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Study: The fastest-selling cars in ChicagoChicagoNow Staffon August 13, 2020 at 8:38 pm

ChicagoNow Staff Blog

Study: The fastest-selling cars in Chicago

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Study: The fastest-selling cars in ChicagoChicagoNow Staffon August 13, 2020 at 8:38 pm Read More »

Brewers @ Cubs Series PreviewMichael Ernston August 13, 2020 at 8:54 pm

Cubs Den

Brewers @ Cubs Series Preview

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Brewers @ Cubs Series PreviewMichael Ernston August 13, 2020 at 8:54 pm Read More »

‘Ted Lasso’: Jason Sudeikis scores as an American dipping a toe into British footballRichard Roeperon August 13, 2020 at 10:30 am

Believe it or not, the new Apple TV+ comedy series “Ted Lasso” isn’t the first TV program or movie to be based on an advertising campaign, as it follows in the footsteps of such endeavors as:

o “Uncle Drew,” the entertaining film from 2018 based on a 2012 spot starring Kyrie Irving as an elderly hoopster.

o “Cavemen,” the execrable and mercifully short-lived series from 2007 “inspired” by the insurance ads about modern-day Cro-Magnons.

o “The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid,” the 1981 made-for-TV movie expanding the story of soda pop-drinking Mean Joe Greene and the kid who gets his jersey — played in the movie by Henry Thomas a year before “E.T.”

Three episodes premiere Aug. 14 on AppleTV+, with future episodes premiering on subsequent Fridays.

On paper (or PDF pitch), “Ted Lasso” would seem to be awfully thin material for a full-length series, given it’s based on what was basically a one-joke ad campaign for NBC Sports back in 2013, the joke being Jason Sudeikis’ titular character is a folksy American football coach who knows nothing about soccer but is hired to become manager of a British soccer team. And true enough, by the end of the 10-episode first season run, we’ve pretty much reached the bottom of the well of running jokes about Ted knowing almost nothing about soccer, hating tea and learning the true meaning of “wanker” and other popular British slang. But thanks to an infectiously affable performance by the likable Sudeikis, a terrific supporting cast and a surprisingly warmhearted center wrapped inside all the sitcom wisecracks, “Ted Lasso” is a charming, easygoing little biscuit of a treat.

(Note: In England, they call cookies “biscuits.” They have cookies as well, but they’re more like our biscuits. Something like that. Crazy!)

The setup for “Ted Lasso” is reminiscent of the first “Major League” movie in that the no-nonsense, female owner of the franchise actually wants to burn the team to the ground for her own gain. That explains why a mustachioed, cornpone, second-tier football coach from America has been imported to coach AFC Richmond, much to the dismay of the rabid fan base as well as the colorful but underachieving members of the team, including the iconic but over-the-hill and rage-filled Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), and the young pretty-boy star Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster), who is more concerned with individual stats and endorsement deals than team success.

One key difference from “Major League”: Whereas Margaret Whitton’s Cleveland Indians owner Rachel Phelps was a cardboard caricature (literally, on one level) of a villain, the wonder Hannah Waddingham’s Rebecca is smart and cunning, but also vulnerable and lovely and quite funny. The complicated and changing dynamic between Ted (who doesn’t know it’s complicated, as he pretty much takes everyone at face value and is an eternal optimist) and Rebecca is one of the more intriguing storylines in “Ted Lasso.”

In fact, any number of potentially stereotypical characters prove to be more than the first impressions they give, e.g., Juno Temple’s Keeley, who makes a splashy entrance as Jamie’s seemingly superficial and daffy model girlfriend but turns out to be something more — just as “Ted Lasso” turns out to be something more than just a padded version of an old ad campaign.

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‘Ted Lasso’: Jason Sudeikis scores as an American dipping a toe into British footballRichard Roeperon August 13, 2020 at 10:30 am Read More »

Chicago Blackhawks could use a huge game from Patrick KaneVincent Pariseon August 13, 2020 at 11:00 am

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - JULY 29: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates during the third period against the St. Louis Blues in an exhibition game prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on July 29, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – JULY 29: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates during the third period against the St. Louis Blues in an exhibition game prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on July 29, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks could really use a big-time game from Patrick Kane.

The Chicago Blackhawks were outplayed in almost every facet of the game on Monday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. It was pretty ugly because Vegas is so much deeper than Chicago which makes them dangerous in all three zones. They run four lines of forwards and three defense pairs that protect their goaltender as well as any team in the league. The Blackhawks need a huge game from Patrick Kane to overcome this.

Patrick Kane is still one of the best offensive players in the league. You know that is the case when he can have four points in four games against the Edmonton Oilers and people see it as underwhelming. Most players would very much love that sort of production but we are sort of expecting more from Kane. He is capable of changing a series all by himself as we have seen in the past and that might be what the Hawks need to beat Vegas.

