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EspañolFLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS (TV SERIES)
'''Flight of the Conchords''' is an American television sitcom that follows the adventures of the Flight of the Conchords, a folk duo from New Zealand, as its members seek fame and success in New York City. The show portrays a fictionalized version of the real-life duo, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, who play themselves. Though in reality Clement and McKenzie are a comedy duo and perform music parodies, their characters within the series take themselves and their music seriously.
The first episode of the series aired on HBO on June 17, 2007.
Plot
The series revolves around the day-to-day lives and loves of two musicians, Jemaine and Bret (Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, playing fictionalised versions of themselves), who have uprooted themselves from their native New Zealand to try to make it big as a folk duo in New York City. The two have frequent appointments with their band manager, Murray (Rhys Darby), a Deputy Cultural Attaché at the New Zealand consulate, who is overly officious and ineffectual. Jemaine and Bret constantly fend off the amorous attentions of Mel (Kristen Schaal), a married woman who is their sole fan and stalker. Their friend Dave (Arj Barker) works at a pawn shop and gives them advice on dealing with American women and culture. Other recurring characters include their landlord, Eugene (played by Eugene Mirman), Bret's short-term girlfriend Coco (Sutton Foster) and Jemaine and Bret's ex-girlfriend Sally (Rachel Blanchard).
Most episodes revolve around the five main cast members. The antagonists outside of this small group are usually either their girlfriends or Australians (see Bret Gives Up The Dream, Sally Returns), reflecting the traditional rivalry between New Zealand and Australia.
Jemaine and/or Bret break into song periodically throughout each episode. The songs are built into the narrative structure of the show in several different ways. Some songs form part of the actual plot of the show. In these instances, Bret or Jemaine sings to another character. Other songs serve as the internal monologue of one of the two. Typically, at least once per show, a song is shot in the form of a music video. Some songs use a combination of the styles. For example, in the first episode, "Sally", the song "Most Beautiful Girl in the Room" is a mix of Jemaine's inner thoughts, which are inaudible to those around him, and his spoken invitations to Sally to get a kebab and to go back to his place, while the music video for "Business Time" (from "Sally Returns") depicts a daydream that Jemaine is having.
The enthusiastic manner in which the characters express themselves through song is in stark contrast to the very low-key, monotone manner in which the characters express themselves throughout the rest of the show. Thus, when the characters cannot verbalize their feelings, the songs serve as inner monologues and explain the thoughts and feelings they are unable to communicate to others.[1]
Cast
Main cast
| 'Name' | 'Played by' | 'Occupation/Role' |
|---|---|---|
| Bret McKenzie | Bret McKenzie | Band member. Jemaine's roommate. |
| Jemaine Clement | Jemaine Clement | Band member. Bret's roommate. |
| Murray Hewitt | Rhys Darby | Murray is the band's ineffective manager. His day job is Deputy Cultural Attaché at the New Zealand consulate. He has few friends and an on-and-off relationship with his wife. His nickname in the show is "gingerballs". |
| Mel | Kristen Schaal | Mel appears to be the band's lone fan and stalks them in pursuit of a romantic liaison despite the fact that she is married to Doug. In the episode "Bowie" it is revealed that she is a Junior Professor of Psychology. In "New Fans" it is implied that she's been through legal trouble for stalking. |
| Dave | Arj Barker | A friend of Bret and Jemaine who works at a pawn shop and dispenses advice. He lives with his parents, though tries to cover it up by pretending they are his roommates. |
Recurring guest stars
| 'Name' | 'Played by' | 'Occupation/Role' | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg | Frank Wood | Murray's assistant at the consulate. In the episode "The Actor", it was suggested that he is Murray's only friend besides Bret and Jemaine. | 101-102, 105-107, 111-112 |
| Eugene | Eugene Mirman | Bret and Jemaine's landlord. | 101-103, 105, 108, 111-112 |
