate think Harris won the debate, it’s unclear whether or not this performance will be memorable or impactful on the race. With presidential debate two recently being canceled and time running out for the Trump campaign, it’s looking more likely that Joe Biden will have great chances on election day. Who do you think won the debate? Thanks for reading.

2020 Presidential Election Map Prediction As Of October

In a normal election year cycle, one or two “October surprises” could be anticipated. Usually taking the form of unexpected news stories or revelations, these surprises can actually have an impact in states where the final popular vote count is close. This year’s election cycle, however, just like the rest of 2020, is the exact opposite of normal. One week into October and we have already found out about Donald Trump’s tax return bombshell, along with the President becoming a coronavirus super spreader who is infecting the entire White House with his irresponsibility. With less than a month to go until the last day of the election, national and statewide polling is looking promising for Joe Biden’s chances. This, of course, doesn’t mean we should become complacent or comfortable; things can change quickly. We should instead use these indicators as motivation to get out and vote if we haven’t already. In this post, I’ll be predicting the 2020 presidential election map, which is something I’ll only do once more before election day. Let’s get into it.

With time dwindling down before election day, prediction forecasts are starting to become more decisive in their projections. FiveThirtyEight, for example, calls Joe Biden a “favorite” to defeat Donald Trump, currently giving him an 84% chance of doing so. Largely, this is because the states where the popular vote margin will be high are solidifying more by the day, especially since the president caught the coronavirus. What’s interesting is that, according to my predictions, Joe Biden’s “safe” states like California, Illinois, and New York among others guarantee him 183 electoral votes, while Trump’s safe states like Wyoming, South Dakota, and Utah among others only guarantee him 94 electoral votes. This disparity in given states puts Joe Biden at a big advantage, needing to win less battleground states in order to win electorally than Donald Trump.

Even some states that were Republican strongholds for decades such as Georgia and Texas are up for grabs in this year’s election. Whether this is because of changing demographics, our current political circumstances, or some combination of both, it’s undeniable that these states will likely be closer than they have been in a long time. As a Georgia voter who has already sent off his absentee ballot, I’d love to see my state go blue, but with past incidences of voter suppression and low turnout in key demographics, I’m currently predicting a Trump win both here and in Texas. Biden doesn’t need these states like Trump does, though, so making them a problem area for the Trump campaign, especially in regard to campaign finance, bodes well for Biden and company.

What was considered for years a “blue wall” or Democratically leaning voters decided against their norm and helped elect Donald Trump in 2016. There are many reasons why this happened, but I don’t see it happening again in 2020. Biden’s ties to the Rust Belt states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Pennsylvania would likely seal the election for him if it were held today, and likely will in November if nothing changes. Those states, along with Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and others which were formally either red or swing states that are now turning purple or blue, pad Biden’s lead comfortably.

If the election were held today, I believe Joe Biden would comfortably become the next president of the United States, winning 319-219. I’m sure that Donald Trump’s fascistic tendencies of questioning the reliability of voting by mail will only worsen as the election nears, but we’ll cross (and burn) that bridge when we get to it. In the meantime, it’s important to stay safe, informed, and active by voting, keeping up with the news, and listening to the scientific community. Thanks for reading, and enjoy tonight’s vice presidential debate.

Presidential Debate (09/29/2020) Analysis

The 2020 election is underway. As tens of thousands send in their absentee ballots or prepare to vote early in-person, many are waiting until November 3rd to cast their ballots to decide the next president. While the country is historically partisan and divided, there are still some who are undecided as to who they will vote for, if anyone. Last night, as I’m sure you know, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden met onstage for the first time to debate the many issues which the next president will need to address. These included the pandemic, race relations, and climate change among others. Unfortunately, the debate quickly went downhill, eventually highlighting the most divisive and toxic elements of the current political landscape. Verifiable lies, name-calling, and interrupting were consistent throughout the event, none of which were addressed by moderator Chris Wallace in any real way. While I believe Joe Biden “won” last night’s debate, if we can even call it one, I more so believe that America lost last night.

Historically, presidential debates are respectable and substantive conversations from each party’s nominated candidate that allow the American people to assess the policies, judgements, and personalities of said candidates. In a country as divided and damaged as the one we are living in now, however, most of the general electorate is aware of both Trump and Biden, and as polling reflects, they’ve already made their minds up. Very few supporters of either nominee were either encouraged or dissuaded from their candidate of choice last night, but instead ended the evening exhausted from the verbal cage-match they had just witnessed.

In a night full of nightmarish moments, there are a few that stand out in particular. Firstly, Donald Trump simply won’t admit that he has underpaid his federal income taxes over the past decades, but is simultaneously claiming that taking advantage of tax loopholes makes him smart. I would counter, however, that this admission is electorally numb-skulled, as Trump is revealing he has no desire to personally help fund the military, schools, police, hospitals, or roads among countless other services and facilities - not very American if you ask me. Another moment which stood out was the sheer hypocrisy displayed by Trump in defending his choice to nominate and potentially fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Supreme Court seat while the election is already taking place. I thought that Biden should have attacked this moment more pointedly by highlighting how Republicans stalled on Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland in his final term in office. Additionally, I found it disgusting when Donald Trump impugned Joe Biden’s son Hunter who has openly overcome a cocaine addiction, all while acting dismissive when discussing Biden’s late son Beau.

