Float like a Conchord, sting like a bumble bee

BARRY HARCOURT/144222

IT'S LIKE THIS: Kiwi international funny man Rhys Darby argues the point during last night's debate in Queenstown.

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His unique twist on humour has landed Kiwi funny man Rhys Darby right up there on the big screen alongside Hollywood comedy greats like Jim Carrey.

But last night Darby was back on home turf, in Queenstown, competing for laughs against the cream of New Zealand comedy.

Darby was arguing the affirmative with TV3's Sunrise presenter Oliver Driver and Paul Ego against Te Radar, Dai Henwood and Queenstown broadcaster Emma Lange at the Queenstown Winter Festival Comedy Debate, with presenter Jeremy Corbett as MC.

Asked if it was a bit of a comedown returning home to feature alongside "ordinary" Kiwi comedians after starring in movies like Yes Man with Carrey and in Briton Richard Curtis' movie The Boat That Rocked, Darby put his tongue in his cheek, and flashed a grin at the others.

"Well, I've always felt that way it's just proof of it now."

He said Carrey had been more laid-back than he expected.

"You'd think he'd be crazy and wild ... but he's not.

"He's always a good inspiration he and I would hang out in between scenes at the monitors and talk about Peter Sellers."

Darby said inspiration for his character Murray on Flight of the Conchords came from "a whole lot of men I'd met through the years, managers I'd worked with, managers and bosses in the air training corps and the army".

He had moulded all these different personalities together and come up with a confident, suave character who had empathy.

However, Ego was unfazed by Darby's stardom.

Asked who his favourite comedian of all time was, Ego quipped: "Ah, that guy from Flight of the Bumble Bee ... you know? Rhys Darfood?"

Te Radar awarded Corbett the "most improved comedian" award, "because there was a time when it was elusive for Jeremy", while Driver said his main interest was "getting the ratings up" on Sunrise Darby would star this morning.

As for Queenstown's homegrown Lange, she was sure she was probably just the "token local girl".

"It's a tough gig only girl, only local I may as well grate my face over a grater," she said.