| Doug | David Costabile | Mel's husband. When Doug appears in an episode it is usually because he is driving Mel to a band gig or stalking mission. In the episode "Bowie" it is revealed that he was previously the Senior Professor of Psychology at the university which Mel attended, but was fired and is now unemployed. It's implied in the episode "New Fans" that he and his family had a restraining order against Mel at one point before he married her. | 101-102, 106, 109-110 |
| Coco | Sutton Foster | Bret's girlfriend for several episodes. Bret and Coco meet while working as part-time sign holders. They break up in the "Sally Returns" episode because it's clear that Bret still has feelings for Sally. | 102, 104-105 |
| Sally | Rachel Blanchard | Bret's former girlfriend. She dates Jemaine briefly on two separate occasions, but eventually accepts a marriage proposal from a rich Australian in the episode "Sally Returns". | 101, 105 |
Critical reaction
The show has received a generally positive reaction from critics. The best reviews were from the ''Detroit Free Press,'' whose critic described it as "TV's most original and irresistible new comic concoction"[2] and the ''San Francisco Chronicle,'' whose reviewer stated that it "may well be the funniest thing you've seen in ages"[3]. At the opposite end, the ''Miami Herald'' reviewer wrote that it "feels less like a sitcom than a Saturday Night Live sketch stretched out to about six times its shelf-life."[4]
Episode list
| # | Title | Airdate | Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Second season
On August 17, 2007, HBO announced a second season for ''Flight of the Conchords'', set to premiere in 2008.[5] Prior to the announcement, Jemaine Clement stated in an interview with the ''The New Zealand Herald'', "they [HBO] are interested in doing another series but we have to think about it. It's not a definite offer but they have talked about us starting writing but we've got other things we want to do as well".[6] Bret McKenzie has stated in several interviews that the band has used up "98 percent" of their old songs in the first series. In an interview with ''The Star Ledger'', he said "We'd need some time to develop new material. It's like the second album syndrome. It might take a lot longer".[7] Shortly after the renewal announcement, Clement stated in an interview that the second season would likely consist of fewer than twelve episodes "so they could concentrate on 'quality not quantity'". McKenzie and Clement plan to write for the second season in Wellington, New Zealand, before they return to New York City in 2008 for filming.[8]
News site tvshowsondvd.com reports that the season one DVD will be released on November 6, 2007.[9]
Filming locations
Filming for the series takes place at a variety of locations and landmarks around New York City. Flight of the Conchords has, however, been consistent with its geography with respect to their neighbourhood. Some of the primary locations are listed below. Information on locations specific to particular episodes may be found on the page for that episode.
★ Exterior shots of Bret and Jemaine's apartment, for episode 102 onwards, are filmed at 28 Henry Street in the Chinatown area of New York City. Apartment exterior shots for the pilot episode were filmed at a different location further east down Henry Street between Clinton and Montgomery.
★ The building that serves as the exterior of the New Zealand consulate is nearby at 232 East Broadway. The real New Zealand Consulate is located approximately four miles uptown at 222 East 41st St in Manhattan.
★ Dave's 'pawn shop' can be found just around the corner from the 'consulate' at 10 Montgomery Street.
★ Steiner Studios, Brooklyn, New York.[10]
Recurring themes and running jokes
Roll Call
Before every band meeting, no matter where it is held or how few are present, Murray takes roll-call. Bret and Jemaine are not enthusiastic supporters of this piece of meeting etiquette. Often one or the other refuses to respond.
Mel's obsession
Mel is depicted as a stalker with a romantic obsession for the two band members. She is present at every band performance, no matter how insignificant, and is commonly found outside the band's apartment whenever they leave the building. In "The Third Conchord" she feigns innocence over her presence, asking "what are the chances?", Jemaine replies "1 in 1".
Unsuccessful relationships with women
Bret and Jemaine are depicted as being clumsy and inexperienced with women. An example is Jemaine's confusion over how to deal with Sally in the pilot episode. In the episode "What Goes On Tour" they are flirted with, and ultimately duped by, the more sophisticated women of a university sports team.
