"Brett's Da Boom King..."

In honor of Bret McKenzie's win at the Oscars last night, I present to you the video that made me a Bret and Jemaine (aka Flight of the Conchords) fan. It features star of the Broadway stage Sutton Foster. You'll even see a little of The Bitter Buddah himself, Eddie Pepitone at the beginning. So - Boom and Boom!

For more Flight of the Conchords - visit their site:http://flightoftheconchords.co.nz/ 
For awesome fan forum stuff, go to http://whatthefolk.net/. Webmaster Sherry will treat you right.

Bret McKenzie Nominated

Today is abuzz with Oscar this and Oscar that. My favorite film this year has been The Artist, and I hope that lovely homage to silent film picks up lots of prizes; however, as a lover of all things Flight of the Conchords, I was thrilled to see that Bret McKenzie, Zoey Deschannel's other half in the land of "adorkable", has been nominated for Best Song with his lovely tune from The Muppets, "Man or Muppet". Hooray, Bret!

Bret McKenzie and Kermit...

..sing a little song from the new Muppet movie - or attempt to. Happy Monday!

Figwit's Return to the Big Screen

Flight of the Conchords fans will recall that actor/comedian/musician Brett McKenzie appeared in a fleeting role in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films as a nameless council elf. His claim to fame was to beseech Lady Arwen to get the lead out, so to speak ("Lady Arwen, we cannot delay!"). Fans of the unknown elf character coined him 'Fitwig' which stands for "Frodo is great..who is that?" and the cult following grew from there.

It's been reported that Brett McKenzie will most likely be back as the elf in Jackson's upcoming and long awaited project The Hobbit. (Source: www.slashfilm.com)

EW.com has posted the announcement with a clip from season one Flight of the Conchords - "Frodo, Don't Wear the Ring". I couldn't resist to follow suit because it's one of the most awesome moments in comedy with Eugene Mirman, Rhys Darby, Arj Barker and Kristen Schaal at their amazing best.

Flight of the Conchords - No More on HBO

That's right, Bret, laugh away. You've only broken my weary heart. Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie have announced that they will not pursue a season three of their beloved HBO series Flight of the Conchords. Fine. Okay, be that way. But don't think I'm going to come running back to you when you decide to woo me back with an HBO one off special. I'll be with another show.

Well, I'm kidding, of course; however, I'm sure the Flight of the Conchord fan contingency is feeling a wee bit similar to this sentiment. Of course I'd love to see more seasons, but it's smart to let it end when it did. The program showed how the ficitional version of Bret and Jemaine tried to make it in America; yet, it was a rough ride with no record deals nor fans nor money in sight. The season (now series) finale had the boys broke and so behind in rent, that even the lovable landlord Eugene couldn't let them stay. A musical on their lives, created to produce some money, sucked hilariously and snagged the attention of the INS, who noticed their visas expired. The last scene of the final episode revealed they were back in New Zealand, making their own brand of rhythm off fences and sheep. Even Murray was riding the tractors, smiling and singing away all the weight of trying and failing to make the boys famous. It was obvious they were back where they belong. Mel had a nice ending too. She reclaimed her marriage mojo with her sweet and always suffering hubby Doug. It was a perfect ending to a second season, indicating that the guys were most likely going to leave it there.

Just like Ricky Gervais did with his own The Office, sometimes you just have to know when a show should end before the quality wanes. Another season of Bret and Jemaine forcing more story lines and writing songs (two very difficult things to do and do well), would have diluted the excellence they've maintained in two jammed packed seasons. After all, how long can a starving band from New Zealand last in New York City with all these odds against them? How long can Mel cling to her ideal vision of these boys as gods and ignore her husband? It shows McKenzie and Clement's integrity to respect the work enough to not be persuaded by the big bucks of Hollywood and beat a good thing to death all for the love of fame.

Yep. I'm at peace with this decision. Besides, we will always have the DVDs and the music.

Source: NYTimes Arts Beat

New Comedy DVD Releases This Week

When Flight of the Conchords season one DVD's came out a while back, fans of the New Zealand duo were convinced that HBO initially under estimated their potential success, explaining why the disk set held no extras, no outtakes, no deleted scenes, no commentary, no nothing. By season two, HBO executives knew better, and pulled together some fun extras, outtakes, commercials with Dave, deleted scenes and songs. Now we can hold out for...a season three? Find it at amazon.com, or any of your fine stores that are probably going out of business.



