Latest news with #PeterDager
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Stick' on Apple TV+: Marc Maron helped shape most emotional scene with Owen Wilson, pushing for fewer jokes
For weeks, the most popular show on Apple TV+ has be Stick, starring Owen Wilson, Peter Dager, Marc Maron, Lilli Kay and Mariana Treviño. It's a story about a washed-up ex-golf pro, Pryce Cahill (Wilson), who sees potential in young protégé Santi Wheeler (Dager), and wants to train him to be the next great golf superstar. Many have found similarities between Stick and another Apple TV+ hit, Ted Lasso, with both shows including an appealing mix of heartwarming moments, hysterical comedy and sports. Stick adds to the existing catalogue of shows that are simply sweet and hopeful stories. Additionally, it features a robust ensemble cast, each with their own interesting character arcs to explore. But of course, the show comes with the added pressure for much of its cast to beef up their golf skills. "I love being bad at things, and I love growing and getting better at things," Dager told Yahoo Canada. "As an actor, that's kind of what you dream about. You want to go somewhere else to portray a certain character. You want to learn." That includes a particularly fun moment when Owen's character Pryce is trying to teach Zero (Kay) about golf, to become Peter's caddie. "I was along for the ride with Zero there. I was really just learning, learning about golf," Kay said. "I think for me, it was just so much fun because that was the beginning of my falling in love with golf, and I think it was the start for Zero as well." Santi reconnects with his estranged father As we approach the season finale this week, the penultimate episode ends with Santi's estranged father, Gary (Mackenzie Astin) showing up at the PGA tournament, opening up space to really dive into the trauma that Santi holds from his father, who we know is the person who both initially made Santi interested in golf, and also resulted in him staying away from the sport for so long. "That was the most exciting part ... to earn your way to those last episodes, to be able to go and live through that as Santi," Dager shared. "The cool thing about the show is you learn all the way up until the end. It's entertainment, but you're also being informed about these characters, and everything is getting deeper and deeper and deeper, and you get to learn a whole new layer about all of them." And of course a core part of this relationship is how it impacts Santi's mother Elena (Mariana Treviño), and how she responds. "Peter was very engaging, ... since the beginning, day one, he had sent [me texts]," Treviño said. "He was like, 'Hey, I'm going be your son. Let's have coffee.' So he really made an effort to connect ... and to introduce himself." "And in my case it was wonderful, because I arrived late because of a problem I had with my passport, it was lost right before getting into the plane. So I was a bit nervous and flustered. And once I got to set and there was Peter, and he's so mature and he's so loving, and we just connected instantly." Establishing a 'believable' friendship with 'organic' comedy A particularly entertaining element of the show is the friendship between Pryce and Mitts (Marc Maron), brilliantly established at the beginning of the season by a great scene after they orchestrate their betting scheme at a local bar. The two have a conversation in Pryce's car, where Pryce tells Mitts he can "ease up" talking about his as a failure, but Mitts says the details are important. It's a really effective bit of banter to understand this relationship. "Owen and I, we connected pretty quickly," Maron said. "And the interesting thing about that scene is that I'm him a little bit, I'm getting out my own petty anger at my best friend." "There was a lot weighing on that scene, because when we entered it the big question was, is it going to be believable that these guys have known each other for over 20 years? And there was just something that we clicked into. ... I'm glad you like that scene, because they were all, I wouldn't say worried about it, but it was a big test of the believability." The balance that Stick strikes between comedy and emotional moments is an aspirational goal for many, as it's executed so successfully in this show. Reflecting on that achievement, Maron really saw that combination the first time he read the scripts and looked at the characters Pryce and Mitts. "These guys are traumatized by grief, and ... a lot of what defines them as aging friends is this unspoken connection to a true sadness. ... I think both of them ... are doing all they can to to avoid those feelings," he said. "The reason it works is because it's organic, because there's a tension within them that seeks release, and the process of them doing that together is comedic." "When we end up having this fight that is almost ridiculous, the arc of that fight, where I'm pushing him to own his grief, and then for us to get into this scuffle, and then just end up laying there, ... that is funny. But it's not a joke funny, it's all sort of true to the characters. And I was very vigilant about the writing in that and making suggestions around beats that were diminished by a joke. There were a couple of scenes where I'm like, you don't have to button this with a joke, you can let this feeling be its own thing, and it's going to be enough. So I was aware of that because the comedy was organic."
