Fans who tuned into Ted Lasso Season 3 premiere believe that Jason Sudeikis shaded popular singer Harry Styles in the episode.
Jason Sudeikis shaded Harry Styles?
The episode revolves largely around Sudeikis’ title character mulling over moving back to the United States to spend more time with his son, Henry.
After ultimately deciding to stay in the U.K. and keep coaching, Ted has a video call with Henry, who’s playing with an Infinity gauntlet seen in the Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame movies. Ted asks Henry where he got the toy, and Henry replies that “Jake” gave it to him, adding that Jake is “Mommy’s friend.” This leaves Ted seething and hurt.
Some fans speculated that the Thanos gauntlet is a reference to Styles, who made his MCU debut in a post-credit scene of Eternals as Thanos’ brother, Starfox (also called Eros).
Said fans also believe that “Jake” is a reference to “Jack,” the name of Styles’ character in Don’t Worry Darling, where he and Olivia Wilde—Sudeikis’ ex and mother of his children—met.
It could also just be theories that ultimately don’t mean much. It’s not unheard of for kids to play with toys inspired by one of the biggest box office successes in history, and Jake is a pretty common name.
Sudeikis previously said that his own life, experiences and insights are scattered throughout the series, but executive producer and writer Brett Goldstein dismissed any chatter and comparisons of Ted and Sudeikis’ life.
“I don’t think [Sudeikis’ breakup with Wilde] was ever a consideration. The story was always the story,” Goldstein said. “None of that stuff matters to what Ted Lasso is, I don’t think.”
