Summer TV is killing us — so dire our plight that we’ve actually seen every single John From Cincinnati (after watching the first 20 minutes post Sopranos finale, we swore that’d never happen). Suddenly, that John and his magic trousers are totally engaging, in that anything-to-suppress-these-LOST/Office-reruns blues. ANYWAY, what happened to HBO? We still have Curb, but Entourage has become a lousy cartoon (how ridiculous is Vinnie Chase in that Escobar fat suit? Listen to E, Vince, that movie looks like shit). But just when we’d given up on HBO original programming, we were sent this clip that may have us singing a different (albeit satirical) tune.
We really should be watching FOTC, shouldn’t we? You guys on board? If yeah, tell us where to get started (YouTube links, etc.), and we’ll do our due diligence. ‘Til now, it just seemed like a poor sub for Tenacious D, aimed at susceptible indie kids with its LES sets and hipster haircuts. Though, it doesn’t say much for us that all it took was a Bowie clip to maybe turn us around, does it?
So: overhyped tripe or worthy cure for the summertv blues?
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Extremely worthy of your viewing. There has only been three episodes… the second didn’t match to the genius of the first and finally rebounded with the thrid. Supposedly, these guys are quite famous from that English accented country they’re from overseas.
John from Cincinnati is about a hundred times better than LOST. No need to act like you’re watching CSI Miami or something.
If you haven’t seen it their HBO special is hilarious. And yes, the show is quite funny too.
funny, i found out about the show here by the add! i only watched the first episode in their website, and it was very enjoyable. their songs are amazing. i have one of them, “jenny”, in my mp4 player (it’s THAT good; i have to carry it around)
Check out hbo.com. Last I checked (like 3 weeks ago, so it may not still be up), you could watch the entire first episode online. It’s hilarious.
http://www.hbo.com/conchords/video/index.html
yeah, this is actually way funnier that Tenacious D. that’s going to piss someone off, but they were never funny to me. these guys are hilarious, the show is very worth it.
I don’t think the draw of the show is their songs really either – while they are mildly enjoyable – the interactions between the two of them and their manager dude are pretty hilarious. Plus, the pawn shop guy in the last episode was SUPER funny. Their one fan (I forget her name) is pretty good too in a cute-stalker sort of way. All in all – worth it.
Your boy Aziz is in the first episode (albeit in the background)! I thought you’d be all over that stuff.
I like this show so much that I’m constantly paranoid that they’ll run out of song ideas. The first episode had some great songs, and the next two episodes were pretty enjoyable too. There are so many funny little jokes and lines, it’s really clever writing. The best song for me was the very first one:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lmDTSQtK20c
It’s the most half assed love song ever, with lyrics like “You’re so beautiful you could be a part time model/but you’d probably still have to keep your normal job.” has me cracking up every time.
you can actually get the first episode for free on itunes as a podcast. i still find it hard not to laugh, even though ive seen it like 5 times already.
i think it’s kind of brilliant. or at least better than anything else on.
Entourage still kicks ass. Drama and Turtle make that shit.
I would start with the show and then work back. These guys have done some pretty good stuff (a documentary of themselves at SXSW and some other HBO stuff at least). I started watching it after the 2nd episode… I like the show more. It has good production values on the songs and they sound more complete, but if you like just the two guitars, all their early stuff sounds more like that.
I would start with the show and then work back. These guys have done some pretty good stuff (a documentary of themselves at SXSW and some other HBO stuff at least). I started watching it after the 2nd episode… I like the show more. It has good production values on the songs and they sound more complete, but if you like just the two guitars, all their early stuff sounds more like that.
http://youtube.com/user/ryancorven
and that’s all three episodes. I found them the other day.
It’s definitely worth checking out. And I agree, even though I love the D, I’m enjoying this show a lot more. Here’s a treasure trove of their stuff…
http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/flight_of_the_conchords
Hilarious stuff. As a duo their songs are 100x better than Tenacious D, and the show reminds me slightly of “Stella” without the unrealistic parts (i.e. planting crops in an apartment).
BINARY SOLO!!!
My hubby and I love the show, and we quote it constantly. “I’m not crying. It’s just been raining… on my face!” It is like the Kiwi version of Tenacious D, but also Mr. Show, Wes Anderson and Napoleon Dynamite. The humor is very dry, and unlike most shows on HBO, there’s no nudity (or violence) and very little swearing. I think it’s totally going to flop.
