Jason Sudeikis Ted Lasso Becomes Critical Acclaim Success

For most of TV history, commercials have served as a necessary evil. The advertisements that interrupt whatever program you're watching are the things paying for the show, after all. Sometimes, though, the line between program and promotion blurs when the commercials become the whole show.

The Origins of Ad-Turned-Show Success

Not all of these series are good — in fact, most of them aren't. The vast majority of ads-turned-shows failed, whether because the crassness of capitalism got to be a little much, or ideas that worked as an entertaining 30-second spot couldn't actually support an episode-length narrative. At best, many are remembered as novelties.

The Rise of 'Ted Lasso'

One modern series, in particular, is based on a commercial and has overcome its origins to become one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedies of its era. The character, played by Jason Sudeikis, first appeared in 2013 as part of a series of commercials promoting NBC Sports' coverage of England's soccer Premier League.

The Transformation from Ad Campaign to Full-Blown Show

With the help of Bill Lawrence, the man behind 'Scrubs,' the ad campaign became a full-blown show that premiered on Apple TV+ in August 2020. The show's relentless optimism and upbeat tone made it especially welcome during the pandemic.

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The Case of 'Cavemen'

On the other hand, there was 'Cavemen,' which originated from a GEICO commercial. The character, played by Bill English, Nick Kroll, and Sam Huntington under prehistoric prosthetic makeup, had problems before it even aired.

The Failure of 'Cavemen'

The network had to significantly retool the pilot episode because many critics thought the cavemen were being depicted as an offensive stand-in for African-Americans. The buzz was bad when the show premiered in 2007, and the reviews were worse. Despite initial interest, viewership quickly fell off a cliff.

From Flops to Revivals: The GEICO Cavemen

The GEICO Cavemen would return to television screens during the 2008 Super Bowl, with a self-aware commercial that poked fun at the concept of a 'Cavemen' series. However, their infamous status has endured.

Baby Bob: The Infamous Internet Phenomenon

Another character associated with monumental failures is Baby Bob, who first appeared in a series of popular commercials for FreeInternet.com. Despite the company's bankruptcy, Baby Bob survived and became an internet phenomenon.