Hold onto your Roy Kent-sized temper, football fans! The man who brought us the iconic, foul-mouthed, and surprisingly heartwarming coach of AFC Richmond is taking his talents to the stand-up stage. That’s right, Brett Goldstein, the Emmy-winning writer and actor known for his breakout role in “Ted Lasso,” is gearing up for his first ever stand-up comedy special, and it’s headed straight to HBO. Get ready to laugh, cringe, and maybe even shed a tear as Goldstein brings his unique brand of dark humor and sharp wit to a whole new arena.
Playing a Privileged Character
James’ thoughts on playing a character with a complex and potentially toxic personality
In his latest show, Brett Goldstein and Theo James have created characters who unpeel deeper truths beyond their hunky appearances. Goldstein, who’s won two Emmys for portraying soccer player and coach Roy Kent on “Ted Lasso,” returned for the Apple TV+ comedy’s third season. (He’s also a co-creator and writer on “Shrinking,” about a therapist played by Jason Segel.) James joined the second season of HBO’s “The White Lotus,” set in Italy and from creator Mike White, as a chiseled, privileged vacationer.
“How did you end up writing for ‘Ted Lasso’?” people ask me for advice, I’m always like, there’s no magic phone call. It doesn’t happen. But I did get a magic phone call here, from Bill, out of the blue, saying, “I think you’d be good for this football show.”
The Reality of Playing Married Couples
James’ views on the portrayal of marriage in the series and his own personal take on relationships
Were there things you discussed?
“Yeah, it’s a tricky one. Because in certain scenes he’s so duplicitous or villainous or just a massive dickhead, but that’s boring on its own, so you want him to be as likable within that framework. To me, I liked him as a character and as a person, even though I saw that he’s clearly manipulative, toxic, potentially a sociopath the way he interacts around people.”
Do you think your marriage in “The White Lotus” is a good marriage?
“It probably wouldn’t be a good marriage for myself. I think our age group, we still have the ghost of our parents’ generation, which was a standardized, formalized idea of monogamy. Whereas now, with the evolution of relationships and people younger than us who are sexy and trendier and way more fluid, things have evolved. They seem to be happy. That’s one thing Meghann Fahy and I talked about a lot, was they genuinely love each other. So perhaps it wouldn’t be for me. I don’t know about threesomes on Sundays and then picking my son up from soccer practice on Monday morning.”
Balancing Acting and Writing
Scheduling and Productivity
GOLDSTEIN: Someone asked me, “What’s your secret?” The secret’s I’m fucking insane. The secret is my brain has to be that busy, otherwise I go nuts! I would do “Ted Lasso” in the day, and then at night I’d be on Zoom with “Shrinking” and watching rushes or in the writers’ room on Zoom.
The Value of Collaboration
GOLDSTEIN: You’ve got to be very careful with that. We’re very strict on “Ted Lasso.” You have to be clear on what’s the emotion of the scene. You can’t just go and, oh, improvise about toast for five minutes. It might be funny. You won’t use any of it. You’re playing a character that we, as an audience, view through other characters. We’re playing this game of “Is he a bad guy? Is he a good guy?”
The Importance of Self-Care
GOLDSTEIN: Six months is a long time, even in paradise. JAMES: It was one of those jobs that was easy, because the writing’s very good. I’m interested to hear about “Shrinking.”
Implications and Practical Aspects
The Future of Comedy
The impact of Goldstein’s stand-up comedy special and his work on “Ted Lasso” on the comedy landscape
The Power of Representation
The importance of diverse representation in comedy and the impact of Goldstein’s work on the industry
Career Advice
GOLDSTEIN: Most of your time was the four of you? [The other couple is played by Aubrey Plaza and Will Sharpe.] JAMES: Yes. Initially, I stayed in the hotel. But because I have a young child, I was off-site. So we had this thing where we’re playing these characters, then drinking in the bar or going for dinner. Some of Mike’s writing is about the hilarity of the mundane, the hilarity of the privileged. And we are all privileged to be doing this. So just the melding of the two realities in a bar at night, you’re like, “Am I in an episode of ‘The White Lotus’ or am I just having a drink at the end of the day? Because I don’t fucking know.”
Conclusion
The Rise of Brett Goldstein: A New Era for Stand-Up Comedy at HBO
In a significant development for the world of stand-up comedy, Brett Goldstein is set to release his first special on HBO, marking a milestone in his illustrious career. As reported by Variety, this untitled special will be Goldstein’s maiden outing with the esteemed cable network, cementing his status as a rising star in the industry. Notably, Goldstein’s impending special has sparked excitement among fans and industry experts alike, who are eager to experience the unique brand of humor that has captivated audiences in his hit Apple TV+ series, Ted Lasso.
The implications of Goldstein’s special extend beyond the realm of entertainment, as it represents a significant opportunity for the comedian to showcase his talents to a broader audience. With HBO’s vast reach and reputation for quality programming, this special has the potential to propel Goldstein’s career to new heights, paving the way for further collaborations and innovative storytelling. Furthermore, the success of Goldstein’s special could inspire a new wave of comedians to experiment with innovative formats and subject matter, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in stand-up comedy.
As we look to the future, it is clear that Brett Goldstein’s special represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of stand-up comedy. With his unique voice and perspective, he is poised to leave an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring a new generation of comedians and cementing his place as one of the most exciting talents in the business. As Goldstein takes center stage, armed with his sharp wit and infectious humor, we can expect a special that will leave audiences in stitches and leave a lasting impression on the world of comedy. With this special, Goldstein is set to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this talented comedian.