the two-man band is ready for TV stardom.
Clement and McKenzie spoke to EW about dayjobs, girlfriends, and Daryl Hall.
We usually have one big awkward scene every show.
Credit: Nicole Rivelli
I wouldnt say its exactly likeThe OfficeorCurb Your Enthusiasm, where its all awkward, all the way.
But theres always some element of that.BRET MCKENZIE:Its a difficult thing to describe.
Its a musical comedy.
Looking at the edits, Id say there are large portions of improvised stuff.
you’ve got the option to see the life in the takes when its improvised.
Its quite clear there are moments that seem too unexpected to be scripted.
In one episode, Bret calls home to New Zealand from New York and mentions hesnotcarrying a gun.
Was that based on a myth New Zealanders have about us?MCKENZIE:I guess so…. Hes realizing now that its fine.
Its Americas own fault, though.
Well I, actually, I expected the Ewoks to be here.
I was really disappointed.
Our desperate years.CLEMENT:We both had pretty bad jobs when we were roommates.
You saw the episode where Bret has to hold a sign?
Well, he once had a job where he had to dress up as a boat.
Like a tugboat, and give out fliers for rides on the boat.
I havent done anything as embarrassing as that.
What made you decide to form a musical duo?MCKENZIE:We started the band in 1998.
I was a musician.
And I remember, we had a big discussion: Oh, lets do a band, then.
We made up a few songs.
And we just kept doing it.MCKENZIE:Most of our early songs are based on one chord.
As the years have gone on, now were up to seven chords.
And why did you name yourselves Flight of the Conchords?MCKENZIE:There isnt really a good story.
Other than…we shared…a dream.
[Laughs] Jemaines explanation will be completely different.CLEMENT:It was just, like, a last-minute thing.
We had a gig and we didnt have a name.
We had to come up with something quickly.
We were considering Tanfastic.
Which is the name of a suntan lotion.
NEXT PAGE: We have different tastes in comedy.
But they generally align.
And I think we have different skills…Jemaines grumpy, and Im moody.
Mainly friends and family.
[Wellington] is a very small town.
Its strange, though that small town quality is actually kind of similar to the East Village.
There are [artistic cliques] like that here.
Jemaine, didnt you film most ofEagle vs Sharkin Wellington?CLEMENT:Yeah, Iloveddoing that.
Why?CLEMENT:I enjoyed not having that responsibility of having written [Eagle vs Shark].
I just didnt have to worry about that part of it.
And my character Jarrod I like the guy.
It was like playing someone playing a character.
Even though he was.
Some people whove seen it are like, That guy is such a jerk!
Why does Lily like him?
But I like to imagine that underneath, hes not a jerk.
Whats the key to your partnership?
Are you two opposites?CLEMENT:I dont know if were opposites.
We like the same music: Parliament.
Wings.MCKENZIE:Leonard Cohen.
Neil and Tim Finn.
Crowded House, right, has Neil Finn and Tim Finn in it?
Neil Finns kind of the Paul McCartney of New Zealand.
But they generally align.
And I think we have different skills…Jemaines grumpy, and Im moody.
He put a lot into that.
[I liked] a scene where our characters were peer-pressured into taking acid.
Two new fans think were really rock-and-roll, so we venture to act more rock-and-roll in front of them.
And he was really good.
A natural actor.MCKENZIE:That was a seminal moment of my life.
I never thought Id actually get to meet Hall from Hall and Oates.
He was very personable.
Which is quite concerning, because we portray New Zealanders as total idiots.
Your supporting cast is strong.
Hes one of my favorite standups…I really love working with Rhys Darby he plays our manager.
I always laugh doing scenes with him.
He had a line, Girlfriends and bands dont mix.
Meanwhile, your characters are all about the ladies.
Is that art imitating life?
Have you been doing the whole dating-in-New York thing?CLEMENT:Weve imported our New Zealand girlfriends here.
Theyre not allowed to work.
They dont have work permits.
I think that would be great, if I could be in a city and wasnt evenallowedto work.
Its a good city to do that.
And were lucky weve got jobs so we can look after them here.
Because, you know, were quite low energy.
And thats unusual here.
I mean, some American comedians, like Stephen Wright, are deadpan.
But usually people are running on stage with their hands up in the air.
And we just…sit there.
I think people find that funny, that were not shouting.
Theres something funny about being on a big stage and not making a big effort to fill it up.
We make a run at entertain people with our little songs and small gestures.
Which is quite concerning, because we portray New Zealanders as total idiots.
When you think of famous New Zealanders, there arent many.
The guy who sang How Bizarre.
He climbed Mount Everest.Somepeople have heard of him.
And if our shows a success, Bret and Jemaine.
But now it looks like Ill be known as the musical comedy guy.
Which is good news for me.
Or Ill be known as the New Zealand idiot.
