A terrible dud, based on two promising comic ideas that flatline. Adding to the air of disappointment was the wasted return of bewildered NZ Prime Minister Brian (Brian Sergent); definitely this season's funniest guest-star, but without last week's strength of material, he was soulless and unfunny in his encore...After a characteristically disastrous gig to a crowd of one (and even he walked out after the first song), Jemaine (Jemaine Clement) and Bret (Bret McKenzie) are encouraged by Murray (Rhys Darby) to improve their uncool image. To facilitate their transformation into slick trendsetters, Murray gives them a tub of blue hair gel to share, which they use to style their hair into various shapes, and find the change of image boosts their confidence as performers. It's not long before the Conchords become laidback hipsters and start getting appreciable success on-stage. But, then the gel runs out and the pair are forced to go "cold turkey"...
Meanwhile, Murray is tasked with helping the Prime Minister start a "New Zealand Town" in the Big Apple, with predictably disappointing results, as it comes to resemble a low-budget cultural bazaar in a tenement block -- populated by fake Maori warriors of Mexican and Chinese ethnicity, and a celebrity sheep called Gary.
Wisely, this episode only contained one song ("Fashion Is Danger.") Sadly, it was one of those FoTC efforts where you grin at the aesthetics (hair, costume, make-up, soft-focus camera, '80s cheesieness) but can't find anything particularly funny in the lyrics or performance. I'm struggling to even remember the tune now, which is never a good sign.
Anyway, FoTC is less about the duo's songs these days (as they've been so disappointing this year), and I try to focus on the story and jokes. As usual there were some funny lines and quirky turns of phrase, but the story was far too anaemic to sustain much interest. I liked the idea of the PM creating a Kiwi version of Little Italy, but the episode didn't go anywhere interesting -- although I appreciated an unexpected in-joke for fans of Chinatown in the closing scene. It was also fun seeing Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) in a small role as the PM's meek assistant, Paula. A real physical transformation for the butch actress, but it was a thankless and largely pointless character that offered Lawless nothing to sink her teeth into. Pity, too, as I suspect she'd have been a hoot if the script bothered to give her some actual jokes.
Overall, a weak and lethargic misstep in most respects, fudging the potential in seeing the Conchords start making headway with their career. This was easy to forget, difficult to forgive, seeing how badly they treated Brian Sergent's character. From the standout success of last week to the unfunny spare wheel the next.
8 March 2009
HBO, 10pm
Writer & Director: Taika Waitiki
Cast: Jemaine Clement (Jemaine), Bret McKenzie (Bret), Rhys Darby (Murray), Arj Barker (Dave), Kristen Schaal (Mel) & Brian Sergent (Prime Minister)