Indianapolis Star
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
The new Apple TV+ comedy series 'Stick' is set in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Here's what to know
After the success of "Ted Lasso," Apple TV+ is at it again with a new sport-centered heartfelt comedy series. "Stick" is about a washed up professional golfer who now works at sporting goods store in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Here's what to know about the show and its ties to Indiana. The show is set in Fort Wayne, Indiana. That is where former professional golfer Pryce Cahill (Owen Wilson) selling clubs at a sporting goods store. Cahill spots a teenage golfer, Santiago "Santi" Wheeler (Peter Dager) at the driving range and decides he wants to coach him to the big leagues. The show takes place in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the teenage prodigy in the show, Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager) wears a visor with Indiana University's logo on it. Previously: How Nick Offerman responded to a homophobic meme of his 'Parks and Rec' character
Axios
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
New movies and shows this week on Apple TV+, Peacock and Netflix
Here's what's new on Apple TV+, Peacock, Netflix, BET+, Disney+ and Hulu. What we're watching: A new sports comedy series starring Owen Wilson and new seasons of "Love Island USA" and "Ginny & Georgia." " Stick" available now on Apple TV+ State of play: Owen Wilson stars as a washed-up, ex-pro golfer who gets a new lease on life by mentoring a troubled, teenage golf prodigy (played by Peter Dager). What they're saying: "I've seen golf explode since COVID. We've seen a more diverse group of people playing. I've been super interested and happy about that. All these things coalesced into [the main character], the show and the story," creator Jason Keller tells Axios. Behind the scenes: The series will feature guest appearances from golf stars including Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, Max Homa and Wyndham Clark. " Love Island USA" season 7 available now on Peacock Friction point: Ten new islanders have entered the villa and will have the burden of following the record-setting sixth season. Driving the news: A spinoff starring the cast of season 6 is set to air this summer. Ginny & Georgia" season 3 available now on Netflix Catch up quick: This season picks up after Georgia (played by Brianne Howey) is arrested for murder during her wedding. The latest: This dramedy will be coming back for a fourth season. " Phineas and Ferb" season 5 on Disney+ After a 10-year hiatus, one of Disney's hottest cartoons has been revived with the original voice cast in tow. Available Friday " Tires" season 2 on Netflix Vince Vaughn, Thomas Haden Church and Jon Lovitz will be guest stars during this season of Shane Gillis' workplace comedy. Available now " Predator: Killer of Killers" on Hulu Set in the "Predator" universe, this animated film follows three fierce warriors at different stages in human history who battle against the titular alien. Available Friday " Straw" on Netflix Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor and Sinbad star in Tyler Perry's newest thriller about a struggling single mother who robs a bank to get money for her daughter's medicine. Available Friday " Ocean with David Attenborough" on Disney+ and Hulu Attenborough narrates this documentary that zeroes in on humanity's impact on oceans — from destructive fishing methods to their ripple effects on marine life, coastal communities and the climate. Available Sunday "House on Fire" on BET+
Irish Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Stick review: Owen Wilson is full of charm in this wry, unassuming golf comedy
There is no logical reason why Owen Wilson 's new Apple TV+ dramedy Stick (Wednesday, Apple TV+) should be so full of charm. Once a regular collaborator with and even muse to high priest of cinephile quirkiness, Wes Anderson, Wilson has not had a project of note in years. Then there is the uneven quality of Apple's comedy output, which errs to a fault towards twee and fluffy (witness the unfiltered horror of feel-good soccer drama Ted Lasso). Plus the series is about golf, which already had its moment in the comedy spotlight with Caddyshack (let us also acknowledge underrated Kevin Costner rom-com Tin Cup ). Absolutely nothing about Stick screams obligatory binge-watch. But Stick sticks the landing. It coasts on the melancholic charm that was a feature of Wilson's early career as he plays a former golf wiz named Pryce Cahill, whose life has crumbled into a mid-life disaster zone until he discovers a young prodigy (Peter Dager) with a great swing and a terrible attitude