“Flight of the Conchords”

If you haven’t caught up with Jemaine and Bret in their HBO series “Flight of the Conchords,” you should check it out ASAP. In the grand tradition of Spinal Tap and Tenacious D, these two New Zealanders bring song parody to new heights — or lows, depending upon how you react to all things droll, quirky, and silly. The writing on the show is excellent and extremely clever how they build episodes around their original songs, weaving them seamlessly into plots.

I’m spotlighting the TV series because the boys are currently finishing up a month-long tour of the U.S., ending last night at the Orpheum Theater in LA. Here’s an LA Times review of the concert.

The good news is that the series has been re-upped. The bad news is we have to wait until 2009 to catch more episodes. Here’s a video to give you a taste until then:

And their version of Bowie in episode 6 of the TV series:

8 thoughts on ““Flight of the Conchords””

2009? 0010100111010. That’s binary for “Damn”.

Hilarious stuff. The first run on HBO wasn’t a huge hit. But hopefully the growing buzz will bump it up and keep the show going for a few seasons. I suppose it’s a good sign that by the time I found out they were playing at the Orpheum, both shows were already sold out.

Tom, I think the David Bowie episode is my personal favorite. Plus, their back-up cast with Murray their “manager,” played brilliantly by Rhys Darby and Mel, their number one fan, played equally as well by Kristen Schall is fantastic.

If you get HBO, episodes 1-6 are currently available On Demand.

Scott, we’re of like mind. I’ve already got the DVDs, and gave a couple out as X-mas presents.

Speaking of Bowie on Great HBO Comedies, his guest shot on Ricky Gervais’s “Extras” was fall-over funny. And his song about Gervais’s character equals the Conchords best efforts. (It was a good year to play a manager on HBO, as Gervais’s character’s agent/manager – who directed the original British “The Office” – was as funny as Murray.)

Tom, I found Jermaine and Brett doing their Bowie song live acoustically. I’ll provide an update with it on the original post.

Funny. They really are the 4th best folk-parody duo from New Zealand.

You all know that the kiwi TV execs rejected these guys in the beginning, right? What would happen to a Hollywood exec who rejected a team like this and then went on to find a massive audience and a Grammy while they’re at it?

Hm. I wonder …