Tim and Eric Awesome Show season three also came out on DVD yesterday. These guys are genius, and disturbingly weird. They are probably an acquired taste, but their twisted comedy is infectious - in a good way. Not the fungus or bacteria way. Buy it along with seasons one and two.

I really like the song they created to celebrate being voted as the #10 out of 20 favorite comedians on aspecialthing.com.

"How's My Hair?" And Conchords Take Another Flight

After all these years, it's unbelievable that the brilliant hilari-osity of It's Garry Shandling's Show has not yet been available on DVD - or VHS for that matter. Co-created by Shandling and Alan Zweibel, it ran on Showtime from 1986 to 1990. If ever there was a "ground breaking" show, it's this one. It was a meta look into the world of Garry, with friends, famous and not, bounding into his life while he spoke to the audience about stuff. I know the pitchforks and torches handled by comedy geeks will arrive at my door for saying this, but I found this show much funnier than Shandling's second highly influential series on HBO The Larry Sanders Show. The DVD box set will include 16 disks fit with 72 episodes plus all the extras and goodies you could hope for. It will be released on October 20th. Favorite moment: Gilda Radner visits Garry.

I will be singing the theme song all day now.



The box set is available at Amazon for pre-order and is being offered for $119.99. I know we're in the middle of the second Great Depression, but I say it's worth it.


SubPop has announced that Flight of the Conchords will be releasing a second official US release on October 20th. (Their previous albums were UK/New Zealand releases.) I Told You I Was Freaky will include the songs created for the second season of their HBO comedy, which includes "Carol Brown" and "Too Many Dicks on the Dance Floor".

Now, I don't want to be wishing the summer away, and I shutter at the thought of Fall closing in on my pedicured, flip flop wearing feet, but October sounds like it's going to be one cool month to look forward to and October 20th will be one awesome day. I almost can't wait.

Doggie Bounce

I was watching a YouTube video of a basset hound on a trampoline this morning and thought of this...

Too Many Mutha Uckers..

...Ucking with my shhh...

Kirsten Schaal on Comedy Central

Speaking of Comedy Central (as I was below during my Colbert lovefest), Kristen Schaal, also known as stalker Mel from Flight of the Conchords, has her own special on Comedy Central that will air on Friday, April 3rd at 10:30pm.

Here's a snippet. Kristen's "Sex Dream"...

Jokes.com
Kristen Schaal - Sex Dream
comedycentral.com
Joke of the Day Stand-Up Comedy Free Online Games

Flight of the Conchords: Season Three?

Brett and Jemaine have wrapped up a second season of Flight of the Conchords on HBO with a final episode that had them deported back to their beautiful land of New Zealand, frolicking with Murray on the farm, running with sheep and playing music with nature. You would think that would be the end; however, there may be hope for another series, or perhaps a special. An article in Broadcast Now provides that glimmer.

The guys are gearing up for a tour of the U.S. this coming month, so perhaps the dust will settle on what their next step in the television world will be. Since the show was a tiring undertaking for McKenzie and Clement, I'd be happy to see them continue their relationship with HBO through concert specials, and perhaps...a movie? Wishful thinking on my part; however, this doesn't have to be end of the lads as we know them.

Thanks to Sherry at www.whatthefolk.net for originally posting the article.

Flight of the Conchords: "It's a Rags to Rags Story"

Where to begin when we've reached the end? "Evicted", last night's season finale of Flight of the Conchords could be the final new episode ever, and probably one of the funniest.

Jemaine and Bret get thrown out by Eugene the landlord for paying rent in New Zealand currency - not US dollars - since the day they moved in. Several thousands dollars behind in back rent, they are turned out on the street, only to be rescued by Doug and Mel, whose marriage is now on shakey ground. Murray comes up with a plan to get the boys on their feet by staging an off Broadway production of their lives to bring in the dough. The problem is, Murray invited members of the consulate, who realize through the dramatics of the play, the guys are illegal aliens. They are deported back home where they resume tending sheep like the shepherds they were before they hit the big city.

