Comments on: HBO: Flight of the Conchords

HBO: Flight of the Conchords

srboisvert — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:37:28 -0800

HBO: Flight of the Conchords follows 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]

By: thisisdrew

thisisdrew — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:52:34 -0800

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.

By: thisisdrew

thisisdrew — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:55:56 -0800

Oh and, they're "New Zealand's 4th most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo."

By: Greg Nog

Greg Nog — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:00:48 -0800

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"?

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:03:19 -0800

Bret McKenzie ... otherwise known as FIGWIT.

By: Flashman

Flashman — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:06:51 -0800

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.

By: infinitewindow

infinitewindow — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:08:15 -0800

Also catch Jemaine Clement's movie Tongan Ninja. One of my faves.

By: subtle_squid

subtle_squid — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:27:51 -0800

Clement is also in the upcomming Eagle vs. Shark

By: nasreddin

nasreddin — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:56:40 -0800

These chords, they vibrate?

By: schoolgirl report

schoolgirl report — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:10:45 -0800

See also the series of Outback Steakhouse commercials.

By: pivotal

pivotal — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:11:59 -0800

@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 :)

By: bshort

bshort — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:17:11 -0800

When does the funny happen?

By: Samuel Farrow

Samuel Farrow — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:57:36 -0800

Stop with the @username already, please.

By: robocop is bleeding

robocop is bleeding — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:00:26 -0800

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.

By: xmutex

xmutex — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:42:20 -0800

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.

By: HyperBlue

HyperBlue — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:29:03 -0800

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)

By: humannaire

humannaire — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:37:01 -0800

@Samuel Farrow: why, it seems to work.

By: mrgrimm

mrgrimm — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:05:13 -0800

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.

By: DU

DU — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:08:24 -0800

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.

By: wendell

wendell — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:35:27 -0800

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.

By: Infinite Jest

Infinite Jest — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:50:43 -0800

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].

By: Samuel Farrow

Samuel Farrow — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:54:12 -0800

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.

By: bluishorange

bluishorange — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 18:07:06 -0800

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.

By: ericthegardener

ericthegardener — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:32:00 -0800

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.

By: DU

DU — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 05:15:00 -0800

Updated #3) Hilarious. This show makes me want to get HBO.

By: taumeson

taumeson — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 07:26:35 -0800

Jemaine also has a movie coming out today called Eagle Vs. Shark. It's a love story.

By: chrisbucks

chrisbucks — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:44:16 -0800

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.

By: TomMelee

TomMelee — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 11:21:14 -0800

The hiphopapottamous and rhymenocerous video from a couple years ago is pretty funny...but I forget where I saw it.