Four-star general Mark Naird – leader of the newly created Space Force – is pressured to launch a satellite despite dire warnings from scientists.

While watching the opening episode of Netflix’s new space comedy about the desire of the US’ new agency to get ‘boots on the moon’, it didn’t escape my attention that in real-time at Cape Kennedy the Falcon 9 rocket was preparing to launch. Hopefully it wasn’t as manic behind the scenes as here, with head of Space Force General Naird (co-creator Steve Carell) batting off all manner of opposition to the launch.

It’s an amiable show, which while amusing is not hilarious, the gentler sort of humour eliciting a chuckle rather than a belly laugh. The first episode is dedicated to Fred Willard, who recently passed away, and here plays Carell’s father. Other familiar faces include Friends’ Lisa Kudrow as his wife, who for some reason is in jail (we’ll no doubt find out why) and John Malkovich as advisor Doctor Adrian Mallory.

Verdict: Too early to tell if this series is something special, the opening show does at least feature an unexpected twist and boasts an impressive budget. It lacks the satirical bite of a writer like Armando Iannucci to give it an edge, and for now is little more than silly. Let’s see how it develops. 6/10

Nick Joy