Taiki Waititi, long time guest collaborator directed this one to perfection with nice shots of the boys waking up in the morning, tapping on tables, countertops, radiators and pigeons in an orchestra of daily sounds. The musical number "Petrov"is a well known to FoTC fanatics who've savored their live performances. The video was set in a beautiful, dreamy ocean with blue fabric rippling like waves as Doug and Mel played along as the singing cannibals lost at sea, who keep eating bits of Petrov (Bret) whenever he falls asleep.

Murray's play about the Conchords and their daily struggles depicted the day Bret got his head stuck in a chair, the week Jemaine sold his body, and their arrival in the USA with Dave as the Statue of Liberty, all culminating in a number with multiple bewigged red heads in suits doing what can only be surmised as the dance of the Murrays.

The lads from the "other" down under are utterly nonplus regarding their circumstance however dire it may have been. Yes, they struggled and wanted success badly, but through the bumbling ways of Murray's management, and their low resistant way of approaching opportunity, they stayed unknown and poor. As they stated in their daily meeting with Murray, "It's a rags to rags story." As bittersweet and funny as this sounds, it's precisely what Flight of the Conchords has been for the past two seasons. And what better way to find laughs and great songs by witnessing two lovable losers who have no ego, who just make music, and who just want to pick up some chicks?

Although their lower east side hipster look allowed the boys to melt into the New York scene physically, they always had a fish out of water vibe to them. New Zealand had always been firmly planted in their hearts, and their hearts were always metaphorically stitched on their sleeves. With Murray helping them like an uncle, taking mindless roll calls, taking care of their business in the New Zealand consulate, they created their own home away from home, a small hapless family that held a little slice of their far away land in the big U.S. of A. Seeing the boys back home tending to their sheep was like seeing two lovable seals who lost their way set free in their own familiar ocean. They may have returned losers, but looked like they truly belonged.

HBO has not yet ordered a season three of Flight of the Conchords, and the guys themselves want to move on and do other things. In fact, this finale had a real final feel since it brought them back home. If this is indeed the very last new Conchords series, I'll say a big fat thanks for the laughs and the music. We'll always have the DVDs to remember you by. And speaking of DVDs, knowing season one's package was rushed due to holiday deadlines, James Bobin mentioned they were going to make up for lack of content by releaseing season two's DVD's chock full of deleted scenes, bloopers and special features. Also, they are hitting the road for a concert tour of the US in April. This blogger has a ticket for Radio City Music Hall April 14th! Their show may be on hold for now, but they do live on.



Congratulations to Bret McKenzie, who married his long time girlfriend Hannah Clarke this past week. They are expecting a child soon. Source: Stuff.co.nz. He joins Jemaine in wedded bliss and Daddy-dom.




Over at WhatTheFolk.net, Sherry sent out some questions to James Bobin, who returned with an interesting discussion on the making of the show.

Flight of the Conchords Find "Cool" in a Jar

It all starts with a single dollop of gloop applied liberally over the hair and styled to perfection. Then, the ladies come to your gigs, people want to know you, and sitting on the street corner with the right amount of slick to your locks make you totally, rocking hot.

So goes down-on-their-luck Bret and Jemaine. One night they are playing to an empty room, the next day, a jar of hair jell introduced to them by Murray makes them significant. The only problem is - what happens when there is no jell left? This is a story of addiction as per The Conchords - those sweet guys who remain clueless about self esteem and the ways of success.

Also, the Prime Minister of New Zealand remains in NYC with Murray and the Consulate crew, this time with a councilwoman from back home, played by Lucy Lawless, for whom the PM seems to have a very sweet crush. While in New York, he's decided to initiate a new section of Manhattan devoted to the New Zealand community. You know Chinatown and Little Italy? Say hello to "New Zealandtown" - a strip of street that is approximately less than half a block long filled with ex-patriots (namely, Bret, Jemaine and two guys who are of Maori heritage) who've started their own cultural explosion. A bus tour is as long as half a minute, with shifting in reverse for a few feet an added treat.

Meanwhile, The Conchords are under lock down in their apartment, scared to show the world their uncool, un-moused hair, angrily throwing an empty tub of hair product at each other. When Murray fails to show up with replenishment, Bret and Jemaine live in their pajamas and under covers for about a week until he gets them to come out and perform at the NZ street fair despite the lack of cool hair. Sadly, no one is interested in the goopless guys on guitar, but they live another day.

