In a delicious twist of irony, Girls5Eva, a show about a failed girl group trying to make a comeback decades after being dropped, was itself dropped after two seasons by its network. But hurrah for Netflix, which rode in and saved the day by commissioning a third season, streaming from Thursday 14 March! And that’s good news for all of us, because Girls5Eva is one of the funniest series around.

It’s the story of, well, Girls5Eva, the fictional band who had a hit with “Famous 5Eva” around the turn of the millennium before their career fell apart – and their stated ambition to be “famous 5eva, ’cause 4eva’s too short” was cruelly thwarted. But 20 years later, when the song is sampled by hot new rapper Lil’ Stinker, the surviving members – Dawn (Sara Bareilles), Summer (Busy Philipps), Gloria (Paula Pell) and Wickie (Renée Elise Goldsberry) – decide the time is ripe for a comeback.

All they have to do is convince the world. Oh, and reclaim the rights to their songs…

Girls5Eva has a terrific comedy pedigree. It’s executive-produced by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock – the people behind all-time great sitcoms 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, as well as the underrated Mr Mayor and Great News – and was created by Meredith Scardino, a writer on Fey/Carlock shows as well as The Colbert Report. 

With its eccentric characters, smart dialogue and rapid-fire gags, it’s a worthy successor to 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, but it has a further ace up its sleeve: its songs, which are both authentic pop bangers and utterly hilarious (and available on music streaming services). The theme tune alone has more jokes in 25 seconds than some sitcoms manage in 25 minutes. You won’t go near that Skip Intro button.

And while Girls5Eva takes a refreshingly cynical view of the pop industry with plenty of well-aimed barbs, it’s not just a satire. It’s about reaching your 40s and realising you still have unfulfilled potential, and deciding to make the most of your life. The band members may have middle-aged concerns – parenthood, divorce, unfulfilling jobs, dodgy knees – but they’re determined to rekindle their musical dreams, whatever it takes.

Scroll down and click on the cross icons to find out more about the band.

When is Girls5Eva season 3 on TV?

You’ll find the third season of Girls5Eva in Apps > Netflix from Thursday 14 March. If it’s new to you, or if you’re already a fan but want a refresher, then the first two seasons are on Netflix now too. In the words of the theme song, what are you waiting 5?!