Since making its debut at the start of the 2022-2023 NFL season, New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce has quickly amassed a large and engaged fan following, as the two brothers and Super Bowl champions pull back the curtain on life in the NFL with entertaining insights from a combined 24 years in the league, as well as share personal stories from their day to day lives.
The weekly digital series continues to rank amongst the most popular podcasts, regularly reaching #1 overall on both the Apple and Spotify podcast charts. The show was also recently named Podcast of the Year at the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards.
In today’s episode, award-winning actor, comedian, and Ted Lasso co-creator Jason Sudeikis joins the guys!
They talk about SNL, the similarities between sports and acting, and, of course, Ted Lasso – plus what fans can expect from season four.
Jason Sudeikis: In 2003, Sudeikis was hired as a sketch writer for Saturday Night Live and would occasionally make bit appearances as audience members or extras. In May 2005, he became a featured player and was upgraded to repertory status in 2006. In July 2013, Sudeikis announced that he was leaving SNL, but still occasionally makes appearances.
Following his departure from SNL, Sudeikis had recurring roles in the comedy series 30 Rock, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Portlandia, and The Last Man on Earth. He is also known for his leading film roles in the comedies Horrible Bosses and its 2014 sequel, Horrible Bosses 2, and We’re the Millers, as well as the acclaimed independent films Drinking Buddies, Sleeping with Other People, and Colossal. He is known for his supporting roles in Alexander Payne’s Downsizing and Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart.
He has also provided voice-work for Epic, The Angry Birds Movie, its 2019 sequel, and Next Gen.
In 2020, he co-created and began starring as the lead in the Apple TV+ sports comedy series Ted Lasso. The series follows Ted Lasso, an American college football coach who is hired to coach an English soccer team in an attempt by its owner to spite her ex-husband. Lasso tries to win over the skeptical English market with his folksy, optimistic demeanor while dealing with his inexperience in the sport.
Ted Lasso was the biggest television series during award season in 2021, successfully winning 7 major Emmy Awards out of 20 nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Sudeikis, and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Hannah Waddingham.
