ALARIS' REVIEWS

10th October 2009
The Flight of the Conchords: Pilot (2007)

This low budget comedy series became an unlikely hit in the US, which usually bodes pretty well for me. The Flight of the Conchords is about two New Zealand guys trying to break into the music scene in the States, and the deadpan tone of the show suits the low key stories.

Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of naturalistic TV shows or movies, and the more circular and repetitive the dialogue, the more I'm inclined to reach for the 'Off' button. While The Flight of the Conchords has some cute moments, overall it reminded me too much of watching someone's home video. And not just because of the video stock.

The main characters are supposed to be endearingly pathetic, and their awkward exploits funny, but TV shows like Arrested Development (2003) do this so much better. The Flight of the Conchords lacks the clever punchline, the social satire, and the flights of the bizarre which make the former so much more entertaining. Without these, The Flight of the Conchords is a bit pedestrian.

The musical interludes are also a bit hit and miss. The songs aren't great, which is part of the joke, but again, it would be a lot more entertaining if they were more satirical or quirky.

For people who strongly relate to the main characters - as I'm sure many people do - these gripes won't be a problem. But for me, The Flight of the Conchords doesn't quite reach the level of wit or warmth that I'd expect in a show like this.

Verdict: A mediocre comedy series that borders on quirky, but doesn't back it up with enough wit.