Owen Wilson's new series Stick is feel-good TV at its best

Perth Now

31-05-2025

Not to sound like an insufferable Pollyanna, but I have a list of things that make me smile. And when life's grinding me down and I'm having a particularly crappy day, I'll read it, and try to do at least one thing off it that instantly makes me feel better.
I know — I annoy myself, too.
There are all sorts of random things on said list: drinking my first coffee of the day, getting into clean sheets at night, sniffing my dog's paws (they smell like CCs!), feeling a breeze on my face through an open window, watching funny Instagram memes with my kid — all are instant dopamine hits.
Over the years, various TV series have snuck their way on. And if I need a lift, I'll regularly rewatch old episodes of Escape To The Chateau, Schitt's Creek or Ted Lasso. If I REALLY want to feel all the happy feels, I'll pop on Bluey's Sleepytime episode and cry great, big cathartic tears into my cat's fur — highly recommend.
I can't help wondering if Owen Wilson's new feel-good golf comedy, Stick, might be about to join my happy list, and, indeed, become a whole generation of sports-comedy-loving viewers' serotonin hit of choice.
It tells the story of an over-the-hill golf pro called Pryce Cahill (Wilson), who discovers a 17-year-old golf prodigy named Santi (Peter Dager) and decides to mentor him on the competition circuit. It's got all the ingredients for an instant TV hit, and there are some incredible performances from the cast, which includes Marc Maron, Judy Greer, Mariana Trevino and Lilli Kay. And sure, it's about golf — not exactly my sport of choice — but, like soccer was to Ted Lasso, that's really just the kick-off point to tell some heartfelt stories about hope, resilience and the importance of picking yourself up.
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