Now that we all are waiting for The Office, 30 Rock, Human Giant* and the few other shows that make up the “Quality TV endangered species list” to emerge from summer hibernation, some may be feeling anxious and scared with what you should be doing with your time. Those 30 minute blocks in your schedule start to add up after a while, and rather than staring blankly at David Hasselhoff may I suggest you check out two shows in particular that are taking their baby steps. One takes place in Los Angeles, the other New York, and both are quite promising.
But just because Cera is the more recognizable face, the comedy is shared equally amongst both parties as they embark on a journey to get their TV series made. The show, much like the popular trend dictates, is a faux-documentary of their efforts. The two have learned from characters like Regional Manager David Brent that an unflattering self-portrayal does wonders for comedy.
Their other influence seems to be Aquateen Hunger Force, strange as that may seem. Random humor is certainly there. Before I forget, I must say that they have terrrific opening credits. But like ATHF, who were detectives for about an episode and a half, Duke and Cera seem to almost forget their Hollywood dreams. I think that’s a good thing, because it’s their interactions with each other definitely outshine whatever narrative they might have, like when they explore the possibilities of rubbing alcohol:
“Clark: You can use this from asshole to elbow.
Michael: (With gleeful bewilderment) Like what do you want me to say? What am I going to say to a guy like you?”
That’s the shirts come off.
2000 miles away from there, New Zealand’s 4th most popular folk comedy duo march down their NYC apartment and take to the streets. Their shaggy black hair bounces with each step of their strut. They stick out their lips like Iceman after he played the most homoerotic volleyball game of his life. They are attitude.Then they open their mouths…and hopelessly moronic things start spilling out.
The Flight of the Concords are comprised of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. On their HBO show, premiering tonight at 10:30, they live together but are totally clueless towards each other’s thoughts and desires. Jemaine is even oblivious in the first episode that he has asked out Bret’s ex, though they have clearly met each other before. When he brings her back to his place and tries to entice her, Brett is lying in bed in plain view, staring at the couple.
The next day after much thought over the whole matter Jemaine says out of the blue “I think she found it weird with you there with the light on.”
Bret retorts “Yeah…I think it also might be because she and I used to go out.
Jemaine – “Yeah, but also the thing with the light.”
With density such as this, Flight of the Concordes could (and would) drown in Salt Lake City.
As a folk comedy duo, it goes without saying that the guys will often break into song, Jemaine’s sexy ballad emerges smoothly: “You’re so beautiful you could be a paaart tiiiime model, but you’d probably still have to keep your normal job.”
If you don’t have HBO, you can still watch Flight of the Concords first episode over here.
When it comes down to it, Clark and Michael have a much better chance of succeeding and continuing to make episodes by fueling themselves off internet buzz and sticking to their very inexpensive doc style. The expectations and boundaries that come with an 30 minute HBO series may drain the New Zealand group after a while, as funny as they are. I don’t know how I feel about the women that stalks Jemaine and Bret, pretending to run into them whenever they come and go from their place. It certainly adds to their obliviousness.
I encourage you to give these two shows a chance, just a taste to see if you like it. If not, you can always spend your extra time this summer reading. God I’m a nerd.
*Who managed to get me to thoroughly watch and enjoy MTV for the first time in well over five years, especially with their (and their friends’) 24 hour takeover of the network. Ted Leo whaaa?
**On a related note, am I alone when thinking that the term “webisode” sounds like something really filthy?