Flight of the Conchords - TV-MA

Mock-folk music duo strums hip Kiwi comedy.

TV Rating: TV-MA Network: HBO Cast: Bret McKenzie, Jemaine Clement Genre: Comedy
Available on: Download

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this musical comedy about a faux folk duo is pretty mild for HBO. The language is uncensored, but it's nowhere near the levels of shows like Deadwood and Six Feet Under. And while some scenes show social drinking and touch on drug use, and storylines typically revolve around dating attempts (most of which fail), there's probably nothing here that mature teens haven't seen or heard before. Song lyrics occasionally insult women, but they're more intended to poke fun at traditional pop music than to reveal any inherent misogyny.

Families can talk about the series' take on pop and folk music. Which aspects of each genre are being made fun of? What makes them good targets for comedy? Do the guys on the show remind you of any real bands? How does the fact that the stars are from New Zealand affect the show's humor? Do you think it would be as funny if it were about Americans?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci

New Zealand music/comedy duo Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement garnered a cult following in their native country, Europe, and the United States thanks to their hilarious performances at comedy and music festivals. Now they've turned their traveling act into the hipster musical series FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS.

McKenzie and Clement play themselves: Two hapless Kiwi musicians who've just moved to New York City hoping to make a name for their band. They fumble about, planning their big break with their moronic manager, Murray (Rhys Darby) -- whose day job is the New Zealand Cultural Attaché -- and try to avoid the attentions of their obsessive (and perhaps, only) fan, Mel (Kristen Schaal).

As the guys go about their indie boy life -- attending parties, meeting with Murray, tuning their guitars -- they frequently break into clever songs. Sometimes they relate to the action on the screen, such as when Clement sees a girl at a party and sings a Prince-like love song about her ("you could be a part-time model") as viewers watch the two meet, flirt, date, and wind up back at his apartment. Other songs pop up when the two are actually practicing their music or filming (sort of) a music video.

Flight of the Conchords is kind of like a hip Dumb and Dumber, following two rather brainless-but-quite-charming guys as they navigate single-guy life while remaining committed friends and partners. With its clever writing, appealing characters, and unique approach to comedy, the show is sure to attract a loyal niche following. Teens may well dig the show's wit, and despite its attention to romance and relationships and unbleeped profanity (it is HBO, after all), most parents should feel OK about letting mature kids watch.

Fans might also like Wes Anderson's films, Da Ali G Show, Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny, This Is Spinal Tap, and The Office.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Some dating and kissing, as well as talk about the possibility of sex. In one episode, Bret has sex (nothing graphic shown) with an aggressive date; in another, a fan proposes a three-way to the guys. But overall, most of their dating attempts fail.
Violence
Language Regular profanity like "s--t," "f--k," "a--hole," "dick," etc. Since it's pay cable, nothing is bleeped -- but it's worth noting that Jemaine and Bret themselves rarely swear, opting instead for terms like "motherflipper" and "motherucker."
Message
	Social Behavior The guys are earnest and well-intentioned, but they aren't terribly clever. One considers himself a "ladies man," though he's not very successful with women. Songs and episodes mock misogyny, xenophobia, and other social/cultural issues.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Occasional social drinking and discussion of drug use. In one episode, the guys are pressured into doing a "sixteenth" of acid -- which leads to a trippy song-and-dance sequence.