The High Note

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, The High Note is available in the US on YouTube TV right now. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Dakota Johnson — stay for everyone else around them. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on YouTube TV.

There is a reason The High Note keeps coming up in conversation. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate The High Note from the crowd. Set in the dazzling world of the LA music scene comes the story of Grace Davis, a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights. Maggie is Grace’s overworked personal assistant who’s stuck running errands, but still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace’s manager presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever. Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross lead a cast with the timing to make it work. The High Note came out in 2020. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and The High Note holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The High Note respects your intelligence. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Dakota Johnson anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.