Timewasters

Timewasters is an innovative and delightfully humorous British television sitcom on ITV2 that made its debut in 2017 and continued into its much-anticipated season two in 2019. The show is a unique blend of comedy, drama, throwback references, and social commentary, all seamlessly woven into a fascinating narrative of time travel. This distinctive quality has earned Timewasters a loyal fan following and critical acclaim, including a nomination for the Best Scripted Comedy at the BAFTA Awards.

The captivating story centers around a London-based, four-member jazz band fittingly named ‘The Time Wasters’. The band comprises four young black artists who are navigating their day-to-day lives with their shared passion for music. The members include Nick, a timid clarinet player who also serves as the group’s de facto leader; Jason, the charming but often clueless ladies' man; Lauren, the insightful and street-savvy character who is also the only female in the group; and Horace, quirky and unpredictable, whose antics often propel the band into unpredictable situations.

The unique twist happens when they discover a time-travelling elevator in a dingy block of South London flats. In a contraption that could easily mistake as a shabby elevator, the quartet is transported back to the 1920s, a volatile yet exciting era in jazz history. Thus, the show cleverly blends the traditional 1920s with the modern day, offering some genuinely hilarious observations of racial, social, and cultural situations from both periods.

The show takes a unique perspective to time travel, steering clear of the established genre conventions. Instead of embarking upon high-stakes adventures or attempting to change the course of history, the band primarily uses their time-travelling capacities to their frivolous ends, often leading to comedic situations.

However, beneath the humor and light-hearted narrative, Timewasters also offers a thoughtful narrative on racial identity and social perception. The four black characters who have travelled back in time to an era where their music was embraced, but their race was marginalized, provides the show with an opportunity to explore the societal changes (or lack thereof) over the years.

Daniel Lawrence Taylor, the show's creator, who also plays Nick, has smartly used this adventurous premise as a backdrop for comedy but at the same time creates deep dialogues about race and acceptance. He uses comedy as a mechanism for allowing us to view both eras from a new perspective and compare social attitudes toward race between then and now.

Even within the comedic veins, the characters are presented as flawed, imperfect, but wholly relatable, making the viewers invested in their growth throughout the series. The jazz world created by the creators provides a vibrant, foot-tapping backdrop to the narrative, making the show an enjoyable and musical ride through time.

The ensemble cast delivers knockout performances, perfectly capturing the distinct personalities of their characters, eliciting both laughter and empathy. The dynamic of the quartet, their banter, drama, camaraderie, and friction, all make compelling arcs that keep the viewers hooked to the narrative.

Plaudits must go to director George Kane for his seamless handling of the dual timeframes. His crafty transition between two eras, the attention to detail in period costumes, sets, mannerisms, language, and the overall ambiance, make for a visually stunning viewing experience.

On the whole, Timewasters is a refreshing take on time travel, effortlessly blending comedy, drama, and social commentary. Its light-hearted approach to thought-provoking topics, engaging characters, stunning visuals and, of course, the engrossing music, make it a worthwhile addition to the television landscape. Timewasters is more than just a comedy; it's an entertaining journey that gives viewers a ticket to ride along, laugh along, and perhaps, think along as well.