Conchords Save HBO

To be honest, The Sopranos wasn't that good. Six Feet Under? Whatever. Sex in the City? I can do without. That's why when Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement came to town, I felt a relief (and regret after cancelling my HBO account). Reaching out to a completely different demograhic as the aforementioned shows, the Flight of the Conchord's possesses a kind of funny and lighthearted appeal that we just haven't been given before on HBO.

Here's a background:

Bret and Jemaine are part of a two man novelty band called the Flight of the Conchord's (in fact, it's a real band that the show is actually based on). After moving to New York City from New Zealand, the naive duo not only deal with the pressures of having an unsuccessful band, but also the pressures of the intercity, girlfriends and body image; however, that is not to say that this show only consists of depressing misadventures - it is a comedy. And to illustrate it all, the guys perform their songs, without making you feel a little embrassed for watching a musical (essentially, that is what it is). One of my favorite performances: Leggy Blonde, a performance fronted by the Conchord's manager, Murray, after finding out his crush no longer worked at his office.

I want to express what I love most about this show, but I'm in between three things. 1) The friendship between Bret and Jemaine. Though the two are both grown men, their friendship is like that of young boys. Watch Jemaine trying to cheer up Bret. 2) the character, Mel (played by Kristen Schaal): their only fan who happens to be obsessed with them. And 3) Jemaine's performance as David Bowie, who appears to Bret in several dreams to give him advice about his body image in an episode. It's genius. Pure genius.

So it's a tie - and if you watch the clips, you'll see what I mean. Between an endearing relationship, and quirky character and the best impression ever of the best musician ever, this show has become HBO's savior and one of my favorite shows of all time.