Flight of the Conchords is a new HBO series, that should shortly be winging its way across the Atlantic to BBC Four. It's the brainchild of a pair of New Zealanders, Bret McKenzie and Jermaine Clement, who have been Perrier Award nominated in the past at Edinburgh.
Then they made a series for Radio 2, which is available on CD.
And now they've got their own HBO sitcom.
I hadn't seen or heard of them previously, but I'm very glad I have now, and can't recommend this programme enough - you can legitimately watch episodes online on the HBO site.
Bret and Jermaine are two musicians who together make the band Flight of the Conchords. The TV series finds them down on their luck in New York, with no money, no gigs, and just about no fans - there is one "stalker" but she doesn't really count. Their manager conducts their affairs from his office as the Assistant Culture Affairs Attache for New Zealand, where the wall is adorned with posters that tell us things like "New Zealand - it's just like Lord of the Rings" and "New Zealand - it's Cool!!!"
The band seems to have problems staying together, despite its two members living in the same flat, and they also have women problems. The limited number of gigs their getting seems to be down to their manager's reluctance to book them anywhere where they'd have to play "at night"; he's heard that New York is very dangerous and advises Kiwis of his acquaintance to avoid busy areas and stick to back alleys.
Oh, and there are songs. The guys break into song at the drop of a hat - like a musical really.
The humour is very offbeat, dry and very low-key. I absolutely love it.
Posted by adambowie at July 17, 2007 5:21 PM