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News and Observer hearts the Conchords

‘Flight’ takes off with fans

DANNY HOOLEY, Staff Writer
Until NBC’s “The Office” comes back in the fall, it looks like HBO’s new Sunday-night show “Flight of the Conchords” is the most reliable half-hour of nonstop laughs on television.
I’m not alone in my devotion. Everyone I’ve screened the show for has become an instant convert.

New Zealand comedy-and-music duo Flight of the Conchords write novelty songs that expertly lampoon MTV videos going back to the ’80s. The songs comment on the show’s story lines, which often involve situations that could tear bandmates/roommates Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement apart as they struggle to make it in big, bad New York City.

Ineffective manager Murray (played by Rhys Darby) can’t get them any gigs. They have one fan, an obsessed female stalker named Mel, played by Kristen Schaal.

Tensions arise when, say, Bret gets a girlfriend, which makes Jemaine jealous (that episode was titled “Yoko”). Or when Bret gets a day job, and Murray and Jemaine decide he’s neglecting the band. So Bret quits the band. Then he rejoins for a dynamite closing musical number.

Then there’s shallow Sally, a recurring character played by Rachel Blanchard of the TV version of “Clueless.” Sally has dated both guys, caused a few rifts between them and broken both their hearts.

So what do they do in those heartbreak moments? Why, break into a pseudo-soul song, of course!

Tom Guild, a former radio personality who now runs SoundTrax recording studio in Raleigh, says he watches the show with his 18-year-old daughter.

“It’s a funny little show, ” says Guild. “It’s like one joke they’re able to flesh out more and more.”

“Flight of the Conchords” runs at 10:30 p.m., right after the popular “Entourage” and although he’s a fan of both, Guild agrees with me on which one is funnier.

“In terms of just crack-your-sides laughing, ["Flight of the Conchords"] has got it on ‘Entourage,’” he says.

From: newsobserver.com | ‘Flight’ takes off with fans