Glen Powell is charming, but 'Chad Powers' is a football fumble Kelly Lawler, USA TODAYSeptember 30, 2025 at 5:02 AM 0 "Ted Lasso" is the exception, not the rule. The Apple TV+ hit is a Hollywood oddity, not necessarily a roadmap for future series.
- - Glen Powell is charming, but 'Chad Powers' is a football fumble
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAYSeptember 30, 2025 at 5:02 AM
0
"Ted Lasso" is the exception, not the rule.
The Apple TV+ hit is a Hollywood oddity, not necessarily a roadmap for future series. It was based on a character created for an ad for soccer coverage on NBC, combines sports comedy with mental health, Anglophile obsession, twee romanticism and the charm of its star, Jason Sudeikis. It can't really be replicated.
But it's hard not to think about "Lasso" while watching Hulu's new comedy "Chad Powers" (streaming now, ★★ out of four), a similarly monikered show that takes place within a semi-professional sports team. Starring Glen Powell as a disgraced college football player who tries a second go at the game under a fake name and a prosthetic nose "Mrs. Doubtfire"-style, "Powers" goes for irreverent and goofy, but oftentimes ends up awkward and cringe. There are moments when it feels as if the show, based on an ESPN+ short that starred Eli Manning as the titular imposter, is trying directly to be an American version of "Lasso," all the sunny humor with gridirons and a bigger tolerance for profanity and lewdness. Although the potential is there, the result is deeply disappointing. Fake noses, questionable Southern accents and gay panic jokes can't make up for a show that lacks soul.
Glen Powell as Russ Holliday/Chad Powers in "Chad Powers."
"Powers" is built entirely on the back of Powell, who brings out all the smarm he drummed up for "Top Gun: Maverick" and then adds some real odiousness on top. Russ Holliday, his character's true name, is a perennial screw-up. Tabloid fodder before he even makes it out of college football, the star quarterback makes a huge mistake in a Rose Bowl game that costs him his career. Eight years later a struggling college team is holding open try outs for a quarterback, so Russ thinks he should have a go at it, in disguise.
Russ invents the persona of Chad Powers, who, under a wig and prosthetics and an accent that makes everyone around him call him derogatory names for mentally disabled people, somehow makes the team. What team is that? Oh right, the South Georgia Catfish, as if there was too much subtlety already in a show in which Powell wears a prosthetic nose as big as the whole of Georgia.
Glen Powell as Russ Holliday/Chad Powers and Frankie A. Rodriguez as Danny in "Chad Powers."
There are flavors of "Mrs. Doubtfire" here, but also underrated Amanda Bynes 2006 high school comedy "She's the Man" and any number of Shakespearean hidden identity foibles. It's all a little bit ludicrous and witless, and not just because, though he is handsome and stately, 36-year-old Powell does not look like he could pass for a student athlete. But in spite of this, he is a magnetic personality even when he's playing an A+ jerk ("Powers" likely has the distinction of being one of the first pieces of media to define just how sleazy its protagonist is by the fact that he drives a Cybertruck). Powell commits to both Russ and Chad in an admirable way − if only the scripts lived up to his dedication.
First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5MIxXE2 class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
">Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
" src=https://ift.tt/5MIxXE2 class=caas-img>'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UmAuISN class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
">'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
" src=https://ift.tt/UmAuISN class=caas-img>'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NId2Yjt class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
">'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
" src=https://ift.tt/NId2Yjt class=caas-img>'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mPF3dty class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
">'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
" src=https://ift.tt/mPF3dty class=caas-img>'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DVCIawh class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
">'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
" src=https://ift.tt/DVCIawh class=caas-img>'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ANOPl7R class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
">'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
" src=https://ift.tt/ANOPl7R class=caas-img>'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8LINgpn class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
">'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
" src=https://ift.tt/8LINgpn class=caas-img>'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jqfLtHS class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
">'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
" src=https://ift.tt/jqfLtHS class=caas-img>'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UBAzp6r class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
">'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
" src=https://ift.tt/UBAzp6r class=caas-img>'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
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'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
">'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
" src=https://ift.tt/mMSZbHs class=caas-img>
1 / 10These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall
Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
The series also can't really develop any supporting characters around Russ/Chad to bolster the series into more than a one-joke sketch. There's Danny (Frankie A. Rodriguez), Russ' accomplice who risks his own future in the fraudulent scheme seemingly just for the fun of it, after meeting Russ one time. Ricky (Perry Mattfeld), is a female coach in a male-dominated sport trying to shrug off sexism and a "nepo baby" reputation. And head coach Jake Hudson (Steve Zahn) is trying to save his job and a failing football program with his surprise new star.
There is great potential for an offbeat, bawdy comedy about one of our nation's obsessions, but "Powers" always goes for the simplistic jokes and surface-level plots. Chad can't get wet and risk his prosthetics, so the team makes fun of him. Chad has no back story so he pretends he's a homeschooled shut in. The laughs are supposed to come, but they don't.
Perry Mattfeld as Ricky and Glen Powell as Russ/Chad in "Chad Powers."
It's a shame, because football is great fodder for deep storytelling in the right context. Even the show namechecks a bunch of pop culture's football stories in its first few episodes, from "Rudy" to "Radio." If "Powers" wasn't as contrived as the character itself, maybe it could stand to be on a list with those others.
As it is, it's only worth cutting from your lineup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Glen Powell football comedy 'Chad Powers' is a flop
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