But that’s not the worst of it. The Trump presidency stooped to an all-time low last night, which says a lot coming after mishandling the coronavirus which has killed over 210,000 Americans, crippling the economy, mocking disabled reporters, and putting kids in cages, among so many other despicable acts. Last night, Donald Trump failed to disavow white supremacy. Even the most charitable interpretation of this exchange needs to note that Trump told the white supremacist group of Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by”, as if to await further instruction from the Commander-In-Chief himself. This comes at a moment of peril for many minority communities who are being openly discriminated against and killed by a broken, racist, unjust system, which they have faced throughout the country’s entire history, but that is just now getting national attention. Instead of giving Trump’s supporters, even the passive ones, the benefit of the doubt anymore, this needs to be recognized for what it is. There is a vile man who represents the worst of this country in command because he was voted for by the worst people (not a majority, either) that this country has to offer. It’s really that simple.

Today, my absentee ballot was accepted and I am proud to, again, be voting on the correct side of history. It’s going to be difficult to sit through another two presidential debates if they’re anything like the first last night. Hopefully Kamala Harris can bring fresh energy to the stage next week in her debate against Vice President Mike Pence. Until then, we continue to push forward against the fascist regime which is revealing itself in front of our eyes. Thanks for reading.

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Album Review: Shore - Fleet Foxes

Seattle based folk band Fleet Foxes suddenly released their newest album Shore on September 22nd to fittingly coincide with the autumnal equinox. The release came as a welcome surprise for fans who have been patiently waiting to see what would follow the group’s 2017 album Crack-Up. The newest offering demonstrates maturity, refinement, and a blend of all of the group’s previous sounds, which in all, completely exceeded my expectations. Lead singer Robin Pecknold and company simply can’t miss.

The album’s first track opens with vocals from Uwade Akhere and sets the tone of what’s to come in the tracklisting. “Wading in Waist-High Water” is a peaceful, end-of-summer reflection which presents a calm energy and atmosphere that the rest of the project finds comfort soaking in. “Sunblind” picks up the pace with the instantly recognizable vocals from Pecknold. This track beautifully pays homage to the artists who have passed away but who continue to inspire and influence Fleet Foxes as a group. “Can I Believe You” is a vulnerable and earnest song with a catchy and simple chorus. This track’s vocal backing is largely made up of Pecknold’s Instagram followers who sent in audio clips of their singing, which I found very interesting. The record opens strongly and just doesn’t stop impressing.

“Jara” pays homage to Chilean folk singer Victor Jara while also reflecting on the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, unpacking the injustice it has exposed. This track loops very rhythmically, continuing the faster pace for the group and different from previous albums Helplessness Blues or Crack-Up. “Featherweight” is lighter on its feet with very little drum backing and a gentle vocal refrain from Pecknold. This track focuses on the recognition of privilege, especially after being exposed to the many downfalls of society in the past year. Not only is this one of my favorite songs on the album, it’s one of my favorites in Fleet Foxes’ discography. “A Long Way Past the Past” doesn’t sound nearly as emotionally compelling as its lyrical content proves upon deeper analysis, as this track discusses living life attached to one’s past and memories. The nostalgic sound offered here adds another layer of meaning and complexity on a second listen. At this point in the tracklist, the band hasn’t missed.

And with “For A Week Or Two”, they don’t break that streak. This track reflects on becoming one with nature; escaping the hustle of urban life to once again feel a connection to the natural world. This beautiful track transitions perfectly into “Maestranza” which reflects on the communal struggle with recent events and on isolation itself. “Young Man’s Game” focuses on the naivety of childhood, specifically boyhood, with an upbeat tempo, even featuring kids singing as the track closes out. This is the first hiccup in the tracklist for me, because for some reason the lyrical content, instrumentation, and vocal delivery just don’t mesh perfectly with one another. This is redeemed by the following “I’m Not My Season”, however, which heartbreakingly and relatably reminds us that the circumstances we find ourselves in don’t and should never define us. I hear Josh Tillman’s vocal influence here, which is appropriate as he used to play drums for the group before releasing music under the name Father John Misty. This idea of us not being our experiences is so simple but so profound, and it is communicated beautifully by Pecknold.

“Quiet Air / Gioia” the the unsettling and ominous story of anticipating some great misfortune beyond one’s control. Pecknold has explained how climate change was on his mind when crafting this song, which eerily makes almost too much sense. “Going-to-the-Sun Road” is a beautiful but downtrodden recounting of wanderlust met with the acceptance of one’s eternal limitations. Just like most of the tracks on this album, this song builds gorgeously and culminates to create a perfectly painted picture for its listener.

“Thymia” is a short but wondrous track which explains the feeling of inner inspiration and compelling to one’s calling. It also transitions appropriately into the next song “Cradling Mother, Cradling Woman”, the album’s penultimate track which likens passion (music in Pecknold’s case) to a nurturing force which brings one internal sustenance. This track isn’t as sonically compelling as others on the album, but I enjoy it nonetheless. The project closes with the title track “Shore” which serves as a thematic epilogue, closing up the few loose ends the album has to offer. Once again, this song pays homage to inspirations and finds comfort in the uncertainty of what the future may have to offer - an excellent closure to a great album.

It will be fascinating to see how artists internalize the times we’re living through and how their experiences are reflected in their art. In Fleet Foxes’ case, the struggles being faced by all recently have been meditated to the point of being able to be consumed as harmonic, resonant, and relatable songs which combine the previous elements that popularized the band in the first place. While there are slight imperfections throughout, Fleet Foxes' Shore is still a must-listen and one of my favorite albums of the year so far. Thanks for reading.

Favorite tracks: “Wading in Waist-High Water”, “Sunblind”, “Can I Believe You”, “Jara”, “Featherweight”, “A Long Way Past the Past”, “For A Week Or Two”, “Maestranza”, “I’m Not My Season”, “Quiet Air / Gioia”, “Going-to-the-Sun Road”, “Thymia”, “Shore”

Score: 8/10