If you’re still mourning the end of Ted Lasso’s heartwarming run on Apple TV+, Netflix might have just served up your next feel-good fix—or at least, that’s the pitch. Enter Running Point, a new sports comedy that dropped its first season on February 27, 2025, and has already snagged a renewal for Season 2 as of March 9, 2025. Starring Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon, the unexpected president of the fictional Los Angeles Waves basketball team, this show’s got charm, chaos, and a roster of quirky characters that echo the ensemble magic of Jason Sudeikis’ AFC Richmond saga. Critics and fans alike are buzzing: it’s got Ted Lasso vibes—underdog spirit, workplace camaraderie, and a lead who’s out of their depth but full of heart. But does it stand on its own, or is it just coasting on a familiar formula? If you’re craving a binge with soul, here’s why Running Point might be worth a shot—and where it diverges from its soccer predecessor.

At first glance, the parallels are uncanny. Ted Lasso gave us an American football coach bumbling into English soccer, turning skeptics into believers with optimism and biscuits. Running Point flips the script: Isla, a former party girl sidelined by her basketball dynasty family, steps up when her brother Cam (Justin Theroux) crashes out of the Waves’ presidency amid a drug scandal. Like Ted, she’s a fish out of water—underestimated, untested, but armed with a passion for the game her siblings dismissed. The Waves, like Richmond, are a mess—flailing on the court, fractured off it—and Isla’s got to rally a team that doesn’t trust her. Sound familiar? It’s the underdog trope sports fans eat up, and both shows lean hard into it, blending high-stakes games with low-stakes laughs.

Netflix’s Running Point Is A Great Replacement Show For Ted Lasso

Running Point Scratches The Very Same Itch

But don’t call it a carbon copy just yet. Where Ted Lasso was a freewheeling ode to kindness—episodic, warm, and relentlessly upbeat—Running Point has a sharper edge and a tighter arc. Created by Mindy Kaling, Elaine Ko, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, it’s less about feel-good redemption and more about family dysfunction with a side of hoops. Isla’s not baking cookies to win over her crew; she’s navigating a Gordon family tree that’s more Succession than Sesame Street. Her brothers—Ness (Scott MacArthur), the ex-pro GM, and Sandy (Drew Tarver), the CFO—see her as a liability, not a leader. The players, from a pill-popping loose cannon (Chet Hanks) to a shy rookie (Uche Agada), mirror Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt types, but the focus here is less on their growth and more on Isla’s grind. It’s a workplace comedy with a dynastic twist—think less “believe” posters, more boardroom backstabbing.

The ensemble’s where both shows shine, though. Ted Lasso thrived on its pitch-perfect cast—Sudeikis’ folksy Ted, Hannah Waddingham’s steely Rebecca, Brett Goldstein’s gruff Roy—and Running Point counters with its own heavy hitters. Hudson’s Isla is a revelation, balancing rom-com sass with a steel spine, while Theroux’s Cam oozes smarmy charm. Brenda Song’s Ali, Isla’s whip-smart aide, is a standout—though some wish she’d get more than a sidekick gig. The team’s coach (Jay Ellis) brings a Zen vibe that nods to Ted’s quirkiness, but with a divorcee twist that hints at deeper layers. Critics say Ted Lasso had more likable souls—everyone rooted for Sam Obisanya—but Running Point trades lovability for complexity. These characters aren’t here to hug it out; they’re flawed, funny, and fighting for their slice of the pie.

So, why watch? For one, it’s breezy—ten 30-minute episodes that zip by, perfect for a weekend binge. Ted Lasso stretched its seasons over 10-12 hours, savoring every subplot; Running Point keeps it tight, dodging filler like a pro dribbler. The humor’s got Kaling’s glossy touch—think The Mindy Project meets a locker room—less folksy than Ted Lasso’s pun-heavy warmth, more snappy and situational. A cliffhanger ending—unresolved family feuds and a team on the brink—leaves you hungry for Season 2, unlike Ted Lasso’s tidy Season 3 bow (though Season 4 whispers persist). And while basketball montages don’t pack Ted Lasso’s match-day punch—soccer’s chaos outshines static jump shots—the Gordon family hijinks keep the energy buzzing.

The differences matter, too. Ted Lasso was a fantasy of human goodness—Ted’s relentless positivity could melt any cynic. Running Point isn’t so rosy. Isla’s ambition drives her, but she’s no saint—her past includes a Playboy spread and a 20-day marriage, and her rise is as much about proving her brothers wrong as lifting the Waves. The show’s not afraid to lean dark—Cam’s addiction, Ness’s jealousy, Sandy’s scheming—where Ted Lasso kept it light even in heartbreak. Some call it Succession-lite, minus the nihilism; others say it’s Ted Lasso with teeth. Either way, it’s less about team spirit and more about personal stakes, a shift that might jar fans craving Richmond’s hugs-and-high-fives vibe.

Running Point Has Much More Family-Centered Drama Than Ted Lasso

Netflix’s Show Has An Extra Layer Of Intrigue

Online, the chatter’s split. “Running Point is Ted Lasso for people who like drama with their laughs,” one X user posted, while another griped, “It’s trying too hard to be Ted and failing.” Reddit’s r/sitcoms debated its worth—“Similar vibes, but not Ted-level,” one wrote; “Shameful rip-off,” another countered. Critics echo the divide: ScreenRant’s review (Web ID: 0) praises its “memorable characters” and “family hijinks,” but notes plotline balance issues—too much Gordon, not enough court. Rotten Tomatoes clocks it at 95% from viewers, a hair below Ted Lasso’s adoration, suggesting it’s a crowd-pleaser with quirks. “I see its potential,” the reviewer mused, a nod to Season 2’s promise.

For Ted Lasso fans, it’s a no-brainer—familiar beats, fresh twists. Isla’s not Ted, but her grit’s got heart; the Waves aren’t Richmond, but their chaos hooks you. It’s not as uplifting—less “believe,” more “survive”—but that’s the point. If Ted Lasso was soul food, Running Point is a zesty snack—lighter, spicier, still satisfying. Netflix’s renewal signals confidence, and with Kaling’s track record, it might just grow into its own. Binge it now, and you’ll be ahead of the game when Season 2 drops. Love Ted Lasso’s warmth? You might miss it here. Crave a sports comedy with bite? This could be your jam. Either way, Running Point’s in the paint—take the shot.