HBO: Flight of the Conchords

June 14, 2007 10:37 AM

HBO: Flight of the Conchordsfollows the trials and tribulations of a two man, digi-folk band from New Zealand as they try to make a name for themselves in their adopted home of New York City. The band is made up of Bret McKenzie on guitar and vocals, and Jemaine Clement on guitar and vocals. Episode 1 is available free online. [flash video]
posted by srboisvert (27 comments total)

My first exposure to these guys was listening to "Business Time".
There's a Youtube of it here.
Funny stuff. I hope the show is funny.
posted by thisisdrew at 10:52 AM on June 14, 2007

Oh and, they're "New Zealand's 4th most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo."
posted by thisisdrew at 10:55 AM on June 14, 2007

I watched the first ten minutes of episode 1, then realized I was only staring at it because they were handsome, not funny. So I turned it off. Does it get any better, or can I start safely shouting at Kiwis, "OUR TENACIOUS D IS BETTER THAN YOUR CONCHORDS"?
posted by Greg Nog at 11:00 AM on June 14, 2007

Bret McKenzie ... otherwise known as FIGWIT.
posted by grabbingsand at 11:03 AM on June 14, 2007

Their BBC Radio Four show was pretty funny last year - about the trials and tribulations of a two man, digi-folk band from New Zealand as they try to make a name for themselves in their adopted home of London.
posted by Flashman at 11:06 AM on June 14, 2007

Also catch Jemaine Clement's movie Tongan Ninja. One of my faves.
posted by infinitewindow at 11:08 AM on June 14, 2007

Clement is also in the upcomming Eagle vs. Shark
posted by subtle_squid at 11:27 AM on June 14, 2007

These chords, they vibrate?
posted by nasreddin at 11:56 AM on June 14, 2007

See also the series of Outback Steakhouse commercials.
posted by schoolgirl report at 12:10 PM on June 14, 2007

@Greg Nog: it gets better, hang in there.

However, having seen just about all of the live shows FotC did in New Zealand over the years, I'd say their live performances are a lot more fun and relaxed than a 'polished' sit-com version of them.

If you like dry kiwi humour, then they're slightly better than Tenacious D, otherwise I'd say they're about equal :)
posted by pivotal at 12:11 PM on June 14, 2007

When does the funny happen?
posted by bshort at 1:17 PM on June 14, 2007

Stop with the @username already, please.
posted by Samuel Farrow at 1:57 PM on June 14, 2007 [1 favorite]

Cool, I liked their One Night Stand on HBO, and just saw they had a TV show when researching the upcoming travesty that will be John From Cincinnati.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 2:00 PM on June 14, 2007

upcoming travesty that will be John From Cincinnati.

Say what? Milch can do no wrong. Granted it doesn't look like Deadwood, but have faith.
posted by xmutex at 2:42 PM on June 14, 2007

You know how I know your gay?




Not that there's anything wrong with that.


Wanted to like it, watched the whole episode. Never laughed out loud. The "I'm not crying" video/song at the end was humorous, but not hilarious. This seemed a lot like a charisma-free, BeeGees influenced, extremely dry version of TenaciousD. If that's your gig, or if you have a thing for Kiwi slackers, you'll probably like it.

OTOH: The obsessed fan was well-played and the girl reminded me of that Miranda July chick from ))<>(( (embedded audio warning)
posted by HyperBlue at 4:29 PM on June 14, 2007

@Samuel Farrow: why, it seems to work.
posted by humannaire at 4:37 PM on June 14, 2007

upcoming travesty

It seems a little too religiousy to me too, but I'm holding out hope. I've liked Bruce Greenwood ever since Nowhere Man.
posted by mrgrimm at 5:05 PM on June 14, 2007

This is a three part comment:

Part the First: ho-hum, another ad FPP

Part the Second (after hearing these guys on Fresh Air today): ZOMGTHISISHILARIOUS

Part the Third (after actually watching the episode): Actually, I couldn't watch it. Even letting it buffer up, it was like watching a series of photographs with audio attached.
posted by DU at 5:08 PM on June 14, 2007

I think they get a lot of instant-cool-factor from their literate but punny group name, invoking musical chords, condors and the concord SST... Nobody can live up to the expectations built by that.
posted by wendell at 5:35 PM on June 14, 2007

I'm a big fan of their live/standup material, where it's basically songs and between-songs banter. I'd urge you all to check it out. (Clips available at fan site WhatTheFolk). I really can't see the Tenacious D comparison, these guys are a lot more funny and more literate.

I'm a bit unsure as to how well they'll be able to pull off the transition to a full series, though. (I haven't seen this show yet).

[Mild disclaimer, I know Jemaine vaguely].
posted by Infinite Jest at 5:50 PM on June 14, 2007

Hi humannaire, I think the @username is rude - you don't talk at people you talk to them, or better yet you converse with them.

You know how there are some things that people do that just get under your skin - the @username thing is like that for me, I should let it go, but I can't seem to.

Here is a meta thread with other comments about the whole thing.

This is also the second one I have seen in two days.
posted by Samuel Farrow at 5:54 PM on June 14, 2007 [1 favorite]

I haven't seen the HBO episode yet, but I saw them perform on Letterman the other night, and I laughed so loud I woke up two-thirds of the dogs in the room.

No idea what's up with that other dog.
posted by bluishorange at 6:07 PM on June 14, 2007

The first episode of their HBO show was being offered for free at iTunes in the podcast section. Not sure if it's still there.

For the record I found it very funny.
posted by ericthegardener at 7:32 PM on June 14, 2007

Updated #3) Hilarious. This show makes me want to get HBO.
posted by DU at 5:15 AM on June 15, 2007

Jemaine also has a movie coming out today called Eagle Vs. Shark.

It's a love story.
posted by taumeson at 7:26 AM on June 15, 2007

maybe I have a twisted sense of humor or something, I find a lot of things funny. I find rice funny. This though, I didnt find funny.
I watched a couple of their songs on youtube (racist dragon, and Business time) and they didnt do much for me.

I felt they were milking the "we're from New Zealand, and that makes us all unique and cute" line, with their "we used this song to stop racism in New Zealand, it was really bad before..."

*cough cough*.

my 2c.
posted by chrisbucks at 2:44 PM on June 15, 2007

The hiphopapottamous and rhymenocerous video from a couple years ago is pretty funny...but I forget where I saw it.
posted by TomMelee at 11:21 AM on June 16, 2007