The Conchords Take Flight
By Beth in comedy, New York Times, Music, TV, folk, acoustic, HBO, pop culture, Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Amaldo TV Preview, The Flight Of The Conchords on June 26 2007
When I first saw the preview for HBO’s new slew of shows in their post-”Sopranos” vortex era of shows that have no chance of living up to the hype of their predecessor, I immediately was drawn to this imported Brooklyn hipster duo/ Alt-folk band of New Zealand brothers (in the namaste sense of the word) Bret & Jemaine, who are trying to make a go of their musical aspirations in New York.
The 12-episode series is performed in the same deadpan, sardonic parody-style of a Ricky Gervais production (”The Office,” “Extras”) with moments of awkward tension and bone-dry humor that are comedically so subtlly timed and well-executed that they are probably lost on the general American public. Nonetheless, these moments are filled with silly musical tunes that play of the situational irony of a scene. As Bret and Jemaine are musicians (both on and off-screen) this set-up works.
At first glance, last week’s season opener fell flat. Perhaps it takes a while for a show of this caliber to really find its groove or conversely for us to get in groove with its beat (no pun here). Every time Bret & Jemaine broke out into song in those calculated moments, I wanted to hang myself for sheer novelty. Fortunately, last night’s episode and the second of the season where Bret leaves the band to get a “real job” as a sign holder and Jemaine is forced to replace him proved to be hilarious. It also raised some interesting existential questions (re: man vs. machine) as to whether or not an “alive” man really is superior to a tape cassette.
The addition of their over-zealous, critical manager Murray, played by Rhys Darby and band’s interactions with him make for some of the best moments of the show.Rounding out the cast is the awkwardly eccentric groupie Mel played by actress Kristin Schaal. I could do with or without her, but one thing’s for sure. This particular show has some bite in the comedy dept. and is a nice yin to Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” yang. And any luck some lasting power, it might just stick around
One can only hope so.
“Flight of the Conchords” airs Sunday at 10:30 PM on HBO.
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