The long-awaited fourth season of “Ted Lasso” has finally arrived, bringing viewers a return visit with the optimistic soccer coach played by series co-creator Jason Sudekis.
In the new season’s debut episode, the show sent some unexpected love in the direction of Taylor Swift, something that viewers certainly couldn’t have anticipated.
Dazzle Me Moi
In the season opener, Richmond Greyhounds owner Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) and the team’s PR and marketing guru Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) are joined by director of communications Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift) on a trip from London to Kansas City.
During their efforts to entice Ted to return to Richmond, Rebecca and Keeley decide to do a little shopping,
They stumble upon a boutique named Dazzle Me Moi, and decide to check it out.
Keeley is immediately entranced by a pair of rhinestone-festooned boots. “Like disco balls for your feet!” she happily exclaims.
A Swiftie Shoutout
Apple TVConservative Rebecca, however, is a bit dubious of the shop’s bedazzled clothing — until they meet Dazzle Me Moi’s owner, Tammy Dineen (Suzanne Cryer).
Rebecca reluctantly tries on a rhinestone-enhanced pantsuit, feeling it’s not her. Then she models it for Tammy, who declares, “Well, consider moi dazzled.”
As they chat, Keeley asks Tammy if she owned the store. “Oh yes ma’am,” she confirms. “I used the cash from my divorce settlement. Figured its about time to be my own boss. The only thing I didn’t consider was the [expletive] recession.”
Then, Tammy explains, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour rolled into Kansas City.
“But luckily, a couple summers ago when Taylor Swift was performing in town, one of her backup singers — a wingless angel of color — she floated in, bought an outfit, posted it on her Insta!” Tammy recalls. “We’ve been poppin’ and hoppin’, and gals have been shoppin’ ever since. Women helping women, am I right?”
Moved by the Swift-inspired story, Rebecca winds up buying the uncharacteristic outfit — and totally rocks it.
A Writers’ Room of Swifties
Speaking with E! News, “Ted Lasso” exec producer Jamie Lee explained that Taylor Swift loomed large when she and the show’s writing team were working on the new season.
“There are a lot of really fun, funny women in our writers’ room, and I’m sure it came from a conversation that we all had,” she said of where the inspiration for that particular scene originated.
“The Eras Tour was happening while we were writing, or right before, and some people had been to it, other people wanted to go to it,” she explained.
“Taylor’s always in the mix of the conversation,” Lee confirmed. “It’s kind of impossible not to talk about her because she’s just so famously incredible.”
An Open Invitation
GettyAccording to Lee, she and the rest of the “Ted Lasso” team would jump at the chance to feature the singer in a “Ted Lasso” cameo.
“Oh my god, we would love it,” Lee told Decider, offering a personal invitation to the singer.
“Taylor, please, if you’re watching, come hang out in our writer’s room,” Lee declared. “We’ll give you free almonds if that entices you.“
