Chad Powers, Hulu’s new six-episode sports comedy (created by star Glen Powell and Loki writer Michael Waldron), kicks off with a premise straight out of Eli Manning’s viral skit: disgraced college quarterback Russ Holliday (Powell) reinvents himself as the titular “Chad Powers,” a prosthetics-laden everyman trying out for a ragtag Southern team, the South Georgia Catfish. Inspired by Eli Manning’s prank video, the show blends Mrs. Doubtfire-style disguise antics with Ted Lasso-esque redemption vibes. Episodes 1 (“1st Quarter”) and 2 (“2nd Quarter”), which dropped today, cram in setup and early hijinks, clocking in at about 35-40 minutes each. It’s a fast-paced romp that’s equal parts crude and charming—but it fumbles a bit on consistency.
Episode 1: “1st Quarter” – Explosive Setup, Uneven Laughs
The pilot dives headfirst into Russ’s downfall: a championship game meltdown (think epic choke under pressure) that torches his NFL dreams. Broke and desperate, he ropes in his makeup-artist dad (Toby Huss, channeling quirky menace) and team mascot Danny (Frankie A. Rodriguez, stealing scenes with wide-eyed enthusiasm) to craft the Chad persona—a doofy, helium-voiced rube with a killer arm. The tryout sequence is the highlight: Powell nails the physical comedy of dodging scrutiny while slinging passes like a pro, complete with a hilarious Chernobyl-deer tangent that loops back absurdly.
But the episode feels rushed, piling on backstory via flashbacks and voiceover that border on sitcom cliche. Russ’s arrogance clashes with Chad’s aw-shucks innocence, but the dual-role gimmick hasn’t fully gelled yet—Powell’s charm carries it, yet the meanness (Russ is a jerk) undercuts the fun. Coach Jake Hudson (Steve Zahn, all folksy grit) and booster boss Tricia (Wynne Everett, sharp and unyielding) add solid support, hinting at deeper team dynamics. It’s setup-heavy, with laughs landing about 70% of the time—think slapstick prosthetics fails and locker-room banter. Grade: B- (7.5/10). A solid huddle, but it needs more yardage.
Episode 2: “2nd Quarter” – Momentum Builds, Heart Sneaks In
Picking up post-tryout, this one shifts to Chad’s awkward integration: dodging showers (prosthetics nightmare), bonding with misfit teammates, and navigating Coach Hudson’s no-BS pep talks. A “road trip” subplot—sneaking out for team-building chaos—echoes classic underdog tropes, but Powell elevates it with a meta line where Russ gripes, “F—, this could be a movie!” (Wink to the audience.) The blur between Russ and Chad starts here, probing if redemption means ditching your worst self or just masking it—edgier than expected for a comedy.
Humor ramps up with cameos from sports pundits and a prosthetics mishap that spirals into farce. Zahn’s coach gets a poignant beat, revealing the Catfish’s desperation (win or bust for the program), while Rodriguez’s Danny becomes the heart—his bromance with Chad feels genuine amid the crude jokes. Still, the Ted Lasso parallels (uplifting blond authority figure? Check) feel too on-the-nose, and some gags (crypto-bro side character, played pitch-perfect by Gabriel LaBelle) overstay. It ends on a cliffhanger tease of exposure, leaving you hooked.
Chad Powers isn’t reinventing the wheel—it’s a mutant mashup of disguise comedy, sports redemption, and bro-culture satire—but Powell’s magnetic dual turn (arrogant bro vs. lovable lug) makes it pop. He’s funny in the broad bits, vulnerable in the quiet ones, and his behind-the-camera involvement shines in the football sequences (advised by the Mannings, no less). Supporting cast like Zahn and Huss add grit, though the show wavers between sweet (team bonds) and sour (Russ’s toxicity). Early Rotten Tomatoes buzz hovers around 75-80% fresh, with critics calling it “deliriously improbable” yet “cobbled from better shows.”
If you’re a Powell fan or crave low-stakes sports farce (no deep football knowledge needed), stream these—it’s a touchdown for bingeability. But if you want polished heart like Lasso, it might feel like a Hail Mary. Fingers crossed the back half delivers the comeback. Worth the watch—now pass the popcorn.
