Flight of the Conchords

[billybreen]

Ok, appropriate caveats -- the last show I praised after a premiere was Studio 60, and we all know how that turned out. Also, I am a huge fan of musical theater (there, I said it), so maybe I'm just the right demo for this show.

With that said, I really liked it and am looking forward to next week. Any show with a 'Binary Solo' is a show for me.

[rthomas]

If anyone is interested, you can watch the first episode online this week. Or just the music videos which are pretty good.

http://www.hbo.com/conchords/video/?ntrack_para1=feat_main_text

And here is a fan website for "New Zealand's 4th most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo".

http://www.whatthefolk.net/

[billybreen]

Excellent! I'm not the only viewer :)

Also, the episode and assorted clips are available for free on iTunes.

[alteran]

Ok, appropriate caveats -- the last show I praised after a premiere was Studio 60, and we all know how that turned out. Also, I am a huge fan of musical theater (there, I said it), so maybe I'm just the right demo for this show.

With that said, I really liked it and am looking forward to next week. Any show with a 'Binary Solo' is a show for me.

The binary solo was hilarious. I really liked the "Part-Time Model" song/sequence as well.

The show feels a little uneven to me, but it's definitely got its moments. I'll bet it rates highly among aspiring musicians. (Just a hunch.)

I'll be following for a while, at least.

[Dukerati]

Did anyone see the standup they did on HBO? It's on demand and it is hilarious. I don't think it translated particularly well to the first episode but it certainly gives me hope for the future...

[billybreen]

The binary solo was hilarious. I really liked the "Part-Time Model" song/sequence as well.

You could be a part-time model
But you’d probably still have to keep your normal job
A part-time model
Spending part of your time modeling
And part of your time next to me

Great stuff.

As for the unevenness, I think this NYT article (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/arts/television/15flig.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) is spot on:


[It] is funny in such an understated way that it is almost dangerous to make too much of it — it could collapse like a soufflé when the door slams.

[tombrady]

Did anyone see the standup they did on HBO? It's on demand and it is hilarious. I don't think it translated particularly well to the first episode but it certainly gives me hope for the future...

Absolutely true. I remember watching this about 2 years ago (don't remember if it was on comedy central on demand back then or also on HBO), and was absolutely floored by it. These guys absolutely kill the subtle comedy.

[samizdat]

The second episode was even better than the first.

I love the manager. I love the New Zealand consulate office with the wood panel walls and the Lord of the Rings poster.

WATCH THIS SHOW!!! (I'd like to see it stick around).

[tombrady]

The second episode was even better than the first.

I love the manager. I love the New Zealand consulate office with the wood panel walls and the Lord of the Rings poster.

WATCH THIS SHOW!!! (I'd like to see it stick around).

sick show. i love it.

i spent 6 months abroad in NZ during the show, so many little jokes that many americans probably wouldn't get. the whole aussie-nz rivalry thing is perfect.

[TNTDevil]

Who is still tuning into this fantastic show?

I mean these guys comedy is just fing awesome! I was just able to watch the latest episode on DVR and my sides hurt from laughing so much.

I love the subtle humour (almost every line is funny) and the music is killer.

Just curious if anyone is still watching.

[billybreen]

Love this show. But then, I'm a hiphopopotamus.

[dukeblueyes]

This show is awesome. The songs are hilarious (and I'm not really a big music person so it definitely transcends) and the humor is very quick (much like my beloved Arrested Development). I loved the line, "That's not a knife" (sweet Crocodile Dundee reference) and all of the repeated confusion between England, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

[TNTDevil]

Love this show. But then, I'm a hiphopopotamus.

...I'm the Mutherflipper! (http://update.videoegg.com/flash/proxy.swf?jsver=1.4" FlashVars="jsver=1.4&allowFlash9Fullscreen=true&MMdoctitle=Installation&MMplayerType=PlugIn&clickurl_openinnewwindow=true&clickurl=http://www.hbo.com/conchords&skin=skins/hbo480&wmode=window&autoPlay=true&file=http://hbo.001.download.videoegg.com/gid401/cid1501/Z0/2P/1183052653beI2z7z9u7ROawm2vReY&root)

[billybreen]

Still loving this show. The 'Tape of Love' song at the end of the most recent episode was brilliant.

[Mal]

TNT's link didn't work for me, but I assume it's this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mg_QOWDW-q0&mode=related&search=

One of the funniest things I've seen in quite some time. "Did Steve tell you that?...Steve!"

- Rhymenoceros

[riverside6]

Well, I tuned in and I'm absolutely hooked. My wife on the other hand doesn't appreciate the show, although I actually heard her giggle at the Roll of Tape song the other day.

If you've only seen their show, check out their song Business Time on YouTube. It is hilarious.

[gethlives]

I think pretty much their whole "One Night Stand" is on You Tube. I'm quite partial to the utter absurdity of "Jenny."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlYkIJVguCU

This is one of the funniest shows that has been on in a long time. Makes it worth keeping HBO after the Sopranos went to sleep with the fishes.

[edensquad]

Since I write songs for a living, I gotta say: These are the best "awful" songs since the movie "Ishtar."