This was another funny, satisfying episode filled with all the hangdog humor and laughs as usual. "Fashion is Danger" is the key song of the episode, giving new wave music a go with Depeche Mode/Human League flair while their hair goes all Flock of Seagulls thanks to well - hair goop.

Only two more episodes left!

A Snowy New York Day...Conchords Fake Flight

Winter will not go away, so says the storm that is whipping through the northeastern part of the United States. Schools are closed and people stayed home from work - such as myself. But sometimes when you're in the warmth of your home, viewing the internet, you'll find a photo that captures the artistry of nature. This photo was posted on NYTimes.com this afternoon.

Flight of the Conchords: Prime Minister

Today is Australia Day - a celebration of the first day of winter Down Under. The ongoing feud between Kiwis and Aussies portrayed on Bret and Jemaine's show reminds me of the tussle between Mets and Yankees fans here in New York. One fan base is seen as cocky, big and obnoxious with a sense of entitlement. The other faction is noted as the underdog - pissed off and tired of being the "little brother" in the NYC baseball world to the handsome, shinier frat boys who own more fan real estate.

In past episodes of Flight of the Conchords, we've seen Bret and Jemaine live under the peer pressure of Aussie bravado. But in last night's very funny episode "Prime Minister", we were introduced to the head honcho of New Zealand, and he is as quirky as the boys who carry their understated Kiwi pride all over New York City. And yes...New Zealand IS a country.

The main theme of "Prime Minister" was the the art of pretend. Nothing was what it seemed. The New Zealand Consulate is abuzz getting ready for the arrival of His Honor. When he arrives, we find him to be as low key, frazzled, clueless and as lovable as the guys themselves. (One even wonders if he was an imposter, but I love the idea of the Prime Minister of the Conchords' world akin to a confused uncle.) However, Murray fakes out the PM with a promise of a President Obama meet and greet, while calming him into believing The Matrix, the DVD he just bought at Dave's shop (and not yet released back home), wasn't real.

In between arranging tours through New York and D.C. travels, Murray books Bret and Jemaine as Simon and Garfunkel imitators at a celebrity impressionist gig. They don the legendary duo's wigs and wardobe to sing "Scarborough Fair" complete with fake lyrics. They meet a pseudo Bono and a pretend Elton John with a very bad British accent played by the adorable Patton Oswald. During their performance. Jemaine's orange afro wig attracts a lady with a Garfunkel fetish (played by 24's Mary Lynn Rajskub), who makes him wear it while getting jiggy, but not before he breaks into the song of the week - "Demon Woman" - a sexy, ravaging tune befit with video, as flames and skeletons pulsate, as his hips shake in leather pants over the evil spell his Garfunkel lovin' girlfriend has placed upon him.

Deceptions continue as Bret buys special Secret Service sunspecs from Dave's shop, and pulls out his "Bluetooth Friend" to stand in as a fake out security guard for the PM. He makes it all the way to the White House with the Consulate crew, only to be turned away due to Murray's failure to book the President. Poor Murray. He can't even get a gig for a national head of state.

Sometimes Mel is seen as a stalker with crazy eyes and a put upon husband, but I see her as an oddball soothsayer whose jealousies revert into sage bits of wisdom. (Sage - yes, Jemaine's fake name.) She knew there was something wrong with that Garfunkel loving chick in the nightclub, ready to bag Jemaine like a handful of groceries. Who better than Crazy to suss out Crazy? Warning Jemaine of impending danger, we laugh, thinking she's just being that wackadoodle we all know and love. But no. She hit the crazy right on the head.

Best moments? When Mel finds Jemaine on a bench in the park lamenting his low self esteem, Mel comforts him: "Do you want to rest your head on my breasts?" And of course since Mel understands the insanity of the stalker, taking Jemaine's story to heart, she makes her hubby Doug pull on a Brett wig while making out.

Another favorite moment? Brett singing South Korean Karaoke, complete with nonsensical video of mindless things, subtitles both in English and Asian. As a wise man named Lennon once said, "Nothing is real, and nothing to get hung about." That's "Prime Minister" in a nutshell. All fake out fun, with no Matrix to freak us out.

Special moment was the cameo by Art Garfunkel himself, a definite surprise and a nice end to one of the best episodes of season two. Rock on, Tiny Dancer..

