Chad Powers
In 2022, NFL star Eli Manning went undercover as moustachioed character Chad Powers to try out for Penn State as part of a sketch for his show Eli’s Places. Now, that concept has been turned into its own Disney+ series, with Glen Powell starring in the title role. He plays Russ Holliday, a promising but hot-headed quarterback whose career was ruined after a disastrous incident during a pivotal game. With no teams willing to sign him, he decides to “do a Mrs Doubtfire” and use prosthetic make-up to transform himself into Chad Powers to get another shot in the limelight.
The concept of a character disguising themselves is familiar territory that’s been seen in everything from Mulan and White Chicks to She’s the Man. Chad Powers is every bit the clichéd underdog story that viewers will expect it to be. But it knows exactly what it is and doesn’t pretend to be anything else. What it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for in entertainment value.
Whereas Manning’s version of Powers was a cocky meathead, Powell portrays him more as a Forrest Gump sort, complete with folksy southern drawl and peculiar turns of phrases. Powers is the polar opposite of Russ’s arrogant bravado. It’s clear that the script is aiming for a self-discovery angle whereby Russ betters himself by becoming more like his alter ego over the course of the six-episode series. However, Powell lends so much endearing charm to the character that it’s hard not to root for him, even if audiences know where things are heading. Powell is joined by a strong supporting cast including Perry Mattfeld, Steve Zahn and Frankie A Rodriguez. Although their characters are as archetypal as every other part of the show, each actor injects extra personality into the mix.
To compensate for its conventional plot, the show adopts a slightly edgier sense of humour. The gags range from oddball one-liners, mild shock comedy and wild slapstick. Not everything lands, and the obsession with 80s rock ballads is a strange creative choice, but enough works in each episode to make for an overall enjoyable viewing experience.
While nothing that viewers haven’t seen before, Chad Powers is harmless, feel-good entertainment.
Andrew Murray
Chad Powers is released on Disney+ on 30th September 2025.
Watch the trailer for Chad Powers here:
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