Love this show!!

[mapei]

The interesting thing is that, musically, they aren't bad! I like the arrangements/production. But the lyrics are so bad they are good. Sort of a Smothers Brothers meets the Proclaimers thing.

[billybreen]

This show continues to amaze. The latest episode, with the anti-New Zealand race war and the 'Leggy Blonde' track was simply awesome. Aziz Ansari from Human Giant and azizisbored.com (http://www.azizisbored.com) was a great touch. Love him.

[NovaScotian]

i asked a friend of mine about it a while ago, and he said 'well you like tenacious d, so youll probably like it.' but 1) tenacious d's show was the only funny part, and 2) the similarities with the show end with the fact that its two roommates in a joke band who is unsuccessful. for one, this show is much more creative musically and plot wise. another thing is that the tenacious d show had much more music-related humor, and relied on the viewer being interested in music and rock culture to be fully engaged. (this wasn't so on the album and their subsequent efforts, which is one of the reasons why IMO they stink now.) FotC the show is funny even for my mother, a 50+ iranian woman.

assuming youve seen both shows, which do you think is better, and why? i'm gonna go with the tenacious d show, only becase it was so outrageous at the time.

[billybreen]

assuming youve seen both shows, which do you think is better, and why? i'm gonna go with the tenacious d show, only becase it was so outrageous at the time.

I agree that they are totally different, but I think I have to go with FotC. This is coming from a huge TD show fan back in the day, but I think the subtlety of FotC actually gives it more power. It's like TD with more of an Office/Curb Your Enthusiasm aesthetic.

FotC is turning into the funniest thing I've seen in years.

[TNTDevil]

...FotC is turning into the funniest thing I've seen in years.Not familiar with "Tenacious D" (however my 12 y.o. son swears by the movie) but, on-the-whole, FotC is just a damn laugh riot. I'll admit it can be side-splittingly funny or just ha-ha funny but it is always funny.

The best part is you never know who is going to provide the laughs. The supporting and/or guest actors can be just as outrageously hilarious.

Sundays on HBO: John From Cincinnati+Entourage+FotC=appointment TV.

[billybreen]

Not sure if any fellow FoTC fans saw this, but the show has been confirmed for a second season (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_of_the_Conchords_(series)#Second_season). Rawk!

[dukestheheat]

i really do love the flight of the conchords and all of their 'three' fans; the threesome episode had me rolling and also their witty, pithy humor is just contagious; that manager is dynamite and he wants their 'success'. the run-around-the-forest video in the threesome episode reminded me of the Merry Pranksters (Ken Kesey) and I can just see those folks gyrating around like the characters did in the video.

dth.

[DevilAlumna]

Not sure if any fellow FoTC fans saw this, but the show has been confirmed for a second season (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_of_the_Conchords_(series)#Second_season). Rawk!

That is good news. After watching the Season finale of Big Love last night, I had to know if they were going to renew for a season three -- and yay,they are! (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969037.html?categoryid=14&cs=1) (Good to read that HBO takes DVR watchers into account.)

I'm sad that my summer shows are ending, but Weeds and Californication are filling in the gaps nicely.

[billybreen]

I'm sad that my summer shows are ending, but Weeds and Californication are filling in the gaps nicely.

I haven't seen those yet. I just got FIOS today, and that came with Showtime in HD. I'm looking forward to catching up.

[TNTDevil]

Not sure if any fellow FoTC fans saw this, but the show has been confirmed for a second season (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_of_the_Conchords_(series)#Second_season). Rawk!This is indeed excellent news! I haven't seen Sunday's episode yet (wife and I attended Nickleback/Finger 11/Puddle of Mudd at Walnut Creek) so I have something to look foward to on the DVR!
I'm sad that my summer shows are ending, but Weeds and Californication are filling in the gaps nicely.Californication is just about too-damn-funny. I've always been a David Duchovny fan (anyone else see Evolution (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1804476866/info)?) and in this show he brings his "A" stuff.

[billybreen]

Flight of the Conchords released an album in April featuring songs from the first season of the show, and it's currently at #3 on the US pop chart (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080430/tv_nm/comedy_dc). They owe Murray a big thanks for his deft management.

[devildeac]

Flight of the Conchords released an album in April featuring songs from the first season of the show, and it's currently at #3 on the US pop chart (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080430/tv_nm/comedy_dc). They owe Murray a big thanks for his deft management.

My son's old a capella group, Rhythm and Blue, did a "cover"(aren't almost ALL a capella groups doing "cover" songs;) ). of "The Humans are Dead" at the freshman orientation concert at Duke in August, 2007. It was quite well received and even earned the notice of the FOTC and they were given a "shout out" and rather nice compliment on the FOTC web site in September or so last year.

[rthomas]

Flight of the Conchords released an album in April featuring songs from the first season of the show, and it's currently at #3 on the US pop chart (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080430/tv_nm/comedy_dc). They owe Murray a big thanks for his deft management.

I'll bet that the girl who is their only groupie bought all the copies. I can't remember her name.

[billybreen]

I'll bet that the girl who is their only groupie bought all the copies. I can't remember her name.

