- por Lucas Duarte

Essa aqui é um achado na TV recente norte-americana. Pouco divulgada e não muito conhecida mesmo entre os fãs de séries (a maior comunidade do Orkut sobre o programa tem pouco mais de mil membros), Flight of the Conchords conta a história fictícia da banda real neozelandesa homônima composta por Jermaine Clement e Bret McKenzie, que se auto-entitulam “o quarto mais popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk dueto da Nova Zelândia”. Produzida pela HBO, a série teve duas temporadas curtinhas (como de praxe na TV a cabo dos EUA), a primeira com doze episódios e a segunda com apenas dez. Cada episódio tem cerca de 26 minutos e duas cenas musicais, mas longe de soar formulaica, Flight of the Conchords se reinventa a cada semana, o que se deve em parte a genialidade dos roteiros, principalmente no que diz respeito aos diálogos, e a versatilidade da banda que alcança a proeza de “tirar sarro” de praticamente todo os grupos e estilos musicais da atualidade, desde Pet Shop Boys e Daft Punk, passando por discho music e bandinhas indies no geral.

No que diz respeito ao estilo de seu humor, Flight of the Conchords parece ter como principal fonte de inspiração as comédias de vergonha alheia de Ricky Gervais, o que fica ainda mais óbvio quando se analisa determinados personagens em particular, como Murray, o agente da banda, por exemplo, que parece ser uma mistura de David Brent do The Office UK com o personagem de Stephen Merchant em Extras. E se as letras das canções apresentam um humor um pouco mais rebuscado e sutil (ou pelo menos algumas delas), o mesmo não se pode dizer das piadas estritamente visuais e não menos geniais, que fazem rir graças aos ótimos trabalhos de direção da série (a maioria de autoria de Troy Miller, Taika Waititi e James Bobin, sendo uma ótima exceção o episódio Unnatural Love, dirigido pelo Michel Gondry). Os aspectos técnicos de Flight of the Conchords, aliás, são dignos de grandes filmes, e os trabalhos de direção de arte e fotografia são surpreendentes até mesmo para os padrões da HBO (a nível de comparação, no mesmo canal, Entourage não faz mais bonito).

Não me arrisco aqui a fazer uma lista dos melhores episódios, porque não fiz anotações individuais sobre os mesmos, o que torna bem difícil essa avaliação póstuma. Deixo então, um Top 5 com as músicas da banda, o que já foi difícil por si só, uma vez que são quase todas obras-primas.

1. Christine Brown – episódio: Unnatural Love
2. Demon Woman - episódio: Prime Minister
3. Rumbling Through The Avenues of Time - episódio: Wingmen
4. The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room) – episódio: Sally
5. Too Many Dicks on the Dancefloor - episódio: Unnatural Love

Just because.

I woke up today, feeling like shit, so I decided to finally start my blog since I’m stuck in bed, unmotivated to move or do any type of activity. So I began thinking about what my blog should be about and what sort of things people might be interested in reading about. Well, this is what I came up with. Impressive, right? It’s a little self centered but I figured, if I was going to blog, why not do it on something I enjoy. Couldn’t be more perfect. I would have blogged on Scotland alone but, I wanted to have a more broad topic. Wether people like it or not, I don’t really care to be honest….

So! Moving on, if you don’t know me, theres two basics we need to cover:

1. I love, love, love, love, LOVE, Scotland. Random? No! Because my mom was born there which makes me half-scottish and doesn’t make it weird that I love it so much. In fact, that picture in my header was taken in Scotland on the coast where I stayed for a couple nights this past summer. Super!

2. Jemaine Clement is the love of my life.

(He’s a part of Flight of the Conchords, for those of you who have

been living under a rock for the past decade) He’s so awesome,

but sadly, he’s married with kids…. :/

(He’s the one on the left, btw)

ps- Go here: Jemaine! to see my favorite song by them

So, these two topics may come up frequently since they are two of my favorite things.

But now, I leave you with some links and some love because I’m out!

This video made me laugh, so HARD: Dogs?

This video made me dance: Delta Spirit

This video made me smile: Dance!

Here’s Ween performing “Stacey” in 1991.  Best Parts:  A young Gene Ween and Dean’s solo.

