Flight of the Conchords: One Night Stand
(HBO, 2005)
A half-hour live comedy performance showcasing some of the band’s early work—less musically assured than in later recordings but with undeniable (faux awkward) stage presence and a talent both for lyrical humour and for taking the piss out of social situations.
Alice in Wonderland
dir. Jonathan Miller (BBC, 1966)
An unwatchably surreal black-and-white adaptation in no way redeemed by its bevy of renowned actors and music by Ravi Shankar. Fifty years on and for one sixtieth of the time invested, viewers should YouTube ‘Prince of Parties’ by Flight of the Conchords.
What we do in the Shadows
dir. Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi (2014)
Three flat-sharing vampires in modern-day Wellington face upheaval to their already incongruous lives when one of their victims is accidentally turned and joins the group. This New Zealand comedy has its Conchords-esque moments but the mockumentary format feels more limiting than enhancing.
Flight of the Conchords, Season 1
(HBO, 2007)
Centred around the eponymous New Zealand comedy duo’s fictionalised (non-)attempts to crack New York’s music scene, Flight of the Conchords evoked The Goodies (but with deadpan drollery), or Spinal Tap (with real musicians), quickly earning cult status… if only in real life.