Mel.



My son's old a capella group, Rhythm and Blue, did a "cover"(aren't almost ALL a capella groups doing "cover" songs ). of "The Humans are Dead" at the freshman orientation concert at Duke in August, 2007. It was quite well received and even earned the notice of the FOTC and they were given a "shout out" and rather nice compliment on the FOTC web site in September or so last year.

That's awesome! Good to hear that the Conchords are Duke fans. :)

[Lavabe]

That's awesome! Good to hear that the Conchords are Duke fans. :)

Why do I get the feeling that it's only a matter of time before the Duke Pep Band starts playing FOTC in Cameron.;)

Cheers,
Lavabe

[ChrisP]

My wife gave me the FoTC DVD last week for my B-day and we've been watching it ever since. We watched when it was originally on TV too, but it's great seeing them again and being able to pause and replay certain parts that you might not quite catch the first time around. I'm usually not very "into" all the extras that they sometimes stuff onto DVD's these days, but...I have to say I was disappointed there there are NONE on this one. Just the 12 episodes. But...they're so damn funny, it's certainly worth it.

Looking forward to season 2. Anyone know when it's supposed to air?

[rthomas]

Does anyone know if/when FOTC (and for that matter, Entourage) is coming back on HBO?

[Master Shake]

Does anyone know if/when FOTC (and for that matter, Entourage) is coming back on HBO?

I heard Jan 2009

[BlueDevilJay]

My favorite song from that show remains "It's Business Time".

"cause it's Wednesday, and Wednesday night is the night we make love....Its business....Its business time!!!" That song had me rolling in the floor. I always make sure to wear my 'business socks' everywhere I go now :)

[Lavabe]

My favorite song from that show remains "It's Business Time".

"cause it's Wednesday, and Wednesday night is the night we make love....Its business....Its business time!!!" That song had me rolling in the floor. I always make sure to wear my 'business socks' everywhere I go now :)

But tomorrow is business time!:D

[DevilAlumna]

Has anyone here seen FOTC live and in person? They're playing here this summer, but as part of an all-day/larger event. (the only other band I recognize on the list is "Iron and Wine," which I've also seen referenced here on DBR OT.) I'm just wondering it FOTC alone is worth the price of admission, ya know?


(and to go more off-topic, anyone know if/when Weeds and Californication are starting back up?)

[TNTDevil]

Here's their latest video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLJ5a6aJOb8) from their soon-to-be released new album.

I understand their show returns next year.

OMG! The hermaphrodite bit made be blow iced tea out of my nose!

[Lavabe]

Here's their latest video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLJ5a6aJOb8) from their soon-to-be released new album.

I understand their show returns next year.

OMG! The hermaphrodite bit made be blow iced tea out of my nose!

I don't know that I'd say it's better than the other youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFjrbmj0CUc&feature=related) version.

Amphibian... Presbyterian!! :D

Cheers,
Lavabe

[billybreen]

I don't know that I'd say it's better than the other youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFjrbmj0CUc&feature=related) version.

Amphibian... Presbyterian!! :D

Cheers,
Lavabe

Everything they touch is gold. That's probably my least favorite song on their album, but it's still awesome.

My favorite? Leggy Blonde. I had a budgie but it died.

[Lavabe]

Everything they touch is gold. That's probably my least favorite song on their album, but it's still awesome.

My favorite? Leggy Blonde. I had a budgie but it died.

I DO like both video versions. Leggy Blonde ranks high. My favorite off the download is Inner City Pressure. It's the best take-off on that whole early 80's/Pet Shop Boys genre.:eek:

Too bad it's Friday! ;)
Cheers,
Lavabe

[billybreen]

I DO like both video versions. Leggy Blonde ranks high. My favorite off the download is Inner City Pressure. It's the best take-off on that whole early 80's/Pet Shop Boys genre.:eek:

Too bad it's Friday! ;)
Cheers,
Lavabe

That's a great one. I also like the protest song homage 'Think About It.'



There’s children on the street using guns and knives
Taking drugs and each other’s lives
Killing each other with knives and forks
Calling each other names like ‘dork’
...
All the money that we’re making is going to the man.
What man?
Which man?
Who’s the man?
When’s a man a man?
What makes a man a man?
Am I a man?
Yes. Technically I am.
They’re turning kids into slaves just to make cheaper sneakers.
But what’s the real cost?
‘Cause the sneakers don’t seem that much cheaper.
Why are we still paying so much for sneakers
When you got them made by little slave kids
What are your overheads?


That is _brilliant_.

[billybreen]

You can now watch the second season premiere on funnyordie (http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c48f423bdf/season-2-online-premiere-flight-of-the-conchords-from-flight-of-the-conchords), assuming you're in the US. So far, so good!

[Mr Blue Devil]

Sorry to drag this thread out of obscurity but had to!

I love the Conchords! Their live performances are great but their HBO series is even much much better!!! I love dry and subtle humor.

If you have not seen Eagle vs Shark, it features Jermaine and has the same type of humor. Very Napoleon Dynamite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xVMkqaOUS0