Choice, eh bro?
You’d
be forgiven for thinking that since Flight of the Conchords
(featuring the NZ comedic musicians of the same name) has been
a pretty big hit for HBO in the US, that Australia’s Network
Ten would be trumpeting it from the rooftops and giving it prime-time
exposure. But, as is all too often the case with Australian television,
that hasn’t happened. Instead this amiable and quite clever
comedy is shoved into late-night Sunday viewing.
Why? I suspect the answer is that Flight of
the Conchords – in common with shows like Weeds
and Six Feet Under – is a bit too out-there for
the mavens of money and morality who control Oz TV. Not that it’s
anywhere near as controversial as either of the shows mentioned.
There’s nary a swear word or a racy reference to be found
here. No, the peculiar trait that sets this show apart is its
protagonists’ tendency to burst into song every 10 minutes
or so.
Those songs are, of course, the Conchords’
stock-in-trade. In case you’re unfamiliar with them, they’re
NZ’s answer to Australia’s Tripod or Scared Weird
Little Guys. They started out in comedy, and have become quite
a name on the international comedy festival circuit. That helps
explain how they can get well-known comics like Arj Barker and
Kristen Schaal to appear in the show.
Basically, the series is a fictionalised version
of what Flight of the Conchords’ lives would be like if
they were unsuccessful and trying to break through in America.
The two members of the group, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie,
play themselves. They’re two New Zealanders who’ve
moved to New York City to try and make it big in the music biz.
Trouble is, no one of importance knows who they are, and their
predicament isn’t helped by having the incompetent fellow
Kiwi Murray Hewitt (Rhys Darby) as their manager. Their only beacon
of hope is their one, slightly wacky, fan Mel (Kristen Schaal).
There’s
a downbeat humour that runs through each episode; something highlighted
by the boys’ deadpan delivery of their lines. They’re
so laid back, it’s almost painful to watch. This provides
a neat counterpoint to the songs, which are invariably witty and
upbeat.
Our friends from across the Tasman will no doubt
find the self-deprecating NZ jokes very funny; but even if you’re
not from the land of the long white cloud, there’s plenty
to enjoy here. I particularly enjoy the performance of Rhys Darby
as the boys’ hilariously inept manager. That he supplements
his management fees (which must be minimal, given the group’s
lack of gigs) with a day job in the New Zealand consulate in NYC
only serves to make him an even funnier character.
Flight of the Conchords is a little gem
tucked away in the coalsack of late night television. Since it’s
on a “school night” and a lot of people will have
work the next day, I suspect its ratings aren’t all they
could be. The ratings survey for the week ending Saturday 24 May
had the show attracting 457,000 viewers – not bad considering,
but still a long way shy of the similarly-themed My Name is
Earl on Seven. Ten needs to start giving this show a leg-up.
Here’s an idea – run it on Monday nights after Good
News Week, ditch the Big Brother rubbish and watch
those numbers track upwards.
Phil James