Flight of the Conchords - “Ladies of the World” in 1999 on Newtown Salad (public access?).  What an audience.  Anyway, another great early performance from a duo.

Here’s another duo, Tenacious D, performing “Explosivo” in 1998 on what looks like a Comedy Central show.  And did the creators of Hancock rip off his get-up from Jack Black’s accessories here?  Who’s to say?

Next up is Bauhaus performing “Stigmata Martyr”.  Not sure what year this was filmed or how long the band had been together at this point, but it looks like an early capture.  Quality is a bit choppy, but a gem nonetheless.

And here’s my favorite “early performance” on Youtube - Steely Dan performing “Reelin’ in the Years” sometime in the early 70’s.  The video reads it was in 1978, but apparently that’s when this performance aired and not when it was filmed.  By 1978, Steely Dan had become strictly a “studio band”  but this video showcases their live capabilities. 

And those are my selections for now.  One day, I’m sure I’ll stumble upon some early videos of Pixies or Wilco and will have to add them to the list.  Until then, enjoy these selections hand-picked for your viewing pleasure.

What I’m Watching (On TV):  Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dexter, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dollhouse, Supernatural

What I’m Watching (On DVD):  Gilmore Girls Season 2, Star Trek (The Original Series) Season 1, SCTV Volume 1

What I’m Listening to:  Flight of the Conchords – I Told You I Was Freaky, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Dig Lazarus Dig!, Steely Day – Can’t Buy a Thrill

What I’m Reading:  Neil Gaiman – Sandman, Stephen King – Salem’s Lot

What I’m Doing:  Pre-Production of short film, Con Artists – filming hopefully to begin sometime next month.  This is a project I’m working on with my lady friend, Katie, and is something we’re both passionate about.  Con Artists follows 4 washed-up actors reuniting in a shitty bar for the first time in 15 years.  What follows is lots of beer, bad food, and a look at storytelling synonymous with banter. 

The new season of Curb is going pretty pretty pretty good, forgetting even all of the Seinfeld hype.  Can’t wait to see what LD has in store for the season finale.  Dexter is quite interesting this season and they even took some really big risks (ex: SPOILER – the death of Lundy).  I’m certainly enjoying this season much more than the last.  Jimmy Smits was great and all, but looking back, Season 3 was kind of boring.  Plus I think John Lithgow is doing an exceptional job.  Kind of makes you forget about a time when he wasn’t considered a “villain” by the viewing public.  And as far as Dollhouse goes, all I can say is that it is getting better each episode.  Sad to see it cancelled but will make the most of it and watch the rest of Season 2/Series in December.  It’s Always Sunny…while still probably the funniest show on TV, just doesn’t compare to the early seasons (1, 2, maybe 3).

I’m not afraid to admit I’m a fan of the Gilmore Girls.  The study of small town behavior, friends and family (and coffee) resonates somewhere in my mind and blocks the fact that this is even considered a ”chick show”.  Plus, it’s fun to watch a show where you catch 95% of the references.  I’m only on episode 4 of Star Trek but I already see it will be a low-budget (or cheap) but revolutionary sci-fi show that will present interesting ideas in space.  SCTV  (Network 90) is a straight-up classic featuring two of my favorite comedic actors:  John Candy and Rick Moranis.  Some of my favorite sketches include:  anything with Johnny LaRue, Monster Chiller Horror Theater, The Gerry Todd Show, and Mel’s Rock Pile.

Flight of the Conchords – I Told You I Was Freaky is getting heavy rotation in my car due to basically all of the songs.  What a fun album to listen to!  I also just brought out Nick Cave and the Bad Seed’s album Dig Lazarus Dig! for the first time since it was new, and I still think it’s one of the band’s best.  Steely Dan’s Can’t Buy a Thrill LP is being played on the record player – a great album to hear on vinyl if you haven’t.

Just finished Neil Gaiman’s Sandman Vol. 2:  The Doll’s House.  I could not put this book down.  I was enthralled by the story from the get-go, from the prelude to the closing chapter, and especially the in-between (Men of Good Fortune and the Cereal Convention).  Going for Dream Country next.  Also got through the first part of Salem’s Lot and now working on the Emperor of Ice Cream.  I’ve seen both films but this is my first time reading the book.  So far, book is winning.

