You are putting the black in seeds.

I agree that it was time for FOTC to wrap up the TV show (the idea that they were struggling musos in NY trying to make it when actually... they had, was a bit toooo ironic), but I liked Season 2 as much as the first. I thought they did a great job with the songs. Like you say, musical comedy is tough, and I thought they delivered. The overall success of the show does owe a lot to Darby, Barker and Schaal though - they're comedy gold.

So yes - time to finish up, but I don't think they've anything to reproach themselves with, they acquitted themselves just fine in Season 2.

Will be interesting to see what they do now.

I loved it, but like yourself, am glad to see it finish before it really does become a cliche. And I know its a cliche in itself, but the best series all seem to have 2 series, then call it quits. Keep us wanting more maybe. I listened to the cd, but only once or twice. But arent all comedy albums like that? I think they should be applauded, not for the success, but for the content. And of course, for bringing the character of Murray into our lives! I wouldn't say they are up there with John Clarke, but certainly funnier than Billy T. TVNZ would have added canned laughter, and drafted in David McPhail to help write it of course!

I kind of, but not really in some ways, agree with you. If anything their live show and TV series has shown me - it is that they are probably comedians first, musicians second. The second series was immensely better set up in terms of comedy in my eyes, but as you said, the music dragged a bit. I'm glad they're canning it in though, leaving behind a tight legacy.

The phenomenon for me is best viewed from a far. Here we are parochial defenders of our heroes; but we oversell the Conchords success. In the States, Canada etc. they have a medium sized, slightly adoring cult fanbase who appreciated them not because of the "New Zealand" comedy angle, but because it is well written and smart. Same thing I guess, but it made me appreciate their impact outside of the obsessive, claustrophic New Zealand promotion of all that comes from itself in the name of patriotism.

I have to agree with James #4 - with the exception of the occasional gem, like the Friends song and the bizarre Korean karaoke interlude - the music has taken a back seat to the comedy in this series. It was always going to be harder to sustain the musical element once they run out of old songs to re-purpose, and it is definitely the right time to wrap up the show.

Hopefully FOTC will take a bit of a break after the rigours of the TV show and US tour and then come together in a more relaxed fashion in a couple of years and allow new songs to coalesce gradually, to avoid some of the more forced efforts from this season. I don't necessarily think a continuation of the TV show is a good idea, but would love to see them tour again with new material.

Based on the viral marketing to date, I am excited about seeing Jemaine Clement's turn as a pretentious sci-fi writer in Gentlemen Broncos and wonder if he will have the comedy chops to cross over into more consistent film work. On the basis of his amateurish if entertaining work in the series, I suspect Bret won't be inundated with film roles - lets just hope he doesn't rejoin the Black Seeds.

I have to say I listen to the FOTC first series album at least once a week, now we listen to a rip of the music from S2 just as often and will do so until the studio recording is released (Which was supposed to be in April). I think 'Sugar Lumps', 'Carol Brown' 'Too Many Dicks' were some of the best songs of both the series. Yes I noticed they snuck a couple of the old songs into S2. I usually have at least one Conchords song on repeat in my head! I also always found the episodes were much funnier the second time you watched them. I do agree though, it's probably best they don't do a S3 although I'd be gagging to watch it if they ever did.

I LOVE Flight of the Conchords.

I find it hard to compare them to Fred Dagg and Billy T. I guess they were similar in that they could poke fun at themselves and didn't mind looking silly if it made good comedy. But then I think kiwis in general are good at that.

You make a good point about them being rejected by TVNZ. We don't seem geared up that well to promote ourselves. Any decent talent seems to have to live overseas to get anywhere. That's a bit of a shame.

I found the second season to be stronger than the first, both the comedy and musically. I was myself lying on the floor in tears with my friends watching some of the episodes, and that doesn't happen often... Office UK is the only TV comedy with the same effect that I can think of right now, and that series also ended after two seasons leaving us wanting more while Office US, which sucks in comparision, goes on forever.

If you can't see the quality of the songs or the hilarity of the subtle jokes in FOTC I feel a bit sorry for you, maybe you had a tough day at work if you couldn't even let a single chuckle out? Well, at least you have this fine reviewer job (assuming you do you get paid for it) where you can vent your bitterness... look at everything from the bright side, mate.

I, too, feel it's a good thing they're taking a break now anyway before maybe eventually doing a third season. It's always best to quit while you're ahead.

Weird Al is still going strong - and is monumentally successful (there's always his Polka album catalog to fall back on too).

It is great to see Mathers back though - looking leaner after the whole rehab thing - but Eminem is the only rapper I've ever found to be remotely palatable.

I'm of the view that any music written and performed specifically for comedy is only funny the first time through. After that, you've got the joke and it gets a bit awkward.

FotC are great musicians and song writers, as well as gifted comedians, so their songs manage to transcend that - slightly. I can give them perhaps two listens, maybe three?

And good on them for moving on before it gets too old. I'm looking forward to what they do in the future, individual or as the comedy duo.