Chad Powers: no touchdown on this action for Glen Powell (Critique)
A new sports comedy arrives today on Disney Plus. But the Hollywood rising star struggles to bring his team to the summits.
A few weeks before becoming the new Running Man in the cinema (November 5, 2025 in France), Glen Powell goes around by the small screen to wear his very first series, on Disney+. Chad Powers, at the base, it is an idea of Eli Manning (the former NFL star) which is transformed here into a crazy series. The story of an ancient glory of university football, which made a big dumpling during the final and humiliated itself live on American TV. Years later, Russ is still haunted by this moment. He even became persona non grata on a field. One last chance is offered to him: by grimling in Mrs. Doubtfire, he can hope to relaunch his career without being judged on his past …
The intention of Chad Powers is clear: to follow the path opened by Ted Lasso, that of the sympathetic and relaxing sports comedy. Except that instead of our good old football (soccer as they say), we bathe here in the culture of American football. And there, inevitably, it may get stuck for the French public. From the first episode, we understand that Chad Powers is a series thought first and above all for the public of Uncle Sam – or, at least, NFL lovers. If you do not know what a quarterback is supposed to do once the ball in hand, it is not just worth insisting.
And even if you know who is Patrick Mahomes, better wants to watch the Red Zone on BeIN Sport next Sunday. Because Chad Powers is not really successful anyway.
The comparison with Ted Lasso is inevitable, but the parentage ends quickly. Where Jason Sudeikis required solar and benevolent energy, Chad Powers rushes in the opposite direction. The humor is rude, often cruel, and the series drags a misanthropy which weighs down its rare lighter moments.
The script looks like a patchwork of old sporting comedies much more successful and jumps with attached feet in the pitfalls of sports redemption so appreciated by Hollywood cinema. Except that this time, the hero is… undrinkable. Glen Powell is a lot. He is charismatic, attractive, charming, perfect in fighter pilot, tornado hunter or Rom’Com ‘star. But it is not funny. In any case, he struggles to instill comedy in this outdated farce. And to want to do it too much, he also can’t make the project endearing. Russ and his alter ego are undoubtedly among the most painful characters seen on TV in recent years. You can’t be good everywhere.
Chad Powers, season 1 in 6 episodes to see on Disney + from September 30, 2025
