After a two-year hiatus, Ted Lasso has returned to Apple TV+ for a fourth season, much to the delight of its devoted fanbase. The show, which seemed to conclude with its third season in 2023, is back with the same heart and humor that made it a global phenomenon. But the premiere episode hides a clever nod to a completely different cinematic world—one that might surprise even the most eagle-eyed viewers.
In the opening moments of Season 4, we find Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) back in his hometown of Kansas City, three years after leaving AFC Richmond. He's now working as an assistant manager at a grocery store, focusing on being a present father to his son. As Ted scans items at the checkout, a pack of Red Apple cigarettes appears on the conveyor belt—a fictional brand that has become a signature of Quentin Tarantino's filmography.
Red Apple first appeared in Pulp Fiction (1994), when Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) orders a pack at a bar. The brand has since popped up in Kill Bill: Volume 1, Death Proof, and The Hateful Eight. In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Tarantino even created a fake commercial for the brand starring Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) is never seen without his pack. The cigarettes have become a beloved in-joke for Tarantino fans, but their appearance in Ted Lasso is a crossover no one expected.
Given the tonal contrast between Tarantino's gritty, violent movies and Ted Lasso's feel-good optimism, viewers have been buzzing about why the show would include such a reference. Some have theorized that it's a nod to Tarantino's "real universe" concept, where his films exist in a shared world. Others have pointed out that Ted Lasso is full of Wizard of Oz allusions, and the Red Apple pack could be a playful wink to the apple trees in Oz.
But according to Sudeikis, the reference was entirely intentional. In a recent interview, he confirmed that the show's writers reached out to Tarantino for permission to use the brand, and the director happily agreed. The team simply wanted to pay tribute to a filmmaker they admire, and the Red Apple pack serves as a subtle homage before Ted's eventual return to England.
This isn't the first time Ted Lasso has hidden pop culture references, and it likely won't be the last. The show has always rewarded attentive viewers with Easter eggs, from Star Wars nods to Ghostbusters callbacks. The Tarantino connection adds another layer of fun for fans who enjoy spotting these details.
For those who want to dive deeper into Tarantino's world, there are plenty of ways to explore his filmography. Django Unchained is currently free on Pluto TV, offering a chance to revisit one of his most acclaimed Westerns. And if you're in the mood for more of his favorites, Fulci's gore classics are now streaming on Tubi.
As Ted Lasso Season 4 unfolds, it's unclear whether more Tarantino references will appear. But for now, the Red Apple cigarettes are a delightful surprise that bridges two very different storytelling worlds. Whether you're a die-hard Tarantino fan or just a casual viewer, this Easter egg is a testament to the show's attention to detail and its love for cinema.
If you haven't caught the premiere yet, Ted Lasso Season 4 is now streaming on Apple TV+. And for a deeper look at the season's direction, check out our review of the new episodes.