Flight of the Conchords had a Q&A feature in this past Sunday's New York Times Magazine.

All FoTC info can be found at Sherry's site, www.whatthefolk.net.

Flight of the Conchords: Love is the Weapon of Choice

Perhaps it was the boring snore of an Oscar ceremony that bummed me out for the night, but I wasn't feeling Sunday's new episode of Flight of the Conchords. I hate to say this because Bret and Jemaine are so genuine, sweet and funny that even when a show isn't their best, there is always a sparkling morsel of gemstone to mine. However, last night's episode entitled "Love is the Weapon of Choice" was a strange mixture of familiar storyline rehashed from last year's "Sally"episode, with songs that didn't jive in my ear (with the exception of their finale on dogs). I blame Hugh Jackman for this less than happy review. He harshed my mellow.

While jogging in the park, the boys meet up with Brahbrah, played by the ubiquitous SNL "It" girl, Kristin Wiig who is searching the park for her epileptic dog. The boys each fall in love with her because she's a girl with a cute button nose, and they are horny dudes who'll fall in love with any girl who'll speak to them. Especially any girl who isn't named Mel - their number one super fan, and slightly deranged but lovable stalker.

Yes, Wiig is funny, but Christ on a cracker, does she have to be in everything? You can't turn your head without seeing her in a Judd Apatow film, 30 Rock, every Saturday Night Live sketch that requires a weirdo. I'm glad she getting work, but I'm seeing her in my sleep. She's actually alright as Brahbrah, but I'm Wiig'd out. Again, I blame Hugh Jackman for this attitude.

Both believing Brahbrah (holy batman that name!) likes the attributes of the other, Bret steals Jemaine's glasses and clothes, while Jemaine glues on a Bret-like beard, each sharing a date to woe her with charm. (Sally? Where are you?)

Fed up with competing, they challenge each other to a duel. Very cute. But frankly, it was handled within the shriek of a song that came close to making my ears bleed. I was tempted to switch back to the hideous Oscars to view Jackman perform his tribute to movie musicals which are supposedly back (insert jazz hands here) - but not. (Don't tell him, but Mamma Mia and High School Musical are not quality enough to re-claim the genre in 2009).

In order to impress Brahbrah, the guys help set up a charity event for epileptic dogs. This was actually pretty funny. PowerPoint slides with photos of cute pups and lists describing the dangers of epilepsy were accompanied by a signature funny song that truly worked. However, all goes awry when their strobe light show made all the effected dogs go into seizure. As they leave the venue, Brahbrah mentions that some even died. Oh dear. I know, I know...Conchords have an absurdist view of humor, and no animals were hurt in the making of this show, but I'm a dog lover. Despite the icky, yet funny allusions to dogs shaking in the lyrics of their song, I don't want to imagine, even in jest, the death of a pooch.

It turns out Brahbrah thought Bret and Jemaine were gay. When they clear up the confusion, she admits to digging Bret. Jemaine is left in the dust. Again, I blame Hugh Jackman.

Of course, not every episode can be perfection. Since last week's episode was filled with stellar music and the well balanced quirky comedy we've come to expect from Flight of the Conchords, they were bound to have a less successful one, even if they do look pretty damn cute in shorts.

Speaking of showing some leg, well not their legs - Flight of the Conchords had a Q&A in Playboy recently. Check out the premiere fan site, WhatTheFolk.net for a better than real scan. The site is run by Sherry. She's the boys main webchick who has been championing them from the beginning (before HBO and America found them).

Flight of the Conchords: Too Many D**ks...

Last night's episode of Flight of the Conchords was the best one out of the second season bunch so far. With special rivalry between Australia and New Zealand rearing it's hilarious head in Jemaine's tryst with a Sheila, Murray and Bret's disapproval and some of the two best songs the boys have put out there, it was a rocking night.

"You guys are dorking out my vibe with all the dicks..."


"Shut up, girlfriends from the past..."

Flight of the Conchords and The Office

I've been in the midst of moving house hell, devoid of all brain power to write, explore television on the internet or keep up with the show biz joneses. However, as things settle, I am back with a posting on my boys - Bret and Jemaine - who've been rocking the party for a few weeks now - with not one jot of written discussion by me. Damn that move! It sapped me.