The Blackhawks were only able to get one past Robin Lehner and it was a sweet short-handed goal by David Kampf that came as a result of a great play by Brandon Saad. That was a nice play but it was certainly not enough scoring to win a game. Everyone knows that Chicago’s offense starts and ends with Kane so seeing him ramp it up in game two would go a long way.

As good as Kane is, however, it can’t all be on him. You saw in the play-in series how much some help from Jonathan Toews, Dominik Kubalik, and Kirby Dach amongst others really elevated them. We even saw Duncan Keith play as he used to in the glory days against Edmonton. Guys like Olli Maatta and Matthew Highmore contributing were nice too. Depth is the key to winning hockey teams but seeing a big game from Kane tonight would be awesome.

Related Story: Vegas was too much for Chicago to handle

This is an afternoon game as the puck drops at 4:30. It is a key game in the series because coming back from down 2-0 against the Golden Knights would be extremely difficult. They make it hard to create offense and they have plenty of players who can put the puck in the net themselves. This is an exciting matchup for sure and hopefully, the Hawks can see a big game from Kane lead them to victory.

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Chicago Blackhawks could use a huge game from Patrick KaneVincent Pariseon August 13, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »

September Reminds Us to Keep Whole Grains at the Top of Our Own Food Pyramidstwinon August 13, 2020 at 2:24 am

All is Well

September Reminds Us to Keep Whole Grains at the Top of Our Own Food Pyramids

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September Reminds Us to Keep Whole Grains at the Top of Our Own Food Pyramidstwinon August 13, 2020 at 2:24 am Read More »

Is This Real?–Cubs 7 Cleveland 2Mike Bangharton August 13, 2020 at 3:15 am

Cubs Den

Is This Real?–Cubs 7 Cleveland 2

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Is This Real?–Cubs 7 Cleveland 2Mike Bangharton August 13, 2020 at 3:15 am Read More »

Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, August 14-16Mark McDermotton August 13, 2020 at 4:51 am

The Beeronaut

Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, August 14-16

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Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, August 14-16Mark McDermotton August 13, 2020 at 4:51 am Read More »

There’s A New Cereal Bar & Candy Store in BeverlyNishat Ahmedon August 12, 2020 at 8:04 pm

Though the coronavirus pandemic has brought in many hardships for local businesses, there are others trying to bring solidarity and community to the city by innovating their restaurants or opening new establishments. Qiana Allen, the operator behind Culture’s Closet, a women’s boutique in Beverly, is opening a new cereal bar and candy store in the same neighborhood.

cereal bar
Photo Credit: Munchiez

Munchiez, opened earlier this month, is a new cereal bar and candy store that has 33 types of cereal, an endless variety of sweet goods, zany milkshakes, and so much more. Qiana, a parent along with being an entrepreneur, wants Munchiez to be more than just a place for locals to grab sweet treats, she also hopes the venture can be a way to teach her sons, 15 and 20, the basics of starting a business. In an interview with Eater, Allen remarked on how much her kids love cereal and sugar. “They go through so many boxes of cereal every day, it’s crazy. I wanted to find something they enjoy so it won’t seem like work,” said Allen.

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There are, of course, a seemingly endless amount of cereals to consider stocking up on these days. In combing through the many options, Allen had a neighborhood tasting to get an idea of what customers from all age groups would be interested in. She also deferred to her children in selecting some of their favorite brands as well.

Cereal Bar
Photo Credit: Munchiez Facebook Page

Those familiar with the cereal game will be delighted to see names such as Trix, Apple Jacks, and Lucky Charms served up with flavored milk, put into cereal bars, or infused into their “loaded milkshakes.” Allen doesn’t want the buck to stop with the sweets, offering savory favorites from her own childhood, like walking tacos mixed with Doritos, Takis, or Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and topped with salsa, sour cream, jalapeños, and cheese. Even the candy selection has some items packing a punch like the Paqui, the novelty at the center of the “One Chip Challenge,” holding a single blue corn chip dusted generously with Carolina Reaper pepper. For those not acquainted with the spice life, Munchiez will still sell Charleston Chews and Jolly Rancher in bulk by the pound.

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BomboBar
Photo Credit: BomboBar

View the Best Dessert Places in Chicago

Can’t get enough of the sweet life? View our list of the best dessert places in the city.

View the Best Dessert Places in Chicago

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Cereal BarThrough their social media, Allen wants to sell little packages for patrons to send candy to their loved ones. Eventually, Allen wants to incorporate a “Munchiez After Dark,” a space for adult socializing and karaoke. She has no plans for a liquor license given that she aims to keep Munchiez all ages. With bright walls and retro arcade games to keep folks entertained between snacking escapades, Munchiez will keep the kid in all of us quite entertained.

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Featured Image Credit: Munchiez

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There’s A New Cereal Bar & Candy Store in BeverlyNishat Ahmedon August 12, 2020 at 8:04 pm Read More »