Upon the cancellation of Arrested Development and Veronica Mars, two of television’s most intelligent shows, fans clamored for them to be transferred to HBO, where ratings are less important and advertisers are virtually nonexistent. Anyone looking for those shows to resurface is out of luck, but they can take solace in the network’s Sunday lineup, which now boasts one of TV’s smartest shows in Flight of the Conchords.
The show (airing Sundays, 10:30 p.m.) follows a folk comedy duo from New Zealand – played by Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, a real-life folk comedy duo from New Zealand – as they try to make it in the States. Success is hard to come by: the boys have a low-level tourism shill for a manager (Rhys Darby as Murray), a single fan (Kristen Schaal as Mel), and no gigs. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t get to hear their music, as the show will often take a break in action to let Jermaine and Bret give an impromptu music video on the topic of the moment.
The writing – both musical and screenplay – are extraordinary, drenched in the dry, awkward British comic sensibility. The show manages to dream up zany scenarios for the duo to get into but still manages to keep the tone understated. In a culture that favors comedy stuffed with pomp and bravado – best exemplified by Entourage, a show in a creative slump but still damn funny and, interestingly, the show that airs before Conchords – this kind of comic treatment is a welcome respite.
Make time for Flight of the Conchords, or rush to your nearest friend with Comcast On Demand, where you can devour the existing 8 episodes in an evening. You’ll thank me; the time investment is worth it.
I need to say that Ed and I have been watching this show since day one, and I simply cannot get enough of it.