After a quiet season two premiere episode, entitled "A Good Opportunity" where we see Murray living in the flickering embers of managing one hit wonders and plagerists The Crazy Dogggzz as the boys go it alone in a toothpaste advertisement, the show picked up the pace. In "The New Cup", Flight of the Conchords suffered as a $2.49 mug purchase crashed the household budget, forcing our friendly Kiwees to become rent boys - which also failed. In last week's "The Tough Brets", Bret starts his own gang of local neighborhood thugs which comprised of an old guy, an angry Asian middle aged couple and Dave. In a send up of West Side Story, they kicked some butt on the ever mother lovin' street with intimidating dance and song. Last night's "Murray Takes it to the Next Level", guest star Jim Gaffigan appears as the ever inquisitive friend of Murray, who follows the rules of friendship to a tee, rating very high on his pal's friendship chart, peaking well above Jemaine and Bret whose flow chart arrows have peaks and valleys to Jim's high flying lines.

McKenzie and Clement have encapsulated running themes through each season thus far. Season one saw the boys trying to make it big while picking up chicks. Their songs were of longing for women, being a horny "Boom King", prancing as the "Prince of Parties" while begging off the mythical bevvy of babes in "A Kiss is Not a Contract". This year, the running thread appears to be the harsh realities of the artist's struggle of living dirt poor in New York. Ladies have been pushed into the background thus far, giving room for more hardship stories, making the guys more endearing and sympathetic, if not just as hilarious. The songs are plentiful and generous to the other characters. We've reached episode four of season two and each of the primary characters - Mel, Murray, Dave, Gene the Landlord, Greg the Consulate Assistant and even Doug - have had a song or a line to sing. After the long writer's strike, which pushed back production and thus the airing of Flight of the Conchords season two, all this dry witted comedy and the eclectic mix of music from Bret and Jemaine's brains (with c0-producer and write James Bobin in the mix) is a sight for sore eyes on Sunday nights on HBO at 10pm.

The Office: "Lecture Circuit - Part 1"

I could watch Jim and Dwight for hours. Their frenemy relationship, their brotherly annoyance is a dynamic that has been missing from the show for a while now. But it returned in last Thursday's episode of The Office with part one of a two parter called "Lecture Circuit". This installment was absolutely, and very happily amazingly, funny, old school classic Office, the likes not seen since earlier this season in "Weight Loss". Oh, there were shades of it in "Customer Survey" and "Business Trip", but this episode was pitch perfect, hitting the nail on the old Dunder Mifflin head.

Starting from the funny cold opening, that had Michael find out about a P.A. feature to his phone that had him announcing idiotic drivel to the troops, ending with Jim cleverly distracting him while cutting the cable, to Pam and Michael on the road, spreading the Scott wisdom upon unsuspecting and uninterested branches, to the party planning committee, now a gang of two in Jim and Dwight who are so pissed they've been assigned this dumb ass task, and so unprepared for the responsibility, they forget Kelly's birthday - which is obviously the biggest no-no you can face in this place. Miss Kapoor is out of luck because Dwight can barely blow up a balloon, and Jim couldn't give a shit.

As the birthday fiasco is hashed out by two salesmen who could give a crap about event planning, Pam is driving Michael to Utica - first stop on that whirlwind whistle stop tour of branches in need of sales religion.
It's great to see Pam back to being herself, but with the dose of confidence earned through her years of growth and time in New York. I was worried about her being uncharacteristically aggressive in other episodes, since standing up for herself was easily mistaken for whining and ranting while fighting petty battles. However, Pam's encounter with the post-Jim Karen fared better than Jim's meet up back in season four in "Branch Wars". When faced with the ex-girlfriend he dumped next to a fountain in NYC the spring before, Jim hemmed and hawed through the big foot he stuck in his mouth not able to articulate much unless it was about Pam or the traffic he had to fight getting back home. Miss Beesly, on the other hand, wanted to make sure Karen didn't hate her, and had the strength to face what could have been a nasty little situation with ease. Pam doesn't want enemies out there - not even Al Quaeda - and who could blame her?

