10 Shows Like Stick You Must See

Created by Jason Keller, ‘Stick’ tells the story of former professional golfer Pryce Cahill (Owen Wilson), who missed his shot at greatness after suffering a meltdown in the middle of a tournament. Reduced to giving old ladies private golfing lessons at a club, Cahill gets excited when he meets Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager). A teenager with an innate talent for the game, Santi learnt golf from his father and gave up when the latter left his mother. Pryce decides to take the boy under his wing and train him to win a tournament, essentially seeking his own redemption in the process.

The feel-good sports comedy drama on Apple TV+ is all about second chances. For Pryce, who has lost all and is heading for divorce, it is turning over a new leaf and turning into a mentor. For Santi, who misses golfing even after leaving it for being associated with his father, it is about making his own identity in the world of the sport. If the show has captured your heart, here is a list of shows similar to ‘Stick’ that you can consider watching next.

10. A.P. Bio (2018-2021)

‘A.P. Bio’ by Mike O’Brien stars Glenn Howerton as Jack Griffin, a disgraced philosophy professor from Harvard who loses his job to his rival Miles Leonard (Tom Bennett). Forced to return to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, he gets employed to teach advanced placement biology at Whitlock High School. However, Jack is not interested in the job, a feeling he clarifies to his students at the very onset. Instead, he tries to devise ways to use his newfound position to plan for revenge on Miles. He is kept in check by the lovable Principal Durbin (Patton Oswalt), who is eager to prove he can be a firm administrator. Similar to Pryce, Jack is forced to leave his dream job on a bad day and pick up something he does not care for to pay his bills, until he finds a way to move ahead.

9. Ted (2024)

From the mind of Seth MacFarlane, ‘Ted’ is the third installment of the eponymous franchise based on the titular sentient teddy bear. Following the first two films, the series serves as a prequel that depicts the early life of Ted as he lives with his owner and friend, 16-year-old John Bennett (Max Burkholder), and his family in Framingham, Massachusetts. As a result of the mayhem he causes by staying unattended at home, Ted is forced to attend school with John in an attempt to turn his life around. The absurd premise gives rise to a heartwarming comedy with both Ted and John trying to figure out their lives, much like Santi in ‘Stick.’

8. Pitch (2016)

‘Pitch’ follows Ginny Baker (Kylie Bunbury), a talented pitcher who gets signed by the San Diego Padres and becomes the first woman to play Major League Baseball. Helmed by Dan Fogelman and Rick Singer, the show has Ginny trying to prove herself to her male teammates from the get-go. She builds up a chemistry with the team captain and catcher Mike Lawson (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), and is supported by center fielder Blip Sanders (Mo McRae), whom she knows from the minor league. However, not everyone is pleased to have her on the mound, and Ginny faces the uphill battle of turning their mind around. As with Santi in ‘Stick,’ she has her work cut out for her to be accepted by all.

7. Brockmire (2017-2020)

Based on a character created by Hank Azaria for a sketch on the website Funny or Die, ‘Brockmire’ chronicles the fall of Major League Baseball announcer Jim Brockmire (Hank). After an embarrassing meltdown triggered by his wife’s infidelity, Jim is forced to stay away from the announcer’s booth for a decade, bringing a glorious career to an abrupt pause. When he tries to get back in his game, Jim finds himself sent to the minor league in the small town home of the Morristown Frackers. He embraces the opportunity nonetheless, taking a different path from Pryce Cahill for his redemption.

6. Welcome to Wrexham (2022-)

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is a docuseries created by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney that depicts their purchase of Wrexham A.F.C. in 2020 and the subsequent management of the world’s third-oldest professional football club. However, neither of them has any experience in football nor has worked with the other. As such, they pin their hopes on dedicated effort and a crash course on football club ownership to see themselves and the historic club through. While the documentary is a light-hearted watch, it also underlines the seriousness of the world of professional spots, making it comparable to ‘Stick.’

5. Trying (2020-)

‘Trying’ by Andy Wolton revolves around Nikki Newman (Esther Smith) and Jason Ross (Rafe Spall), a married couple who are ready to become parents. However, they struggle to conceive a child and decide to adopt instead. This brings a whole new set of challenges for them to overcome, from managing their dysfunctional friends and families to going through the elaborate process of adoption itself. Nikki and Jason come up with ways to fulfill their dream without being held back by obstacles, showing a spirit that mirrors the characters in ‘Stick.’

4. Shoresy (2022-)

Jared Keeso created and stars as the titular character in ‘Shoresy,’ which follows a veteran hockey player’s attempt to turn a struggling club around. After losing twenty straight games, the Sudbury Bulldogs face the threat of being shut down. In this situation, Shoresy makes a bet with the team’s general manager that they will never lose if he is allowed to take control. When he is handed the reins, Shoresy dissolves the team on the line, and with a new coach and a fresh roster of players, attempts to make good on his promise. His efforts to turn the team around are comparable to how Pryce, in ‘Stick,’ attempts to pick himself and Santi up in the arena of golf.

3. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

Based on H. G. Bissinger’s eponymous novel, ‘Friday Night Lights’ by Peter Berg is set in the rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the community is obsessed with winning the state football championship. Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) works to ensure that Dillon High brings the trophy home. However, his attention is divided by personal struggles, which involve his wife Tami Taylor (Connie Britton), a guidance counselor turned principal at the same institution. Eric’s efforts mirror those of Pryce in ‘Stick,’ as they try to prove themselves by guiding their charges to victory.

2. Big Shot (2021-2022)

Created by David E. Kelley, Dean Lorey, and Brad Garrett, ‘Big Shot’ centers around hot-headed basketball coach Marvyn Korn (John Stamos), who loses his job at the University of Wisconsin. Forced to relocate to California, he secures employment at Westbrook School, an elite girls’ institution, where he makes a fresh start to coaching a basketball team. Much like Pryce, Marvyn’s career goes off the rails on account of an unfortunate fit of rage. Nevertheless, they both get their chance at redemption from less-obvious places.

1. Shrinking (2023-)

‘Shrinking’ stars Jason Segel as Jimmy Laird, a therapist working at the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center who is grieving the recent death of his wife. In his moment of personal crisis, Jimmy begins to question the ethical boundaries of his profession and starts telling his clients exactly how he feels. This creates a massive shift in his as well as his clients’ lives, leading to concern among his co-workers, Gaby Evans (Jessica Williams), and Dr. Paul Rhoades (Harrison Ford).

Created by Jason along with Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein, his character in the show shares many similarities with Pryce Cahill from ‘Stick.’ Both middle-aged men are introduced at a time when their professional and personal lives are in a mess owing to an irreparable situation beyond their control. They get epiphanies at their place of work and try to turn themselves around, which, despite their fair share of challenges, shows promising signs.