Conchords soar over all (+video)

KENT BLECHYNDEN/Dominion Post

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: They were unknown in the US, but Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement burst into cable television. Now they are home claiming top honours in the Wellys.

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The award presented at the Duxton Hotel last night caps a year of staggering success individually and collectively for Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement.

Since June they have gone from being unknown in the United States to securing a hold on TV viewers through The Flight of the Conchords series with their catchphrases picked up by a much wider audience. Sports commentators have taken to bawling "it's business time", the phrase Clement made his own, and it is known to millions.

The two Wellington College old boys have secured filming of a second series of their show on cable network Home BoxOffice - best known for prime-time hits such as The Sopranos and Sex and the City.

As the first series went to air in June, viewers also had their first opportunity to see Clement's lead role in the comedy film Eagle vs Shark directed by friend Taika Waititi, also from Wellington.

His documentary about the cult following McKenzie earned for a fleeting role in The Lord of the Rings trilogy screened to New Zealand audiences in September, the month the Conchords' series started here.

The duo have released an EP, and finished a studio album of songs from the show. A DVD was released in the US this month.

The Wellys were started 18 years ago by The Evening Post.

WELLYS WINNERS

Arts: Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie

Business: Infratil chief executive Lloyd Morrison

Community Service: Somali community workers Adam Awad and Koos Ali

Education: Ex-principal of Wellington East Girls' College Janice Campbell

Government: Sir Geoffrey Palmer

Science and technology: Climate scientist David Wratt

Sport: Phoenix Football Club owner Terry Serepisos

Youth: Interpreter for the deaf Darryl Alexander

Wellingtonians of the Year: Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie

- © Fairfax NZ News