How fabulous was it to see Karen pregnant and married and happy? Although I was always Team Pam, I adore Rashida Jones and really cared about Karen since I've been in her shoes, and knew she'd get hurt in the end. Her happiness was my hope for her character. Her professionalism is solid as she takes Michael in stride. Also, when hearing of Pam's engagement to Jim, the reaction was satisfying. Hugging Pam with warmth, if not slight awkwardness, confirming that there is no hard feelings, and that she has moved on, was the definitive high road. The closure Pam received from this experience was the right way to end the Karen story, comforted in the knowledge that the lady in Utica has found contentment and isn't beaming psychic death stares in the direction of Scranton, PA.

Michael, thinking about the concept of closure, realizes he never had it with Holly. New Pam, as sweet and bold as ever, encourages Michael to ditch the Rochester branch and set sail for Nashua, where his long lost Holly now works. It's all steam ahead for closure...but will Holly be there? This was a smart cliff hanger ending a terrific part one with anticipation for a heart warming/wrenching and hopefully funny conclusion.

Part 2 of "Lecture Circuit" will air on Thursday on NBC at 9:00pm EST, where we'll see if Holly shows up, and if Jim and Dwight are still alive at the hands of Kelly when they throw this lame ass party in which they want no part.

30 Rock: "Generalissimo"

Ok, ok...I'm a major lover of 30 Rock. Alec Baldwin, Tina, Tracy, Jane. Please, the writing is superb, the humor provides lashes of laughter. Last Thursday's "Generalissimo" was side splitting hilarious, well paced, well written. And if The Generalissimo wasn't amazing enough....


...the beauteous Jon Hamm cranked it up a notch as Liz Lemon's neighbor and ice cream loving, chocolate fondue eating object of desire.

Jon Hamm is swoon-able. I mean...look at that screen shot! To see him let loose the Don Draper for a while and get down to the Dr. Andrew Baird was like wallowing through a lovely Vicodin-like cottony dream.

More Jon Hamm plus Selma Hayek to come in upcoming episodes. And in act of unbridled unprofessional blogging, I'm too tired to write more - so watch the episode here if you haven't seen it already.

http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/video/episodes/?apl=true#vid=994561

If you DVR'd it and haven't watched yet - what are you waiting for?

Photos courtesy of www.such-a-dork.com and hbo.com.

Flight of the Conchords Premiere to Stream Online

Can't wait until the January 17th premiere of "Flight of the Conchords"? Well you won't have to! The website www.funnyordie.com will stream the season premiere on December 17th.

Flight of the Conchords: Ode to a Sexy Flower

Brett is horny...



Conchords Promo:




"Flight of the Conchords" Season Two premieres on HBO on January 18th.

Election Night, Office and Conchords

Colbert escapes to his happy place after Obama declared winner.

I don't know what I would have done these last two years of election campaign build up without "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report". Their humor decompressed the insanity and anger. The dynamic duo teamed up for special live election coverage, doling out hilarity during a very nervous night. Luckily Obama snagged enough electoral college votes to claim victory just before the show wrapped at 11pm EST, allowing Stewart the spine chilling honor to announce Obama as next the President of the United States. The cheers from the audience were exhilarating.

You can see the coverage in it's entirety at ComedyCentral.com.

Office Anticipation....

Well, the NBC promo overlords have provided a summary of tomorrow night's episode. Jim and Pam get bluetooths so they can spend every minute together. Why the hell is she still in New York?

Jim and Dwight freak out over the results of a customer survey, which should bring some long awaited Jim and Dwight interaction that's been sorely missing (along with Pam. Did I mention she's still in New York and no one is telling us why?)

Andy and Angela pick a wedding spot. Like I care. Really, I don't.

Michael is Holly-less.

After my dashed hopes for a splendid season after the sensational "Weight Loss" episode, I'm lukewarm. But I love Jim, and it sounds like a good Halpert episode.

"The Office: Customer Survey" airs Thursday on NBC at 9:30pm ET/8:30pm CT.

Here's the latest promo that includes some peaks at "30 Rock" where Ms. Winfrey herself will appear. Liz saying "Oprah!" is similar to the way I shout when I see a fresh new batch of cookies.

It's Business Time...

Although HBO has not yet released scheduling information on "Flight of the Conchords", Jemaine Clement and Brett McKenzie have been filming their second series in New York due to air sometime in 2009.
As reported by Jezebel, Clement and his wife Miranda Manasiadis have just welcomed a new baby boy named (deep breath) Sophocles Iraia Manasiadis Clement. The world just got cuter!

Photos courtesy of Comedy Central and NBC Universal Media