We binge-watched Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs and Classical Music and counted the sex, drugs and classical music

19 February 2016, 10:36 | Updated: 11 January 2017, 14:32

It's won two Golden Globes and a third series has been commissioned. So why hasn't anybody watched it?

What is this 'Mozart in the Jungle'?

Mozart in the Jungle is a TV show about young conductor Rodrigo (Gael Garcia Bernal) who is brought in to shake up the fictional New York Symphony – an organisation threatened by shrinking budgets and union unrest. It’s based on the eponymous book by Blair Tindall, a real-life exposé of life as a classical musician in New York.

The first series of Mozart in the Jungle premiered in January 2015 – with the second series released in December.

Mozart in the Jungle season 3 premiere date announced >

Is it any good?

Mozart in the Jungle hasn't made a huge impression on the popular consciousness, but there are signs that people are starting to take notice. The show has just won two Golden Globes (best comedy TV series and best comedy TV series actor for Bernal) – and a third series has just been commissioned.

As actor Albert Brooks tweeted following the Golden Globes:

If Mozart In The Jungle wins any more awards somebody will have to see it.

— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) January 11, 2016

Albert’s challenge has not fallen on deaf ears. It’s time for a MitJ binge.

The challenge

Classic FM asked its victim (me) to decide whether the show is any good, and more importantly, whether it lived up to its alluring tagline: ‘Sex, drugs and classical music’. To do this, I had to live tweet throughout all 10 episodes of season 1.

The tally was ready:

The tally is ready... #MozartInTheJungleMarathon pic.twitter.com/PHZ614siyt

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

The reviewer was ready:

So @ClassicFM told me it's time for an Amazon binge #MozartInTheJungleMarathon pic.twitter.com/bUe22dcVjs

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

Let the binge commence!

We did not have to wait long to add ‘sex’ to the tally:

'It's easier with the lips slightly wet'. Nice opening line. #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

FYI - this is the protagonist, talented young musician Hailey (played by Lola Kirke), teaching an overprivileged teenage boy to play the oboe.

The fun came thick and fast in the opening episode. A pot-smoking double bass player; Gael Garcia Bernal (playing Rodrigo, the brilliant young Mexican conductor based on Gustavo Dudamel)...

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...Malcolm Macdowell playing the bitter old conductor he’s replacing; a musicians’ house party with a classical take on spin-the-bottle; Joshua Bell:

MUSIC CELEB SPOT KLAXON! HELLO @JoshuaBell! #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

And how’s that Sex/ Drugs/ Classical Music tally coming along?

Tally at beginning of ep 2 #MozartInTheJungleMarathon pic.twitter.com/fLh6VWHFLP

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

Our tireless reviewer continued to plough through series one for 10 straight episodes.

We learned a number of things, some of which might even have some basis in fact:

1. Most members of the orchestra, including administrative staff, are on prescription drugs sold to them by the percussionist

Percussionist is prescribing again. Tally up for DRUGS #MozartInTheJungleMarathon pic.twitter.com/434Tg4kEn7

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

2. Rodrigo’s favourite pick-me-up, maté, is completely legal

View post on imgur.com

Despite the director’s transparent attempts to make us think it was a drug (above). In fact, our reviewer even had a pack of maté in his cupboard and was able to sample it:

As promised, mate tea break. Earthy, slightly bitter. Not unpleasant #MozartInTheJungleMarathon pic.twitter.com/myOeLhgZBt

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

3. Classical musicians have special jokes

JOKE: Why do violinists make the worst lovers? They only know one position! <Thought it was viola players, tbh> #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

4. You cannot escape Classic FM Hall of Fame favourite 'The Lark Ascending' – even on your death bed

Rodrigo is playing #TheLarkAscending in a hospital ward- a @ClassicFM #HallofFame favourite! #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

5. Perhaps it’s time journalists stopped asking if classical music is dead

First question: 'Is classical music dead?' My ears are burning

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

6. Pianists have issues

Pianists are obsessed with mommy and wear padded gloves to protect their hands #ThingsILearnedDuring #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

There were heartwarming bits

Kids conducting next to Rodrigo, locals hanging out windows watching orchestra playing 1812 overture #emotional #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

And great lines

'Maestro, have I insulted you in some way?'
'Worse! You have insulted Tchaikovsky!'#greatquote #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

'Glory is for football players - I'm about the magic' - Rodrigo #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

There were even real music issues

Halfway thru and real world issues so far: reaching out to young audience, union issues, low pay, falling budgets #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

The final tally

The final tally: sex 30 drugs 20 classical music 41. A nice balance #MozartInTheJungleMarathon pic.twitter.com/3fis97plWZ

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

So, was it any good?

The final verdict: Watch this now. Hilarious, heart-warming, felt more like a fun run than a marathon. #MozartInTheJungleMarathon

— Tim Edwards (@Timmosaurusrex) February 12, 2016

What are you waiting for? You can watch Mozart in the Jungle, series 1 & 2, on Amazon Prime now >