and vows to make him famous. A likeable ensemble is filled out by Judie Greer as Pryce's ex wife and podcaster Marc Maron as his roguish best pal, Mitts. Owen Wilson, as Pryce Cahill, discovers 17-year-old golf prodigy Santiago Wheeler, played by Peter Dager. Photograph: Apple TV+. With his marriage and golfing prospects both in the bunker, Cahill is at rock bottom. But when he discovers the 17-year-old drop-out, Santi, played by Dager, thwacking a ball on the practice range, he's convinced he's stumbled upon the next Tiger Woods . Initially alarmed at being pestered by a random middle-aged man, Santi eventually comes around to Pryce's sales pitch. That is in contrast to his understandably suspicious mother, Elena (Mariana Treviño), who wonders about Pryce's motives and why he is so obsessed with turning her son into a star. Much like Wilson and his career-making performances in The Royal Tenenbaums and Zoolander , Stick has a satisfyingly ambling quality. It is never in much of a hurry; there is plenty of time to slow down and admire the scenery. But as Cahill and Santi strike up a partnership and head on the road – inevitably, there is a big amateur tournament they hope to win – there are hints of a deeper sadness underpinning Pryce's meltdown. As Pryce lowers his guards, so the series gradually becomes a character study in loss, survival and learning to move on. READ MORE The one caveat for the Irish viewer is that Stick insists Cahill's name should be pronounced 'Kay-hill', which will feel like nails driven into your ears. You won't want to scream at Stick – but you may want to take it aside and explain Cahill does not rhyme with 'fail'. That speed-bump aside, this wry, unassuming comedy swings, hits and, to mix sporting metaphors, knocks it out of the park.
Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Stick, review: Owen Wilson's new golf comedy is par for the course
Given that I'm someone who watches way too much sport on TV, it's strange that when it comes to fictional sports shows, be they comedy or drama, I'm likely to give them a swerve, they so rarely get the sport bit right. So Owen Wilson 's new golf comedy Stick (Apple TV+) looked headed straight for the bunker. But, fair play, even if the series treads an unsure and sometimes shallow line between comedy and drama, what Stick gets right is the golf itself. When Wilson's washed-up ex-pro Pryce Cahill spots skinny teen Santi (Peter Dager) whistling balls into the stratosphere at a driving range, we see what he sees: a phenom with a swing that has stardom etched into the swing of its sweet hips. Game on as Pryce takes Santi, reluctant at first, under his rusty wing. So the sport part of this underdog story had me rooting for it. If only the plot had as firm a grip on what it was aiming for as Santi loading up his three wood. Because when it comes to the sporting underdog schtick, Stick sticks to the middle of the fairway, playing it safe when a few tin cup chances would have lifted it out of the pack. As Pryce takes Santi out on the road in a bid to turn him into a top pro, our cards are marked pretty quickly. Personal tragedy, the death of a young son, has sent Pryce on a downward spiral, wrecking his career and his marriage. Santi is his lifeline, a son substitute who also reminds him of the player he used to be. The loafer charm of Wilson makes a good match with Dager's finely tuned turn as a cocky teen whose bravado masks insecurity. But we only scratch the surface of their relationship as Stick swings uneasily between comedy and drama, not really teeing off convincingly as either. 'Yeah, at one point in my life, I was somebody,' notes Pryce to Santi as the pair head out on the biggest round of the young prodigy's career, only to meet fans who recall the old pro in his pomp. It's a line that hints at something deeper hidden beneath Pryce's genial surface, but it's left to drift off into the rough. Still, if you go with Stick's laid back flow, there's plenty to enjoy. While the plot twists aren't so much signposted as written in capital letters on the scoreboard by the 18th green, there's something comforting in knowing exactly where the action is heading. Will Pryce get his life back on track? Will Santi's mum hit it off with Pryce's old caddy Mitts? Will Santi's domineering dad turn up and wreck his chances like he did in the juniors? Will we be teed up for a second series in which Pryce finally gets his head back in the game? You know the answers already. It's all perfectly watchable but, like following an actual golf tournament on TV, if you nod off during the second round only waking up for the closing holes, you won't have missed too much. As sports comedies go, Stick is pretty much par for the course.
