The Horne Section TV Show is the perfect sitcom! - hilarious, uplifting, aesthetic, poignant, involving, and multi-layered. The central character of Alex gets the audience on side straightaway with visual jokes and the predicament of being passed over in his successful show Taskmaster. The band are likeable clowns and also brilliant musicians whose virtuosity is a privilege to get to see up close.
Immediately gripping with its premise about somebody with an ambition to fulfil, its catchy songs and its bright colours, the show reveals even more aspects on a rewatch, with its satisfying callbacks and subtle plot points. (I'm currently watching yet again to learn more about the music, and I haven't even spotted the hidden ducks!) But there is also peril and pathos as the story unfolds, both believable family drama and surreal slapstick comedy. Several of the songs are exquisitely beautiful (eg the solos by Ed Sheldrake and Mark Brown) with artful music set to unique lyrics. Overall the happy vibe also keeps it lodged in the heart of the viewer - the feeling of a gang of kids having fun in the garden and everything turning out alright in the end, but honed to a snappy script and some very entertaining twists. I laughed myself helpless about the gloves and the pianist's hurry to get on stage! Only one criticism, the series was so short! Please can there be a second series with lots more of their great songs, lovely and varied background music, chance for more of their character development and the next part of the story? Absolutely loved it!