So today I went onto iTunes to buy ‘Gold Canary’ by Cloud Control. And to my surprise it is the free single of the week! I got it for free! Score! I highly recommend it to you! I don’t know how much longer it will be up there so make sure you go check it out today!

Last week Liz and I went a bit nuts on downloading stuff from iTunes. Here is some of the stuff we downloaded.

“In for the Kill” by La Roux

“All is Love” by Karen O (from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and the Kids – this is from the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack

“Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits

“Girls of the World ain’t Nothing but Trouble” by Will smith

The whole “I told you I was Freaky” album by Flight of the Conchords

Plus “The Distant Future” album by Flight of the Conchords as well

“Little Lion Man” by Mumford and Sons

and some old school Jackson Five

Also I repurchased the American Idiot Album by Green Day as I can’t remember where the one I bought in 2004 (!) is! Was it really that long ago?

Anyway, this is another song I want, but I an’t find it on iTunes. Anyone have any ideas? It is “Meet the Elements” by They might be Giants

Parody of parody song, vicious cycle anyone?

Belle de Jour came out on Sunday! And she has a … PhD?

This is a bit unnerving for those of us who are still in school. Is this what’ll I’ll have to do to get funding as a student in the UK? 300 per hour sounds lovely, but I don’t think this job is for everyone. (Neither does Brooke.) Besides, I only write about prostitution…

I’ve been in love with this song from Flight of the Conchords for this past month, so this should come as no surprise:

You Don’t Have to be a Prostitute by Flight of the Conchords

Ma Mixtape est un nouveau type de billet qui va revenir régulièrement. L’idée est simple, si je devais faire une cassette pour mon walkman, qu’est-ce que je mettrais dessus ?
Voilà ma réponse du moment.

SIDE A.

The Dead Weather	Treat Me Like Your Mother
Elbow	Ground On Divorce
Them Crooked Vultures	Gunman
The Rodeo (feat. Olympia)	Amazing (Kanye West Cover)
Metric	Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (Bob Dylan Cover)

SIDE B.

Benjamin Biolay	Brandt Rhapsodie (duo avec Jeanne Cherhal)
Eiffel	Je m’obstine
Flight of The Conchords	Too Many Dicks on the Dancefloor
TV on The Radio	DLZ
Arctic Monkeys	Pretty Visitors

Was listening to AOL Radio’s “Brand New Indie” station when Flight of the Conchords’ “Hurt Feelings” popped up! Totally made my day. =D

On a sidenote, why are they ‘Indie’??

Friday night infodump of all the links I want to keep out of the papers.

* SciFiWire says the new Prisoner disappoints.
* Salon says it’s time to bring back Marx. He went somewhere?
* NASA says that explosion last month turned up quite a bit of water on the Moon.
* Jermaine Clement says Flight of the Conchords was almost completely different—but it seems clear to me he’s joking.
* And the RNC says it’s not subsidizing abortions—anymore.

I nearly forgot about this…man…that was a close one.

I haven’t kept up with this show, but this is hysterical — from HBO: Flight of the Conchords:

I don’t have much to say.

Actually I have a lot to say.

Spilling it all right now is another thing so rather than put you through that, here’s something that made me laugh again today.

Gotta love Flight of the Conchords

My friend has been telling me that this movie is great, we finally watched it together last night.  Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel were sweet together.  Ooh and it also starred Rhys Darby, who plays Murray on Flight of the Conchords.   Directed by Peyton Reed (The Break-Up, Down With Love)  This was one of the best parts of the film.  Click on the frame to watch it on YouTube, embedding is disabled.

Here’s a clip of Rhys Darby as Murray Hewitt, manager of the Conchords from HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords”

Whether or not you will like this film is pretty easy to determine. Did you like Napoleon Dynamite? Do you like Flight of the Conchords? Do you like gonad jokes? Then chances are you will like this film.

The characters are horribly awkward in true Jared Hess fashion. They are full of  false confidence and have no self-awareness. And speaking of fashion, it looks like my closet from the early 90’s exploded all over the film. I like it. I think the set direction and costumes are very cool. I had those stone washed jeans that went up to my navel, were baggy around the crotch, tight on the leg, and ended just above my ankle. Hot stuff.