First saw them a couple years ago on that Scottish guy’s talk show that used to be Kilborn. They did a song called (IIRC) “The Hip-hop-opotamus Vs. The Rhyme-nocerous.”
http://www.all4humor.com/videos/funny-videos/hiphopopotamus-vs-rhymenocerous.html
One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen/heard. Been hooked on them ever since.
Did you guys recognize the one on the left (Jemaine) from his (solo) Outback Steakhouse commercials from the last year?
You can snatch these up with Bittorrent quite easily.
And allow me to be the first one to say that this show blows. Sorry, I really wanted to like it. It almost seems like a sin to like indie music and comedy and not be into this.
I saw their Comedy Central special a few years back and loved it. I really like the two as characters too, but the execution of the show is awful.
for all things conchord:
http://www.whatthefolk.net/
saw the pilot HBO was pimpin’ on their site – it fucking blew. channel is worthless since carnivale, six feet under, sopranos and deadwood ended (or got cancelled) anyway.
it’s always sunny in philadelphia’s return this summer is a better bet for a comedy fix.
/bah
GREAT show…really the only thing worthwhile on TV this summer. The songs are funny but hardly the center of it all. Jemaine and Bret are great foils and then you throw Murray in there (definitely channeling some David Brent) and it’s effin’ gold.
Too bad Always Sunny in Philadelphia is taking so long to get back on…can’t wait for that either.
I love the show as well, the songs are great, and the whole show is so great, I’ve seen all 3 episodes twice and find new things in them after viewing them again.
i’m actually really loving john from cincinnati myself, interesting story, great cast, and the dialogue is straight modern deadwood in it’s pacing and delivery.
conchords has been hit and miss, but the hits are good enough to make it worthwhile. the hip hop bits in the last episode were top notch.
It doesn’t always live up to the hype (sometimes the jokes are a little obvious), but it’s still a hell of a lot better than most other stuff. The songs are pretty good, but even the minor, in-between jokes can be funny (did anyone else find the ‘hair helmet’ kind of amusing?)
the radio series they did a while back for bbc is far superior, in my opinion, to what i’ve seen of the television show. flight of the conchords + neil finn = hilarity.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/comedy/conchords.shtml
FOTC’s is a really fantastic show. you can see the first episode on their HBO site. also go to whatthefolk.net also how do you not like entourage this season its great? there hasnt been a bad episode so far
This show saved my TV summer!
To me the style of humour is a perfect combination of Napoleon Dynamite’s weirdness, The Office’s awkwardness and more standard sitcom jokes.
You should definitely check it out if you haven’t already.
Yeah personally, I think this show is one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time (humor-wise). I’ve been quoting it allllll week — did Steve tell you that, per chance? STEVE!
Please. Watch this show and enjoy it, and continue to blog about it so that it stays in the forefront. This show must live in. I’m worried it’s going to get the Arrested Development treatment.
Other MCs try to diss me. why? why? can you be more constructive with your criticism?
Flight of the Concords is great. I’ve liked them ever since I saw them at SXSW. The show is more ironic funny, which I guess some people don’t get? I don’t know how, I think it’s hilarious. I hate when people compare it to the mostly unfunny stoner comedy of Tenacious D. It’s a totally different type of humor.
“In the distant future – the year 2000″
I love this show to death. Their songs are brilliant and, although the episodes don’t really go anywhere, the deadpan humour is an absolute riot. I can’t recommend it enough.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7wqfcwgT0Ds
great show. though the second one wasn’t up to par, it had the best song, as presented above right here.
I love these guys. Please cover them more, I’m surprised you guys haven’t been all over them.
i am inlove with them.
I saw the show and really enjoyed it. You should check out their song, “business time” on you tube. It’s great.
I can’t wait to see Jemaine in the movie Eagle vs. Shark. That also looks super funny.
The guys are so marvelously oddball and nonsensical -I am addicted – usually I just watch comedic pieces once but I have repeatedly watched these shows and the bits keep getting funnier!
They also are incredible writers and their songs are fantastic. Like Tenacious D, they commit to the moment but their musical range is more appealing to me. You can tell that a real love for music and words is what carries their parodies – not attempts at slacker pretensions – please spread the word on this great show.
is this some sort of stereogum advertorial? leaving it up to your readers to decide if it’s worthy? huh?
I thought that pilot episode was pretty lame, but the last episode was really funny. But I still think Entourage is currently the best show on HBO. John from Cinicinatti is interesting, I probably like it more than I should since I am from San Diego and have been to all the places they shoot. It kind of reminds me of Heroes, how they are all discovering these “powers” but don’t know how to use them…
FOTC is the best new show in a couple years probably. A great combination of so many things I love about music and movies into a TV show? im there.