Australia as nemesis
Australia features prominently as a source for the boys' misfortune. In "Bret Gives Up The Dream", the band's performance at a travel expo is outshone by a flashy Australian booth. In "Sally Returns", Jemaine and Bret are dumped by Sally in favour of an Australian suitor.
New Zealand culture
New Zealand culture is depicted as quaint or old-fashioned. For instance, a VHS taped from New Zealand television contains an advertisement for the telephone which suggests that it is still an unfamiliar concept within New Zealand. Characters are often confused about the nature and history of New Zealand. In the episode "Bret Gives Up The Dream", for example, Coco believes that New Zealand has vikings. Several references are made to the Lord of the Rings movies — filmed there by Peter Jackson — as being the only thing Americans know about New Zealand. Also, Bret played an elf in Lord of the Rings.
Confusion over nationality
Other characters are commonly confused over Bret and Jemaine's nationality, often mistaking them for Australians or English. Their best friend Dave also admits to being unclear as to their nationality. The whole plot of the episode "Drive By" is centred around the misconception of another character that Bret and Jemaine are Australian.
New Zealand accent
Several episodes have featured scenes where the flat vowels of the New Zealand accent have caused confusion. In two different episodes, women that Bret was talking to thought his name was 'Brit'. In "Mugged" there is an extended sequence where Dave is confused between the words 'dead' and 'did'.
Bret quitting
A number of episodes include Bret quitting or getting fired from the band, only to rejoin later. In "What Goes On Tour", after Murray quits, Jemaine says "You can't quit the band. Bret usually quits the band". In the episode "The Third Conchord", Bret is explicitly reminded of his fluctuating status.
Bret and Mel's t-shirts
Bret's wardrobe consists of a variety of t-shirts and sweatshirts with unusual designs, often times detailing animals. A few of the shirts have featured in multiple episodes. Mel is usually shown wearing a different Flight of the Conchords t-shirt in each episode.
New Zealand tourism posters
The walls in Murray's office have featured a variety of humorous and odd New Zealand tourism posters. Examples include "New Zealand...it's not part of Australia", "New Zealand: Don't expect too much and you'll love it", and "New Zealand. Why not?"
Murray's wife
Murray's somewhat secretive and on-again off-again relationship with his wife are a feature of several episodes in the latter half of season one.
International broadcasters
Flight of the Conchords is aired on the following stations around the world:
| Country | TV Network(s) | Series Premiere |
|---|---|---|
| Movie Central, The Movie Network | June 17 2007 | |
| Prime | September 17 2007[11] | |
| BBC Four | Autumn 2007[12][13] | |
| HBO | June 17 2007 |
References
1. Behind the scenes preview video from HBO (YouTube)
2.
A GIGGLY FLIGHT OF FANCY: 'Conchords' mixes mirth and music
3.
Musical misfits hoping for their big break
4.
Weird how Kiwis in the City doesn't work
5. HBO Orders 2008 Editions Of CONCHORDS & ENTOURAGE!!
6.
Doubles Champ
7.
Funny 'Conchords' is ready for takeoff
8. Conchords get second TV series
9. Flight of the Conchords - HBO Show's 1st Season Release Date, Pricing
10. Filming locations for "Flight of the Conchords" (2007) IMDB.com
11. Conchords Take Flight on Prime
12. Funny folk on 4 - BBC buys Conchords sitcom
13. Flight of the Conchords: best new sitcom in years?
External links
★ Official HBO site
★ Official HBO MySpace page
★
★ Official BBC site
★ TV series page on 'What the Folk!' fan site
★ AV Club interview with Bret McKenzie on the making of the show
★ On set video with Eugene Mirman from Kristen Schaal's video blog on Vimeo
★ FoTC Reality Tour (map of NYC locations)
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