Overall it’s not a great film, but I enjoyed it. I laughed. And if you are the target audience for it, you probably will to. If you are not the target audience, maybe you will like A Christmas Carol. (God help you.)

(a previous post from the former NuPoppa blog)

Our DVR is peppered with the funny (Graham Norton Show, The Daily Show, 30 Rock, SNL, Flight of the Conchords), what I’ll call WTF (Oliver Twist, Barry Manilow concert — clearly my wife’s) and the simply awesome. The “simply awesome” consists of: Fletch, Animal House, Fletch Lives, Vacation, Caddyshack, Gung Ho! and a Barry Manilow concert (kidding).

I don’t drink (anymore), but the “simply awesome” USED to be called “hangover movies.” These are the movies that, on a lazy Saturday or Sunday (or Wednesday for some of you) you can rely on. You can watch the first 20 minutes with one eye open, then fall asleep for 30 minutes, wake up, finish it to the end and still feel satisfied. Back in the day, that would have included about 5 Advil and 2.6 gallons of water to hydrate. Drooling on pillows and couches was also usually de rigeur.

These are also movies that, sadly or simply awesome-ly, most men can quote with relative proficiency. So, it begs the question: what should be the first movie that my son and I share together when he gets older? Should it be highly quotable? Should it be educational?

Some in the running:

Fletch
Pluses: It is only one of the greatest movies written and made for the male 38-42 set. Period. This tightly-wound romp is highly-quotable. I can already imagine my boy at a party of my peers saying, “John Cock..toas…ton.” Throw a lampshade on his head and he’ll be life of the party.

Minuses: I see none.

Lessons Learned in film: Never trust Joe Don Baker. I think this is a lesson we all should learn. Kidding. He would kick my ass if he read this.

Animal House
Pluses: Filmed in Oregon. Classic dialogue. A heartwarming story about college life. Shama-Lama-Ding-Dong.

Minuses: Otis Day and the Knights have never been the same since.

Lessons learned in film: Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life.

Vacation
Pluses: The late, great John Hughes. Beverly DeAngelo buffin’ it up a bit. Chevy Chase at his finest. The Wagon Queen Family Truckster with the optional Rally Fun Pack. Eugene Levy calling Rusty “Rueben.”

Minuses: Not 100% realistic about what a family vacation is about. It’s more like 96% real.

Lessons learned in film: There is no way in hell we are driving a long distance anywhere. I refuse to put my boy through that.

Out of Africa
Pluses: For our purposes here, very few, though it is a fine film. The late Sydney Pollack was a genius.

Minuses: It’s “Meet Joe Black”-long. I mean, REALLY fu**ing long.

Lessons learned in film: Those rich, white bastards screwed it all up. Africa is best experienced doing humanitarian work. If the boy wants to be in the Peace Corps someday, I’m all for it.

Everyone Says I Love You
Pluses: Great cast. Alan Alda. Natalie Portman. Drew Barrymore. Julia Roberts. Woody Allen. Goldie Hawn. The list goes on.

Minuses: Edward Norton, though a FINE actor, isn’t a very good singer. And he’ll probably kick my ass if he reads this.

Lessons learned in film: If s**t goes sideways, it’s OK to sing a little. Just don’t do it in public, people might think you’re a freak or something.

Die Hard
Pluses: Bruce Willis is from South Jersey, where my family lives. And, of course, Alan Rickman. He’s SO money.

Minuses: The dude with the long blonde hair. He’s creepy.

Lessons learned in film: Kick ass first. Take names later.

Say Anything
Pluses: John and Joan Cusack. Cameron Crowe (who could write something on a cocktail napkin and I’d probably read it). Ione Skye. Piven as a younger man. Seattle. It captured the angst that we all felt when we were in college.

Minuses: “In Your Eyes.” Great song, but I have this uncontrollable urge to buy a boombox and hold it over my head. It captured the angst we all felt when we were in college.

Lessons learned in film: Don’t live in Seattle. You’ll just end up going to London on a study abroad program anyway.

Believe me, we have plenty of time to go over this, but one can never be too prepared. I’d love your thoughts on the first movie I should share with the boy. It can be on the list or one not on the list that you think is a winner.