Wrong. All of you wrong. The correct answer is “Rescue Me.”
i kinda feel like FOTC is something that SHOULD be funny, cause its obv set in brooklyn and about hipsters, but aside from a few “quotable lines” it just aint that enjoyable…
still waiting for a true belly laugh
Flight of the Conchords is retarded, why is that show on television? John From Cincinnati on the other hand is actually pretty good and, with a great cast and great writers, will only get better…
Looks like all those banners on your site haven’t done HBO any good
FOTC is completely hilarious, been following them for about a year but their show has been great so far. I would also like to mention that I absolutely love John From Cincinnati. Cast is great, dialogue is unique and perfectly delivered, plot/story is very complex and fun to dissect. Surf noir is my new favorite genre.
Flight of the Conchords is absolute hipster bullshit. Ooh! We sing funny, nonsensical songs. We mumble. We wear 70s vintage clothing. Everyone is dirty and unemployed. A better alternate title for this show would be “Tenacious Dumb.” HBO programming is in a sorry state. Entourage has become a parody of itself. Vince has no story what so ever, besides he’s living off his credit card. The relationships between the guys, the most interesting piece of the show, is stale and lacking insight. And even Ari has lost any of the originality and verve that stole his scenes. Someone please bring back a real comedy: Curb Your Enthusiasm!
I think FOTC is brilliant. The episode where they got mugged was the best one yet, IMO. “I’m the hip-hop-apotamus/ my rhymes are bottomless…” hilarious.
This show and Rescue Me (good call, nate) are filling my summer very well until It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia gets back.
I still watch Entourage, but that show just isn’t great anymore…it’s still entertaining but lost some of it’s gusto.
Seriously best show on TV right now… Entourage is getting lame, this show better not get cancelled!
The first episode of FLight of the Conchords is available for free download as a podcast on iTunes.
I have been watching the show since the pilot and seen all of the YouTube videos. Bret and Jemaine are the best. Definitely a show worth watching.
It’s funny. If you don’t think so than you may be a robot.
Surprised nobody’s mentioned this, but IMO a better show along the same lines (and one with more episodes online, to stay your boredom longer) is the Mighty Boosh.
wow STOKED to see them on this site! the funniest guys you will ever see. i’m not just saying that coz i’m from new zealand. look at their stand up if you look them up on youtube.
(also fun fact: brett was an elf extra, figwit, on lord of the rings and had a cult following on the internet)
yea they’re semi popular here. english accents?
FOTC and The Sarah Silverman Program are set to not be deleted from our Tivo until *I* say so. Which will probably be never because they are both my and my wife’s new favorite shows. The whole “She’s so hot she’s making me sexist…. Bitch.” lyrics on the sign-holder episode had me laughing out loud.
I’m trying to get everyone watching this but it may be above their heads. For me I crack up every time. The lyrics are hilarious… props to the Hiphopopatamus vs. Rhymenocerous.
Entourage sucks lately, especially with all the lame product placements.
i laugh from beginning to end…love it
I have to say…I don’t see what everyone else sees in FOTC. I was stoked to see it after a few friends raved, but I just don’t find them all that funny. I get what they’re doing; I just don’t think it’s that original or entertaining. I know it may cost me my hipster card, but there you have it.
Flight of the Conchords – Think Think About It.
Best song ever.
of course fotc are funnier than tenacious d. and i am able to proudly call them my own seeing as we come from the same country and all. that’s new zealand i speak of. saw them live at holy trinity church down here in tauranga one happy night a year or two ago and am very pleased the lads have their own show. the hilarity knew no bounds.
My sister worked with them on the pilot to Flight of the Conchords.
They’re fantastic musicians in their own field, much more funny than JUST the fucking Bowie song (and yes you are wrong for jumping on board…and asking permission [geesh]…by just watching this clip)
and they are a good-hearted couple of guys from New Zealand.
“You left me to die out there!”
“Well if I had known you were gonna hassle me about it…”
i really like the whole subplot about how New Zealand fucking hates Austrailia.
I LOVE THIS SHOW. Funny thing is…I’m yet to find someone who doesn’t. A few of their songs are a little out there but I’m becoming a bigger fan every time I finish an episode. That mouse shirt in episode 10 was halarious…I literally spent an hour trying to find one on ebay and ended up on the fan site at ConchordClothing.com
$86.43 later I’m + about 4 new shirts from the show and brets new zealand hoodie but it’s xmas in 30 days so I’m spoiling myself!!
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