... Managing them is Murray (Rhys Darby), who leads a bizarre double life of Deputy New Zealand Cultural Attaché and founder of Murray Hewitt Productions; his only act being the Flight of the Conchords. This doesn't prevent him from trying painfully hard to instil an air of professionalism in ... Read review
Meet Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie - a.k.a. Flight of the Conchords. They may be "New ... more
Zealand's 4th Most Popular Folk Parody Duo " but now they're in a strange new world - New York City - and determined to conquer America one fan at a time literal...
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Meet Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie - a.k.a. Flight Of The Conchords. They may be New ... more
Zealand's 4th Most Popular Folk Parody Duo, but now they're in a strange new world - New York City - and determined to conquer America one fan at a time...literal...
This HBO series follows the misadventures of struggling folk act Flight of the Conchords ... more
(real-life comedy partners Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie). Hoping to extend their fanbase beyond one obsessed groupie, the guys move to New York's East Village, where it soon becomes apparent that America's not ready for their unique brand of music.
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Production Year: 1992 - Comedy - Director: Tim Robbins - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Ray Wise, Alan Rickman, Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Robbins
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: John Hay - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jimi Mistry, Kate Miles, Dougray Scott
Advantages: Fresh and hilarious take on the music parody Disadvantages: Episode 11
...his only act being the Flight of the Conchords. This doesn't prevent him from trying painfully hard to instil an air of professionalism in the band, insisting on a roll-call prior to every farcical band meeting, to the exasperation of Bret and Jermaine.
The chemistry between McKenzie, Clement and Darby is the pillar upon which the spoken section of the series is built. Murray is a likeable and well intentioned character, but clearly ... ...film."
The Flight of the Conchords is an unexpected breath of fresh air. Given that the music preceded the show, it's surprisingly precise and sharply written. I would mention that the Episodes 1 - 6 & 12 are considerably funnier than 7 - 11, which may be down to the former all being co-written and directed by James Bobin. This isn't to say that the latter aren't entertaining; just lacking consistent side splitting moments you'll ... more
The hapless male comedy duo has been done to death: Del boy and Rodney; Steptoe and Son; Arkwright and Granville; all etched indelibly into our comedy folklore. It seems a very British trait to revel in the plight of hopeless 30+ men, fates totally entwined as they try and consistently fail to escape their claustrophobic existences. Surprising then, that a U.S. commissioned show about two musicians from New Zealand trying to break America should ape that very format. More surprising still is that it retains a very British timbre, employing contemporary comedic techniques such as those used in the Office, and combining them with an already successful live music parody act which has had audiences in rapturous laughter for several years.
Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are cast as awkward, socially inept legal aliens trying to break the New York music scene from a tiny downtown apartment. With a child-like innocence and total lack of playing ability, their numerous failures with music, women, money, xenophobic greengrocers and dictatorial bongo players are charted over a 12 episode first series from HBO. Managing them is Murray (Rhys Darby), who leads a bizarre double life of Deputy New Zealand Cultural Attaché and founder of Murray Hewitt Productions; his only act being the Flight of the Conchords. This doesn't prevent him from trying painfully hard to instil an air of professionalism in the band, insisting on a roll-call prior to every farcical band meeting, to the exasperation of Bret and Jermaine.
The chemistry between McKenzie, Clement and Darby is the pillar upon which the spoken section of the series is built. Murray is a likeable and well intentioned character, but clearly a nerdy and officious office-boy devoid of musical knowledge, incapable of securing gigs for the Conchords outside of libraries and hotel lobbies. He frequently and hilariously misquotes the music industry when analogising situations they find themselves in, such as when Bret finds a girlfriend at his new sign-holding job:
Murray: "You get a love triangle, Fleetwood Mac situation, although there were four of them, so... more of a love square. Mind you, they did make some of the best music back then."
Bret: "Rumours?"
Murray: "No, that's all true."
