New York Times interview

Questions for Bret Mckenzie and Jemaine Clement
Dynamic Duo

Interview by DEBORAH SOLOMON
Published: February 26, 2009

As the creators and co-stars of “Flight of the Conchords,” the HBO cult comedy series, do you expect the show to be renewed for a third season?
Jemaine: Unlikely.
Bret: We’re going to go straight to the fourth season.

The show is a loosely autobiographical tale about two goofy band mates from New Zealand trying to make it in Manhattan. Is New York a good place for struggling artists?
Bret: It’s a good city if you want to struggle. It’s easy to struggle in New York. I think New York is a bit expensive. It’s too expensive to hang out unless you’ve got a TV show.

Your show is sort of the anti-“Entourage,” in part because there is no cursing or nudity.
Jemaine: We have facial nudity.

Do you see the show as musical comedy?
Bret: It’s definitely closer to the comedy end than the music end.

Next month, you’re releasing a new album and embarking on a U.S. tour. Is it fair to describe your music as a hybrid form that parodies folk music and other genres?
Bret: I would describe our music as weird. I mean, I wouldn’t want to listen to it.

Do you find it surprising that you’ve managed to have a hit television show in spite of your twangy accents?
Jemaine: In New Zealand, people don’t like the New Zealand accent, so we weren’t able to get a TV show there.

What do they watch in New Zealand?
Jemaine: American shows.
Bret: They don’t understand their own accents, so they don’t talk very much.

What do Australians think of your accent?
Jemaine: They think our accent is crude.
Bret: They do make fun of our accents when we’re there.

You first met as drama students at Victoria University in Wellington.
Bret: It started off as a punch-out.
Jemaine: In the New Zealand tradition, we started off fighting like two Russell Crowes. Now we’re amicable rivals. Bret: In between fights we’d write comedy songs.

Is that a joke?
Bret: I don’t know.

Is it true there are more sheep than people in New Zealand?
Jemaine: Ten times more. But in America there are probably more ants than people.
Bret: More cars than people.

Is there anything you can say about the episode being shown this Sunday?
Jemaine: The prime minister of New Zealand comes to New York and wants to meet Barack Obama.

Does New Zealand’s actual prime minister, John Key, appear in the episode?
Bret: No, we decided to go with an actor rather than a politician.
Jemaine: The same way George Bush wasn’t on “24.”

Does President Obama make a cameo appearance?
Jemaine: We can’t tell you.
Bret: HBO might have put him in there as a treat for us.

Any thoughts on the president’s new stimulus package? What do you recommend forthe U.S. economy?
Jemaine: Budgeting.
Bret: Yeah, the government should do a budget.

I believe we already have a budget.
Jemaine: It doesn’t seem like it.
Bret: They need to put aside a certain amount each week for rent and then some money for food and then some money for partying, having a good time. Jemaine: Put aside some for invasions!

INTERVIEW CONDUCTED, CONDENSED AND EDITED BY DEBORAH SOLOMON



Photo and Interview located here: NY Times.com