Going for a song
THE HORNE SECTION TELEVISION PROGRAMME
DAVE, 9pm APPROACH with caution. The opening theme tune (if you can call it a tune) will stick in your head for days. Remember the Go Compare jingle? Yeah, worse than that. Sorry.
Now we’ve got the viewer warning out of the way, here’s an explanation from Alex Horne, who hosts this entertainment show with his band The Horne Section.
“It’s a mixture of music and comedy,” he says. “It’s literally never been done before.”
Those of you who already know Alex (he’s Greg Davies’ sidekick on Taskmaster) will be well aware that most of what he says is sarcastic and deadpan. “The show is like a mixture of spaghetti and lasagna,” the comedian continues. “It’s delicious and there’s a lot of it. No, you wouldn’t want it every day.”
Recorded live at the London Palladium, the extravaganza is silly, fun and outlandish as The Horne Section brings its distinct brand of comedy as well as several stupid, but annoyingly catchy, songs.
You’ll watch most of it with a confused expression. But that’s fine. “I hope it keeps surprising people,” says Alex.
There are also special guests – some more surprising than others. Sara Pascoe, Joe Wilkinson, Sue Perkins, sure, that makes sense. Nadine Coyle, of Girls Aloud fame? Not so much. But Alex dancing to Promise with Nadine is definitely a highlight.
Elsewhere, there’s playful banter among the band who have marvellous on-stage chemistry.
And one more piece of advice from Alex: “The show lasts two hours, so viewers will need snacks and liquids.”