Coachable, Funny, and Almost Honest

Read Time:5 Minute, 5 Second

TV SERIES REVIEW
Chad Powers: Season 1
–

Genre: Comedy, Sports
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 6 x 30m episodes
Director(s): Tony Yacenda, Payman Benz, Michael Waldron
Writer(s): Glen Powell, Michael Waldron, Paloma Lamb, Jamie Lee, Ben Dougan, Jordan Mendoza, Luvh Rakhe, Gaelyn Golde
Cast: Glen Powell, Steve Zahn, Toby Huss, Perry Mattfeld, Quentin Plair, Wynn Everett, Frankie A. Rodriguez, Colton Ryan
Where to Watch: Season 1 Premieres Sept. 30, 2025 (Two Episodes at Launch, Then Weekly Release with Finale on 10/28)

RAVING REVIEW: Two identities. One sideline. Zero shame. CHAD POWERS begins with a premise that might have stayed a one-off viral sketch, and instead expands into a multi-episode half-hour series that balances comedy, sports satire, and a surprisingly earnest look at second chances. Eight years after a career-ending mistake, quarterback Russ Holliday reinvents himself as “Chad Powers,” a swaggering (albeit awkward) walk-on at South Georgia, a team desperate enough to embrace anyone who looks like a savior.

This is, first and foremost, a showcase for Glen Powell. He’s physically convincing as a quarterback while also playing the joke of the disguise with enough conviction to make it stick. Russ and Chad aren’t just one character in two wigs—they’re two competing beings inside the same body. Russ is the damaged, repentant athlete trying to rebuild. Chad is the fantasy persona, unfiltered confidence in cleats. The series mines comedy not only from the absurdity of the bit but also from the constant tension over which side prevails.

The ensemble is stacked with talent that rounds out the world. Steve Zahn brings a weary charm to Coach Jake Hudson, a man who knows just how fragile his program is. Perry Mattfeld’s Ricky avoids being shoehorned as just a romantic angle, instead becoming a character who sees through the mask when others don’t. Quentin Plair, Wynn Everett, Frankie A. Rodriguez, and Colton Ryan deepen the locker-room and booster culture, making the team feel lived-in rather than a backdrop for one man’s gag.

Season one is structured like a game clock. The pilot introduces Chad’s outlandish walk-on; later episodes throw him into test after test, high-stakes games, and media chaos, each scenario stressing the disguise in new ways. The show explores the consequences of living as someone else, demonstrating that truth itself becomes a central character in the drama.

The series works best when it leans into its satirical edge. College football is fertile ground for reinvention narratives, and CHAD POWERS skewers the culture without turning every moment into parody. The Catfish aren’t a joke—they’re the desperate, hopeful kind of program that exists in reality, where a single quarterback can change fortunes. By treating them as a real team with real stakes, the show elevates the humor. It’s not just laughs about a bad wig—it’s a commentary on how much people want to believe in reinvention, even when it’s a lie.

Where it falters is in repetition. The disguise lands early, but it risks running dry if the same beats are replayed. Thankfully, each episode changes the field of play: a barbecue party, an in-game sideline scramble, a hotel, a media circus. That variety keeps the premise fresh and prevents it from collapsing under its own gimmick. The collaboration with ESPN and actual real-world college programs helps the series solidify itself as more than a one-liner. I’m assuming the edge of having the Mannings on your creative team helps add hands-on cred!

The show finds a strong balance. It has the breezy pace of a sitcom with enough grit to acknowledge the real pain behind Russ’s fall from grace. When it does pause for honesty, the laughs that follow hit harder, because the comedy feels like a release rather than avoidance. The football sequences are clear and understandable, without overwhelming viewers unfamiliar with the sport, and the character dynamics keep the narrative moving at a brisk pace. There’s an episode devoted to a life-changing moment that comes out of nowhere, but gives the series more heart than I was expecting.

At its core, CHAD POWERS is about the American obsession with reinvention. Russ’ alter ego is both courageous and cowardly—brave because he’s trying to fix what he broke, cowardly because he can’t face it as himself. That duality gives Powell room to play both sides, while the show questions whether reinvention without accountability is anything more than another lie. CHAD POWERS takes a viral gag and turns it into something surprisingly grounded, funny, and even moving. It’s not flawless, but the heart, humor, and clever structuring suggest staying power if it continues to expand beyond the disguise.

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching for 'Overly Honest Reviews'.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please don't hesitate to say hello or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of HULU, 20TH TELEVISION, OMAHA PRODUCTIONS, ESPN]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive complimentary items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl Records, Books, and more. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.