The Flight of the Conchords is back, but not with a bang; with a bridge. The second series of Bret and Jemaine’s New York adventures begins pretty much where the last series left off, handing it the tough task of trying to equal or better all the goodness we received from our antipodean friends in the first chapter of their escapades. However, because the last episode of the first series was probably the worst, ending with band manager Murray being catapulted into unfamiliar territory by the despicable success of The Crazy Dogggz’s ‘Doggy Bounce’, the first episode of this new series has to put him back in the place where he shines. It is what the Simpsons do at the end of almost every episode, with the exception of Maude, Santa’s Little Helper, Dr. Nick and maybe some more (my Simpsons knowledge isn’t the best) so that the next episode can be created with everything in its right place, at least to begin with.
So, this new edition, entitled ‘A Good Opportunity’ is just a connection from one series to another. Bret and Jemaine have their usual chance at something good which is then, quite predictably, disrupted by their naivety. The songs in the episode seem to have been forced in brutally with a crowbar just because titles such as ‘Leggy Blonde’, ‘Mermaids’ and ‘Foux Da Fa Fa’ are the most memorable bits of the first showing, and are viewed by everyone on YouTube, including the Queen!* But if you’re expecting to see a new gem like ‘Bret, You’ve Got It Going On’ in this episode, you’re going to be disappointed, they’re nowhere near as good.
Those who loved the first series will no doubt be watching the new episodes on tenterhooks hoping, praying that it is as good as those that came before it, as you may have done when the second series of The Office was on, or when the third series of the Boosh came out. I am afraid to say that when I watched the new episode of FOTC (I know it’s gay referring to it like that but I’m getting fed up of writing the full name, although the contents of these brackets has taken longer to write, and read) I couldn’t help but feel that sinking feeling I felt when I watched Howard Moon and Vince Noir undo all the good they had done in chapters one and two. You know that feeling where you are desperate to think it is good, even though everything in your mind, body and non-existent soul is screaming ‘It is shit!’ at you every minute on the minute. Although, on a positive note I did feel that very early on in the programme when Murray sings the first, and probably worst, song of the season (a nice little Americanism for you there), and the episode gets a lot better and a lot funnier after that.
So there are my two cents (another Americanism, they’re coming thick and fast now – damn you globalisation!). I shall round off this review in the only way I know how – with an Empire-esque summary of the whole episode, written in a bold font so that you could have skipped all of the above and just read what is below, too late now though. I might even go with the Empire star system while I’m at it.
A bit disappointing, but still funny in the charming way unique to the Flute of the Commodores.
P.S. I decided against the star rating.
*This is not true. It would be good if Ol’ Liz was strutting around Buckingham Palace singing ‘Foux Da Fa Fa’ though wouldn’t it.
