The Horne Section TV Show

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.

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.

The long-awaited sitcom has arrived. It's part-Mockumentary, part scripted, part improvised and has musical interludes from Alex's band consisting of some of the UK's most in-demand musicians.

What happens when Alex Horne & his real-life band accidentally get a live sitcom? The answer is: comedy & chaos. Light-hearted entertainment, super songs & high-quality videos.

The band play exaggerated versions of themselves & their special guests are happy to send themselves up. Want to know Big Zuu's hobby? What terrifies Anneka Rice? What does Greg Davies want with the band? Which member of the band can unicycle? What is it about Trumpeter Joe Auckland (Madness/Noel Gallagher) that spooks everyone? Find out in this series.

The well-directed music videos of some of The Horne Section's best-known songs are worth watching. The musicians have never acted before & they do really well for a first attempt. A second series will allow them to boost their confidence even further as well as bringing more of their wonderfully witty and clever songs to a wider audience.

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about what this show would be like but I was so incredibly pleasantly surprised. Alex Horne's character (or "character") is funny, relatable and immensely likeable (even at his most infuriating); the guest stars like Greg Davies, Desiree Burch and Tim Key feel like gifts to Taskmaster fans worldwide; and I was delighted by all the little references and surreal moments (Biff Chippington in the credits of the show within the show spun off from the other show?? Amazing).

Every Taskmaster fan absolutely owes it to themselves to learn more about the genius that is Alex Horne by giving this show a watch. And people who've never watched Taskmaster absolutely owe it to themselves to watch both!!

It is a bit odd, but I really enjoyed watching it. In some ways it reminds me of the radio 4 comedies I've always loved - quirky, wordplay with double entendre and meaning, sometimes a bit awkward. It's like comfort food or spending time with a good friend - easy to watch, friendly, enjoyable.

Some of the plot is perhaps a little rough around the edges, but that is more than compensated for by the fun music videos of Horne Section songs and interactions between the characters. I love that it is set in the taskmaster universe, definitely helps set the scene. It's also fun to try and spot Easter eggs that link to taskmaster and other things Alex had done (such as no more jockeys).

I enjoyed it so much that I'm on my second watch through, still trying to find those ducks that Alex hinted were hidden in every episode!