The Horne Section TV Show

One of few sitcoms that's as good on second and third viewings, because there are so many jokes and references that you won't get them all on the first viewing. It's very Alex Horne, in the best possible way - clever, funny, silly, and quite insightful about power and what it does to people.

If you're familiar with Alex Horne's work, there are a lot of familiar faces and themes. The "Alex Horne" of the show is like a satire version of actual Alex Horne, and he sends himself up brilliantly. All in all, a sweet, delightful show that leaves you feeling happy and will brighten your day. Considering this is a first attempt at acting and scriptwriting, it is impressive. I hope we get more!

It has to be said: this is not a regular sitcom. Do not expect a regular sitcom. Just go in with an open mind and see what you find. It's a bit difficult to describe this, it's a sitcom with elements of reality (albeit exaggerated) and ties to a game show. The first episode mostly sets the scene but after that the whole thing takes off and becomes a somewhat surrealistic rollercoaster and I just can't take my eyes off it. Many funny little easter eggs to spot for the Taskmaster/Horne Section/Alex fan. Sometimes there's a music video that's not necessarily connected to the plot but that's just how it is!

This is all quirky and weird and I like it.

I watched the show as someone that is a Taskmaster fan and quite familiar with Ale'x work, so I wasn't surprised that the concept and the style of the show would work for me but to be honest I was a bit worried that this would be a too niche show for those that don't follow Horne's work close enough to get all the easter eggs and inside jokes.

On a rewatch with a friend that was not familiar with the band I could see that yes if you are a fan you will enjoy it a lot more, but at the end of the series my friend was interested to know more about the band. She really enjoyed the songs and how light it was. And I agree, in a world that everything has to have a plot twist, a dense plot just for the sake of trying to be the center of attention on Twitter this show is a gem! It is fun for the sake of being fun.

My only problem with the show was that I wanted more from the band and I hope that if they get a second series they get more attention and please guys do the classics!

Tim Key and Greg were amazing on it, Desiree Burch was quite good too!

If you are a fan of Horne or the band you are in for a treat, if you are not you might be one of us by the end of the series.

This is fun, immersive, slightly surreal, absolutely delightful. Low-stakes comedy punctuated by effortlessly superlative musicianship. It feels like a modern take on a1960s-1970s variety show somehow. (Like if they were to suddenly start fruging, or turn into muppets, I wouldn't be surprised.)

And it's PLAYFUL, and smart, and silly, and also not-smart. I mean, just everything you need to let your brain go on a little adventure in an (exquisitely enviable) amazing house for a bit.

The show centers around Alex Horne's attempt to create his own show with his band. He does play Little Alex Horne on Taskmaster, but he is very much second fiddle to Greg Davies off-camera, so he's looking for his big chance for his spotlight. It's "his" big chance, but really, it's the band and Desiree Burch doing heavy lifting.

Things it could do better: I wanted more Desiree Burch (in fact, all of the women), and more of the band. The band is unexpectedly funny (who would've thought!). My genuine laugh aloud moments were all from the band members!

Avoid this if you do not like light humor, short musical interludes, or if poop-type jokes aren't your thing.

Seek this out if you enjoy Taskmaster, Tim Key things, Alex Horne things, if you're a comedy nerd I guess, if you like light-hearted, fun, musical stuff, and are okay with having the NATO alphabet in your head for days on end.

If this doesn't get a second series (which. It. Should.), it should get some specials: a summer special, a holiday special, a new years special, etc. If it doesn't get specials (which. It. Should.), it'll rapidly turn into one of those short-run cult faves.

What if a guy, bullied at work and belittled at home, wanted to feel some pride in himself for once. What if he didn't realise the wonderful things he already had, and needed a cast of mad characters and friends to show him the light.

What if Little Alex Horne wanted his own show, and despite EVERYTHING going wrong all the time, his irrepressible optimism and the forgiveness of his friends somehow make it work.

This is mad, musical, weirdly real-adjacent comedy.

It's an expanded universe. It's almost real life.

It's sad and about loneliness. It's stupid and laugh out loud witty.

It's got dumb jokes, and it's got metaphors for days.

Alex is a weird joy to watch - his genuine love for the band - his friends - comes through, even if he had to be taught how to act sad. Watch for the music videos. Watch for the freewheeling chaos. Watch for unexpected special guests that once again, bully Alex to within an inch of his life and remember that HE WROTE THE SCRIPT!

Lastly, if it doesn't click on the first episode - I was the same. But by the end of ep 3, I was hooked and couldn't stop watching.