The entire series is full of running jokes and masses of visual comedy, some of which you'll only spot on second and third viewings. From the overt of Bret's consistently appalling taste in animal-themed sweaters, to the more subtle caption of 'Tenacious Dundee' beneath their advert in Novelty Musician Monthly, the humour is a combination of wit and slapstick; of clever interplay and sheer farce. Some themes are aired more than others - they do work the cultural differences hard, with almost everyone mistaking them for the English/Australians and instigating mindless conversations about Vikings, Water Polo, and the Lord of the Rings. Yet, as with all the best comedies, there's as much if not more to be enjoyed in what isn't said - in particular Jermaine's befuddled expressions as another bizarre situation unfolds.
But really the Conchords is all about the music. Most episodes are written around existing tracks used in their stage and radio act, so as you'd expect this is where the belly laughs are to be had. The boys will sporadically burst into song during each episode, these mainly forming internal monologues to articulate their feelings on a situation, doubling up as parodies of music acts past and present. Bret and Jermaine sing and dance their way through pastiches of Bowie, Marvin Gaye, and the entire Hip Hop/Rap scene (as their alter egos the Hiphoppotomous and Rhymenocerous) among many others. Their eye for musical cliché is fabulous, my particular favourites being Bret's savagely radio edited fruit-inspired rap on 'Muther 'Uckers', and Jermaine's ironically misogynistic serenade 'Most Beautiful Girl (in the room)'.
"You could be a part-time mod-el - But you'd probably have to keep your normal job."
These flamboyant and expressive passages juxtapose with their otherwise poker faced deadpan delivery. The musicianship is fantastic, as Clement and McKenzie are both competent performers who can turn their acoustic guitars to almost any musical style with great aplomb. This is another direct contrast with their hapless characters, whose musical repertoire fails to attract more than one deranged fan, the limpet-like Mel (Kirsten Schaal) with her long suffering partner Doug in tow. Mel is a deliciously deranged portrayal of the obsessed fan, whose blind faith in the Conchords leads her to stalk them relentlessly across the city: -
Mel: "What are the chances of running into you here?" Jermaine: "...One in one."
Mel is the vehicle for some priceless comedy moments, such as when she waxes lyrical to Bret about two new fans not respecting their boundaries - only at the time Bret is trying to use her toilet, and behind her head is a framed pencil sketch of a two-headed nude male with Bret and Jermaine's faces. There's certainly a sinister aspect to some of Mel's behaviour, but this only intensifies the humour as the boys warily exploit her devotion.
All the supporting characters are well written and acted, with even the peripheral Doug capturing the tragic doting husband to a disinterested wife perfectly. Dave (Arj Barker), the Conchords' only friend outside of Murray, perceives himself as a womanising man of the world, consistently espousing his theories and advice on women and living in the big city. In reality Dave, real name Davjeet, exposes himself as even more tragic and inexperienced than Bret and Jermaine, such as when they discuss Bret's birthday song for love interest Sally: -
Dave-"What's a Chinese junk?" Bret -"It's a kind of ship" Dave -"Oh yeah, sure, women love that sensitive nautical sh**. Haven't you ever seen Watership Down? Me neither - but women *love* that film."
The Flight of the Conchords is an unexpected breath of fresh air. Given that the music preceded the show, it's surprisingly precise and sharply written. I would mention that the Episodes 1 - 6 & 12 are considerably funnier than 7 - 11, which may be down to the former all being co-written and directed by James Bobin. This isn't to say that the latter aren't entertaining; just lacking consistent side splitting moments you'll be used to. Also, as this is a review of the DVD package, I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't mention that there are no extras on the disc. At all. This didn't sully my enjoyment whatsoever, although if outtakes and deleted scenes excite you in any way, be prepared for disappointment.
In summary? One of the most refreshing and eminently likeable shows I've seen in years. In the end you'll be rooting for Bret, Jermaine, and the long-suffering Murray, as throughout the failure and turmoil and desperation is a touching bond that unites them. Y'know, like all the best comedies.
Mother Uckers Fruit Rap: - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6yu9loi_RFg
Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room) http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lmDTSQtK20c
Concrete_Donkey 25.11.2008 (25.11.2008)
Ciao members have rated this review on average:
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Review of Flight Of The Conchords - Series 1 (DVD)
Advantages: Hilarious. Disadvantages: No DVD extra.s
Flight of the Conchords was recommended to me by a Canadian and I first watched it with a Scot and two Kiwis and we all still rave about how much we love it. The Flight of the Conchords are hilarious and well worth a look. I received a very excited email this morning from a friend in New Zealand informing me that they were awarded a Grammy for Best Comedy Album for their EP The Distant Future. Congrats boys! This series that was featured on HBO is ... ...try to make it into the music scene with their two person band "Flight of the Conchords. It follows their daily activities as they practice, date, attend band meetings and try to struggle by on limited cash. The two spend an inordinate amount of time together, as I suppose do any friends who move to a new country together - but these two even go on each others dates! Jemaine Clement & Bret McKenzie, who do most of the writing, play themselves. James ...
post-it-note 12.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Flight Of The Conchords - Series 1 (DVD)
Advantages: An unusual, largely unheard of, comedy treat Disadvantages: Quality varies over all 12 episodes, no DVD extras
...band of the same name, Flight of the Conchords follows the adventures of an hirsute musical duo (New Zealanders Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie) as they try to make it big in New York. Whilst the pair play their roles seriously in the show , in real-life they write and sing parodies, perform at festivals and featured in a Radio 2 show that starred Rob Brydon as their manager!
HBO seems to have a penchant for spotting comedic talent (have a look ... ...this...) and the actors in 'FotC' quite simply make the show. In addition to the band, the other characters featured are Murray, the band's manager who is also the Deputy Cultural Attache at the New Zealand Embassy, and Mel, the band's only fan and quite possibly something of a stalker...
In addition, their friend Dave acts as a go-between for the band and their bid to understand the cultural demands of both New York and the USA.
The 12 episodes ...
Maylie 25.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Flight Of The Conchords - Series 1 (DVD)
Advantages: Infinite Disadvantages: There aren't a million episodes
I have to say, this is one of the best shows I have watched for a long time. Its surprising that it was first taken on by an American network, as it is much more traditionally like a British comedy.
Anyway, the two main guys in question are Bret and Jemaine, a pair of New Zealanders trying to carve out a music career in New York. They have a brilliant on screen relationship with some fantastic tooing and froing between each other.
Each episode ... ...of each episode, they generate some of the best laughs and are incredibly witty and original with the subjects which they cover, offering a very unique blend of music and comedy.
The songs tend to be the main charcaters way of externalising the feelings they cannot express in the show. Both characters totally lack charisma and are very nervous and awkward but become over-confident lotharios when they pick up a guitar. This is their charm.
The series ...
BZ2886 23.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Flight Of The Conchords - Series 1 (DVD)
Advantages: Combines music and comedy Disadvantages: May not fit some peoples sense of humour
...About The Flight of the Conchords first season DVD is a very different type of comedy, staring Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie as themselves. Bret and Jemaine star as 'The Flight of the Conchords' who are a highly unsuccessful folk parody duo from New Zealand trying to find fame in New York and run by a pathetic Manager called Murray (played by Rhys Darby) who holds band meetings in his place of work, the band have one fan (played by comedian Kristen ... ...the funny songs that The Flight of the Conchords are famous for, which is mostly why i enjoyed this DVD set. If you are familiar with The Flight of the Conchords work or just fancy a light hearted musical comedy then this DVD is for you. Some of the songs that are on this DVD include, 'The Humans are Dead', 'Business Time','Most Beatiful Girl in the Room' and 'Inner City Presure'. These songs are basically spoofy silly type songs which make them ...
lorrainek90 19.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Flight Of The Conchords - Series 1 (DVD)
This HBO series follows the misadventures of struggling folk act Flight of the Conchords (real-life comedy partners Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie). Hoping to extend their fanbase beyond one obsessed groupie, the guys move to New York's East Village, where it soon becomes apparent that America's not ready for their unique brand of music.
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